1996 Chevrolet Caprice
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › Caprice › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Chevrolet Caprice. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
8 recalls name the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice. Newest first.
Dope, inc. IS recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on july 28, 2009. owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
Sabersport IS recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on may 11, 2009. owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. the recall began on july 31, 2006. owners may contact aj motorsport at 626-618-2026.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. the recall began on april 3, 2006. owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
The wheel lug nuts were not tightened to the proper specification during assembly.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition could result in a fracture of the wheel studs causing the wheel to separate from the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will tighten the vehicle's wheel lug nuts to the proper specification.
The rear lower control arm can crack at the rear stabilizer bar attachment.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition can be aggravated by the severe duty cycle of these vehicles and eventually cause the lower control arm to fracture completely causing a loss of vehicle control without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will replace both rear lower control arms and rear stabilizer bar attachments.
Defective lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts were not properly torqued and can loosen.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The lower control arm ball joint can loosen, fatigue, and separate from the front suspension knuckle resulting in a loss of vehicle control.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts for proper torque. If the ball joint has loosened, both the ball joint and the knuckle will be replaced.
These vehicles were shipped with both the supplemental inflatable restraint caution label and a roof rack caution label installed on the same side of the sun visor. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no.208, "occupant crash protection."
Risk and remedy
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance: operators could fail to notice and heed the warning labels.
Remedy
A new roof rack caution label, with installation instructions, will be sent directly to owners. Owners will install the label or have their dealer install the label for them.
Owner complaints
65 complaints1 involved a crash1 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Engine · Structure › Body
The vats system is the problem on my 96 Impala it just shut my car off for the past 3 mos
- Engine and engine cooling · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
Safety emissions. *kb
- Fuel system, gasoline
TL* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet caprice. The contact was driving 45 mph when he heard a dragging noise coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was maneuvered to the shoulder and the contact noticed that the straps which held the fuel tank in place were fractured due to corrosion. The…
TL* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet caprice. The contact was driving 45 mph when he heard a dragging noise coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was maneuvered to the shoulder and the contact noticed that the straps which held the fuel tank in place were fractured due to corrosion. The vehicle was safely driven home and parked. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were 145,000.
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet caprice. while driving 45 mph, the instrument panel cluster lights began blinking on and off. the failure continued for approximately six months until it completely shut off. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the panel cluster…
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet caprice. while driving 45 mph, the instrument panel cluster lights began blinking on and off. the failure continued for approximately six months until it completely shut off. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the panel cluster was a recurring failure with that make and model vehicle. she had to replace the entire panel cluster with the speedometer and odometer, which corrected the failure for two years. recently, while driving 5 mph, the instrument panel began to flicker on and off again. within the last two weeks, the instrument panel suddenly shut off and would occasionally turn back on. the failure causes the contact to be unsure of the speed that she IS traveling or how many miles are on her vehicle. the vehicle has not been repaired. the failure mileage was 59,000.
- Structure › Frame and members
During maintenance of my vehicle it was found to be missing the bolts, guides, washers, bushings and nuts that connect the radiator support to the frame. This 1996 chevrolet caprice classic may be only one of many wherein these critical bolts and assemblies were never installed at the factory. *Jb
- Tires
The tire on the consumer's 1996 chevrolet caprice blewout while parked damaging the entire front end (cooper cornell tire).*mr *nm
- Tires
Defective tires, resulting in tires exploding while car was parked, damaging entire front end of vehicle. *bf the tire stated they sold the consumer the wrong tires for the weight of the vehicle and even though it was the tires store's fault, the consumer still had to pay for the upgrade. *Jb
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint · Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
While driving at any speed consumer heard a loud knocking noise and the vehicle started to jerk. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic determined that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak
- Electrical system
When driving below 20 mph vehicle would stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three separate occasions and the dealer replaced the distributor/spark plugs and something on the driveshaft. However, the problem recurred. *ak the distributor cap was replaced due to a broken screw on the cap and rotor. *scc *jb
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Vehicle experienced the same defect with its lower control arm as stated in recall 96 v 018 001; but this vehicle was not included due to vin. *ak
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
Right front ball joints broke. *jb
- Vehicle speed control
The consumer must apply excessive force to the accelerator pedal to gain speed. *Jb
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
The accelerator idled while driving. *jb
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
The accelerator idled while driving. *Jb
- Steering › Rack and pinion
I have a 1996 chevrolet caprice with only 28, 000 miles on it. several occurances of steering loockup when going at very slow speeds and turning either let or right. racing the engine seems to clear the problem sometimes. the steering pump was replaced but the problem contines to occur occasionally.
- Steering
Consumer stated that while driving at 15mph on flat surface and without warning the steering wheel locked up. Dealer notified. ts
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Consumer complained about fuel pump problems. Also, while driving fuel pump burned out, and luckily it did not explode. fuel pump and fuel sending module were replaced. *ts *tt *nlm.*ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Consumer states the fuel pump on the vehicle went out while the consumer was driving, causing the vehicle to shut off and not move any where. Also the consumer does not think that the fuel pump IS in a proper place, because if there was a spark the vehicle could have caught on fire. Contacted dealer.*jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
While driving, brake hose rubs its mounting bolt. It was installed with a loop in the hose. Repair has been made on vehicle.*ak consumer stated the hose was worn in the reenforcing layer of the hose, consumer noticed this when the wheel was off.*jb
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
Heater IS not working although the system has been flushed three times. Dealer has been contatced. Please provide further details.*ak
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
Driver side lower control arm ball joint stud and nut were separated, r/r ball joint
- Suspension › Front
No summary listed for above vehicle. *Ak
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
I checked nhtsa's web sidt, my car was on recall list for that lower ball joint. I called gm, they said my car was not on recall list for that part. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
Serpentene belt chirping when under warranty belt replaced 4+ times problem never solved , called GMC hotline (i quote) learn to live with it (unquote) what do I do to fix the problem. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
The air pump broke causing the check engine light to illuminate, gm had a bulletin that advised the technician to disconnect the pump but rather than replace it, the consumer believes the pump should be replaced. nlm *slc *jb
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Coolant fires
There is no summary currently available
- Rear wheel separation
Gm notified odi that they are conducting a recall to retorque the wheel lug nuts on vehicles built between august and september of 1995.it IS anticipated that most vehicles will require the wheel lug nuts to be retorqued to 135 n.m(100 lb. Ft.).customers who have had all four of their tires and wheels rotated should…
Gm notified odi that they are conducting a recall to retorque the wheel lug nuts on vehicles built between august and september of 1995.it IS anticipated that most vehicles will require the wheel lug nuts to be retorqued to 135 n.m(100 lb. Ft.).customers who have had all four of their tires and wheels rotated should have properly torqued lug nuts.however, gm IS offering customers who have had their tires and wheels rotated the option of returning to their dealer for this repair or completing and returning an owner reply card included with their recall notice.this engineering analysis IS closed.
- Rear wheel separation
Information obtained from gm indicates that further investigation to determine the cause of wheel separations IS warranted.in gm's response dated april 26, 1996, gm stated that:gm has not identified any defect in the manufacture of the subject vehicles whih may contribute to wheel separation.investigation as to the…
Information obtained from gm indicates that further investigation to determine the cause of wheel separations IS warranted.in gm's response dated april 26, 1996, gm stated that:gm has not identified any defect in the manufacture of the subject vehicles whih may contribute to wheel separation.investigation as to the root cause of wheel separations IS continuing.the results of these further investigations are required to assess the probability of any future incidents . . .
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10232287This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10208027This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10171318This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10170494This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.
- 10168979This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
- 10166638This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10165876This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
- 10157018This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10154641This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10141381This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 10138060This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10114947This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 10114924This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 10113443This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10009370The engine does not stall when performing a p1870 diagnostic test with the tech 2 scan tool or when commanding the torque converter clutch enable solenoid on applications that do not have the p1870 diagnostic test listed. 4L60e or 4l65e transmissions.
- 634999Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case. 2006 and prior cars and light duty trucks.
- 622895Some customers may comment that the heater IS inoperative, blows cold air, the engine may exhibit an overheat condition or the coolant reservoir has rust in it.
- 618141A no reverse, no second gear, or no fourth gear condition. Updated
- 618109Vehicles may experience exhaust gas recirculation valve failures.
- 618093Concerns w ith exhaust gas recirculation valve failures.
- 616774Some customers may experience a failure of the exhaust gas recirculation (egr) valve due to corrosion of the internal diaphragm plate, leading to driveability complaints of a check engine light for egr valve (dtc p0400); or engine stall at idle, runs rough or surges.
- 603086Some vehicles experience engine miss/ poor driveability symptoms.
- 54332Experiencing engine noise.
- 54328Experiencing intermittent steering column snap or click noise when turning.
- 52601Engine noise (install valve stem oil seal).
- 52554Transmission fluid leak from pump body (replace bushing).
- 52106Water in air pump and/or dtc p0410, p0412, p1415, p1416, p0100, p0101, p0102 and dtc 48 (install air pump service kit).
- 52105Transmission fluid leak from pump body (replace bushing).
- 51502Transmission fluid leak from pump body/replace bushing.
- 51354Transmission fluid leak from pump body (replace bushing).
- 50568Mild shutter or sail-on between 40 to 60 mph, stall in reverse.
Every Chevrolet Caprice model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.