1996 Chevrolet C Series

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Visibility4
2. Engine and engine cooling2
3. Air bags2
4. Service brakes, hydraulic2
5. Power train2
6. Tires1
7. Electrical system1

Latest complaints

• Jul 28, 2008CA161,000 miCrash
  Tires

  Driving @ 60MP west bound 210frwy in southern california. Rear tire blew and upon looking at tire the tire "threw top tread" and separated. *tr

• Jun 27, 2005AR169,302 mi1 injury
  Air bags › Frontal

  Dt: the consumer stated the air bag inadvertently deployed. The consumer was injured. *Ak *jb

• Oct 1, 2003MI
  Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer

  Intermittently windshield wipers become inoperable obstructing the driver's view. Dealer notified. *Ak

• Nov 16, 2001PA
  Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
  The truck has been in for repairs today makes the 4TH times to have the brakes fixed also the engine light has been coming on since the truck we purchased it has been in for repairs at least 6 times and the service engine still IS on. talked to the chevy co that said to miles on truck for them…

  The truck has been in for repairs today makes the 4TH times to have the brakes fixed also the engine light has been coming on since the truck we purchased it has been in for repairs at least 6 times and the service engine still IS on. talked to the chevy co that said to miles on truck for them to do anything even though it started at 2899 miles. Case # co5800032 can you help in any way? also, the engine lite still come on stating repair engine soon it has been looked 6 differents times and IS still not fixed this also stared at 2899 miles. just talked to the gm company that said the truck had to many miles on for thenm they to take any responsibiliy even thought the started the year the truck was bought. *ak

• Jan 18, 2001CO
  Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

  There IS a recall for this problem but I have two of these trucks and neither match the recall and told to fix it myself...i have to believe that this IS a serious problem for other people with these trucks as well, the vin number on the other IS [xxx], it IS a 1996 k series. *ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr

• Sep 27, 2000MA
  Engine and engine cooling › Engine

  Vehicle experiencing a severe oil leakages. Dealer unable to locate the problem. they think it may be caused by the engine rear seal. Please feel free to provide any further details. *Ak

• Jul 20, 2000CA
  Air bags › Frontal

  Consumer was traveling 20mph & driver's airbag deployed. airbag embraced the consumer in the seat. Dealer doesn't have much to say about the problem. vehicle was towed to the dealer.*ak

• Jun 23, 2000LA
  Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

  Windshield wipers worked intermittently. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not coveredunder manufacturer's recall due to vin. *ak

• Jun 23, 2000LA
  Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

  Windshield wipers intermittently worked. dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under manufacturer's recall due to vin. feel free to provide further details. *ak

• Feb 23, 2000COFire
  Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood · Power train › Axle assembly · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

  Vehicle been experiencing intermittent problem with brakes failing to stop vehicle properly whenever brakes were applied in an emergency situation. Dealer notified. *also, front bearing failed, causing damage to mounting bracket and wiring which resulted in a fire.*ak

• Jan 12, 2000FL
  Power train › Automatic transmission

  Transmission has hard shift after zero throttle coastdown. Acts as though line pressure IS latched high. Two dealers have been unable to fix even though they are aware of the problem. One dealer told me gm knows of the problem, but IS unable or unwilling to fix it. *ak

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
• 10244945The following information is provided to clearly explain Isuzus policy for control module (engine, transmission, antilock brake, instrument panel, body control, power interface, etc.) reprogramming. Control module calibrations are regularly updated for many reasons. These reasons may include, but are not limited to: model year change, software corrections, certification compliance, product improvement and specific application requirements. However, the mere existence of a newer control module calibration does not necessarily mean that warranty coverage exists or that the calibration must be installed. It is not our policy to update control modules, under warranty or after warranty, based solely on the availability of a newer calibration file. Below are our guidelines for reprogramming control modules.
• 10232287This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
• 10004297Effect of steering box limiter adjustment on turning radius and possibility of power steering system damage due to improper adjustment. Various 1990-2004 models.
• 10000167Engine stall, no start, hard start condition.
• 6092348Failure of the electronic diesel fuel injection pump, leading to complaints of poor performance or fuel economy, hard / no starts, hesitation, illumination of the service engine soon light.
• 6091427Some customers may comment on hard, no, or slow start, backfire or kickback during crank / start, grinding or unusual noises during crank, diagnostic trouble code p0338.
• 6089206Special policy adjustment covering the sequential central port fuel injector (scpi) failure condition.
• 6089156Concerns with intermittent multifunction alarm activation.
• 6088963Some owners may complain that of noise from the clutch housing, clutch may not engage, clutch disc hub cracked / broken.
• 634850Some customers and dealers may comment on accelerated uneven brake pad wear on some vehicle with four-piston fixed caliper rear disc brakes.
• 629530Subject regarding service diagnosis/recommendations for inoperative air conditioning systems.
• 628945Some customers and dealers may comment on accelerated uneven brake pad wear on F6-7 medium duty tilt cab models and H6-7 conventional medium duty models.
• 628938Information used when diagnosing noise conditions such as engine rattle noise, spark knock at 2000 - 2500 rpm range, under a moderate to heavy load with a warmed up engine.
• 628925Some owners may experience a service engine soon light, misfire, rough idle orhard start due to a deposit build-up on the sequential central port fuel inujector (scpi) poppet valve(s).
• 628910Special policy adjustment for vehicles experiencing a failure of the electronic diesel fuel injection pump, leading to complaints of poor performance of fuel economy, hard/ no starts, hesitation, as well as illumination of the service engine soon light.
• 628905Some customers may comment on rough idle after start up, especially after setting overnight.
• 627790Information regarding fuel transfer pump inoperative.
• 627737Information regarding correct vehicle application for eaton. 1990-2002 chevrolet and GMC c-series conventional and t-series tilt cab medium duty models.
• 627626Information regarding poor ride quality. (H6-7 c-series conventional medium duty models).
• 623445Some customers may comment on inoperative secondary fuel tank transfer pumps.
• 623426Technical service bulletin regarding fuel transfer pump inoperative.
• 616390Service engine soon light, misfire, rough idle, or hard start due to a deposit build-up on the sequential central port fuel injector (scpi) poppet valve(s). The deposit build-up may cause injector poppets to stick closed.
• 615106Product recall campaign involving windshield wiper motor replacement.
• 613602Some owners may experience a service engine soon light, misfire, rough idle or hard start. **Mr
• 612133Some vehicles may experience a service engine soon light, misfire, rough idle or hard start due to a deposit build up on the sequential central port fuel injector (scpi) poppet valve(s).
• 611250Metal contamination may be found in the fuel filter and filter housing on vehicles with 6.5L diesel engines.
• 609762Some vehicles that are registered in california, equipped with a 4.3L, 5.0L or 5.7L engine and california emissions, may experience a service engine soon light, misfire, rough idle or hard start.
• 609743General motors began providing child restrain seat top tether hardware packages to customers in the united states who requested them.
• 609709Subject regarding a hard, no start or excessive gray or white smoke condition on start up after recent glow plug replacement.
• 609696Some customers may comment on rough idle after start up, and / or a service engine soon (ses) light illuminated.
• 609641Park/neutral position switch connector cannot be removed. Yd
• 609579Oil weep or leak at gasket between upper and lower intake manifold. Yd
• 608388Brake lead/pull and front brake wear. *Mjs
• 606765Some cab chassis, crew cab, and pickup models may exhibit a brake lead / pull and front brake wear.
• 606549Subject regarding engine surge while trailering.
• 606089Some vehicles built within vin breakpoints xj105482 and xj510031 may exhibit inaccurate fuel guage readings, vehicle runs out of fuel, or fuel gauge registers full but may still add fuel.
• 605961Customer may comment on engine knocking noise.
• 602824Comments of an extended engine cranking time during a hot restart in high ambient temperatures of 38 c (100 f).
• 602774Vehicles leading or pulling to either side while applying the brakes, and premature front brake wear, especially vehicles that have been used to tow a heavy load.

Every Chevrolet C Series model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.