1996 Chevrolet Silverado
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › Silverado › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Chevrolet Silverado. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
186 complaints13 involved a crash3 involved a fire16 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Visibility/wiper
TL* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet silverado. While operating the vehicle, the windshield wipers operated intermittently without warning. The contact discovered nhtsa campaign number: 03v159000 (visibility/wiper). The contact took the vehicle to wittmeier chevrolet (2292 forest ave, chico, ca…
TL* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet silverado. While operating the vehicle, the windshield wipers operated intermittently without warning. The contact discovered nhtsa campaign number: 03v159000 (visibility/wiper). The contact took the vehicle to wittmeier chevrolet (2292 forest ave, chico, ca 95928, (530) 895-8181) and was informed that the parts for the recall repair were currently on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
- Unknown or other
During a jump start ignition would not disengage even after I turned off, and removed key. Had to remover battery cable 2 times now
- Visibility
1996 chevy silverado customer states that the windshield wiper motor should be recalled because the motor might fail resulting in cracking solder joints on the controller circuit board customer wants to be reimbursed**cc the consumer stated he has documentation that his vehicle was included in the recall, however the dealer states his vehicle was not included. *Tr
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Dt*: the contact stated the windshield wipers work intermittently. the manufacturer was alerted however no inspection has been made.
- Fuel system, other › Fuel injection system
Consumer chevrolet silrado pickup has had three injection pumps in 92000 miles. *ts ***ref 10157351*** *jb
- Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments
Tailgate straps failure. man was standing on tailgate preparing to jump down, and both straps snapped at the same time. there was no notice that the straps were worn or failing. vehicle IS used as show truck, not work truck, and IS in excellent condition. failure IS as described in your recall 04e067000, nhtsa action ea04005 and gm defect notice 04v-129, exception for pre 2000 vehicles. *Jb
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 65 mph while applying brake pressure the driver seat recliner failed causing the driver to be pushed up against the steering column. although the dealership and manufacturer was contacted. repairs were made by team chevrolet samarium, tennessee. The cost was $ 250.00. This failure almost resulted in a fatal clash. The vehicle ended up off highway in a ditch. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Metal hydraulic brake fluid line rusts, degrading to the leaking of fluid and total loss of braking ability. metal line to be replaced with stainless-steel. fuel line IS in same condition, though not leaking fuel. fuel line to be replaced with stainless steel. *nm
- Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments
On my 1996 silverado, the tailgate straps are starting to rust and break. I think that the recall should be extended because the recalled tailgate straps are put together the same was even if it IS not the same model. *Jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
1996 chevy 4X4 truck (silverado) ABS engaging at low speeds on dry pavement. very difficult stopping the vehicle when approaching a 4-WAY stop. kids in the truck caused a very unnerving experience. *jb
- Air bags · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Dt: while the caller was driving at 30 mph the brake failed, resulting in an accident. another vehicle stopped in front of the caller's vehicle, and when he applied the brakes they did not work. The insurance adjuster said the main brake line to the back brakes was rusted through and…
Dt: while the caller was driving at 30 mph the brake failed, resulting in an accident. another vehicle stopped in front of the caller's vehicle, and when he applied the brakes they did not work. The insurance adjuster said the main brake line to the back brakes was rusted through and caller said it was leaking fluid. The brake pedal went to the floor. There was a crash. One passenger w in callers vehicle sustained injuries. upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. There were no warning lights on the dashboard. The police came and a report was taken. Dealer has not been contacted yet. Manufacturer was called, but they have not called him back. The other vehicle had some damage to the rear, but caller's vehicle was totaled. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
The brakes on our 1996 chevy silverado 4X4 pick up fail to work properly. There IS a delay between applying pressure on the brake & the truck actually braking. This problem seems to happen more often when braking & turning. I first noticed it when pulling into a parking space. The truck makes the…
The brakes on our 1996 chevy silverado 4X4 pick up fail to work properly. There IS a delay between applying pressure on the brake & the truck actually braking. This problem seems to happen more often when braking & turning. I first noticed it when pulling into a parking space. The truck makes the same sound & vibration that happens when the anti lock brakes kick in if you're sliding on a slippery surface. This makes it impossible for us to trust that the vehicle will stop completely when needed. Caution IS required to operate this vehicle. We don't dare tow anything or even load the bed of the truck with anything to heavy since we're worried that the brakes will not handle the extra weight. We're also worried about operating it in inclement weather which IS fast approaching in the northeast. A mechanic told us that alot of chevy pick-ups have this same problem. We investigated this on the internet & found that gm did a recall for this problem on vehicles in canada but hasn't done one in the us yet. We also found out that the federal government IS investigating this complaint, but it's in the early stages of it's investigation. We would like to see immediate action taken before this problem causes an accident which would result in serious property damage and/or bodily injury. *nm
- Tires
Sidewalls of two tires separated, one at three places and one at one place. One tire cracked along the bead. One tire was replaced and prorated under warranty. *nm
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Injectors · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings
Since purchase of vehicle continual costs to keep vehicle running has almost exceed the value of the vehicle. Repair costs from $3,200.00-$3,900.00 and continue to increase. Any future repairs will now exceed the purchase value of the vehicle. Due to the incapacity of the truck my lost wages have…
Since purchase of vehicle continual costs to keep vehicle running has almost exceed the value of the vehicle. Repair costs from $3,200.00-$3,900.00 and continue to increase. Any future repairs will now exceed the purchase value of the vehicle. Due to the incapacity of the truck my lost wages have exceeded or will exceed $10,000.00. Being a single parent of two young children and having lost my job due to the vehicles incapacitate has caused insurmountable pain and suffering to the necessary day to day functions to my family. My once fair credit report has been ruined. One of my main reasons for agreeing to take out a auto loan was to help achieve a favorable credit rating to obtain a mortgage loan in the near future which IS no longer an option. There IS currently a investigation and class action suite pending by the vermont state attorney's generals office against william dydo jr. (Dydo auto sales. Although I hope to be part of this suit I will not be compensated for pain and suffering. Thank you
- Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Since purchased from maher chevrolet in 2001, the "c clip" in the "transfer case" has broken three times and we have never used the 4 wheel drive. this occurs during normal driving! the first time was within months after owning the vehicle. the second time was 30,000 miles after it replaced.…
Since purchased from maher chevrolet in 2001, the "c clip" in the "transfer case" has broken three times and we have never used the 4 wheel drive. this occurs during normal driving! the first time was within months after owning the vehicle. the second time was 30,000 miles after it replaced. now less than 20,000 miles later, its broke again. there must be something defective internally in the transfer case. when driving and the "c clip" breaks, the gears start grinding loudly. you can not exceed 3 - 5 miles per hour. Since this IS an instant movement, this can cause an accident wehn travling on the interstate. which my husband frequently does while driving to work. the warranty has expired on the vehicle and I don't understand why this problem has not been fixed since it was brought back to the dealer on two occasions and supposedly, fixed then. IS the dealership the problem or am I dealing with unsafe defect with the transfer case. I will list the approx. Date that the dealership looked at my truck last, and then wanted to charge me over $2,500 to "investigate" why the "c clip" keeps breaking.
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Dt: while driving she was experiencing hesitation, hit pothole and had to be towed home. upon inspection of the vehicle, the factory wiring inside the fuel tank to the fuel pump was burned up at the connector, only bear wiring was present in the fuel tank. fearful this may catch fire. hardwired…
Dt: while driving she was experiencing hesitation, hit pothole and had to be towed home. upon inspection of the vehicle, the factory wiring inside the fuel tank to the fuel pump was burned up at the connector, only bear wiring was present in the fuel tank. fearful this may catch fire. hardwired this feature per owner who IS also mechanic. appeared to be faulty wiring, definitely 4 pin connector at the top of that wire assembly. no other problems. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring · Exterior lighting › Headlights
Headlights would intermittently go out while driving at night. Consumer would have to move the tilt steering wheel to get the headlights to come back on. Dealer was notified.*ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Intermittently windshield wipers failed to operate or function properly due to the defect described in recall 03v159000. But this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. the windshield wiper motor had to be replaced.*ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
The welds, which attach the bucket seat to the seat tracks, broke. This caused the seat to move back and forth while driving. *ak the welds that attach both front bucket seat to the slide rails are broke. the welds only broke on the front of both seats. when the driver's seat broke it caused the seat to rock into the back and caused the consumer to hit his head on the back window. *sc
- Vehicle speed control
While pulling into the driveway vehicle commenced to accelerate and lurched forward. Consumer was able to slam on the brakes, and turn the ignition switch off before any other damage could have occurred. Dealer was notified. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle experienced loss of brakes while towing a trailer. Consumer inspected the vehicle, and replaced two front brake hoses that erupted. Also, vehicle stalled while in motion. Vehicle had been to dealer on two occasions, and they were unable to duplicate or resolve the problem. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic
Whenever a panic stop IS required the brakes take almost a second after application before they respond. it IS like pushing on an air cylinder with a small orifice - a second IS too long to wait for the brakes. the pedal travel IS correct and the dealer says it must be normal. I say it IS unsafe…
Whenever a panic stop IS required the brakes take almost a second after application before they respond. it IS like pushing on an air cylinder with a small orifice - a second IS too long to wait for the brakes. the pedal travel IS correct and the dealer says it must be normal. I say it IS unsafe after narrowly avoiding a crash that should have not even been close if the brake would grab as soon as I step on them. no matter how hard I push there IS a time delay while I push "air through the orifice".*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic
I was involved in an injury accident. I had to make a panic stop in heavy traffic. There was no resistance to the brake pedal. The officers asked, if I had applied the brakes, beacause there were no skid marks. I feel the brakes failed because no skid mark and the seat belts didn't lock. I work…
I was involved in an injury accident. I had to make a panic stop in heavy traffic. There was no resistance to the brake pedal. The officers asked, if I had applied the brakes, beacause there were no skid marks. I feel the brakes failed because no skid mark and the seat belts didn't lock. I work for the statehighway patrol. We have several 1998 and 1999 full size chevrolet silverdo trucks. Several officers operating these vehicle have experience brake failure in a "panic stop situation. I'm asking to see,if your organization has information about the brakes and to send the complaint
- Unknown or other
Windshield wipers stop working without warning
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission started slipping and stopped shifting into 3RD gear at 50,000 miles. Was rebuilt at trans service shop. Cause was lack of ground wire between control module and transmission causing erratic fluid pressures. I paid the $1470.00 repair bill. Tsb described the defect, I was not notified. This was preventable from chevy's perspective.*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
- 10232287This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10017191Supplement to bulletin 99-06-04-047a for fuel system cleaning.
- 10014959Replacement of connector when replacing fuel tank module/fuel pump module.
- 10007838Diagnostic information for intermittent transmission downshift, slip, busy/cycling tcc or noisy cooling fan.
- 10007717Engine coolant leak at intake gasket. * mj
- 10005439Malfunction indicator lamp on with a p0300 set and a misfire. Various models including 1996 - 1999 P32 models. Sit bulletin 1416475.
- 10005412Spring slap noise from the rear of the gmt 400 series truck.
- 10004371Rattle noise in engine.
- 10004301Rattle noise in engine.
- 10004223Malfunction indicator lamp on with a p0300 set and a misfire. Various models including the 1996-1999 P32 and the 1996-2002 GMC c/k truck.
- 10004214Poor performance from a stop in 2WD, auto or 4WD hi. 2003, 2003 cadillac ext also included.
- 10000749Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds on various models including the 1995 and 1996 envoy.
- 10000062Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds.
- 634999Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case. 2006 and prior cars and light duty trucks.
Every Chevrolet Silverado model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.