1996 Chevrolet Van
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Owner complaints
28 complaints4 involved a crash1 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Dt*: the contact stated that there was gasoline spilling out of the filler neck of the rear fuel tank. the vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the dealer determined that the pump in the rear tank failed. the vehicle was not repaired at that time. there IS a nhtsa recall # 93v125000, pertaining to the fuel tank assembly however the vin was not included in the recall.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Dt*: the contact stated the harness that connects the power to the top of the fuel pump failed causing arcing that burns the connector. this melted the plastic on the inside of the fuel tank and the vehicle stalled. The dealership determined the fuel pump needed to be replaced. two fuel pumps were installed. after the second fuel pump was installed, the dealership determined the connector was bad.
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Dt: the consumer stated the headlights were blinding to other vehicles. the headlights have been adjusted numerous times and have been replaced about 10 times.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
2 multi port inj 1intake manifold gasket
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion bar
1996 chevrolet astro van. We were driving down a busy interstate 65 miles an hour when the front passenger side collapsed. Luckily my husband got the vehicle under control and off of the road, my entire family could have been killed. We learned that it was a torsion bar and that this IS a common…
1996 chevrolet astro van. We were driving down a busy interstate 65 miles an hour when the front passenger side collapsed. Luckily my husband got the vehicle under control and off of the road, my entire family could have been killed. We learned that it was a torsion bar and that this IS a common design problem and that the design was changed in 1997. Therefore we had to replace both sides at a cost of over 1,000 dollars. It IS still making a noise and I don't feel it IS reliable. *nlm
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
While parked with no keys in the ignition child accidently put vehicle into gear without applying brakes veehicle rolled forward, and hit a cement beam, injuring parent who was trying to stop the vehicle. dealer contacted. *Ak
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion bar
Heard a noise, felt the front of the vehicle fall down on the front passenger tire, heard tire rubbing, stopped vehicle, got out to inspect. Fender parts rubbed on tire, could not turn wheel or drive , had to have vehicle towed to repair shop. replace torsion bar and related parts.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Driveline › Differential unit · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings · Suspension › Front › Control arm · Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion bar
Prior to complete brake failure on july 29, 2001, there IS minimum of nine documented service reports with the dealer for brake problems beginning in may of 1997. to date, this problem still exists. there IS severe pulling to the right and wheel vibration upon quick or heavy appliance of brakes.…
Prior to complete brake failure on july 29, 2001, there IS minimum of nine documented service reports with the dealer for brake problems beginning in may of 1997. to date, this problem still exists. there IS severe pulling to the right and wheel vibration upon quick or heavy appliance of brakes. the rear brakes do not work and have not worked properly from the beginning; thus, the front brakes must handle the load. the front brake lining must be replace every six months. the back brake lining has been replaced only once. the dealer indicated the recent brake failure was a result of the rotars rusting and splitting in half (a first they say). this occurred only three months after having this vehicle into the dealer to check the brakes again! the rear drive shaft was replaced in nov. Of 1997, the catalytic converter had to be replaced in feb. 2000, the idler arms (which caused premature wear of tires) had to be replaced in april of 2000 and control arm bushings were replaced in feb. 2001 (again affecting tire wear, alignment, etc), tortion bars had to be replaced in feb. 2001, engine leak had to be addressed in feb. 2001. harsh shifting and jerking of vehicle let to faulty tcc solenoid & harness assy and pinion seal replacement in april 2001. this vehicle IS a hazard on the highway and to the occupants. the dealer personally called chevrolet in an attempt to discuss a buy back or credit. they were not successful. apparently, someone has to die first. retail on this vehicle IS $12,800. the dealer IS offering $8,000 because he IS afraid to sell it off his lot but would have to take it to auction. I am supposed to pay for chevrolet's engineering and defect problems either monetarily or with my life or the lives of others. help!*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
I have a previous report on this vehicle back in april of 2000. This van would not stop when I was going down a hill and I went into a house. they found nothing wrong, which I never could believe. ever since this incident the brakes never felt the same. I have returned this van to dealership…
I have a previous report on this vehicle back in april of 2000. This van would not stop when I was going down a hill and I went into a house. they found nothing wrong, which I never could believe. ever since this incident the brakes never felt the same. I have returned this van to dealership several times and they could never find anything wrong. I transport my daughter in this who IS in a wheel chair. two weeks ago I brought this van in again to be serviced and they said something to do with the sensor, claimed they fixed it but my v an again did not stop on my 1ST attempt of applying my brake. the anti-locke light keeps going on and off. I have noticed when light IS on the brakes work o.k., when light IS off the brakes malfunction. I do not feel safe for myself but most of all my family. it IS in the dealership today again 4/15/01. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
This IS just for your records this veichle has a stopping problem above 40 mph the harder you press brakes the stopping does not increase I am famllar with anti lock breaks this IS not that system causeing this non stopping other van owners like my self have notice this problem its almost like there IS not enough break to stop anti break works fine when forced to floor but normal stopping IS very weak .*ak
- Structure › Body › Bumpers
I am disapointed that all newer cars on the road today only come with painted bumpers.bumpers that are painted are like having no bumper at all when it comes to minor collisions. bumpers, I believe, should be protection for the painted areas as well as the lights, grill etc. I would like to see a…
I am disapointed that all newer cars on the road today only come with painted bumpers.bumpers that are painted are like having no bumper at all when it comes to minor collisions. bumpers, I believe, should be protection for the painted areas as well as the lights, grill etc. I would like to see a mandate that bumpers not be painted. Seems like common sense to not drive around with the most likely areas to be damaged as painted or otherwise delicate.please consider this in your evaluations as it will greatly reduce consumer expences involving accidents that are not covered by auto insurance ( accidents under 500.00). thank you.*ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
2 bucket seats located in middle of van are loose and wobbly. Consumer feels this IS unsafe. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
This van has two braking problems . It appears to have too much front brakes combined with an over sensitive ABS . it has worn out 4 sets of front disc pads and yet the rear shoes show little wear . When applying the brakes even on dry pavement the ABS activates tuning off the front disc…
This van has two braking problems . It appears to have too much front brakes combined with an over sensitive ABS . it has worn out 4 sets of front disc pads and yet the rear shoes show little wear . When applying the brakes even on dry pavement the ABS activates tuning off the front disc brakes and leaves you with no brakes because the rear brakes do not work and the ABS continues to turn off the front brakes . In a sudden stop the van will leap foward with no brakes like all four wheels are on ice before the ABS shuts off. This braking problem has been like this since the van was new . It IS a deadly braking problem. I have driven over 1,000,000 miles in chevyvans and pickup trucks . I am familiar with ABS my last two new trucks had it without any problems.*ak
- Structure › Body
The roof on the conversion van blew off while driving. *mjs
- Power train › Automatic transmission
The bearing inside the reaction carrier was damaged causing damage to carrier, reaction gear, sun gear, thrust washers. all transmission parts had to be replaced. I have saved the damaged parts. I contacted chevrolet and they told me that since I had over 36,000 miles on my vehicle, IS was no…
The bearing inside the reaction carrier was damaged causing damage to carrier, reaction gear, sun gear, thrust washers. all transmission parts had to be replaced. I have saved the damaged parts. I contacted chevrolet and they told me that since I had over 36,000 miles on my vehicle, IS was no longer under warranty, and I would receive no reimbursement for the repair work. I feel that a transmission should last longer than 65,000 miles. I never even towed anything with this van. regarding the rear air conditioning in my van, it was the aluminum pipe underneath the van that rusted and all the refrigerant evaporated. thus, I had to replace a 6" piece of pipe at a cost of over $250! I was told by the air conditioning company from indiana that they no longer use aluminum pipe since it rusts being underneath the van, and they use another product. they have had many complaints regarding that. this was not covered under warranty since my mileage was also over 36,000 miles. I have had many other problems with this van, some were fixed for the time being, but now I still have the same problem. some were never fixed properly, or the dearler said they didn't know how to fix it. I have many repair invoices for this vehicle. I would never purchase another chevrolet van. *ak
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
Failure of the passenger side rear door hinge. when the door was opened the hinge broke, causing the door to drop down. this failure could easily have been when a passenger was leaning against that door, either falling out or into the opening resulting in serious injury. the general motors…
Failure of the passenger side rear door hinge. when the door was opened the hinge broke, causing the door to drop down. this failure could easily have been when a passenger was leaning against that door, either falling out or into the opening resulting in serious injury. the general motors customer service manager indicated that the hinge failure was due to the high mileage and age of the vehicle. I don't understand how mileage can effect the life of a hinge which should last the life of the vehicle. the other hinge on the same door was very stiff and needed pin replacement. it may have metal fatigue and break later. the mating door IS also very stiff and could potentially have metal fatigue and fail later. the replacement of the broken hinge was not covered under warranty or considered to be an abnormal failure by the dealer. *ak
- Air bags · Electrical system › Horn · Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash · Steering › Linkages › Arm › Idler and attachment
Failure of clock spring located in steering column, caused a total failure in the horn,/air bags, and cruise control. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Fuses keep blowing out with ABS, resulting in two electrical fires. Dealer contacted and stated short in wiring. Repairwork done. Provide further information. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
While driving at 40 mph applied brakes and the did'nt slow down. rear ended another vehicle. *ak
- Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Lug nuts sheared causing rear wheel to fall off.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS brake problems; when pushing on the brake pedal, the pedal would go to the floor and there would be no braking ability. The dealer could not find a problem with the brake system. This happened on dry road conditions. This incident caused a crash on 4/17/97. The vehicle was repaired by a ford dealership because chevrolet wanted consumer to sign a letter that he would not sue anyone over this wreck. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Intermittently when driving the vehicle the vehicle shuts down. just before the vehicle shuts down, the engine light comes on. The dealer has repaired the vehicle several times. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
ABS brake failure; also, power steering failure. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum
When brakes are applied in an emergency stop, the pedal goes down to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance . The dealer said that the rear brakes were not self adjusting, and the front brakes were replaced. *ak
- Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior
While drivng at highway speeds 55 mph and above both outside rearview side mirrors vibrate, causing very poor visiblity. Dealers are aware of problem, but noted problem IS unfixable, possible design flaw. *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.
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