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1996 Chevrolet Caprice

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 11 of 65 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

7 reports
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145,000 miles · Sep 14, 2011
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 VEHICLE WAS SAFELY DRIVEN HOME AND P…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10425416

6,200 miles · Dec 4, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

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

NHTSA ODI #8023678

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

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

NHTSA ODI #8017915

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

WIRES FOR FUEL SENDING UNIT HAVE BURNED AND MELTED, INCLUDING ELECTRICAL FUEL CONNECTOR PLUG INSIDE GAS TANK, CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED UNIT, AND NOTICED THAT NEW PART WAS REDESIGNED AND BEEN MODIFIED, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH OLD DESIGN. CONSUMER STILL HAS ORIGINAL UNIT. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #889361

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE PROBLEM IS GAS FUMES, THE FUMES ENTER THRU THE VENTS A) WHEN IDLING B)AT STOP AND DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO MOVE FORWARD OR REDUCING THE SPEED. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM.*ET

NHTSA ODI #552892

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE ENGINE HAD DIED OUT WITH WARNING. HAD HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE. WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A LONG TIME. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEABLE UNTIL IT STALLED OUT. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM FIRST TIME. THE NEXT IT HAPPENED & WAS AT DEALER , CONSUMER WAS INFORMED DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WAS CAUSING STALLI…

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THE ENGINE HAD DIED OUT WITH WARNING. HAD HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE. WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A LONG TIME. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEABLE UNTIL IT STALLED OUT. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM FIRST TIME. THE NEXT IT HAPPENED & WAS AT DEALER , CONSUMER WAS INFORMED DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WAS CAUSING STALLING. HAD REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #848595

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE JERKED/BACKFIRED IN MOTION LIKE FUEL NOT GETTING INTO ENGINE. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #844012

Official recalls

4

96V245000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Dec 10, 1996

THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

96V020000 · Suspension:rear

Jan 31, 1996

THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CRACK AT THE REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

96V018000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Jan 30, 1996

DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND CAN LOOSEN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

95V215000 · Air Bags

Nov 3, 1995

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA99003 · Coolant Fires

Opened Jan 13, 1999 · Closed Aug 17, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System

There is no summary currently available

EA96007 · Rear Wheel Separation

Opened May 31, 1996 · Closed Dec 24, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

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.

PE96001 · Rear Wheel Separation

Opened Jan 4, 1996 · Closed May 31, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

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 . . .