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1996 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
49Owner complaints

Model-year median: 3

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

3Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1996 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 49 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 3 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Power Train: 11 reports
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 9 reports
  • Visibility: 9 reports
  • Seats: 7 reports
  • Electrical System: 6 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    13
    1993    35
    1994    53
    1995    49
    1996    48
    1997    33
    1998    35
    1999
    Compare all Chevrolet Truck years →

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

    What owners reported most

    Power Train
    11    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    9    Visibility
    9    Seats
    7    Electrical System
    6
    All reported categories
    Fuel System, Gasoline
    6    Engine And Engine Cooling
    4    Air Bags
    3    Tires
    3    Service Brakes, Air
    2    Equipment
    1    Exterior Lighting
    1    Fuel System, Other
    1    Latches/locks/linkages
    1    Structure
    1    Suspension
    1    Unknown Or Other
    1    Wheels
    1

    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: 4 of 49 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.

    • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Visibility. 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.

    4 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

    Visibility complaints

    9 reports
    Clear category filter
    125,000 miles · Jan 17, 2003
    Visibility

    1996 CHEVROLET 1 TON 4-DOOR PICKUP TRUCK 4X4 WITH A 350 VORTEC AND AUTOMATIC THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WIRE-PLUG SHORTS OUT AND THE WIPERS STOP WORKING. I STUCK A PIECE OF WOOD SHIM BETWEEN THE PLUG-IN AND HOUSING AND THIS KEEPS THE IT FROM SHORTING OUT. I WAS TOLD BY A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY VERY COMMO…

    Read full complaint

    1996 CHEVROLET 1 TON 4-DOOR PICKUP TRUCK 4X4 WITH A 350 VORTEC AND AUTOMATIC THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WIRE-PLUG SHORTS OUT AND THE WIPERS STOP WORKING. I STUCK A PIECE OF WOOD SHIM BETWEEN THE PLUG-IN AND HOUSING AND THIS KEEPS THE IT FROM SHORTING OUT. I WAS TOLD BY A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY VERY COMMON WITH THESE TRUCKS AND THAT IT IS A SHORT INSIDE THE LITTLE BOX WHERE THE PLUG PLUGS INTO. I WAS DRIVING HOME PULLING A LARGE TRAILOR IN THE RAIN WHEN THE WIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING AND ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE FREEWAY RAILING AND HAD TO STOP ON THE FREEWAY NEAR SEATTLE! I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFEC IN THE WIRING, WHEN MY OLD 1976 CHEVY TRUCK NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THAT!

    NHTSA ODI #10002875

    Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2001
    Visibility

    OUTSIDE SIDEVIEW MIRRORS VIBRATE AT SPEES FROM APPROX 25 TO 70 MPH. REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES YET THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

    NHTSA ODI #9002263

    Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2000
    Service Brakes, AirVisibility

    WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TURNED ON AND SOMETIMES DO NOT COME ON OR STOP WHILE IN OPERATION. THIS MAKES VISABILITY NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES PUMP THE BRAKES SOMETIMES WHEN TRYING TO STOP ON DRY PAVEMENT AT SLOW SPEEDS.

    NHTSA ODI #729845

    Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2000
    Visibility

    NO SUNMMARY

    NHTSA ODI #729296

    Mileage unknown · May 1, 2000
    Visibility

    WHENEVER WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE IN USE THEY WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY. WOULD SOMETIMES NOT COME ON WHEN SWITCH WAS TURNED. THE PROBLEM CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER IN RAIN OR SNOW. BEEN TO DEALER & CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. INDICATION WAS THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL. *AK *ML

    NHTSA ODI #861156

    Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2000
    Visibility

    WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW FREEZING, THE WINDOWS FOG UP AND DO NOT CLEAR. EVEN WITH DEFROST ON HIGH, THE WINDOWS DO NOT CLEAR. HEATER CORE HAS BEEN CHANGED AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND DEALER SAYS, IT'S THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO STOP IT. *AK

    NHTSA ODI #717421

    Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 1999
    Visibility

    PAINT CHIPING AND FLYING OFF VEHICLE EXTENSIVELY, WIPERS QUIT WORKING AFTER RUNNING AWHILE

    NHTSA ODI #715266

    Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 1999
    Visibility

    NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

    NHTSA ODI #707442

    Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 1998
    Visibility

    WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED 50-65 MPH DRIVER HAS DIFFICULTY SEEING A CLEAR IMAGE BECAUSE OF EXTREME VIBRATION IN THE RIGHT AND LEFT HAND OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS.

    NHTSA ODI #780990

    Recall campaigns

    0

    No recalls in this snapshot.

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

    Defect investigations

    3

    EA98024 · Fuel Leaks From The Vapor Canister

    Opened Nov 10, 1998 · Closed Apr 20, 2000

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

    In January 1998, GM issued the technical service bulletin describing conditions which may result in fuel leakage from the emission vapor canister.According to the bulletin, when the subject vehicles are parked on an incline, with a full tank of gasoline, fuel can flow into the vapor canister.The remedy is to replace of the vapor canister, both rollover valve assembles, and the associated piping.In April 1998, ODI opened Service Query 98-005 to understand GM's rationale for issuance of a service bulletin on a matter that appeared to result in fuel leakage, an issue that is usually address by conducting a safety recall campaign.On November 10, 1998 the SQ was elevated to an Engineering Analysis (EA98-024) to investigate an alleged defect in the fuel tank rollover valve system in certain 1996 through 1997 Chevrolet Trucks and OMC Full Size 010-030 panel and passenger vans.

    SQ97020 · Unintended Release Of The Rear Hatch

    Opened Oct 6, 1997 · Closed Nov 19, 1997

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

    GM REPORTED THAT THIS TSB WAS ORIGINATED AFTER A PLANT ENGINEER EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM.THIS WAS A PLANT GENERATED COMPLAINT. ODI HAS NO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS.GM REPORTED 6 FROM OWNERS BEING PUZZLED BY THE HATCH AJAR LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED.A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT, NOR A TREND, HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

    EA97007 · Steering Shaft Separations

    Opened Apr 17, 1997 · Closed Mar 12, 1998

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

    COUPLING BOLTS, JOINING THE STEERING SHAFT, MAY SEPARATE.IN SOME CASES, TOTAL UNFORESEEN, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL MAY RESULT.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.