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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.

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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: 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
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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…

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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

Official recalls

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 ↗

NHTSA 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.