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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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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

What owners actually said

49 reports
176,500 miles · Dec 21, 2010
Air BagsCrash

I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 50MPH WHEN A CAR DID A U-TURN IN FRONT OF ME, AFTER HITTING THE CAR I WAS SPUN AROUND AND HIT A SIGN AND THEN A POLE BEFORE STOPPING, THE FRONT END WAS TOTALED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NO INJURIES.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10371910

81,209 miles · Apr 28, 2005
Structure

FORTUNATELY WHILE STILL IN MY GARAGE, I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE BY LIFTING THE DOOR HANDLE. UPON DOING SO THE DOOR UNLATCHED AND IMMEDIATELY FELL INTO MY CHEST AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE WITH MY RIGHT HAND STILL ON THE DOOR HANDLE. AFTER SUPPORTING THE DOOR WITH A FOOT STOOL IT WAS OBVI…

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FORTUNATELY WHILE STILL IN MY GARAGE, I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE BY LIFTING THE DOOR HANDLE. UPON DOING SO THE DOOR UNLATCHED AND IMMEDIATELY FELL INTO MY CHEST AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE WITH MY RIGHT HAND STILL ON THE DOOR HANDLE. AFTER SUPPORTING THE DOOR WITH A FOOT STOOL IT WAS OBVIOUS THE DOOR HAD FALLEN OFF THE TOP HINGE COMPLETELEY. YES, THE 4 SPOT WELDS HAD SIMPLY GIVEN WAY. TO SAY THE LEAST I AM AMAZED SOMETHING AS HEAVY AS THAT DOOR IS SIMPLY SPOT WELDED ON AT THE HINGES. I AM GREATFUL MY WIFE OR ANYONE ELSE WAS NOT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND I WAS TRAVELING AT SPEED MAKING A TURN WHILE THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN LEANING ON THE DOOR. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE LOCAL GARAGE I DO BUSINESS WITH AND THEY RECOMMENDED A CLOSE BY RELIABLE REPAIR SHOP. UNFORTUNATELY I PREFER NOT TO TAKE MY CARS TO THE DEALERS ONCE THEY ARE OUT OF WARRANTY FOR REASONS I WON'T GO INTO HERE. THEY ORDERED A NEW HINGE FROM THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND I THINK IT INTERESTING IT CAME WITH 4 BOLTS AND NUTS WHICH MAKES A WHOLE LOT MORE SENSE TO ME THAN 4 TINY SPOT WELDS. I DID TAKE THE BILL FOR THE REPAIR TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER ($199.05) TO SEE IF THEY OR GM MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN PAYING IT AND ALSO WHAT HAPPENED OR EVEN BETTER WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. THEY OFCOURSE REMINDED ME THE TAHOE WAS WAY OUT OF WARRANTY AND I SAID I KNEW THAT BUT THOUGHT THEY MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THE FACT A DOOR FELL OFF IN A CUSTOMERS HANDS AND BESIDES BEING DANGEROUS IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOOD PR EITHER. I DID ASK THE SERVICE SUPERVISOR TO CHECK RECALLS AND SERVICE BULLETINS FOR MY VEHICLE. I WATCHED AS HE HIT A FEW KEYS ON HIS COMPUTER NEVER ALLOWING ME TO VIEW HIS SCREEN AND SAID HE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING EXCEPT A COUPLE OF CARGO DOORS. I DID NOT ASK THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE OLD HINGE BUT I"M SURE THE ALONG WITH ANOTHER WITNESS FROM MY REGULAR GARAGE CAN TELL YOU WHAT THEY FOUND. I WILL CALL THEM FIRST THING TOMORROW AND SEE IF BY CHANCE THEY STILL HAVE THE OLD HINGE.

NHTSA ODI #10118653

160,000 miles · Feb 2, 2003
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

WIRE PLUG INSIDE GAS TANK OVERHEATED AN MELTED THE WIRES AND THE PLUG. THE PUMP OF COURSE STOPPED WORKING SO TRUCK WOULD NOT START. ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY HUBLER CHEVROLET ON US31 IN GREENWOOD. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THEN. THE BILL SAYS THEY REPLACED THE PUMP AT THAT T…

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WIRE PLUG INSIDE GAS TANK OVERHEATED AN MELTED THE WIRES AND THE PLUG. THE PUMP OF COURSE STOPPED WORKING SO TRUCK WOULD NOT START. ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY HUBLER CHEVROLET ON US31 IN GREENWOOD. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THEN. THE BILL SAYS THEY REPLACED THE PUMP AT THAT TIME. THIS TIME THE TRUCK WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY SO I WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MYSELF. WHEN I PULLED THE PUMP FROM THE TANK I FOUND THE BURNT WIRES. I BENCH TESTED THE PUMP AND IT STILL WORKED. ALSO THE WIRES FOR FUEL GAUGE WERE MELTED. THE FUEL GAUGE HAD BEEN WORKING OFF AND ON FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. I WAS WAITING FOR WARMER WEATHER TO PULL THE FUEL TANK AND FIX IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. AS HOT AS IT HAD TO GET TO MELT THE WAY IT DID, MY FAMILY AND I ARE FORTUNATE THAT THE FUEL TANK DID NOT EXPLODE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10005107

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 · Sep 30, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineFuel System, OtherService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

CONSUMER STATES WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES VAN PULLS TO THE LEFT. VAN CHECKED BY DEALER WHO REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS. CONSUMER ADVISED WHILE DRIVING AGAIN HAD TO SUDDENLY APPLY BRAKES AND VAN PULLED TO THE LEFT ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. VAN CHECKED AGAIN BY DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT A DUROSTOP NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED ON VAN TO EQUA…

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CONSUMER STATES WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES VAN PULLS TO THE LEFT. VAN CHECKED BY DEALER WHO REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS. CONSUMER ADVISED WHILE DRIVING AGAIN HAD TO SUDDENLY APPLY BRAKES AND VAN PULLED TO THE LEFT ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. VAN CHECKED AGAIN BY DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT A DUROSTOP NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED ON VAN TO EQUALIZE PRESSURE ON BRAKE PADS. VAN DID NOT HAVE COMPONENT WHEN PURCHASED NEW IN 01/97. NLMTHE GAS GAUGE BOUNCES ERRATICALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE CONCERNING THIS DEFECT, TO NO AVAIL. *JG

NHTSA ODI #8019874

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK USED IN VIRGINIA. I RAN A CARFAX CHECK, HAD IT INSPECTED AND ASKED IF IT HAD ANY KNOWN DEFECTS. I DID NOT KNOW WHEN I BOUGHT IT THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP AND SOLENOID WERE BAD. THE TRUCK STALLS AT ANY SPEED AND I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FACT IT MAY STALL ANYTIME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE…

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I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK USED IN VIRGINIA. I RAN A CARFAX CHECK, HAD IT INSPECTED AND ASKED IF IT HAD ANY KNOWN DEFECTS. I DID NOT KNOW WHEN I BOUGHT IT THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP AND SOLENOID WERE BAD. THE TRUCK STALLS AT ANY SPEED AND I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FACT IT MAY STALL ANYTIME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP, BUT IT ONLY COVERS 10 YEARS OR 120,000. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK WITH 122,400 MILES AND HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE ANOTHER 100 OR SO MILES. THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL. I HAVE TALKED TO GM AND THEY ARE GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AND WILL CONTINUE TO FILE COMPLAINTS UNTIL GM/CHEVROLET FIXES THE TRUCK. THE DEALER ESTIMATED THE REPAIRS AT $2,500. I FEEL THEY SHOULD HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE PART IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND WAS WHEN I BOUGHT IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #767457

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury

HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER TRUCK AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT WORK.

NHTSA ODI #9005530

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2002
Power Train

VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR DUE TO MALFUNCTION WITHIN TRANSMISSION. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *TT

NHTSA ODI #8001840

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED, AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BY DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AGAIN WITH AN UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF MILES ON BRAKE ROTORS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #892987

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

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.