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1996 Chevrolet Express

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
15Owner complaints

Model-year median: 15

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
199515
199629
199723
199868
1999
Compare all Express years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
3Engine And Engine Cooling
3Fuel System, Gasoline
3Equipment
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2
All reported categories
Steering
2Air Bags
1Power Train
1Visibility
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: 1 of 15 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 3 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 reports3 fire reports0 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

3 reports
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58,500 miles · Sep 5, 2001
Electrical SystemFire

THE HORN RELAY WAS SMOKING AND MELTED THE RELAY PANEL IT WAS MOUNTED TO. MORA FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE RELAY AND FUSE HAVE BEEN REMOVED AS A TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL A DEALER CAN INSTALL A NEW RELAY PANEL AND FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS GAVE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE VAN HAD BEEN TURNED OFF SINCE 12:20 P…

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THE HORN RELAY WAS SMOKING AND MELTED THE RELAY PANEL IT WAS MOUNTED TO. MORA FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE RELAY AND FUSE HAVE BEEN REMOVED AS A TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL A DEALER CAN INSTALL A NEW RELAY PANEL AND FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS GAVE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE VAN HAD BEEN TURNED OFF SINCE 12:20 PM. THE HORN WAS SILENT AT 2:00 PM WHEN MY WIFE BROUGHT SOMETHING IN FROM THE REAR COMPARTMENT OF THE VAN. AT AROUND 3:10 PM MY WIFE NOTICED THE HORN SOUNDING AND WENT TO CHECK IT OUT. SHE NOTICED SMOKE FROM DRIVER'S SIDE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE BATTERY WAS ALSO STARTING TO SMOKE. SHE DIALED THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DISPATCHER TO GET THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ON THE SCENE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND STAYED AFTERWARDS TO ENSURE NO HOT EMBERS EXISTED. *AK ----DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS-----751677.

NHTSA ODI #10006484

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE RUNS RUFF WITH NO POWER. SOUNDS LIKE ENGINE IS DIESELING. BLACK SMOKE COMES OUT OF EXHAUST, SOMTIMES BACKFIRES. ECM NEVER SETS TROUBLE CODE. EVENTUALLY THE ECM SET TROUBLE CODE FOR RIGHT CAT COMMING APART. THE FOURTH (MOST RESENT) BOTH CATS CAME APART. *AK

NHTSA ODI #705059

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 1999
Electrical SystemFire

VAN TOTALLY DESTROYED ,HAD BEEN SITTING FOR OVER 2 HOURS BEFORE IT DECIDED TO CATCH FIRE HAD TROUBLE WITH KEYLESS REMOTE PRIOR TO CATCHING FIRE REMOTE WOULD NOT UNLOCK DOORS FIRE STARTED UNDER NEATH PASS. SIDE DASHBOARD IN WHAT I WAS TOLD THE AREA WHERE THE COMPUTER IS

NHTSA ODI #702181

Official recalls

2

96V092000 · Suspension:rear:springs:leaf Spring ASSEMBLY:U-BOLT, Leaf Spring To Axle

Jun 3, 1996

ONE OF THE FOUR REAR AXLE U-BOLTS CAN BREAK. THIS CAN POTENTIALLY LEAD TO THE SPRING LIFTING FROM THE AXLE UNDER CERTAIN REBOUND, BRAKING OR CORNERING MANEUVERS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FOUR REAR AXLE U-BOLTS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.