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: 15 of 94 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.
Visibility. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
94 reports
182,900 miles · Jan 10, 2005
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND MY TRANSFER CASE ON MY FOUR WHEEL DRIVE THREW ITSELF INTO 4 LOW. WHICH CAUSED MY TRUCK TO SKID OUT OF CONTROL . I MANAGED TO GAIN CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND PULL OF ONTO THE SHOULDER WHERE I DISCONNECTED THE BOX THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSFER CASE. THIS GAVE ME TWO WHEEL DRIVE WHICH GOT ME…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND MY TRANSFER CASE ON MY FOUR WHEEL DRIVE THREW ITSELF INTO 4 LOW. WHICH CAUSED MY TRUCK TO SKID OUT OF CONTROL . I MANAGED TO GAIN CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND PULL OF ONTO THE SHOULDER WHERE I DISCONNECTED THE BOX THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSFER CASE. THIS GAVE ME TWO WHEEL DRIVE WHICH GOT ME HOME. BUT I AM AFRAID TO HOOK THE BOX BACK UP IN FEAR OF KILLING MYSELF OR OTHERS IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEED AGAIN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10106078
112,231 miles · Jun 22, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
THIS LETTER IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING A HAZARDOUS AND POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC MATERIEL DEFECT ON THE 1996 CHEVROLET PICKUP (MODEL: K1500 1/2 TON 4.3 L F/I V6). THE VEHICLE HAD 112231 ORIGINAL MI. AND WAS OPERATED CONSISTENT WITH ITS INTENDED USE. THE VEHICLE IS PRODUCTION REPRESENTATIVE WITH NO MODIFICATIONS OR HIS…
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THIS LETTER IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING A HAZARDOUS AND POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC MATERIEL DEFECT ON THE 1996 CHEVROLET PICKUP (MODEL: K1500 1/2 TON 4.3 L F/I V6). THE VEHICLE HAD 112231 ORIGINAL MI. AND WAS OPERATED CONSISTENT WITH ITS INTENDED USE. THE VEHICLE IS PRODUCTION REPRESENTATIVE WITH NO MODIFICATIONS OR HISTORY OF DAMAGE. ON 20 APR 04 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MI/HR THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING WITH NO IMPENDING INDICATIONS OF A FAILURE. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION AND REPAIR WAS CONDUCTED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AT RON'S FIRESTONE, GENEVA, AL. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE CONNECTOR AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT SHORTED-OUT AND MELTED AND THAT APPROXIMATELY 2.5 IN. OF THE PLASTIC INSULATION ON THE GRAY WIRE FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE SENDING UNIT WAS MELTED. RON BLAIR (OWNER/MECHANIC) COMMENTED: WIRING INSIDE GAS TANK WAS MELTED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FUEL PUMP. IF FUEL TANK HAD NOT BEEN FULL IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE TANK TO HAVE BLOWN UP. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE DO THIS BEFORE. *AK *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10075265
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2004
Electrical System
WHEN DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. HEATER BLOWER SWITCH MELTED, CAUSING THE BURNING SMELL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10057707
82,000 miles · Dec 18, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
UPON MAKING A LEFT TURN BRAKES LOCKED UP, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WENT INTO A DITCH. THIS WAS DUE TO THE BRAKE ROTORS BREAKING AND JAMMING INTO THE BRAKE. THIS FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY POOR DESIGN OF THE ROTORS, PER THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA ODI #10051769
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2003
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesFire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE DRIVER OPENED THE DOOR BY REMOTE CONTROL AND NOTICED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE REMOTE INSIDE OF THE DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER EXTINGUISHED FIRE, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SH…
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VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE DRIVER OPENED THE DOOR BY REMOTE CONTROL AND NOTICED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE REMOTE INSIDE OF THE DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER EXTINGUISHED FIRE, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
NHTSA ODI #10048345
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2003
Tires
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 70MPH, THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED RAPIDLY, RESULTING IN COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE TIRE. AFTER INSTALLING THE SPARE AND RETURNING HOME, I INSPECTED THE OTHER THREE TIRES WHICH ALL HAVE DISTINCT CRACKS FORMING AT THE TREAD/SIDEWALL CORNERS. ON ONE TIRE, I CAN ACTU…
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WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 70MPH, THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED RAPIDLY, RESULTING IN COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE TIRE. AFTER INSTALLING THE SPARE AND RETURNING HOME, I INSPECTED THE OTHER THREE TIRES WHICH ALL HAVE DISTINCT CRACKS FORMING AT THE TREAD/SIDEWALL CORNERS. ON ONE TIRE, I CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE STEEL BELTS BETWEEN THE CRACKS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10033110
118,000 miles · Mar 26, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THE THE VEHICLE FUEL SENDING UNIT SHORTED OUT IN THE GAS TANK. THE CONSUMER FELT IF THERE WAS ANY AIR IN TANK THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN EXPLOSION. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10012507
70,207 miles · Mar 26, 2003
Power Train
AT 70,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 1996 CHEVY Z71 WENT OUT, WHICH ALSO TOOK THE TRANSFER CASE OUT. THE TRUCK WAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED ON TIME AND BABIED. I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE IT WAS NEW. OF COURSE THE WARRANTY IS UP SO I AM STUCK WITH THE BILL. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ONLINE AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.…
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AT 70,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 1996 CHEVY Z71 WENT OUT, WHICH ALSO TOOK THE TRANSFER CASE OUT. THE TRUCK WAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED ON TIME AND BABIED. I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE IT WAS NEW. OF COURSE THE WARRANTY IS UP SO I AM STUCK WITH THE BILL. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ONLINE AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THESE PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE VERY COMMON AMONG 96-98 OWNERS. CALLING GM DOES NOTHING. PLEASE FORCE THEM TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10011066
57,000 miles · Jan 30, 2003
Service Brakes, Air
ABS BRAKE FAILURE
NHTSA ODI #10004940
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
THE ANTIFREEZE USED ON THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN TO DETERIORATE THE GASKETS USED ON THIS ENGINE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND WATER PUMP LEAKED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE MONIES SPENT FOR REPAIRS. *JG THE ALTERNATOR WAS INOPERATIVE, AND THE ENGINE LEAKED OIL. *SCC
NHTSA ODI #568022
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Chevrolet K1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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