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1996 Chevrolet Silverado

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Silverado years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Silverado are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Compare all Silverado years →

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: 26 of 186 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 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

31 reports
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10,300 miles · Jan 5, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

METAL HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID LINE RUSTS, DEGRADING TO THE LEAKING OF FLUID AND TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. METAL LINE TO BE REPLACED WITH STAINLESS-STEEL. FUEL LINE IS IN SAME CONDITION, THOUGH NOT LEAKING FUEL. FUEL LINE TO BE REPLACED WITH STAINLESS STEEL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146990

108,400 miles · Oct 17, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

1996 CHEVY 4X4 TRUCK (SILVERADO) ABS ENGAGING AT LOW SPEEDS ON DRY PAVEMENT. VERY DIFFICULT STOPPING THE VEHICLE WHEN APPROACHING A 4-WAY STOP. KIDS IN THE TRUCK CAUSED A VERY UNNERVING EXPERIENCE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10140014

192,000 miles · Sep 29, 2005
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

DT: WHILE THE CALLER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE BRAKE FAILED, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE CALLER'S VEHICLE, AND WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY DID NOT WORK. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAID THE MAIN BRAKE LINE TO THE BACK BRAKES WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND CALLER SAID IT WAS LEAKING FLUID. TH…

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DT: WHILE THE CALLER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE BRAKE FAILED, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE CALLER'S VEHICLE, AND WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY DID NOT WORK. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAID THE MAIN BRAKE LINE TO THE BACK BRAKES WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND CALLER SAID IT WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS A CRASH. ONE PASSENGER W IN CALLERS VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE POLICE CAME AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, BUT THEY HAVE NOT CALLED HIM BACK. THE OTHER VEHICLE HAD SOME DAMAGE TO THE REAR, BUT CALLER'S VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10138127

105,500 miles · Sep 22, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES ON OUR 1996 CHEVY SILVERADO 4X4 PICK UP FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. THERE IS A DELAY BETWEEN APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE & THE TRUCK ACTUALLY BRAKING. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN WHEN BRAKING & TURNING. I FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE TRUCK MAKES THE SAME SOUND & VIBRATION THAT HAPP…

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THE BRAKES ON OUR 1996 CHEVY SILVERADO 4X4 PICK UP FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. THERE IS A DELAY BETWEEN APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE & THE TRUCK ACTUALLY BRAKING. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN WHEN BRAKING & TURNING. I FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE TRUCK MAKES THE SAME SOUND & VIBRATION THAT HAPPENS WHEN THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES KICK IN IF YOU'RE SLIDING ON A SLIPPERY SURFACE. THIS MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO TRUST THAT THE VEHICLE WILL STOP COMPLETELY WHEN NEEDED. CAUTION IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE. WE DON'T DARE TOW ANYTHING OR EVEN LOAD THE BED OF THE TRUCK WITH ANYTHING TO HEAVY SINCE WE'RE WORRIED THAT THE BRAKES WILL NOT HANDLE THE EXTRA WEIGHT. WE'RE ALSO WORRIED ABOUT OPERATING IT IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WHICH IS FAST APPROACHING IN THE NORTHEAST. A MECHANIC TOLD US THAT ALOT OF CHEVY PICK-UPS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. WE INVESTIGATED THIS ON THE INTERNET & FOUND THAT GM DID A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON VEHICLES IN CANADA BUT HASN'T DONE ONE IN THE US YET. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS INVESTIGATING THIS COMPLAINT, BUT IT'S IN THE EARLY STAGES OF IT'S INVESTIGATION. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IMMEDIATE ACTION TAKEN BEFORE THIS PROBLEM CAUSES AN ACCIDENT WHICH WOULD RESULT IN SERIOUS PROPERTY DAMAGE AND/OR BODILY INJURY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10137362

18,000 miles · May 17, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicInjury

SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE CONTINUAL COSTS TO KEEP VEHICLE RUNNING HAS ALMOST EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. REPAIR COSTS FROM $3,200.00-$3,900.00 AND CONTINUE TO INCREASE. ANY FUTURE REPAIRS WILL NOW EXCEED THE PURCHASE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE INCAPACITY OF THE TRUCK MY LOST WAGES HAVE EXCEEDED OR WILL EXCEED $10,000.…

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SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE CONTINUAL COSTS TO KEEP VEHICLE RUNNING HAS ALMOST EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. REPAIR COSTS FROM $3,200.00-$3,900.00 AND CONTINUE TO INCREASE. ANY FUTURE REPAIRS WILL NOW EXCEED THE PURCHASE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE INCAPACITY OF THE TRUCK MY LOST WAGES HAVE EXCEEDED OR WILL EXCEED $10,000.00. BEING A SINGLE PARENT OF TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND HAVING LOST MY JOB DUE TO THE VEHICLES INCAPACITATE HAS CAUSED INSURMOUNTABLE PAIN AND SUFFERING TO THE NECESSARY DAY TO DAY FUNCTIONS TO MY FAMILY. MY ONCE FAIR CREDIT REPORT HAS BEEN RUINED. ONE OF MY MAIN REASONS FOR AGREEING TO TAKE OUT A AUTO LOAN WAS TO HELP ACHIEVE A FAVORABLE CREDIT RATING TO OBTAIN A MORTGAGE LOAN IN THE NEAR FUTURE WHICH IS NO LONGER AN OPTION. THERE IS CURRENTLY A INVESTIGATION AND CLASS ACTION SUITE PENDING BY THE VERMONT STATE ATTORNEY'S GENERALS OFFICE AGAINST WILLIAM DYDO JR. (DYDO AUTO SALES. ALTHOUGH I HOPE TO BE PART OF THIS SUIT I WILL NOT BE COMPENSATED FOR PAIN AND SUFFERING. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #10121196

73,262 miles · Jun 30, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF BRAKES WHILE TOWING A TRAILER. CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND REPLACED TWO FRONT BRAKE HOSES THAT ERUPTED. ALSO, VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10080225

78,000 miles · Apr 27, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHENEVER A PANIC STOP IS REQUIRED THE BRAKES TAKE ALMOST A SECOND AFTER APPLICATION BEFORE THEY RESPOND. IT IS LIKE PUSHING ON AN AIR CYLINDER WITH A SMALL ORIFICE - A SECOND IS TOO LONG TO WAIT FOR THE BRAKES. THE PEDAL TRAVEL IS CORRECT AND THE DEALER SAYS IT MUST BE NORMAL. I SAY IT IS UNSAFE AFTER NARROWLY AVOIDING A CRAS…

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WHENEVER A PANIC STOP IS REQUIRED THE BRAKES TAKE ALMOST A SECOND AFTER APPLICATION BEFORE THEY RESPOND. IT IS LIKE PUSHING ON AN AIR CYLINDER WITH A SMALL ORIFICE - A SECOND IS TOO LONG TO WAIT FOR THE BRAKES. THE PEDAL TRAVEL IS CORRECT AND THE DEALER SAYS IT MUST BE NORMAL. I SAY IT IS UNSAFE AFTER NARROWLY AVOIDING A CRASH THAT SHOULD HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN CLOSE IF THE BRAKE WOULD GRAB AS SOON AS I STEP ON THEM. NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSH THERE IS A TIME DELAY WHILE I PUSH "AIR THROUGH THE ORIFICE".*AK

NHTSA ODI #10067924

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN INJURY ACCIDENT. I HAD TO MAKE A PANIC STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE OFFICERS ASKED, IF I HAD APPLIED THE BRAKES, BEACAUSE THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS. I FEEL THE BRAKES FAILED BECAUSE NO SKID MARK AND THE SEAT BELTS DIDN'T LOCK. I WORK FOR THE STATEHIGHWAY PATROL. WE H…

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I WAS INVOLVED IN AN INJURY ACCIDENT. I HAD TO MAKE A PANIC STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE OFFICERS ASKED, IF I HAD APPLIED THE BRAKES, BEACAUSE THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS. I FEEL THE BRAKES FAILED BECAUSE NO SKID MARK AND THE SEAT BELTS DIDN'T LOCK. I WORK FOR THE STATEHIGHWAY PATROL. WE HAVE SEVERAL 1998 AND 1999 FULL SIZE CHEVROLET SILVERDO TRUCKS. SEVERAL OFFICERS OPERATING THESE VEHICLE HAVE EXPERIENCE BRAKE FAILURE IN A "PANIC STOP SITUATION. I'M ASKING TO SEE,IF YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS INFORMATION ABOUT THE BRAKES AND TO SEND THE COMPLAINT

NHTSA ODI #10069889

Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRADSHAW CHEVROLET ON 03/06/2002. SERVICE MANAGER STATED THERE WAS NO CAMPAIGN CURRENTLY UNDER WAY TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM IS IN THE WIRING, AS I CAN WIGGLE THE CONNECTION AND THE WIPERS WILL BEGIN WORKING. THE BRAKES SEEM TO TAKE AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF PEDAL PRESSURE TO STOP, ES…

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VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRADSHAW CHEVROLET ON 03/06/2002. SERVICE MANAGER STATED THERE WAS NO CAMPAIGN CURRENTLY UNDER WAY TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM IS IN THE WIRING, AS I CAN WIGGLE THE CONNECTION AND THE WIPERS WILL BEGIN WORKING. THE BRAKES SEEM TO TAKE AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF PEDAL PRESSURE TO STOP, ESPECIALLY UNDER EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE WRITER @ KEVIN WHITTAKER THAT THERE WAS NO CAMPAING FOR RECALL DUE TO DEFECTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #759175

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2001
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

INJECTION PUMP HAS FAILED TWICE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PUSH VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC. FIRST TIME GMC PUT A NEW PART ON AND VEHICLE LOST BRAKES WHEN PULLING OUT INTO A INTERSECTION. GMC IS NOT CONSIDERING ASSISTING CONSUMER BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY MILES, AND MONEY WILL NOT BE SPENT TO INVESTIGATE. NEW PART IS FAILING FASTER…

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INJECTION PUMP HAS FAILED TWICE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PUSH VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC. FIRST TIME GMC PUT A NEW PART ON AND VEHICLE LOST BRAKES WHEN PULLING OUT INTO A INTERSECTION. GMC IS NOT CONSIDERING ASSISTING CONSUMER BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY MILES, AND MONEY WILL NOT BE SPENT TO INVESTIGATE. NEW PART IS FAILING FASTER THAN THE OLD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8001211

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.

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