RoadVitals

1996 Chevrolet 1500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Oct 1, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 20 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet 1500, most frequently naming the fuel system, brakes and visibility categories. 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system625.0%
  • Brakes416.7%
  • Visibility312.5%
  • Engine312.5%
  • Powertrain (other)28.3%
  • Steering28.3%
  • Airbags14.2%
  • Body & structure14.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Oct 1, 2015

VEHICAL IS ONE FAMILY OWNER, HAS 76000 MILES ON IT. BRAKES ARE VERY BAD, HAVE REPLACED ALL HYDROLICS, PADS HOSES DISC AND DRUMS, VEHICLE ON BRAKE APPLICATION WILL SHAKE VERY BAD, AND ALSO WILL JERK THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH. DEALER HAS VEHICLE NOW FOR AT LEAST 8 TIMES TO TRY AND FIX. VERY DANGEROUS TRUCK, CANNOT BE TRUSTED.CALIPERS WERE REPLACED ALSO TWICE ON MOST ALL UNITS ON TRUCK. SOMETIME 3 TIMES. HAVE PAID OUT $1500.00 SO FAR. THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THESE TRUCKS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED AND RECALL MADE. TRUCK IN DEALER TODAY FOR A FINAL REPAIR ATTEMP. 10-01-2015

NHTSA ID
10779054
Incident
Jul 21, 2015
Mileage
76,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 2015

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND WAS GETTING OFF AT A EXIT RAMP AND I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PAD THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I DID NOT HAVE BRAKES AT THAT POINT AND ALMOST HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME I FINALY CAME TO A STOP AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND SEEN BRAKE FLUID EVERYWHERE UNDER THE WHEEL WELL I CAREFULLY DROVE IT HOME TAKING BACK ROADS AND GOING VERY SLOW GOT HOME AFTER A LONG SCARY DRIVE AND JACKED THE TRUCK UP REPLACED THE WHEEL CYLINDER AND WAS GOING TO BLEED THE BRAKES BUT THERE WAS NO FLUID COMING FROM THE BRAKE LINE NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING OFF OF THE FRAME I LOOKED AT THE BRAKE LINE AND IT WAS RUSTED AND PITTED AND SEEN THE BRAKE FLUID COMING FROM LITTLE HOLES IN THE RUSTED BRAKE LINE. LOOKED ON THE INTERNET FOR WAYS TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINE AND THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM SO I CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT HELP ME SO I WENT TO THE AUTO PARTS STORE AND I GOT SOME STEEL TUBING AND STARTED TO REPAIR THE BRAKE LINE MY SELF SO FAR I HAVE BENT AND CUT AND DOUBLE FLARED THE NEW BRAKE LINE BUT IT STARTED TO RAIN AND I HAVE TO WORK SO I WILL FINISH IT THIS COMING WEEKEND HOPEFULLY THIS WILL WORK. COULD NOT AFFORD THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES IT WOULD COST TO TOW IT TO DEALERSHIP THEY WOULD CHARGE ME TO TELL ME WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITCH IS VERY PLAIN TO SEE THEN ADD A PERCENTAGE TO PARTS AND THEN THE LABOR AND WHO KNOWS HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE AND THEY CHARGE BY THE HOUR SO THEY WOULD NOT BE IN ANY HURRY TO FIX IT. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK BRAND NEW AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT WASHING AND WAXING AND MAINTENANCE THERE IS NO RUST ON THE BODY OF THE TRUCK AND THE EXHAUST IS NOT RUSTED BUT THE BRAKE LINE IS

NHTSA ID
10732711
Incident
Jul 4, 2015
Mileage
98,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 30, 2015

WENT TO DRIVE VEHICLE WHEN I NOTICED PEDAL WHEN TO FLOOR. UPON INSPECTION NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEAR THE REAR OF VEHICLE INSIDE FRAME NEAR THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY. THIS VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND LOOKS PERFECT BESIDES RUSTED BRAKE LINES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10713931
Incident
Apr 25, 2015
Mileage
140,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 4, 2013

I HAVE A 1996 CHEVROLET C1500 ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH A 5 LITER WHICH WAS REPLACED WITH A 5.7 LITER. I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT DUE TO THE OLD PART WAS NO LONGER GOOD. WITHIN 2 MONTHS THE NEW PART SHORTED OUT, FRYING ONE OF THE WIRES ON THE INSIDE PART OF SENDING UNIT, INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. I AGAIN REPLACED THE PART THINKING I HAD BOUGHT A DEFECTIVE ITEM THE FIRST TIME. I AM NOW STARTING TO GET THE SAME SYMPTOMS IT HAD THE LAST TIME RIGHT BEFORE THE LAST SENDING UNIT WENT OUT. I DID AN ELECTRIC CHECK ON THE OLD/NEW FUEL PUMP AND IT WAS O.K. THE SYMPTOMS ARE, WHEN I'M COMING TO A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND DIES. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, CRANK IT, AND IT STARTS BACK ON. IT DID THE SAME THING LAST TIME UNTIL FINALLY IT FAILED TO START. I KNOW OF A 1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO WITH A 4.3 LITER AND IT ALSO SUFFERS FROM THE SAME PROBLEM AND USES THE EXACT SAME PART NUMBER. ANY SUGGESTIONS THAT DO NOT INVOLVE TNT WOULD BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10541964
Incident
Jun 11, 2013
Mileage
218,931 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 30, 2013

I JUST BOUGHT THIS TRUCK ON CRAIGSLIST AND WHEN I GOT IT HOME IT WOULDN'T BACK UP OR SHIFT IN TO SECOND GEAR RIGHT SO I AM HAVING THE TRANNY REBUILT NOW WHIT A MASTER REBUILD KIT AND NEW SUN SHELL AND NEW TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10505017
Incident
Mar 15, 2013
Mileage
220,563 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 4, 2013

WHILE DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDDLE LEFT REAR STEEL BRAKE LINE RUPTURED RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE PEDDLE AND STOPPING ABILITY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10491461
Incident
Jan 3, 2013
Mileage
102,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 13, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET 1500. WHILE DECELERATING FROM 30 MPH TO MAKE A TURN, THE CONTACT WAS STRUCK HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 60 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS NECK, BACK, AND SHOULDERS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED; HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION REGARDING THE AIR BAG FAILURE. POLICE REPORT NUMBER 192224-92-99 WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN TEXAS CRASH REPORT 04/02/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10217977
Incident
Aug 22, 2006
Mileage
140,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 27, 2005

I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO AND SINCE I HAVE HAD IT I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED 5 TIMES BY A MECHANIC SHOP, COSTING OVER $300 EACH TIME IT WAS DONE. IT WOULD WORK FOR AWHILE THEN QUIT, LEAVING ME STRANDED IN REMOTE AREAS. I USED TO BE A MECHANIC BEFORE A BACK INJURY SO I FINALLY PULLED THE FULL TANK DOWN AND PULLED THE SENDING UNIT OUT. I NOTICED THE GRAY WIRE GOING TO THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP HAS MELTED THE COATING OFF THE WIRE AND IT IS LOOSE. I HAVE ORDERED A COMPLETE SENDING UNIT AND PUMP AND HOPE IT SOLVES THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS COULD BE A VERY BAD FIRE HAZARD IF IT SHOULD HAPPEN TO SHORT OUT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. *JB

NHTSA ID
10137908
Incident
Sep 27, 2005

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet 1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2007030
1996Viewing200035.5
19951340041.6
1994440037.7
1993140026.6
1992200036.4
1991400
1989700
1988800

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.