RoadVitals

1996 Chevrolet 1500 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Chevrolet 1500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Fuel system625.0%
  • Brakes416.7%
  • Visibility312.5%
  • Engine312.5%
  • Powertrain (other)28.3%
  • Steering28.3%
  • Airbags14.2%
  • Body & structure14.2%
  • Interior & seats14.2%
  • Electrical14.2%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 4, 2013

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 · filed Sep 27, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 1, 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 · filed Jul 8, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DURING RAINY WEATHER FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID 10101816 · filed Nov 30, 2004

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL BE WORKING AND THEN JUST STOP, I HAVE TO TURN THEM ON AND OFF AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THEY START BACK AND THEN THEY ONLY SEEM TO WORK ON THE INTERMITTEN POSITION. I HAVE CONTACTED CHEROLET AND THERE IS A RECALL BUT NOT FOR MY VIN. I WORK AT A GOVERNMENT FACITITY AND WE HAVE A CHEVROLET TRUCK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM

NHTSA ID 10003170 · filed Jan 22, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE FRONT AXLE SEAL KEEPS LEAKING. IT WAS REPLACED SIX TIMES. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND NO ASSISTANCE OFFERED.*AK ENGINE HAD COOLANT RUNNING OUT OF IT. DEALER FOUND WATER PUMP LEAKING. REPLACED WATER PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER. FUEL PUMP AND POWER STEERING UNIT WAS ALSO REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA ID 10109254 · filed Mar 15, 2005

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TWO DIFFERENT METALS WHICH DID NOT HOLD THE GASKETS PROPERLY. *JB *TS

NHTSA ID 10009898 · filed Mar 5, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 30, 2013

THE FRONT AXLE SEAL KEEPS LEAKING. IT WAS REPLACED SIX TIMES. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND NO ASSISTANCE OFFERED.*AK ENGINE HAD COOLANT RUNNING OUT OF IT. DEALER FOUND WATER PUMP LEAKING. REPLACED WATER PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER. FUEL PUMP AND POWER STEERING UNIT WAS ALSO REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA ID 10109254 · filed Mar 15, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE FRONT AXLE SEAL KEEPS LEAKING. IT WAS REPLACED SIX TIMES. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND NO ASSISTANCE OFFERED.*AK ENGINE HAD COOLANT RUNNING OUT OF IT. DEALER FOUND WATER PUMP LEAKING. REPLACED WATER PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER. FUEL PUMP AND POWER STEERING UNIT WAS ALSO REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA ID 10109254 · filed Mar 15, 2005

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE DRIVER TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT. THEN DROVE TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE GREASED. *AK

NHTSA ID 10046509 · filed Nov 6, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 13, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BOTTOM HINGE IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CLOSE THE DOOR. WHEN THE DOOR CLOSES IT DOESN'T STAY SHUT SINCE IT DOESN'T CLOSE FULLY. THE HINGE IS A TWO PART SYSTEM, IT CANNOT BE GREASED OF LUBRICATED. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THE ENTIRE BOTTOM HINGE HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS PART IS WELDED ON TO THE VAN, MAKING IT VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE THE PART. *AK

NHTSA ID 10081733 · filed Jul 12, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK BALL BEARINGS CONSTANTLY BREAK WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO SLIDE BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAS HAD TRACKS REPAIRED TWO TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNS. *NLM THE SEAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REFUSED TO LOCK AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE IS DISPLAYING THE SAME. SCC

NHTSA ID 10012240 · filed Mar 21, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT LOST POWER AGAIN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A WIRE INSIDE THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK HAD MELTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB 07161996 VEHICLE STARTED THEN STALLED SEVERAL TIMES THEN FINALLY DIED IN TRAFFIC. *TC

NHTSA ID 10097215 · filed Dec 17, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .