RoadVitals

1996 Chevrolet C/K Pickups

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.
22
Latest Apr 15, 2010
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.
1
Latest Apr 28, 2003
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.
2
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 22 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet C/K Pickups, most frequently naming the visibility, fuel system and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 5 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

  • Visibility626.1%
  • Fuel system521.7%
  • Brakes417.4%
  • Body & structure313.0%
  • Engine28.7%
  • Transmission28.7%
  • Airbags14.3%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
03V159000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Apr 28, 2003
1,755,876 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
The risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 03023View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA02006ClosedEngineering Analysis

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

Opened May 31, 2002
Closed Jul 23, 2003

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTORLed to recall 03V159000
EA00024ClosedEngineering Analysis

HEADLIGHT

Opened Sep 26, 2000
Closed Dec 21, 2001
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 22
Brakes
Filed Apr 15, 2010

FAILURE OF BRAKE LINES ON 1996 CHEVY TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10325909
Incident
Aug 31, 2004
Mileage
96,123 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 20, 2009

1996 CHEVROLET SILVERADO EXTENDED CAB Z71 1500 PICKUP TRUCK. TRUCK HAS NO RUST PROTECTION ON THE FRAME OR BRAKE LINES WHICH CAUSE RUST THROUGH OF THE BRAKE LINES AND THE ULTIMATE FAILURE OF THE FRAME ITSELF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10296512
Incident
Jul 1, 2009
Mileage
96,123 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 28, 2009

I HAVE A 1996 CHEVY PICKUP. THE WIPERS KEPT ON TURNING OFF WHEN RAINING. I HAVE TALKED TO MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER IF THERE WAS A RECALL AS WELL CHEVY COMPANY AND THE BOTH SAID NO. I HAVE SEEN RECALLS ON THIS COMPLAINT ON OTHER VEHICLES (CHEVY P/U) ON THE SAME YEAR. BUT MY VIN DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL. WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. WHEN I WAS COMING IN TO WORK THIS MORNING AT 0430 IN THE RAIN THE WIPER TURNED OFF AND WOULD COME BACK ON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10263308
Incident
Mar 28, 2009
Mileage
120,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 2, 2006

BRAKES DEFECTIVE, FRONT CROSSOVER BRAKE LINE UNDER TRANSMISSION SUPPORT BURST. UPON EXAMINATION OF BRAKE SYSTEM, ALL BRAKE LINES AND BRAKE HOSES REPLACED, DUE TO CORROSION, FRONT ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED, REAR DRUMS AND LININGS REPLACED, WITH NEW BRAKE HARDWARE AS WELL, AND REAR BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDERS. BRAKES BLED ACCORDING TO PROCEDURE, BUT PEDAL STILL SPONGY. BRAKES BLED TWO MORE TIMES WITH NO IMPROVEMENT IN SPONGINESS. BRAKES HAVE TIME DELAY BETWEEN STEPPING ON PEDAL AND ACTIVATION OF BRAKES. BRAKES ARE INADEQUATE FOR EMPTY TRUCK. CARRYING LOAD ON TRUCK OR PULLING TRAILER IS JUST PLAIN SCARY AND DANGEROUS, AS BRAKES DO NOT STOP TRUCK. ANTILOCK SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. PUTTING ALL MY WEIGHT, 275 POUNDS, AND ALL MY STRENGTH, ON BRAKES WHEN TRUCK IS EMPTY, AND ON A WET ROAD, WILL LOCK THE FRONT BRAKES, BUT NO ANTILOCK FUNCTIONS. BAD BRAKES ARE A COMMON GM PROBLEM ACROSS ALL MODEL LINES. I HAVE OWNED 3 CHEVY LUMINAS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I DEMAND THAT THE GOVERNMENT DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! IF YOU DON'T, WHY THE HELL ARE YOU THERE AND US PAYING YOUR SALARIES? I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WHEN THE PLAIN STEEL BRAKE LINE BROKE. THIS IS THE 21ST CENTURY, WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN? GET OFF YOUR DEAD ASSES AND MAKE GM FIX THE PROBLEM! IF YOU FORCE THEM TO DO RECALLS, THEY MIGHT THINK TWICE ABOUT MAKING SUBSTANDARD, UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED, VEHICLES. THE ENGINE IN THIS TRUCK IS VERY POWERFUL, THE BRAKES CAN'T HOPE TO KEEP UP WITH THE POWER AND SPEED THAT THIS TRUCK IS CAPABLE OF. *NM

NHTSA ID
10174989
Incident
Jun 1, 2006
Mileage
110,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 27, 2006

WAS SITTING ON THE TAILGATE,WENT TO GET UP, TAILGATE CABLES SNAPPED. I FELL OFF WITH PAIN TO MY LEGS(I HAVE BAD KNEES), AND THE EXTERIOR OF THE TAILGATE WAS DAMAGED BY THE IMPACT WITH THE BUMPER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10174386
Incident
Nov 23, 2006
Mileage
120,787 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 15, 2006

PROBLEMS WITH ABS BRAKES ENGAGING WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP. HAD THE ABS SENSOR ( FRONT DRIVERS SIDE) REPLACED WHICH CORRECTED PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10152779
Incident
Sep 25, 2003
Mileage
47,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 15, 2006

TAILGATE STRAP BROKE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10152777
Incident
Jan 15, 2006
Fuel system
Filed Dec 21, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED IN THE DIESEL TRUCK. THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY CAME TO COMPLETE STOP WHILE DRIVING AT 50-60 MPH OR WHILE THE ENGINE WAS IDLING. THE DEALER CHANGED THE ELECTRONIC DIESEL CONTROL, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED WHEN THE TRUCK CAME TO COMPLETE STOP.*AK

NHTSA ID
10145859
Incident
Jul 15, 1996
Mileage
15,000 mi

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.

00064H

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Special Coverage Adjustment ? Electronic Diesel-Fuel Injection Pump Failure ? Repair/Replace

00064H

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Special Coverage Adjustment ? Electronic Diesel-Fuel Injection Pump Failure ? Repair/Replace

130089009

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

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

02054

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT - WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURES. *TT

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 C/K Pickups by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002140448.9
2001240548.8
2000341653.7
1999371253.3
1998781246.2
1997721244.1
1996Viewing221243.6
1995231249.7
1994521143.1
1993120029.4
1992700—
1991600—
1990100—

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.