RoadVitals

1996 Chevrolet C Series

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.
11
Latest Jul 28, 2008
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 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet C Series, most frequently naming the visibility, brakes and engine categories. 52 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

  • Visibility428.6%
  • Brakes214.3%
  • Engine214.3%
  • Airbags214.3%
  • Powertrain (other)17.1%
  • Tires & wheels17.1%
  • Transmission17.1%
  • Electrical17.1%

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 28, 2008
Crash reported

DRIVING @ 60MP WEST BOUND 210FRWY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. REAR TIRE BLEW AND UPON LOOKING AT TIRE THE TIRE "THREW TOP TREAD" AND SEPARATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10236152
Incident
Jul 24, 2008
Mileage
161,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 22, 2005
1 injury reported

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10126735
Incident
Jun 24, 2005
Mileage
169,302 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 1, 2003

INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10042074
Incident
Oct 1, 2003
BrakesEngine
Filed Nov 13, 2001

THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS TODAY MAKES THE 4TH TIMES TO HAVE THE BRAKES FIXED ALSO THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE THE TRUCK WE PURCHASED IT HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS AT LEAST 6 TIMES AND THE SERVICE ENGINE STILL IS ON. TALKED TO THE CHEVY CO THAT SAID TO MILES ON TRUCK FOR THEM TO DO ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH IT STARTED AT 2899 MILES. CASE # CO5800032 CAN YOU HELP IN ANY WAY? ALSO, THE ENGINE LITE STILL COME ON STATING REPAIR ENGINE SOON IT HAS BEEN LOOKED 6 DIFFERENTS TIMES AND IS STILL NOT FIXED THIS ALSO STARED AT 2899 MILES. JUST TALKED TO THE GM COMPANY THAT SAID THE TRUCK HAD TO MANY MILES ON FOR THENM THEY TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILIY EVEN THOUGHT THE STARTED THE YEAR THE TRUCK WAS BOUGHT. *AK

NHTSA ID
754490
Incident
Aug 13, 1996
Visibility
Filed Jan 10, 2001

THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I HAVE TWO OF THESE TRUCKS AND NEITHER MATCH THE RECALL AND TOLD TO FIX IT MYSELF...I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR OTHER PEOPLE WITH THESE TRUCKS AS WELL, THE VIN NUMBER ON THE OTHER IS [XXX], IT IS A 1996 K SERIES. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
739149
Incident
Jan 10, 2001
Engine
Filed Sep 27, 2000

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING A SEVERE OIL LEAKAGES. DEALER UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THEY THINK IT MAY BE CAUSED BY THE ENGINE REAR SEAL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
871685
Incident
Sep 12, 2000
Airbags
Filed Jul 20, 2000

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 20MPH & DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED. AIRBAG EMBRACED THE CONSUMER IN THE SEAT. DEALER DOESN'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY ABOUT THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ID
865779
Incident
Jul 18, 2000
Visibility
Filed Jun 23, 2000

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVEREDUNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
864158
Incident
Feb 15, 2000

Manufacturer communications

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

WB11-X-001A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The following information is provided to clearly explain Isuzu’s policy for control module (engine, transmission, antilock brake, instrument panel, body control, power interface, etc.) reprogramming. Control module calibrations are regularly updated for many reasons. These reasons may include, but are not limited to: model year change, software corrections, certification compliance, product improvement and specific application requirements. However, the mere existence of a newer control module calibration does not necessarily mean that warranty coverage exists or that the calibration must be installed. It is not our policy to update control modules, under warranty or after warranty, based solely on the availability of a newer calibration file. Below are our guidelines for reprogramming control modules.

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

030232044

STEERING

EFFECT OF STEERING BOX LIMITER ADJUSTMENT ON TURNING RADIUS AND POSSIBILITY OF POWER STEERING SYSTEM DAMAGE DUE TO IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT. VARIOUS 1990-2004 MODELS. *TT

020604052

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE STALL, NO START, HARD START CONDITION. *TT

020523001A

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

SOME CUSTOMERS AND DEALERS MAY COMMENT ON ACCELERATED UNEVEN BRAKE PAD WEAR ON SOME VEHICLE WITH FOUR-PISTON FIXED CALIPER REAR DISC BRAKES. *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 Series by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009000
2008100
2007200
2006000
2005000
2004000
2003000
2002303
2001223
2000003
1999302
1998170032.8
1997220031.6
1996Viewing110042.0
1995100034.0
1994200
1993700
1992100
1991100
1990100
1989112
1988002
1987001
1986001
1985001
1984001
1983000
1982100
1979010
1978020
1977010
1976010
1975010
1974010
1973010
1970010
1969010
1968110
1967010
1966010
1965010

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.