RoadVitals

1996 Chevrolet Express

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.
15
Latest Jan 20, 2003
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.
3
Latest Apr 7, 2009
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.
4

Overview

Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Express, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and brakes categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 27 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

  • Engine316.7%
  • Fuel system316.7%
  • Brakes211.1%
  • Electrical211.1%
  • Steering211.1%
  • Airbags15.6%
  • Visibility15.6%
  • Heating & air conditioning15.6%

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

3 campaigns 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
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
00V110000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 17, 2000
109,239 units potentially affected
The defect: PASSENGER VANS. THESE VANS EXPERIENCE FUEL ODORS OR LEAKAGE.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED EVAPORATIVE EMISSION PIPE ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 00031View on NHTSA.gov
96V092000

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:U-BOLT, LEAF SPRING TO AXLE

Jun 3, 1996
105 units potentially affected
The defect: ONE OF THE FOUR REAR AXLE U-BOLTS CAN BREAK. THIS CAN POTENTIALLY LEAD TO THE SPRING LIFTING FROM THE AXLE UNDER CERTAIN REBOUND, BRAKING OR CORNERING MANEUVERS.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FOUR REAR AXLE U-BOLTS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 15
Transmission
Filed Jan 20, 2003
Fire reported

WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO FLORIDA WHEN WE STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING. WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WE OPENED THE HOOD AT THAT TIME NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER NEATH THE DRIVERS SIDE. WE BARELY HAD ENOUGH TIME TO GET OUT BEFORE IT WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED WITH FLAMES. AT THE TIME WE WERE TOWING AN ENCLOSED TRAILER WITH A 2003 HONDA GOLDWING. NOTHING PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENCE GAVE US ANY CLUE THAT THE VAN WAS ON FIRE. WE LOST ALL OUR POSSESSIONS IN THE VAN AND TRAILER. IT WAS ALL 100% DESTROYED. UNKNOWN CAUSE. WE HAD NOTICED THAT WE WERE USING MORE FUEL. AND WHEN WE PULLED THE VAN OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WE NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE GROUND FROM WHERE WE PULLED OVER UNTIL WE GOT STOPPED.

NHTSA ID
10003069
Incident
Jan 7, 2003
Engine
Filed Aug 26, 2002

AFTER APPOINTMENT WAS MADE, AND UPON ARRIVAL, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO DO RECALL OOV110000 REPAIRS.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
8017146
Incident
Aug 22, 2002
Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 18, 2001

THE STEEL CABLE SYSTEM SECURING THE SPARE TIRE RUSTED THROUGHAND SEVERED RELEASING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL FREELY FROM UNDER THE VAN TO THE ROAD BELOW. AT THE SLOW SPEED I WAS TRAVELING I INCURRED NO LOSS OF CONTROL OR DANGER TO OTHER MOTORISTS, HOWEVER IF I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS FAILURE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A 65MPH MISSLE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. CALLS TO THE MANUFACTURER RESULTED IN NO ACTION. I AM IN POSSESSION OF ALL FAILED PARTS. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
752336
Incident
Aug 9, 2001
Electrical
Filed Sep 5, 2001
Fire reported

THE HORN RELAY WAS SMOKING AND MELTED THE RELAY PANEL IT WAS MOUNTED TO. MORA FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE RELAY AND FUSE HAVE BEEN REMOVED AS A TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL A DEALER CAN INSTALL A NEW RELAY PANEL AND FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS GAVE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE VAN HAD BEEN TURNED OFF SINCE 12:20 PM. THE HORN WAS SILENT AT 2:00 PM WHEN MY WIFE BROUGHT SOMETHING IN FROM THE REAR COMPARTMENT OF THE VAN. AT AROUND 3:10 PM MY WIFE NOTICED THE HORN SOUNDING AND WENT TO CHECK IT OUT. SHE NOTICED SMOKE FROM DRIVER'S SIDE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE BATTERY WAS ALSO STARTING TO SMOKE. SHE DIALED THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DISPATCHER TO GET THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ON THE SCENE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND STAYED AFTERWARDS TO ENSURE NO HOT EMBERS EXISTED. *AK ----DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS-----751677.

NHTSA ID
10006484
Incident
Sep 2, 2001
Mileage
58,500 mi
Steering
Filed May 21, 2001

WHEN PARKED STEERING WILL NOT TURN. STEERING GEAR BOX & PUMP REPLACED WITH NO EFECT.

NHTSA ID
745571
Incident
Sep 1, 1997
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 17, 2001

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 00V110000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00031 CONCERNING FUEL ODOR/LEAKAGE. DEALER CORRECTED RECALL PROBLEM. CONSUMER BELIEVED RECALL PROBLEM HAS CAUSED ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS IN FUEL SYSTEM. FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED, AND FUEL PUMP/ FILLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
886067
Fuel system
Filed Apr 9, 2001

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HAD STALLED OUT. LOST STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES ALREADY.*AK THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS FAILING NUMEROUS TIMES. *YH

NHTSA ID
885463
Brakes
Filed Mar 17, 2001

DIMINISHED BRAKING ABILITY,DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
742594

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

060864032

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

SIDE CARGO DOOR IS HARD TO OPEN. INSTALL NEW HINGE PINS. *KB

020730024A

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT

030601024A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

RATTLE NOISE IN ENGINE. *TT

00149D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH A P0300 SET AND A MISFIRE. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 1996 - 1999 P32 MODELS. SIT BULLETIN 1416475. *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 Express by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026030—
2025040—
2024100—
2023210—
2022410—
2021132055.4
2020161052.5
2019840—
2018116048.4
2017206047.6
2016156052.0
2015831—
2014147048.6
2013228046.1
2012136064.6
2011125054.4
2010155053.7
2009107049.4
20081410040.9
2007174057.5
20061216067.9
2005239063.5
2004217156.6
20035811264.3
2002550137.1
2001452152.7
2000841144.5
1999682044.7
1998232046.4
1997292049.8
1996Viewing153055.0
1995100—
1994000—
1993000—

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.