RoadVitals

1996 Chevrolet K10

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.
8
Latest Oct 8, 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 May 7, 1996
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.
3
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet K10, most frequently naming the brakes, airbags and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 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

  • Brakes337.5%
  • Airbags112.5%
  • Driver assistance112.5%
  • Electrical112.5%
  • Interior & seats112.5%
  • Tires & wheels112.5%

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
96V082000

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

May 7, 1996
16,918 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FOUR U-BOLTS NUTS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE REAR AXLE WERE UNDER-TORQUED.
The risk: VEHICLE USAGE COULD CAUSE THE NUTS TO LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY FALL OFF THE U-BOLT. THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE U-BOLT NUT TORQUE AND RE-TORQUE ANY LOOSE U-BOLTS TO SPECIFICATION.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
96V057000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Apr 4, 1996
379,004 units potentially affected
The defect: THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
96E010000

SEATS

Mar 25, 1996
2,400 units potentially affected
The defect: THE SEAT RECLINER TO SEAT FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS ON THESE VEHICLES COULD LOOSEN, FATIGUE AND FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE.
The risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THIS COULD RESULT IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE ALL FOAM AND/OR FABRIC SANDWICHED BETWEEN THE RECLINER ASSEMBLY AND THE SEAT FRAME, INSTALL WASHERS BETWEEN THE SEAT RECLINER AND THE SEAT FRAME AT EACH ATTACHMENT POINT, AND INSTALL NEW ATTACHING BOLTS TORQUED TO A HIGHER SPECIFICATION. THESE CORRECTIONS WILL BE MADE TO BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS.
VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMSView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 8, 2003

MY WIFE HAD HER TIRE SEPARATED AT 60 MPH. I HAD CHECKED THE PRESSURE (40 PSI) 2 HOURS BEFORE THE INCIDENT. IT NEVER HAD PRESSURE LOSSES WITH THIS TIRE OR THE SET. THE OUTER SIDEWALL COMPLETELY SEPARATED, THE INNER SIDE HALF DIAMETER WAS ALSO SEPARATED. THE TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS LE P265/70R16 DOT 8X72 WL2 3501, WHICH IS 2 YEARS OLD, AND HAS 25,000 MILES ON RIGHT REAR. *LA

NHTSA ID
10041495
Incident
Oct 5, 2003
Mileage
101,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 15, 2001
Fire reported

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE. UNKNOWN ORIGIN OTHER THAN SOMETHING ELECTRICAL LIKELY SHORTED AND STARTED FIRE. VEHICLE COMPLETELY GUTTED, ONLY METAL REMAINS. ALL OTHER PARTS BURNED/MELTED. FIRE DETECTED AT 12:30 AM ON 4/14/01 BUT LIKELY STARTED EARLIER. PROPERTY DAMAGE ALSO TO GARAGE/$19K DAMAGE VALUE IS ONLY FOR VEHICLE/$$ VALUE OF OTHER DAMAGE STILL UNDETERMINED.*AK

NHTSA ID
744077
Incident
Apr 14, 2001
Brakes
Filed Oct 21, 2000

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID
734868
Incident
Oct 17, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 6, 1997

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR A RECALL ON A RECLINING SEAT AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
812834
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 30, 1996

VEHICLE IDLES HIGH.

NHTSA ID
513328
Incident
Nov 18, 1996
Brakes
Filed Dec 5, 1996
Crash reported1 injury reported

ABS: BRAKES FAILED TO HOLD WHILE TRAVELING DOWNHILL ON SNOW COVERED DIRT ROAD, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, THEN STARTED KICKING BACK, VEHICLE LEFT ROAD, WENT OFF MOUNTAIN, HIT LARGE BOULDERS; NO PRIOR WARNING.

NHTSA ID
805943
Incident
Nov 3, 1996
Brakes
Filed Nov 13, 1996

WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR AND THERE ARE NO BRAKES, HAS ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ID
803852
Incident
Feb 1, 1996
Airbags
Filed Jun 24, 1996
Crash reported

HIT VEHICLE BROAD SIDE AT 45-50 MPH AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID
986021
Incident
Jun 20, 1996

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 K10 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000012—
1999402—
1998400—
1997400—
1996Viewing830—
1995182155.3
1994861—
1993423—
1992431—
1991223—
1990232—
1989132—
1988073—
1987201—
1986502—
1985212—
1984002—
1983002—
1982012—
1981102—
1980001—
1979001—
1978011—
1977221—
1976011—
1975401—
1974021—
1973021—
1972011—
1971021—
1970021—
1969020—
1967010—

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.