Owners have filed 278 complaints
about the 1996 Chevrolet C1500 with NHTSA between 1996 and 2010.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 72
Against the median year of the Chevrolet C1500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 61
11.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 11
6% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1996 compares with every other Chevrolet C1500
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
16.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
16.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
637.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
425.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
425.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 1996peak 23Mar 2010
Recalls on the 1996 Chevrolet C1500
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
07E088000
EQUIPMENT
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
06E043000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Willard, OHCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT A DITCH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT BOTH ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10050416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Johnsonville, SCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
VEHICLE WAS PARK IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. FRONT WINDOW WAS DARK AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS STARTED FROM THE DASHBOARD AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10022884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT Washington, KYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE STOPPING AT STOP LIGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT SMASHING INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BROADSIDE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY . *AK CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #888682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. HE WAS HIT BY A T-BONE FASHION. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED. DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #873948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Angleton, TXFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #841230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St.louis, MO2 injured
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
LEFT FRONT TIE ROD END BROKE CAUSING ACCIDENT, DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #533003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Port ST. Lucie, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN EVER IT RAINS OR IF I GO THROUGH THE CARWASH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD. FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HIT YOU FROM BEHIND. SEEMS LIKE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION HARNESS GETS WET IS WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #10319228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesSouthbend, IN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET C1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. HE HAS HAD TO TAP THE MOTOR IN ORDER FOR IT TO FUNCTION AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER ACTIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,500.
NHTSA complaint #10220765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesPearl, MS
STRUCTURE
CLEAR COAT ON THE PAINT CAME OFF OF THE FINISH SEVERAL YEARS BACK AND I WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL ON THAT ISSUE. I TAKE SERIOUS PRIDE IN MY VEHICLE AND IF GENERAL MOTORS ASSUMES PRIDE IN THEIR PRODUCT AS THEY ADVERTISE THEM TO BE THEN THEY WON'T MIND AMENDING THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER BEEN MADE AWARE OF ANY RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM SO ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN SUPPLY TO ME WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10219070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,400 milesOLD Town, ID
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL-THE ELECTRICAL WIRES THAT GOES INTO THE FUEL TANK THAN MAKES THE GAS TANK AND THE GAS GAUGE WORK SHORTED OUT THE FUEL PUMP SO THAT IT WON'T WORK AND THE GAS GAUGAE ALSO. HE HAD IT REPAIR IN MO AND AFTER DRIVING ABOUT A 100 MILES THE GAS GAUGE WOULD NOT WORK AND HE TOOK TI TO A DEALER TO GET IT SERVICED AND THEY STATED THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. WHAT IS THE RECOURSE IF GETTING A REIMBURSEMENT THIS IS THE THIRD FUEL PUMP HE HAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #10193402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesJamestown, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ON 10/03/02 I HAD A CHEVY TRUCK [XXX] REPAIRED FOR LOW SPEED ABS ENGAGEMENT, (UNDER EXT WARR). IN SEPT OF 2005, I AGAIN STARTED EXPERIENCING LOW SPEED ABS ENGAGEMENT. THIS TIME SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, I HAD IT REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. IT OCCURRED FIRST AT 51,409 MI AND THE NEXT TIME AT 70,000 MI. THIS COULD PROVE TO BE A REAL PAIN IF THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO RESURFACE EVERY 20,000 MILES. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10143883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stone Mountain, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
DT: CONTACT STATED THE FUEL PUMP BURNED UP, THE WIRES INSIDE THE FUEL PUMP HAD MELTD. THE FUEL PUMP WAS BEING REPLACED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. CONTACT STATED HE CONTACTED THE GM MANUFACTURER, AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY RESOLUTION.
NHTSA complaint #10126182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albany, GA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING, N RAINY WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10117081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesSelma, AL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION THIS IS THE THIRD TIME FOR REBUILDING THIS TRANSMISSION EVERY TIME IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM,ROUGH SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND & NO SHIFT TO 3RD OR OVERDRIVE & EVERY REBUILD IS $1,000.00. NOT TO MENTION THE HOW UNSAFE THIS COULD BE . IS SOMEONE GOING TO HAVE TO GET KILLED AS A RESULT FROM THE FAILURE OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS BEFORE SOMEONE HAS THEM RECALLED?
NHTSA complaint #10107844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesSelma, AL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TRANSMISSION THIS IS THE THIRD TIME FOR REBUILDING THIS TRANSMISSION EVERY TIME IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM,ROUGH SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND & NO SHIFT TO 3RD OR OVERDRIVE & EVERY REBUILD IS $1,000.00. NOT TO MENTION THE HOW UNSAFE THIS COULD BE . IS SOMEONE GOING TO HAVE TO GET KILLED AS A RESULT FROM THE FAILURE OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS BEFORE SOMEONE HAS THEM RECALLED?
NHTSA complaint #10107844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frankenmuth, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
FAILED TAILGATE CABLES ON 1996 CHEVROLET SILVERAGO 1/2T PICKUP. WHY ARE ONLY VEHICLES STARTING IN 2000 MODEL YEAR BEING RECALLED? I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THEM ON MY 1996. MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT 1994 THRU 1998 MODELS THAT I KNOW.
NHTSA complaint #10100948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesHollandn, MI
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
FRONT SEAT MOUNT, GM POWER SEATS. I AM A AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN ENGINEER, MY COMPANY MAKES THE SEAT IN QUESTION, BUT I DO NOT WORK FOR THAT DIVISION. THE LOWER FRONT MOUNT CRACKED AND FAILED WHEN I WAS LEANING BACK ON MY SEAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, I WAS THROWN INTO THE BACK CAB, I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY TRUCK. I INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE AND FOUND THAT IT IS DUE TO A VERY POOR DESIGN. THIS MOUNT HAS TO EVENTUALLY FAIL, BECAUSE A BOLT IS INSERTED IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY THIN SHEET METAL MOUNT PLATE, EVERY TIME THERE IS A LOAD PLACED ON THAT SEAT, THIS FLANGE BENDS BEYOND ITS ELASTIC LIMIT, THIS FLANGE WILL EVENTUALLY CRACK. I HAVE REPAIRED THIS MYSELF BUT I WOULD LIKE TO WARN OTHERS OF THIS PROBLEM MY VECHICLE IS A 1996 CHEVEROLET Z-71 SILVERADO PICK UP TRUCK WITH THE 6 WAY POWER BUCKET SEATS. *AK THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10093426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesBallwin, MO
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER TALKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALE CONSUMER WAS TOLD, THERE WAS A RECALL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10092668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DC
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
CHEVROLET FULLSIZE TRUCK RECALL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES.*MR GM ISSUED A RECALL OF 2000-2004 SILVERADOS FOR TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES WHICH ARE KNOWN TO RUST AND FAIL. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO AT LEAST 1995 VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE CABLE TAILGATE HANGER SINCE THOSE ARE ALSO KNOWN TO RUST AND BREAK. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE CABLE HANGER ON HIS 1996 C1500 2 YEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.
NHTSA complaint #10079302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norfolk, VA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10080003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13 milesGriffith, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
INTAKE GASKETS LEAKING ANTYFREEZE.THE INTAKE GASKET LEAKING AT FRONT AND REAR OF THE INTAKE AND CYLINDER HEAD,ON BOTH SIDES, FRONT AND REAR. THE GASKETS STARTS TO BRAKE DOWN AND CRACKS AT ALL OF THE WATER JACKETS CAUSE THEM TO LEAK ANTYFREEZE.THIS IS THE THIRD VEHICLE I HAVE DONE ,ALL OF THEM BEING 1996 CHEVY C1500 TRUCK HAVING THE 305 ENGINE .ONE OF THE VEHICLES WAS MINE WHICH ONLY HAD 70,650 MILES ON IT AND WAS MAINTAINED BY ME .I,M A {A.E.S.} CERTIFIED MECH WITH OVER 25YR OF SERVICE.
NHTSA complaint #10064028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willard, OHCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT A DITCH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT BOTH ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10050416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesHampton, GA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE IS MISSING TWO OF THE THREE SEAT BELTS IN THE REAR SEATS. ALSO, VIN NUMBER IS MISSING FROM THE DOOR, AND THE DASH VIN NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, TITLE OF THE VEHICLE SHOWS 89000 MILES AND THE ODOMETER SHOWS 106000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10041889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesHampton, GA
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
VEHICLE IS MISSING TWO OF THE THREE SEAT BELTS IN THE REAR SEATS. ALSO, VIN NUMBER IS MISSING FROM THE DOOR, AND THE DASH VIN NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, TITLE OF THE VEHICLE SHOWS 89000 MILES AND THE ODOMETER SHOWS 106000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10041889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millbrook, AL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
CONSUMER STATED WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT WORK DUE TO CIRCUIT BOARD FAILURE. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE WIPER ARMS UNDER RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10026903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Johnsonville, SCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
VEHICLE WAS PARK IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. FRONT WINDOW WAS DARK AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS STARTED FROM THE DASHBOARD AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10022884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Johnsonville, SC
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE REARVIEW MIRROR FELL OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10022882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesCincinnati, OH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING ON MY 1996 SILVERADO WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. THEY TURN ON AND THEN DEPENDING ON HOW LONG THEY ARE KEPT ON, THEY JUST STOP. I'VE HAD TO DRIVE HOME IN THE RAIN WITH VERY LITTLE VISIBILITY BECAUSE OF THIS. CHEVROLET DID A RECALL FOR THIS IN 1998 FOR A LIMITED NUMBER OF VIN'S. THERE ARE APPARENTLY MANY MORE PROBLEMS THAN JUST WHAT THEY RECALLED IN 1998. THE INTERNET HAS HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM VARIOUS CHEVY TRUCK OWNERS IN RECENT YEARS. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND A FURTHER RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BECAUSE OF THE ABRUPT WAY THE PROBLEM SHOWS UP. YOU DON'T KNOW YOU HAVE A PROBLEM UNTIL IT IS RAINING AND YOU TRY TO USE THE WIPERS AND THEY DON'T WORK. *PH **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768333
NHTSA complaint #10007487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,895 milesNorman, OK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 1996 CHEVY 1/2 TON 2 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK WITH LESS THAN 88000 MILES. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHILE GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD AND NOW HAS NO 3RD OR 4TH. THIS ALL OCCURRED IN ONE DAY. IN READING FOR RECALLS AND TSB'S IT APPEARS THIS HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME AND GM CHOOSES NOT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. I CALLED TODAY AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE BY GM. I BARELY MADE IT BACK HOME WITH MY WIFE DUE TO THE PROBLEM. THIS KNOWN PROBLEM COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I WISH TO LODGE A FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST GM AND ASK THAT YOUR AGENCY CHECK INTO THE SEVERITY AND EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM AND HOW LONG GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10014525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesMurfreesboro, TN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WIPERS FAIL INTERMITANTLY AT ANY SPEED. GM CLAIMS VIN NOT PART OF MASSIVE WIPER RECALL, BUT PROBLEM IS OBVIOUSLY THE SAME (BAD SOLDER JOINTS).
NHTSA complaint #10005573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesDaphne, AL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHEN VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WIPER IS TURNED ON, THEY WILL EITHER, NOT COME ON OR QUIT WORKING. WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO WORK. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. PH
NHTSA complaint #10006326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.