Owners have filed 24 complaints
about the 1996 Chevrolet C/K Pickups with NHTSA between 1999 and 2010.
The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 10 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 — 29
Against the median year of the Chevrolet C/K Pickups. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 22
4.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 32
19% 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 C/K Pickups
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1996 Chevrolet C/K Pickups
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
625.0%
Median failure at 112,500 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
625.0%
Median failure at 93,000 miles
Brakes
416.7%
Median failure at 96,123 miles
Body & Structure
312.5%
Median failure at 108,455 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
28.3%
Median failure at 75,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
28.3%
Median failure at 53,150 miles
Airbags
14.2%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 75,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
318.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
16.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
637.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
637.5%
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.
Mar 1999peak 2Apr 2010
NHTSA investigations into the 1996 Chevrolet C/K Pickups
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA02006Opened 31 May 2002Closed 23 Jul 2003VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
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.
EA00024Opened 26 Sep 2000Closed 21 Dec 2001EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 75,000 milesMinneapolis, MNCrash
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG FOR OUR VEHICLE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WE HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE FIRST ACCIDENT AND THEY ASSURED IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE AIRBAG NOT TO GO OFF UNLESS HIGH IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #10050795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 96,123 milesSurry, ME
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FAILURE OF BRAKE LINES ON 1996 CHEVY TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10325909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,123 milesSurry, ME
STRUCTURE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10296512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesManassas Park, VA
VISIBILITY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10263308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesHopkinton`, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10174989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,787 milesOsceola, IN
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10174386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesBrookfield, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
PROBLEMS WITH ABS BRAKES ENGAGING WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP. HAD THE ABS SENSOR ( FRONT DRIVERS SIDE) REPLACED WHICH CORRECTED PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10152779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brookfield, WI
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TAILGATE STRAP BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #10152777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesEaglepass, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10145859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesEaglepass, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10145859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Havana, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
DT THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER ON FEBRUARY 23, 2003 FROM CHEVROLET, IT WAS A SPECIAL PROVISION LETTER FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, CONTACTED THE TWO DEALERS ,THEY SAID THIS VEHICLE FELL WITHIN THE SEVEN YEAR LIMIT OR 70,000 AND MY VEHICLE HAS 41,000 BUT THEY SAID IT PAST THE SEVEN YEARS, BUT IT WAS OUTSIDE THE SEVEN YEARS. IT WAS VOID WHEN THE CONSUMER RECEIVED IT. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMENTLY ON THE VEHICLE, THE WIPER MOTOR FAIED. ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. WHEN TURN INGIT ON ON E COULD HEAR AN ELECTRICAL SOUND, IF ONE HIT THE COVER WITH SOMETHING COULD GET THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10138210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesNewport News, VA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR INTERMITTENT OPERATION;I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY MAKE ,MODEL. HOWEVER AFTER TAKING MY TRUCK TO THE DEALER I WAS NOTIFIED MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST. I THEN CONTACTED GM. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE RECALL AND IF I FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM I SHOULD TAKE IT TO BE FIXED. I FEEL THEY DO NOT THINK LOSS OF YOUR WIPERS IS A SAFETY CONCERN.
NHTSA complaint #10120632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,300 milesThree Rivers, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE AT A STOP VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10115387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesHarleysville, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
DIESEL ENGINE UNEXPECTED AND VIOLENTLY SHUT OFF IN MIDDLE OF BUSY INTERSECTION AND WOULD NOT RESTART. ENGINE FINALLY RESTARTED, THEN RACED AND RAN ERRATICALLY. IT THEN SHUT OFF REPEATEDLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED RESULTING IN SEVERE JERKING AND BUCKING, AND NEARLY RESULTED IN BEING REAR-ENDED BY A LARGE TRUCK. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT THIS IS THE PUMP DRIVER MODULE AND EXPRESSED THAT IT IS WELL KNOWN FAILURE. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND A LATENT DEFECT THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED. IN A DIESEL, IT IS AN EXTREMELY STARTLING AND VIOLENT SHUTOFF THAT COULD EASILY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM POSTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND ESPECIALLY THROUGHOUT THE PROFESSIONAL REPAIR CIRCLES. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THIS PART SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE...NOW I AM EXPECTED TO PAY $2,000 TO REPAIR IT OUT OF MY POCKET.
NHTSA complaint #10074644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesHamilton, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
1996 CHEVROLET EXT. CAB SILVERADO,93000 MILES. FUEL PUMP.& EGR VALVE REPLACEMENT? HOW COME SO SOON?
NHTSA complaint #10066435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesHamilton, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1996 CHEVROLET EXT. CAB SILVERADO,93000 MILES. FUEL PUMP.& EGR VALVE REPLACEMENT? HOW COME SO SOON?
NHTSA complaint #10066435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesMinneapolis, MNCrash
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG FOR OUR VEHICLE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WE HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE FIRST ACCIDENT AND THEY ASSURED IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE AIRBAG NOT TO GO OFF UNLESS HIGH IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #10050795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesMadison, AL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
MELTED WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE FUEL PUMP. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON BOTH A SUBURBAN AND A CHEVY TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10039356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Channelview, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10037253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesSAN Bruno, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY WORN OUT, NO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP REBUILT IT THEMSELVES TO ASSURE QUALITY JOB. IT ONLY LASTED TEN MONTHS, AND THIRD GEAR AGAIN WENT OUT IN MARCH, 2003. REPAIRED AGAIN. ON JULY 2, 2003 AGAIN TO SHOP AS NOW SECOND GEAR WENT OUT. DECISION WAS TO CHANGE THE SOLENOID AND UP THE PRESSURE TO CREATE CRISPER SHIFTS AND LESS WEAR ON THE TRANSMISSION. TRANS SHOP FEELS TRUCKS FROM CHEVY OF 94-96 YEARS HAD NEW ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONS AND WAS A WEAK DESIGN, CAUSING THESE FAILURES. NEWER TRUCKS HAVE A IMPROVED TRANSMISSION TO AVOID THESE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10025365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Callahan, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP WORKING. HAD TO STOP VEHICLE AND GET OUT TO START WINDSHIELD WIPER BACK TO WORK BY HAND. DEALER CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #8005303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Abilene, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
BEGINS WITH HESITATION AND JERKING, THEN SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR PARKED. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMPS ARE DEFECTIVE AS WELL AS AN ARRAY OF OTHER EXCUSES. WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, STEERING AND BRAKING BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND WE BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS TRUCK IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR THE 10TH TIME IN THE LAST 15 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #726263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hometown, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES DON'T WORK. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR.
NHTSA complaint #849294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sylacauga, AL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE WORKING INADVERTENTLY. THEY SOMETIMES DON'T WORK AT ALL . DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #848001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lockheart, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
WINDSHIELD WIPERS OFTEN FAIL WHEN TURNED ON, OWNER HAS TO HIT THE MOTOR TO GET THEM WORKING AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE GM RECALL ON THE 1996 MODEL DUE TO VIN#. ALSO, HAD A STEERING COLUMN MALFUNCTION WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. OWNER BELIEVES THAT THE SOLDER JOINTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS. *AK
NHTSA complaint #836357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.