Owners have filed 20 complaints
about the 1996 Chevrolet Express with NHTSA between 1998 and 2003.
The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 25 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 — 30
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Express. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
20% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1996 compares with every other Chevrolet Express
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 Express
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
420.0%
Steering
315.0%
Electrical System
315.0%
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 58,500 mi
Engine & Cooling
315.0%
Equipment & Accessories
210.0%
Brakes
210.0%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.0%
Airbags
15.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires
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.
Nov 1998peak 4Apr 2003
Recalls on the 1996 Chevrolet Express
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20010588,221 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the fuel tank front rollover valve could stick open and allow fuel leakage. If the vehicle is parked down a grade of 2.5 degrees or more, and the valve sticks open, and if the fuel tank is full or so full that the fuel in the tank submerges the front rollover valve, fuel will leak into the evaporative emission canister until the fuel level in the tank no longer submerges the front rollover valve. If the leakage exceeds the canister's capacity, fuel will leak onto the ground. Leaked fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire. Correction: Dealers will install a revised evaporative emission pipe assembly.
Recall 1996151702 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, the steering linkage relay rod tapered stud attachment nut may not have been torqued to specification. This could eventually lead to fracture of the relay rod stud resulting in loss of steering control and a possible vehicle crash. Correction: Dealers will remove the existing tapered stud crimped nut and install a new nut torqued to specification.
Recall 199608810 units in Canada
Suspension
On certain vehicles, one of the four rear axle u-bolts may experience breakage. If this were to occur, the joint would no longer be capable of correctly transmitting forces from the axle to the spring. The spring could lift from the axle under certain rebound, braking, or cornering manoeuvres, and the rear axle would eventually be free to provide steering inputs to the vehicle. This could result in loss of vehicle control and a crash. Correction: Four rear axle u-bolts will be replaced on affected vehicles.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 58,500 milesMora, MNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #10006484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterloo, IAFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
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 complaint #10003069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Fargo, NDCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN THE VAN WAS INVOLVED IN A PRETTY SEVERE FRONTAL CRASH, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY, BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT. VAN WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 5 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. FRONTAL DAMAGE TOTALLED OVER $7,000 DOLLARS. THE VAN IS BEING REPAIRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #855139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
VAN TOTALLY DESTROYED ,HAD BEEN SITTING FOR OVER 2 HOURS BEFORE IT DECIDED TO CATCH FIRE HAD TROUBLE WITH KEYLESS REMOTE PRIOR TO CATCHING FIRE REMOTE WOULD NOT UNLOCK DOORS FIRE STARTED UNDER NEATH PASS. SIDE DASHBOARD IN WHAT I WAS TOLD THE AREA WHERE THE COMPUTER IS
NHTSA complaint #702181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 58,500 milesMora, MNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #10006484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterloo, IAFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
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 complaint #10003069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manhasset NY, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
AFTER APPOINTMENT WAS MADE, AND UPON ARRIVAL, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO DO RECALL OOV110000 REPAIRS.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8017146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BAY City MI, AK
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
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 complaint #752336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington Station, NY
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
WHEN PARKED STEERING WILL NOT TURN. STEERING GEAR BOX & PUMP REPLACED WITH NO EFECT.
NHTSA complaint #745571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington Station, NY
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
WHEN PARKED STEERING WILL NOT TURN. STEERING GEAR BOX & PUMP REPLACED WITH NO EFECT.
NHTSA complaint #745571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
NHTSA complaint #886067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #886067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
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.
NHTSA complaint #886067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Superior, WI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
NHTSA complaint #885463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Genoa, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DIMINISHED BRAKING ABILITY,DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #742594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rogers, MN
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
AFTER MAKING A U TURN, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS LOST. THE POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT HAD BROKEN MAKING THE VEHICLE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. COULD THIS BE THE PROBLEM OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN #: 96V187000?
NHTSA complaint #737214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Fargo, NDCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN THE VAN WAS INVOLVED IN A PRETTY SEVERE FRONTAL CRASH, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY, BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT. VAN WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 5 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. FRONTAL DAMAGE TOTALLED OVER $7,000 DOLLARS. THE VAN IS BEING REPAIRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #855139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windcrest, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ENGINE RUNS RUFF WITH NO POWER. SOUNDS LIKE ENGINE IS DIESELING. BLACK SMOKE COMES OUT OF EXHAUST, SOMTIMES BACKFIRES. ECM NEVER SETS TROUBLE CODE. EVENTUALLY THE ECM SET TROUBLE CODE FOR RIGHT CAT COMMING APART. THE FOURTH (MOST RESENT) BOTH CATS CAME APART.
NHTSA complaint #705059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windcrest, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
ENGINE RUNS RUFF WITH NO POWER. SOUNDS LIKE ENGINE IS DIESELING. BLACK SMOKE COMES OUT OF EXHAUST, SOMTIMES BACKFIRES. ECM NEVER SETS TROUBLE CODE. EVENTUALLY THE ECM SET TROUBLE CODE FOR RIGHT CAT COMMING APART. THE FOURTH (MOST RESENT) BOTH CATS CAME APART.
NHTSA complaint #705059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Georgetown, TX
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #704257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Georgetown, TX
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #704257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocean Spring, MS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE PEDAL MOVES TO 2-3 INCHES BEFORE IT WILL BEGIN TO BRAKE, AND PEDAL TRAVELS TOO FAR DOWN.THIS DEFECT CAUSES INCREASED REACTION TIME. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CLAIM IT WAS DESIGNED LIKE THAT.
NHTSA complaint #820031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
VAN TOTALLY DESTROYED ,HAD BEEN SITTING FOR OVER 2 HOURS BEFORE IT DECIDED TO CATCH FIRE HAD TROUBLE WITH KEYLESS REMOTE PRIOR TO CATCHING FIRE REMOTE WOULD NOT UNLOCK DOORS FIRE STARTED UNDER NEATH PASS. SIDE DASHBOARD IN WHAT I WAS TOLD THE AREA WHERE THE COMPUTER IS
NHTSA complaint #702181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Douglasville, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK WAS FILLED ON THE MORINING OF 8/6/98 AND DRIVEN 33 MILES. IT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE NOSE DOWN ON A 30 DEGREE GRADE. ON THE AFTERNOON OF 8/7/98 AS WE WERE LEAVING ON VACATION I SMELLED GASOLINE WHILE GETTING INTO THE VAN. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO FIND FUEL DRAINING FROM OUT UNDERNEATH THE GAS TANK PLASTIC SHIELD ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. IT WAS DETERMINED AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT GAS WAS GOING THROUGH THE VENT PIPE, TO THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND THEN OUT OF THE CANISTER INTO THE PLASTIC SHIELD AROUND THE TANK. IT WAS ALSO FOUND THAT ONE OF THE TOP SEALS ON THE TANK WAS ALSO LEAKING. MINE WAS THE 3RD EXPRESS VAN AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. WITH REPEATED DISCUSSIONS WITH THE FACTORY REP, I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE SAFETY RELATED DEFECTS AND PARTS OF THE EXACT DESIGN THAT FAILED WERE REINSTALLED. THERE IS AN INHERENT DEFECT IN THIS DESIGN. WHEN THE TANK IS FILLED COOL, AND THE VEHICLE SITS OR IS DRIVEN WITH THE NOSE DOWN AND THE TEMPERATURE INCREASES, GASOLINE IS FORCED THROUGHT THE VENT PIPE, TO THE CHARCOAL CANISTER, THEN OUT ONTO THE GROUND. I WAS JUST LUCKY I NOTICED THIS PRIOR TO STARTING MY VAN. IT COULD HAVE BLOWN UP, ESPECIALLY WITH THE HEAT AND LEAVING IT SIT TO COOL DOWN SO MY NEWBORN WOULDNT HAVE TO GET INTO THE HOT VEHICLE. I WAS VERY UPSET WITH THIS SITUATION AND HAVE NOT BEEN SATISFIED WITH A RESPONSE, OR LACK THEREOF FROM CHEVROLET. I ALSO SAW A SIMILAR VEHICLE AS MINE SITTING BY THE ROADWAY THE OTHER DAY WITH FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VAN. PLEASE HELP MYSELF AND OTHERS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.
NHTSA complaint #700305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.