1996 Chevrolet C1500: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 229 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (25% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 229 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2009
“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 The dealer stated that the recall was no longer active.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.”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2008
“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)”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.*ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2005
“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. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2005
“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? *nm”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2004
“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. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 2004
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2004
“When driving in the rain windshield wipers failed causing the driver to pull off the road. Consumer contacted the dealership, but problem recurred. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2004
“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.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
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.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
How other years compare
Check your exact C1500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Chevrolet C1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 229 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Chevrolet C1500. The most complained-about area is visibility (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet C1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,400 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Chevrolet C1500 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.