1996 Chevrolet Caprice: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 65 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (16% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet caprice. The contact was driving 45 mph when he heard a dragging noise coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was maneuvered to the shoulder and the contact noticed that the straps which held the fuel tank in place were fractured due to corrosion. The vehicle was safely driven home and parked. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were 145,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2011
“During maintenance of my vehicle it was found to be missing the bolts, guides, washers, bushings and nuts that connect the radiator support to the frame. This 1996 chevrolet caprice classic may be only one of many wherein these critical bolts and assemblies were never installed at the factory. *jb”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2007
“Defective tires, resulting in tires exploding while car was parked, damaging entire front end of vehicle. *bf the tire stated they sold the consumer the wrong tires for the weight of the vehicle and even though it was the tires store's fault, the consumer still had to pay for the upgrade. *jb”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving at any speed consumer heard a loud knocking noise and the vehicle started to jerk. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic determined that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2004
“The tire on the consumer's 1996 chevrolet caprice blewout while parked damaging the entire front end (cooper cornell tire).*mr *nm”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2004
“When driving below 20 mph vehicle would stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three separate occasions and the dealer replaced the distributor/spark plugs and something on the driveshaft. However, the problem recurred. *ak the distributor cap was replaced due to a broken screw on the cap and rotor. *scc *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2003
“I have a 1996 chevrolet caprice with only 28, 000 miles on it. Several occurances of steering loockup when going at very slow speeds and turning either let or right. Racing the engine seems to clear the problem sometimes. The steering pump was replaced but the problem contines to occur occasionally.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2002
“Consumer complained about fuel pump problems. Also, while driving fuel pump burned out, and luckily it did not explode. Fuel pump and fuel sending module were replaced. *ts *tt *nlm.*ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2002
“Consumer states the fuel pump on the vehicle went out while the consumer was driving, causing the vehicle to shut off and not move any where. Also the consumer does not think that the fuel pump is in a proper place, because if there was a spark the vehicle could have caught on fire. Contacted dealer.*jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2002
“While driving, brake hose rubs its mounting bolt. It was installed with a loop in the hose. Repair has been made on vehicle.*ak consumer stated the hose was worn in the reenforcing layer of the hose, consumer noticed this when the wheel was off.*jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH BOTH THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT CAUTION LABEL AND A ROOF RACK CAUTION LABEL INSTALLED ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE SUN VISOR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Remedy: A NEW ROOF RACK CAUTION LABEL, WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, WILL BE SENT DIRECTLY TO OWNERS. OWNERS WILL INSTALL THE LABEL OR HAVE THEIR DEALER INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND CAN LOOSEN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS FOR PROPER TORQUE. IF THE BALL JOINT HAS LOOSENED, BOTH THE BALL JOINT AND THE KNUCKLE WILL BE REPLACED.
THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CRACK AT THE REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENTS.
THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL LUG NUTS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Caprice 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 Caprice reliable?
NHTSA has 65 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet Caprice problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 59,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags. 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.