CHEVROLET 1500 · model year

1996 CHEVROLET 1500

24 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996CHEVROLET1500 carries 24 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1996 1500 is fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump with 4 filings, followed by service brakes (4) and visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1996 1500, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

24
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

24 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP4
SERVICE BRAKES4
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING1
SEATS1
STEERING:COLUMN1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY1
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING1
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM1
AIR BAGS1
POWER TRAIN1

Recent Complaints

20151001SERVICE BRAKES

VEHICAL IS ONE FAMILY OWNER, HAS 76000 MILES ON IT. BRAKES ARE VERY BAD, HAVE REPLACED ALL HYDROLICS, PADS HOSES DISC AND DRUMS, VEHICLE ON BRAKE APPLICATION WILL SHAKE VERY BAD, AND ALSO WILL JERK THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH. DEALER HAS VEHICLE NOW FOR AT LEAST 8 TIMES TO TRY AND FIX. VERY DANGEROUS TRUCK, CANNOT BE TRUSTED.CALIPERS WERE REPLACED ALSO TWICE ON MOST ALL UNITS ON TRUCK. SOMETIME 3 TIMES. HAVE PAID OUT $1500.00 SO FAR. THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THESE TRUCKS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED AND RECALL MADE. TRUCK IN DEALER TODAY FOR A FINAL REPAIR ATTEMP. 10-01-2015

Mileage: 76,000

20150708SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND WAS GETTING OFF AT A EXIT RAMP AND I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PAD THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I DID NOT HAVE BRAKES AT THAT POINT AND ALMOST HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME I FINALY CAME TO A STOP AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND SEEN BRAKE FLUID EVERYWHERE UNDER THE WHEEL WELL I CAREFULLY DROVE IT HOME TAKING BACK ROADS AND GOING VERY SLOW GOT HOME AFTER A LONG SCARY DRIVE AND JACKED THE TRUCK UP REPLACED THE WHEEL CYLINDER AND WAS GOING TO BLEED THE BRAKES BUT THERE WAS NO FLUID COMING FROM THE BRAKE LINE NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING OFF OF THE FRAME I LOOKED AT THE BRAKE LINE AND IT WAS RUSTED AND PITTED AND SEEN THE BRAKE FLUID COMING FROM LITTLE HOLES IN THE RUSTED BRAKE LINE. LOOKED ON THE INTERNET FOR WAYS TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINE AND THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM SO I CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT HELP ME SO I WENT TO THE AUTO PARTS STORE AND I GOT SOME STEEL TUBING AND STARTED TO REPAIR THE BRAKE LIN

Mileage: 98,000

20150430SERVICE BRAKES

WENT TO DRIVE VEHICLE WHEN I NOTICED PEDAL WHEN TO FLOOR. UPON INSPECTION NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEAR THE REAR OF VEHICLE INSIDE FRAME NEAR THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY. THIS VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND LOOKS PERFECT BESIDES RUSTED BRAKE LINES. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

20130904FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I HAVE A 1996 CHEVROLET C1500 ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH A 5 LITER WHICH WAS REPLACED WITH A 5.7 LITER. I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT DUE TO THE OLD PART WAS NO LONGER GOOD. WITHIN 2 MONTHS THE NEW PART SHORTED OUT, FRYING ONE OF THE WIRES ON THE INSIDE PART OF SENDING UNIT, INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. I AGAIN REPLACED THE PART THINKING I HAD BOUGHT A DEFECTIVE ITEM THE FIRST TIME. I AM NOW STARTING TO GET THE SAME SYMPTOMS IT HAD THE LAST TIME RIGHT BEFORE THE LAST SENDING UNIT WENT OUT. I DID AN ELECTRIC CHECK ON THE OLD/NEW FUEL PUMP AND IT WAS O.K. THE SYMPTOMS ARE, WHEN I'M COMING TO A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND DIES. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, CRANK IT, AND IT STARTS BACK ON. IT DID THE SAME THING LAST TIME UNTIL FINALLY IT FAILED TO START. I KNOW OF A 1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO WITH A 4.3 LITER AND IT ALSO SUFFERS FROM THE SAME PROBLEM AND USES THE EXACT SAME PART NUMBER. ANY SUGGESTIONS THAT DO NOT INVOLVE TNT WOULD BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED. *JB

Mileage: 218,931

20130330POWER TRAIN

I JUST BOUGHT THIS TRUCK ON CRAIGSLIST AND WHEN I GOT IT HOME IT WOULDN'T BACK UP OR SHIFT IN TO SECOND GEAR RIGHT SO I AM HAVING THE TRANNY REBUILT NOW WHIT A MASTER REBUILD KIT AND NEW SUN SHELL AND NEW TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR

Mileage: 220,563

20130104SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDDLE LEFT REAR STEEL BRAKE LINE RUPTURED RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE PEDDLE AND STOPPING ABILITY. *TR

Mileage: 102,000

20080213CrashAIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET 1500. WHILE DECELERATING FROM 30 MPH TO MAKE A TURN, THE CONTACT WAS STRUCK HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 60 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS NECK, BACK, AND SHOULDERS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED; HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION REGARDING THE AIR BAG FAILURE. POLICE REPORT NUMBER 192224-92-99 WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN TEXAS CRASH REPORT 04/02/08 *TR

Mileage: 140,000

20050927FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO AND SINCE I HAVE HAD IT I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED 5 TIMES BY A MECHANIC SHOP, COSTING OVER $300 EACH TIME IT WAS DONE. IT WOULD WORK FOR AWHILE THEN QUIT, LEAVING ME STRANDED IN REMOTE AREAS. I USED TO BE A MECHANIC BEFORE A BACK INJURY SO I FINALLY PULLED THE FULL TANK DOWN AND PULLED THE SENDING UNIT OUT. I NOTICED THE GRAY WIRE GOING TO THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP HAS MELTED THE COATING OFF THE WIRE AND IT IS LOOSE. I HAVE ORDERED A COMPLETE SENDING UNIT AND PUMP AND HOPE IT SOLVES THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS COULD BE A VERY BAD FIRE HAZARD IF IT SHOULD HAPPEN TO SHORT OUT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. *JB

20050131POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL

THE FRONT AXLE SEAL KEEPS LEAKING. IT WAS REPLACED SIX TIMES. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND NO ASSISTANCE OFFERED.*AK ENGINE HAD COOLANT RUNNING OUT OF IT. DEALER FOUND WATER PUMP LEAKING. REPLACED WATER PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER. FUEL PUMP AND POWER STEERING UNIT WAS ALSO REPLACED. *TT

Mileage: 73,000

20050131ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

THE FRONT AXLE SEAL KEEPS LEAKING. IT WAS REPLACED SIX TIMES. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND NO ASSISTANCE OFFERED.*AK ENGINE HAD COOLANT RUNNING OUT OF IT. DEALER FOUND WATER PUMP LEAKING. REPLACED WATER PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER. FUEL PUMP AND POWER STEERING UNIT WAS ALSO REPLACED. *TT

Mileage: 73,000

20050131STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

THE FRONT AXLE SEAL KEEPS LEAKING. IT WAS REPLACED SIX TIMES. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND NO ASSISTANCE OFFERED.*AK ENGINE HAD COOLANT RUNNING OUT OF IT. DEALER FOUND WATER PUMP LEAKING. REPLACED WATER PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER. FUEL PUMP AND POWER STEERING UNIT WAS ALSO REPLACED. *TT

Mileage: 73,000

20050131FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

THE FRONT AXLE SEAL KEEPS LEAKING. IT WAS REPLACED SIX TIMES. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND NO ASSISTANCE OFFERED.*AK ENGINE HAD COOLANT RUNNING OUT OF IT. DEALER FOUND WATER PUMP LEAKING. REPLACED WATER PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER. FUEL PUMP AND POWER STEERING UNIT WAS ALSO REPLACED. *TT

Mileage: 73,000

20041130VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

DURING RAINY WEATHER FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

20041020ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT LOST POWER AGAIN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A WIRE INSIDE THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK HAD MELTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB 07161996 VEHICLE STARTED THEN STALLED SEVERAL TIMES THEN FINALLY DIED IN TRAFFIC. *TC

Mileage: 127,110

20041020FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT LOST POWER AGAIN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A WIRE INSIDE THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK HAD MELTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB 07161996 VEHICLE STARTED THEN STALLED SEVERAL TIMES THEN FINALLY DIED IN TRAFFIC. *TC

Mileage: 127,110

20040712STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BOTTOM HINGE IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CLOSE THE DOOR. WHEN THE DOOR CLOSES IT DOESN'T STAY SHUT SINCE IT DOESN'T CLOSE FULLY. THE HINGE IS A TWO PART SYSTEM, IT CANNOT BE GREASED OF LUBRICATED. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THE ENTIRE BOTTOM HINGE HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS PART IS WELDED ON TO THE VAN, MAKING IT VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE THE PART. *AK

Mileage: 120,000

20040227FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY

THE THROTTLE ON MY 1996 CHEV 4X4 EXT.CAB SHORT BED PICKUP STICKS FORCING ME TO APPLY EXTENSIVE FOOT PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. I HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED TWICE BUT IT RETURNS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS SAFETY HAZARD KNOWN AS "THROTTLE CABLE MAY CONTACT DASH MAT". HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT SPECIFICALLY INCLUDE MY MAKE AND MODEL. THUS, I CONTINUE TO REPAIR WITHOUT ELIMINATING THE SAFETY HAZARD.*AK

20031106STEERING:COLUMN

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE DRIVER TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT. THEN DROVE TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE GREASED. *AK

20030727FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

I OWN A 1996 CHEVROLET 1/2 TON P/U AND WHAT HAPPENED IS ON MY FUEL PUMP SENDER A FEW OF THE WIRES CAUGHT ON FIRE, OBVIOUSLY CAUSING MY TRUCK NOT TO WORK. I GOT THE PART REPLACED, BUT I AM CONCERNED IN THE FACT THAT I HAD A FIRE IN MY GAS TANK BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE PERSON WHO FIXED THE FUEL PUMP SENDER SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN THE SAME PROBLEM IN ANOTHER CHEVROLET MINI-VAN AND HAS HERD OF THIS PROBLEM ABOUT OTHER CHEVROLET VECIHICLES. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT HE KNOWS THE NHTSA HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THIS PROBLEM. MY INTENT IN THIS CORESPONDENCE IS THAT YOU LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ONE OF THESE TANKS BLOW UP. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THIS RESOLVED BEFORE THERE IS A MAJOR INCIDENT WITH THESE FUEL PUMP SENDERS. IF YOU HAVE ANY FUTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL ME. RESPECTFULLY, CURTIS J. KOHL. *AK

Mileage: 99,650

20030321SEATS

THE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK BALL BEARINGS CONSTANTLY BREAK WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO SLIDE BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAS HAD TRACKS REPAIRED TWO TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNS. *NLM THE SEAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REFUSED TO LOCK AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE IS DISPLAYING THE SAME. SCC

Mileage: 32,000

Compare 1996CHEVROLET1500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 CHEVROLET 1500 have?
The 1996 CHEVROLET 1500 has 24 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 CHEVROLET 1500?
The most-complained component for the 1996 CHEVROLET 1500 is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR.
Is the 1996 CHEVROLET 1500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.