Total Complaints
14 filings
CHEVROLET C SERIES · model year
1996 CHEVROLET C SERIES
14 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1996CHEVROLETC SERIES carries 14 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 3 fires, 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 C SERIES is visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor with 3 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2) and air bags:frontal (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 C SERIES, 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.
14
Complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
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
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20080728CrashTIRES
DRIVING @ 60MP WEST BOUND 210FRWY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. REAR TIRE BLEW AND UPON LOOKING AT TIRE THE TIRE "THREW TOP TREAD" AND SEPARATED. *TR
Mileage: 161,000
20050627AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK *JB
Mileage: 169,302
20031001VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
20011116SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS TODAY MAKES THE 4TH TIMES TO HAVE THE BRAKES FIXED ALSO THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE THE TRUCK WE PURCHASED IT HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS AT LEAST 6 TIMES AND THE SERVICE ENGINE STILL IS ON. TALKED TO THE CHEVY CO THAT SAID TO MILES ON TRUCK FOR THEM TO DO ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH IT STARTED AT 2899 MILES. CASE # CO5800032 CAN YOU HELP IN ANY WAY? ALSO, THE ENGINE LITE STILL COME ON STATING REPAIR ENGINE SOON IT HAS BEEN LOOKED 6 DIFFERENTS TIMES AND IS STILL NOT FIXED THIS ALSO STARED AT 2899 MILES. JUST TALKED TO THE GM COMPANY THAT SAID THE TRUCK HAD TO MANY MILES ON FOR THENM THEY TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILIY EVEN THOUGHT THE STARTED THE YEAR THE TRUCK WAS BOUGHT. *AK
20011116ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS TODAY MAKES THE 4TH TIMES TO HAVE THE BRAKES FIXED ALSO THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE THE TRUCK WE PURCHASED IT HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS AT LEAST 6 TIMES AND THE SERVICE ENGINE STILL IS ON. TALKED TO THE CHEVY CO THAT SAID TO MILES ON TRUCK FOR THEM TO DO ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH IT STARTED AT 2899 MILES. CASE # CO5800032 CAN YOU HELP IN ANY WAY? ALSO, THE ENGINE LITE STILL COME ON STATING REPAIR ENGINE SOON IT HAS BEEN LOOKED 6 DIFFERENTS TIMES AND IS STILL NOT FIXED THIS ALSO STARED AT 2899 MILES. JUST TALKED TO THE GM COMPANY THAT SAID THE TRUCK HAD TO MANY MILES ON FOR THENM THEY TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILIY EVEN THOUGHT THE STARTED THE YEAR THE TRUCK WAS BOUGHT. *AK
20010118VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I HAVE TWO OF THESE TRUCKS AND NEITHER MATCH THE RECALL AND TOLD TO FIX IT MYSELF...I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR OTHER PEOPLE WITH THESE TRUCKS AS WELL, THE VIN NUMBER ON THE OTHER IS [XXX], IT IS A 1996 K SERIES. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
20000927ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING A SEVERE OIL LEAKAGES. DEALER UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THEY THINK IT MAY BE CAUSED BY THE ENGINE REAR SEAL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
20000720AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 20MPH & DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED. AIRBAG EMBRACED THE CONSUMER IN THE SEAT. DEALER DOESN'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY ABOUT THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER.*AK
20000623VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY WORKED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL DUE TO VIN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
20000623VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVEREDUNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
20000223FireSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH BRAKES FAILING TO STOP VEHICLE PROPERLY WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *ALSO, FRONT BEARING FAILED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO MOUNTING BRACKET AND WIRING WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE.*AK
20000223FirePOWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH BRAKES FAILING TO STOP VEHICLE PROPERLY WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *ALSO, FRONT BEARING FAILED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO MOUNTING BRACKET AND WIRING WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE.*AK
20000223FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH BRAKES FAILING TO STOP VEHICLE PROPERLY WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *ALSO, FRONT BEARING FAILED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO MOUNTING BRACKET AND WIRING WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE.*AK
20000112POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION HAS HARD SHIFT AFTER ZERO THROTTLE COASTDOWN. ACTS AS THOUGH LINE PRESSURE IS LATCHED HIGH. TWO DEALERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ONE DEALER TOLD ME GM KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM, BUT IS UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO FIX IT. *AK
Compare 1996CHEVROLETC SERIES to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1996 CHEVROLET C SERIES have?▼
The 1996 CHEVROLET C SERIES has 14 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 CHEVROLET C SERIES?▼
The most-complained component for the 1996 CHEVROLET C SERIES is VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL.
Is the 1996 CHEVROLET C SERIES 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.