1996 CHEVROLET Caprice Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

SUSPENSION

12 complaints

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

Jul 08, 2004

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH ITS LOWER CONTROL ARM AS STATED IN RECALL 96 V 018 001; BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

Aug 11, 2003

RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINTS BROKE. *JB

Apr 19, 2003

DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT STUD AND NUT WERE SEPARATED, R/R BALL JOINT

Oct 02, 2001

I CHECKED NHTSA'S WEB SIDT, MY CAR WAS ON RECALL LIST FOR THAT LOWER BALL JOINT. I CALLED GM, THEY SAID MY CAR WAS NOT ON RECALL LIST FOR THAT PART. *AK

Aug 28, 2001

+ 7 more complaints for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

10 complaints

SAFETY EMISSIONS. *KB

Mar 20, 2012

SERPENTENE BELT CHIRPING WHEN UNDER WARRANTY BELT REPLACED 4+ TIMES PROBLEM NEVER SOLVED , CALLED GMC HOTLINE (I QUOTE) LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT (UNQUOTE) WHAT DO I DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK

Aug 17, 2001

THE AIR PUMP BROKE CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, GM HAD A BULLETIN THAT ADVISED THE TECHNICIAN TO DISCONNECT THE PUMP BUT RATHER THAN REPLACE IT, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE PUMP SHOULD BE REPLACED. NLM *SLC *JB

Jun 13, 2001

CONSUMER WENT TO MECHANIC FOR OIL CHANGE AND NOTICED THAT OIL COOLANT LINE WAS LEAKING, AND WAS SITTING ON TOP OF GEAR BOX. NEW OIL COOLANT LINE WAS INSTALLED, AND INSTALLTION WAS TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM BEFORE. TSB WAS ISSUED ON THIS DEFECT.*AK

Apr 20, 2001

ENGINE OIL LINE THAT RUNS FROM ADAPTOR TO RADIATOR WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED NEAR STEERING COLUMN GEAR BOX. THE RUBBER HOSE HAD A DEEP CUT DUE TO STEERING COLUM VIBRATIONS AND NEEDS REPLACING. *YH

Apr 03, 2001

+ 5 more complaints for this component

POWER TRAIN

10 complaints

CONSUMERS CHILD WAS ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS INTO NEUTRAL. CHILD JUMPED OUT AND WAS RUN OVER BY THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH ALL CARS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OFF.

Oct 29, 1999

Injuries: 1

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE THE ENGINE STALLS AND DIES. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PORBLEM. *AK

Sep 28, 1999

DUE TO THE DIFFENTIAL UNIT EXPERIENCING INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION, LOCK-UP (FISHTAILING) CAUSING TEMP. LOSS OF CONTROL. *YC

Mar 29, 1999

WHILE PULLING OUT ONTO HIGHWAY, VEHICLE STARTED TO FISHTAIL VIOLENTLY. REAR END KEPT SWINGING BACK AND FORTH. POLICEMAN CHECKED THE PROBLEM. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED A SLIPPED DIFFERENTIAL. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK.ET.

Feb 25, 1999

AXLE SEAL FAILED.

Aug 25, 1998

+ 5 more complaints for this component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

8 complaints

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.

Sep 14, 2011

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

Dec 04, 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

Sep 05, 2002

WIRES FOR FUEL SENDING UNIT HAVE BURNED AND MELTED, INCLUDING ELECTRICAL FUEL CONNECTOR PLUG INSIDE GAS TANK, CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED UNIT, AND NOTICED THAT NEW PART WAS REDESIGNED AND BEEN MODIFIED, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH OLD DESIGN. CONSUMER STILL HAS ORIGINAL UNIT. *AK *SLC

May 30, 2001

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR GAS TANK, BUT WAS ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP THAT PARTS WERE NOT IN STOCK. *JB

Apr 23, 2001

+ 3 more complaints for this component

STEERING

5 complaints

MY CHEVY MALIBU IS HAVING POWERSTEERING ISSUES. IT FREEZES UP WHILE TRYING TO TURN CORNERS. THIS CAR HAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE POWERSTEERING FLUID IS AT A GOOD LEVEL AND THERE ARE NO LEAKS IN THE SYSTEM. *TR

Aug 27, 2008

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.

Feb 16, 2003

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15MPH ON FLAT SURFACE AND WITHOUT WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

Jan 24, 2003

DRIVING, HEARD CLICKING NOISE, WAS REPAIRED, VERY HARD STEERING; STEERING LOCKED, WILL NOT TURN LEFT/RIGHT; DEALER SAID PARTS NEED OILING; VEHICLE BACK IN SHOP. WILL PROVIDE INVOICES. *AK

Dec 19, 1996

STEERING BOX LOOSENS UP DESPITE NEW BOLTS.

Sep 11, 1996

TIRES

4 complaints

THE TIRE ON THE CONSUMER'S 1996 CHEVROLET CAPRICE BLEWOUT WHILE PARKED DAMAGING THE ENTIRE FRONT END (COOPER CORNELL TIRE).*MR *NM

Apr 12, 2005

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

Oct 20, 2004

AQUA GRIP RADIAL UNIROYAL TUBELESS, E4,0210175,M+S,PZ15175R15100S, STEEL WIRES STICKING OUT OF TIRE 2 INCHES AND LONGER WHEN WE GOT THE CAR TO A FULL STOP ON A MOUNTAIN SIDE. WE MOVED HERE 1 YR. AGO, WE WERE TOLD THE TIRE HAD A "PLUG" THAT WAS ALL THE WAY INSIDE THE TIRE AND HAD PULLED THE WIRES OUT TO THE FRONT/ HOWEVER I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS WOULD CAUSE THE WIRES TO COME THROUGH THE TIRE ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE EXPOSING ALL THE WIRES/ WE HAD ONE HAIRY TIRE, THE WIRES STUCK OUT 2 INCHES AND LONGER. THE STEEL BELTING HAD COME APART FROM THE TIRE ON THE INSIDE AND WAS FLOPPING AROUND, YOU COULD HEAR IT AS YOU ROLLED THE TIRE AROUND UPRIGHT ON THE GROUND/WE PURCHASED TWO NEW BACK TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: PZ15175R15 )

Sep 02, 2000

TWO GENERAL TIRES FAILED, OWNER REPLACED ALL TIRE ON VEHICLE.

Aug 28, 1997

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

4 complaints

THE ACCELERATOR IDLED WHILE DRIVING. *JB

Apr 10, 2003

THE ACCELERATOR IDLED WHILE DRIVING. *JB

Apr 10, 2003

THE CONSUMER MUST APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO GAIN SPEED. *JB

Apr 10, 2003

GAS PEDAL STICKS OCCASIONALLY ON INITIAL APPLICATION OF PRESSURE WHICH CAUSES SUDDEN LURCHING/VEHICLE MOVEMENT FORWARD OR REVERSE. *AK

Apr 01, 1999

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

4 complaints

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

Jul 15, 2002

FRONT BRAKES FAILED. QCAW

Aug 25, 1998

HORN DOESN'T WORK WHEN IT SHOULD. BRAKES STOP SO QUICKLY THAT IT CAN CAUSE A CAR TO OVERTURN. THEY SEEM TO LOCK UP.

May 25, 1998

ANTILOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP.

Oct 15, 1996

VISIBILITY

4 complaints

HEATER IS NOT WORKING ALTHOUGH THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN FLUSHED THREE TIMES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTATCED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Jan 02, 2002

POWER REARVIEW MIRROR FAILED. *YC

Mar 29, 1999

BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER RIGH SIDE WINDOWS ARE SCRATCHED SO BADLY THEY OBSCURE VISION DAY AND NIGHT. SCRATCHED APPEAR TO BE CAUSED WHEN WINDOWS ARE LET UP AND DOWN.

Jul 21, 1997

WINDSHIELD WIPER SQUEAKS.

Sep 11, 1996

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET CAPRICE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER LIGHTS BEGAN BLINKING ON AND OFF. THE FAILURE CONTINUED FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS UNTIL IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PANEL CLUSTER WAS A RECURRING FAILURE WITH THAT MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PANEL CLUSTER WITH THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER, WHICH CORRECTED THE FAILURE FOR TWO YEARS. RECENTLY, WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO FLICKER ON AND OFF AGAIN. WITHIN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY TURN BACK ON. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE CONTACT TO BE UNSURE OF THE SPEED THAT SHE IS TRAVELING OR HOW MANY MILES ARE ON HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

Jul 09, 2008

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

Nov 05, 2003

WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN FUEL TANK AND PUMP FAILED, BURNING INSULATION AND MELTING CAUSING FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP.

Dec 28, 1998

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 complaints

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED ON DASH PANEL, IT WILL NOT GO OUT. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TOLD BY GMC THAT PROBLEM CAN'T BE FOUND. *AK THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PBOBLEM THAT CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. LAW SUIT PENDING AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER. *YH

Jan 22, 2001

NOT SPECIFIED.

Sep 20, 1998

UNSPECIFIED.

Dec 22, 1997

SEAT BELTS

2 complaints

THE SEAT BELT ON THIS CAR HAS A BAR THAT GOES ACROSS THE BUCKLE. THIS BAR IS LOOSE. IF TWISTED IN A VERTICAL POSITION IT COMES OFF THE BRACKET. IT IS NOT A ONE PIECE UNIT LIKE OTHER BELTS. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED BECAUSE THE BAR CAN FALL OUT AN GIVE NO RESTRAINT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A CHEVROLET DEALER BUT THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.*AK

Apr 09, 2001

SEAT BUCKLE DEFECTIVE.

Apr 10, 1997

AIR BAGS

2 complaints

WHEN DRIVING THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. DEALER SAYS THE AIRBAG IS NOT WORKING. *AK

Jul 14, 1998

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APRROXIMATELY 45 MPH ,MADE A DIRECT HEAD-ON HIT AGAINST GUARDRAIL ,VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED OVER . BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN THE DRIVER 'S DEATH , MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, VEHICLE IS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. *AK

Apr 06, 1998

Crash: 1

SEATS

2 complaints

REAR SEAT LATCH LOCKED IN CLOSED POSITION.

Oct 27, 1997

ARM REST FAILED CAUSING IT TO INTERMITTANTLY FALL OFF.

Oct 27, 1997

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE

1 complaint

The vats system is the problem on my 96 Impala it just shut my car off for the past 3 mos

May 19, 2023

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

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

Mar 13, 2007

SUSPENSION,TIRES

1 complaint

CONSUMER WAS GOING 60MPH AND FRONT END OF VEHICLE JUMPED SIDEWAYS AFTER HITTING A BUMP. SHOCKS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED TO RECTIFY PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS AFRAID THAT HE COULD HIT SOMEONE. DEALERS DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. *AK

Mar 01, 2001

STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

CAR LOSES POWER STEERING WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY USUALLY AT LOW SPEED WHILE TURNING INTO OR OUT OF DRIVEWAY OR PARKING SPACES. HAVE BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AT LEAST 7 TIMES AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. VEHICLE HAS GONE THROUGH 4 SERPENTINE BELTS IN LESS THAN 60,000 MILES AND HAVE SPENT OVER $3400 IN MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SINCE PURCHASED. *AK

Dec 13, 1999

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF VEHICLE IS IDLING HIGH AND SHUT CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE AT REPAIR SHOP FOR TWO WEEKS, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK

Sep 30, 1999

POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION OF THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT CAUSED VEHICLE TO FISHTAIL AND LOSS OF CONTROL(LOCKUP). OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT STATE THAT VEHICLE LOCK UP CAN OCCUR IF THE FLUID IS NOT CHANGED WITHIN THE FIRST 6,000 MILES. MJS

Jul 23, 1999

INTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER DIGITAL NUMBERS/FIGURES FADED AND ARE NOT VISIBLE. MJS

Apr 27, 1999

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ONGOING/ INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING. WHENEVER VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED AND MADE SOME REPAIRS. REPLACED COMPUTER MODULE. HOWEVER, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. *AK

Mar 11, 1999

STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

SUSPENSION CAUSING EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR---REPLACED TIRES AT 18,000 AND NOW AT 29000 MILES. DEALER CLAIMS I NEED ANOTHER ALIGNMENT EVEN THOUGH THEY JUST FIXED IT. TWO TSBS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION. STEERING HAS ALWAYS BEEN LOOSE AND SOMETIMES LOCKS UP COMPLETELY. SUSPENSION HAS ALWAYS PULLED TO THE RIGHT FRONT. BRAKES HAVE SQUEALED SINCE AROUND 10000 MILES. ENGINE HAS SEVERE HESITATION, BUT DEALER CANNOT REPRODUCE.( DOT NUMBER: )

Jan 11, 1999

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

HEARD TICKING NOISE, FOUND BROKEN FLYWHEEL AND BROKEN BOLTS IN TORQUE CONVERTER, REPLACED FLYWHEEL 3 TIMES.

Feb 09, 1998

WHEELS

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. TT

Dec 14, 1995

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4.4/5.0

31 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1996 CHEVROLET Caprice have?

The 1996 CHEVROLET Caprice currently has 84 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 1996 CHEVROLET Caprice?

The most common problems reported for the 1996 CHEVROLET Caprice are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 1996 CHEVROLET Caprice problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1996 CHEVROLET Caprice comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.