1996 Chevrolet C10 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other C10 years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 7 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Chevrolet C10. That ranks 2nd out of 7 C10 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is visibility (10 complaints, 63%), typically at around 134,650 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes, 2 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year.

- 16owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 2complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1996 Chevrolet C10 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 10 | 63% | 134,650 | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 13% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 13% | — | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1996 Chevrolet C10 recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Problem: Vehicle description: crew cab pickup trucks. The front, inner corner of the fuel tank can contact the body sill either intermittently or constantly. This movement can cause a discernible noise and, over time, can wear a hole in or crack the fuel tank at point of contact.
Risk: This condition can result in fuel leakage and a distinct fuel odor if the tank were filled above the level of the hole or crack. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could result.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank for wear and, either install a spacer between the fuel tank and the front crossmember, or if necessary, replace the fuel tank.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
Risk: This condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
Seats
Problem: Vehicle description: extended cab and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with reclining seats and the easy-entry feature. These vehicles exhibit a condition in which a pinch point exists in the recliner mechanism that can trap and pinch a person's hand or finger(s) when the easy-entry feature is activated.
Risk: This pinching can cut the hand or possibly sever the finger(s) without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will install a protector cover over the recliner mechanism.
Suspension:rear:springs:leaf spring assembly:u-bolt, leaf spring to axle
Problem: The four u-bolts nuts on either side of the rear axle were under-torqued.
Risk: Vehicle usage could cause the nuts to loosen and eventually fall off the u-bolt. This could result in sudden loss of vehicle control increasing the potential for a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will check the u-bolt nut torque and re-torque any loose u-bolts to specification.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: These vehicles were assembled with the throttle cable contacting the dash mat which could bind the throttle. This does not meet with the maximum return times required by federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, "accelerator control systems."
Risk: Consequence of non-compliance: the engine speed may not return to idle increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Fix: Dealers will inspect for adequate throttle cable to dash mat clearance, and if there is insufficient clearance, cut out a portion of the dash mat to provide proper clearance.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Certain trucks have fuel rail assemblies with an improperly crimped end retainer clip that results in a fuel leak.
Risk: If fuel leakage occurs and an ignition source is present, an engine compartment fire could occur.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel rail assembly and replace any fuel rail assembly with a julian date code of 95318 through 95338.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
We were driving on the highway about 65mph when it began to rain. I turned the wipers on and off several times but they would not respond. After a few minutes the rain intensified i tried the wipers again and they worked. I recently needed the wipers again and they failed. *tr
Windshield wipers stop working intermittently. Vehicle has not been examined by a dealer. There is a recall, 98v150001, but this vehicle is not affected due to vin. *ak *tt
Consumer contacted manufacturer regarding recall 98v 150 001/98 v 150 000 concerning windshield wiper wiring. Manufacturer stated that vehicle was included in recall. However, dealership insisted that vehicle was not included in recall. *ak *yh
While driving and without warning windshield wipers will work intermittently, causing driver not to have a clear view. Dealer has been notified, and stated that despite a recall issued for wiper motor failure it did not apply to the consumers vehicle. *ak *yh
97v037000/ seat recliners recall repair failure on two occasions at heartland chevrolet; liberty, mo; phone # 816/781-3500. Appointment made by dealer for third time. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.*ak
Other Chevrolet C10 years
See all Chevrolet C10 problems by year, every Chevrolet model, or the Chevrolet VIN decoder.
Similar Chevrolet models
Embed this 1996 Chevrolet C10 badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet C10?
Owners most often report visibility, seats, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, visibility, accounts for 10 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Chevrolet C10?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1996 Chevrolet C10 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other C10 model years, the 1996 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.