1996 Chevrolet Caprice Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Caprice years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 8 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice. That ranks 2nd out of 8 Caprice model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is suspension (12 complaints, 18%), typically at around 61,161 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 injury. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
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- 65owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1996 Chevrolet Caprice 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 12 | 18% | 61,161 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 17% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 9 | 14% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 | 11% | 75,600 | — | — |
| Steering | 6 | 9% | 28,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 5 | 8% | 142,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 8% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 4 | 6% | 89,544 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 4 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Air Bags | 2 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 3% | 131,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1996 Chevrolet Caprice recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Problem: The wheel lug nuts were not tightened to the proper specification during assembly.
Risk: This condition could result in a fracture of the wheel studs causing the wheel to separate from the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will tighten the vehicle's wheel lug nuts to the proper specification.
Suspension:rear
Problem: The rear lower control arm can crack at the rear stabilizer bar attachment.
Risk: This condition can be aggravated by the severe duty cycle of these vehicles and eventually cause the lower control arm to fracture completely causing a loss of vehicle control without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will replace both rear lower control arms and rear stabilizer bar attachments.
Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint
Problem: Defective lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts were not properly torqued and can loosen.
Risk: The lower control arm ball joint can loosen, fatigue, and separate from the front suspension knuckle resulting in a loss of vehicle control.
Fix: 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.
Air bags
Problem: 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."
Risk: Consequence of non-compliance: operators could fail to notice and heed the warning labels.
Fix: 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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Coolant fires (EA99003) — opened Jan 13, 1999, closed Aug 17, 2000.
- Rear wheel separation (EA96007) — opened May 31, 1996, closed Dec 24, 1996.
- Rear wheel separation (PE96001) — opened Jan 4, 1996, closed May 31, 1996, led to recall 96V245000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The vats system is the problem on my 96 Impala it just shut my car off for the past 3 mos
Safety emissions. *kb
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…
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…
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
Other Chevrolet Caprice years
← 1995 Caprice · 1997 Caprice →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Caprice | 12 | 3 |
| 2013 Caprice | 6 | 4 |
| 2012 Caprice | 0 | 3 |
| 2011 Caprice | 1 | 3 |
| 2003 Caprice | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 Caprice | 3 | 0 |
| 1996 | 65 | 4 |
| 1995 Caprice | 88 | 7 |
See all Chevrolet Caprice problems by year, every Chevrolet model, or the Chevrolet VIN decoder.
Similar Chevrolet models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice?
Owners most often report suspension, engine and engine cooling, power train problems. The top one, suspension, accounts for 12 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Caprice model years, the 1996 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.