1996 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
What could happen: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 CHEVROLET TRUCK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E040000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO E SPEED RACING AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS." CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 1996 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (15), Transmission / drivetrain (15), Hydraulic (13), Electrical system (9), Visibility (wipers / glass) (9).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
12/21/2010 · Airbags · crash
I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 50MPH WHEN A CAR DID A U-TURN IN FRONT OF ME, AFTER HITTING THE CAR I WAS SPUN AROUND AND HIT A SIGN AND THEN A POLE BEFORE STOPPING, THE FRONT END WAS TOTALED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NO INJURIES.*TR
04/28/2005 · Body / structure
FORTUNATELY WHILE STILL IN MY GARAGE, I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE BY LIFTING THE DOOR HANDLE. UPON DOING SO THE DOOR UNLATCHED AND IMMEDIATELY FELL INTO MY CHEST AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE WITH MY RIGHT HAND STILL ON THE DOOR HANDLE. AFTER SUPPORTING THE DOOR WITH A FOOT STOOL IT WAS OBVIOUS THE DOOR HAD FALLEN OFF T…
02/02/2003 · Fuel system
WIRE PLUG INSIDE GAS TANK OVERHEATED AN MELTED THE WIRES AND THE PLUG. THE PUMP OF COURSE STOPPED WORKING SO TRUCK WOULD NOT START. ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY HUBLER CHEVROLET ON US31 IN GREENWOOD. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THEN. THE BILL SAYS THEY REPLACED THE PUMP AT THAT TIME. THIS TIME THE TRUCK WAS…
01/17/2003 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
1996 CHEVROLET 1 TON 4-DOOR PICKUP TRUCK 4X4 WITH A 350 VORTEC AND AUTOMATIC THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WIRE-PLUG SHORTS OUT AND THE WIPERS STOP WORKING. I STUCK A PIECE OF WOOD SHIM BETWEEN THE PLUG-IN AND HOUSING AND THIS KEEPS THE IT FROM SHORTING OUT. I WAS TOLD BY A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY VERY COMMON WITH THESE TRUCKS AND THAT…
09/30/2002 · Brakes · crash
CONSUMER STATES WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES VAN PULLS TO THE LEFT. VAN CHECKED BY DEALER WHO REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS. CONSUMER ADVISED WHILE DRIVING AGAIN HAD TO SUDDENLY APPLY BRAKES AND VAN PULLED TO THE LEFT ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. VAN CHECKED AGAIN BY DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT A DUROSTOP NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED ON VAN TO EQUALIZE PRESSURE ON BRAKE PADS.…
09/20/2002 · Fuel system
I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK USED IN VIRGINIA. I RAN A CARFAX CHECK, HAD IT INSPECTED AND ASKED IF IT HAD ANY KNOWN DEFECTS. I DID NOT KNOW WHEN I BOUGHT IT THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP AND SOLENOID WERE BAD. THE TRUCK STALLS AT ANY SPEED AND I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FACT IT MAY STALL ANYTIME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS A RECALL FOR…
03/15/2002 · Airbags · crash
HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER TRUCK AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT WORK.
01/09/2002 · Transmission / drivetrain
VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR DUE TO MALFUNCTION WITHIN TRANSMISSION. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *TT