Model year record

1996 Chevrolet Caprice

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 87 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V245000

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Component
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
21,582
Reported to NHTSA
1996-12-10
Owners notified
1996-12-02

Defect description

THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL LUG NUTS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V020000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
154,214
Reported to NHTSA
1996-01-31
Owners notified
1996-02-22

Defect description

THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CRACK AT THE REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENT.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V018000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
102,403
Reported to NHTSA
1996-01-30
Owners notified
1996-02-22

Defect description

DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND CAN LOOSEN.

Safety risk

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN LOOSEN, FATIGUE, AND SEPARATE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION KNUCKLE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V215000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
8,946
Reported to NHTSA
1995-11-03
Owners notified
1995-12-08

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: OPERATORS COULD FAIL TO NOTICE AND HEED THE WARNING LABELS.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump46,200 mi
Power train: automatic transmission4
Suspension: front4
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint4
Tires489,544 mi
Unknown or other4
Engine and engine cooling: engine3
Power train: driveline: differential unit3
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint380,305 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal350,000 mi
Electrical system2225,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2
Fuel system, gasoline2145,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2
Steering2
Suspension2
Air bags: frontal1
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module1
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel159,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring1
Engine1
Engine and engine cooling1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Interior lighting1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: rack and pinion128,000 mi
Structure: body1
Structure: frame and members1131,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm142,016 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1
Vehicle speed control1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: windshield1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Wheels1

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has 29 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.