1996 CHEVROLET CAPRICE Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
The vats system is the problem on my 96 Impala it just shut my car off for the past 3 mos
The vats system is the problem on my 96 Impala it just shut my car off for the past 3 mos
The vats system is the problem on my 96 Impala it just shut my car off for the past 3 mos
SAFETY EMISSIONS. *KB
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 VEHICL...
Mileage: 145,000
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 WA...
Mileage: 59,000
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
Mileage: 131,000
THE TIRE ON THE CONSUMER'S 1996 CHEVROLET CAPRICE BLEWOUT WHILE PARKED DAMAGING THE ENTIRE FRONT END (COOPER CORNELL TIRE).*MR *NM
Mileage: 89,544
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
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
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
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 CA...
Mileage: 225,000
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
Mileage: 42,016
RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINTS BROKE. *JB
Mileage: 80,305
THE ACCELERATOR IDLED WHILE DRIVING. *JB
Mileage: 50,000
THE ACCELERATOR IDLED WHILE DRIVING. *JB
Mileage: 50,000
THE CONSUMER MUST APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO GAIN SPEED. *JB
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 OCCASIONAL...
Mileage: 28,000
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15MPH ON FLAT SURFACE AND WITHOUT WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
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
Mileage: 6,200
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 DEAL...
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
HEATER IS NOT WORKING ALTHOUGH THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN FLUSHED THREE TIMES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTATCED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT STUD AND NUT WERE SEPARATED, R/R BALL JOINT
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
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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
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
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...
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
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 SPO...
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
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
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
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
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...
THE PROBLEM IS GAS FUMES, THE FUMES ENTER THRU THE VENTS A) WHEN IDLING B)AT STOP AND DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO MOVE FORWARD OR REDUCING THE SPEED. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM.*ET
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 ...
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 ...
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.
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS SNAPPED WHEN VEHICLE WAS BACKING UP AND ONCE WHEN MOVING FORWARD AND MAKING A LEFT TURN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY. NLM
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS SNAPPED WHEN VEHICLE WAS BACKING UP AND ONCE WHEN MOVING FORWARD AND MAKING A LEFT TURN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY. NLM
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS SNAPPED WHEN VEHICLE WAS BACKING UP AND ONCE WHEN MOVING FORWARD AND MAKING A LEFT TURN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY. NLM
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS SNAPPED WHEN VEHICLE WAS BACKING UP AND ONCE WHEN MOVING FORWARD AND MAKING A LEFT TURN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY. NLM
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
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
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
THE ENGINE HAD DIED OUT WITH WARNING. HAD HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE. WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A LONG TIME. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEABLE UNTIL IT STALLED OUT. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM FIRST TIME. THE NEXT IT HAPPENED & WAS AT DEALER , CONSUMER WAS INFORMED DEFECTIVE...
VEHICLE JERKED/BACKFIRED IN MOTION LIKE FUEL NOT GETTING INTO ENGINE. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACING. *AK
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
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
SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER DIGITAL NUMBERS/FIGURES FADED AND ARE NOT VISIBLE. MJS
WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND PUT INTO REVERSE THE ENGINE DIES. DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
GAS PEDAL STICKS OCCASIONALLY ON INITIAL APPLICATION OF PRESSURE WHICH CAUSES SUDDEN LURCHING/VEHICLE MOVEMENT FORWARD OR REVERSE. *AK
DUE TO THE DIFFENTIAL UNIT EXPERIENCING INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION, LOCK-UP (FISHTAILING) CAUSING TEMP. LOSS OF CONTROL. *YC
POWER REARVIEW MIRROR FAILED. *YC
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
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
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.
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN FUEL TANK AND PUMP FAILED, BURNING INSULATION AND MELTING CAUSING FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP.
VEHICLE HAS BEEN ALIGNED. BUT WHEN IT WAS TAKEN FOR INSPECTION THE VEHICLE WAS DENIED APPROVAL BECAUSE THE ALIGNEMENT WAS BAD, AND CAUSED UNUSUAL WEAR AND TEAR ON TIRES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NOT SPECIFIED.
WHEN DRIVING THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. DEALER SAYS THE AIRBAG IS NOT WORKING. *AK
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
HEARD TICKING NOISE, FOUND BROKEN FLYWHEEL AND BROKEN BOLTS IN TORQUE CONVERTER, REPLACED FLYWHEEL 3 TIMES.
HEARD TICKING NOISE, FOUND BROKEN FLYWHEEL AND BROKEN BOLTS IN TORQUE CONVERTER, REPLACED FLYWHEEL 3 TIMES.
UNSPECIFIED.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE REVERSE POSITION, IN WET CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK
FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING NOISE.
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.
THERE IS A DELAY BETWEEN GEAR SHIFTS AND THE TRANSMISSION AND THE DIFFERENTIAL SLAM INTO GEAR CREATING A "CLUNKING NOISE". PROBLEM BEGAN WITH 1,000 MILES ON VEHICLE.
SEAT BUCKLE DEFECTIVE.
FLYWHEEL BROKE.
BROKEN BOLTS IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER.
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
ANTILOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM, CAUSING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR.
STEERING BOX LOOSENS UP DESPITE NEW BOLTS.
ENGINE LEAKS OIL.
WINDSHIELD WIPER SQUEAKS.
WHILE DRIVING LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. TT
AUTO-TRANSMISSION; VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND ONCE ENGAGED IN REVERSE, WILL LOCK DOWN W/SOME WARNING FROM CONSOLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT