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NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Chevrolet Caprice Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1996 Chevrolet Caprice has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 65 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1996 Chevrolet Caprice owner complaints

Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice, describing incidents dated December 9, 1995 to January 1, 2023.

Most-cited components

  • Suspension 11 complaints
  • Engine 10 complaints
  • Power Train 8 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 7 complaints
  • Electrical System 5 complaints
  • Steering 5 complaints

Of the 65 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 65 complaints, owners report 1 injury and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11522932 · Filed

    The vats system is the problem on my 96 Impala it just shut my car off for the past 3 mos

  • ODI #10452378 · Filed

    SAFETY EMISSIONS. *KB

  • ODI #10425416 · Filed

    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…

Read all 65 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR

NHTSA #09E025000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported May 11, 2009 · DOPE, INC.

Potentially affected: 42,540 vehicles

Owners notified July 28, 2009

Defect description

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY DOPE, INC.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS

NHTSA #09E012000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported April 7, 2009 · SABERSPORT

Potentially affected: 16,270 vehicles

Owners notified May 11, 2009

Defect description

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E065000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported July 17, 2006 · AJ MOTORSPORT

Potentially affected: 3,593 vehicles

Owners notified July 31, 2006

Defect description

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Safety consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AJ MOTORSPORT AFTERMARKET 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.

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E026000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported March 23, 2006 · PRO-A MOTORS, INC.

Potentially affected: 61,944 vehicles

Owners notified April 3, 2006

Defect description

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS 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.

Safety consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO PRO-A MOTORS AFTERMARKET 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.

GENERAL MOTORS/WHEEL LUG NUTS

NHTSA #96V245000 · Wheels — Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs · NHTSA notice

Reported December 10, 1996 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 21,582 vehicles

Owners notified December 2, 1996 · Vehicles built August 1, 1995 – August 31, 1995 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 1996.NOTE:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Suspension — Rear

NHTSA #96V020000 · NHTSA notice

Reported January 31, 1996 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 154,214 vehicles

Owners notified February 22, 1996 · Vehicles built April 1, 1990 – October 1, 1995 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

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.

Notes

SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; SINGLE AXLE; REAR; CONTROL ARM. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: POLICE (SEO 9C1) VEHICLES AND TAXI CABS (SEO 9C6). NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

GM/LOWER CONTROL ARM

NHTSA #96V018000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Ball Joint · NHTSA notice

Reported January 30, 1996 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 102,403 vehicles

Owners notified February 22, 1996 · Vehicles built April 1, 1994 – September 1, 1995 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

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.

Notes

SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; INDEPENDENT FRONT CONTROL ARM; LOWER; BALL JOINT. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: POLICE VEHICLES, TAXI CABS, HEARSE AND LIMOUSINE. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020; BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300; OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Air Bags

NHTSA #95V215000 · NHTSA notice

Reported November 3, 1995 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 8,946 vehicles

Owners notified December 8, 1995 · Vehicles built September 1, 1994 – August 1, 1995 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

SYSTEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS: PASSIVE RESTRAINTS; AIR BAG; FMVSS NO.208.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STATION WAGONS. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300 OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Other Chevrolet Caprice model years

Check your 1996 Chevrolet Caprice VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Caprice at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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