NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Chevrolet Express Recalls & Complaints

The 1996 Chevrolet Express has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 15 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 Express. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1996 Chevrolet Express owner complaints

Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Chevrolet Express, describing incidents dated September 1, 1997 to January 7, 2003.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 3 complaints
Engine 3 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints
Equipment 2 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints
Steering 2 complaints

Of the 15 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 3 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10006484 · Filed September 5, 2001
THE HORN RELAY WAS SMOKING AND MELTED THE RELAY PANEL IT WAS MOUNTED TO. MORA FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE RELAY AND FUSE HAVE BEEN REMOVED AS A TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL A DEALER CAN INSTALL A NEW RELAY PANEL AND FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS GAVE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE VAN HAD…
ODI #10003069 · Filed January 20, 2003
WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO FLORIDA WHEN WE STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING. WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WE OPENED THE HOOD AT THAT TIME NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER NEATH THE DRIVERS SIDE. WE BARELY HAD ENOUGH TIME TO GET OUT BEFORE IT WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED WITH FLAMES…
ODI #8017146 · Filed August 26, 2002
AFTER APPOINTMENT WAS MADE, AND UPON ARRIVAL, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO DO RECALL OOV110000 REPAIRS.*AK *SLC

Read all 15 complaints

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> .

GM/FUEL ODOR/LEAKAGE

NHTSA #00V110000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported April 17, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 109,239 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 00031 · Owners notified March 26, 2001 · Vehicles built September 1, 1995 – June 30, 1997 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

PASSENGER VANS. THESE VANS EXPERIENCE FUEL ODORS OR LEAKAGE.

Safety consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED EVAPORATIVE EMISSION PIPE ASSEMBLY.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN MARCH 26, 2001.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 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Suspension — Rear — Springs — Leaf Spring Assembly — U-Bolt, Leaf Spring to Axle

NHTSA #96V092000 · NHTSA notice

Reported June 3, 1996 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 105 vehicles

Owners notified June 20, 1996 · Vehicles built October 1, 1995 – March 1, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ONE OF THE FOUR REAR AXLE U-BOLTS CAN BREAK. THIS CAN POTENTIALLY LEAD TO THE SPRING LIFTING FROM THE AXLE UNDER CERTAIN REBOUND, BRAKING OR CORNERING MANEUVERS.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FOUR REAR AXLE U-BOLTS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Notes

SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; REAR; LEAF SPRING; U-BOLT. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CARGO VANS EQUIPPED WITH 7,700 LB. OR GREATER GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING. OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER LETTERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE MAILED DURING JUNE 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 CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1996 Chevrolet Express. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

15 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Chevrolet Express.

Electrical System

ODI #10006484

Fire

Incident: September 2, 2001 · Filed: September 5, 2001

THE HORN RELAY WAS SMOKING AND MELTED THE RELAY PANEL IT WAS MOUNTED TO. MORA FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE RELAY AND FUSE HAVE BEEN REMOVED AS A TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL A DEALER CAN INSTALL A NEW RELAY PANEL AND FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS GAVE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE VAN HAD BEEN TURNED OFF SINCE 12:20 PM. THE HORN WAS SILENT AT 2:00 PM WHEN MY WIFE BROUGHT SOMETHING IN FROM THE REAR COMPARTMENT OF THE VAN. AT AROUND 3:10 PM MY WIFE NOTICED THE HORN SOUNDING AND WENT TO CHECK IT OUT. SHE NOTICED SMOKE FROM DRIVER'S SIDE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE BATTERY WAS ALSO STARTING TO SMOKE. SHE DIALED THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DISPATCHER TO GET THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ON THE SCENE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND STAYED AFTERWARDS TO ENSURE NO HOT EMBERS EXISTED. *AK ----DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS-----751677.

Power Train

ODI #10003069

Fire

Incident: January 7, 2003 · Filed: January 20, 2003

WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO FLORIDA WHEN WE STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING. WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WE OPENED THE HOOD AT THAT TIME NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER NEATH THE DRIVERS SIDE. WE BARELY HAD ENOUGH TIME TO GET OUT BEFORE IT WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED WITH FLAMES. AT THE TIME WE WERE TOWING AN ENCLOSED TRAILER WITH A 2003 HONDA GOLDWING. NOTHING PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENCE GAVE US ANY CLUE THAT THE VAN WAS ON FIRE. WE LOST ALL OUR POSSESSIONS IN THE VAN AND TRAILER. IT WAS ALL 100% DESTROYED. UNKNOWN CAUSE. WE HAD NOTICED THAT WE WERE USING MORE FUEL. AND WHEN WE PULLED THE VAN OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WE NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE GROUND FROM WHERE WE PULLED OVER UNTIL WE GOT STOPPED.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #8017146

Incident: August 22, 2002 · Filed: August 26, 2002

AFTER APPOINTMENT WAS MADE, AND UPON ARRIVAL, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO DO RECALL OOV110000 REPAIRS.*AK *SLC

Engine and Engine Cooling; Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #886067

Filed: April 17, 2001

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 00V110000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00031 CONCERNING FUEL ODOR/LEAKAGE. DEALER CORRECTED RECALL PROBLEM. CONSUMER BELIEVED RECALL PROBLEM HAS CAUSED ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS IN FUEL SYSTEM. FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED, AND FUEL PUMP/ FILLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #885463

Filed: April 9, 2001

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HAD STALLED OUT. LOST STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES ALREADY.*AK THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS FAILING NUMEROUS TIMES. *YH

Air Bags

ODI #855139

Crash

Incident: January 12, 2000 · Filed: January 20, 2000

WHEN THE VAN WAS INVOLVED IN A PRETTY SEVERE FRONTAL CRASH, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY, BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT. VAN WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 5 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. FRONTAL DAMAGE TOTALLED OVER $7,000 DOLLARS. THE VAN IS BEING REPAIRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #820031

Filed: January 13, 1998

BRAKE PEDAL MOVES TO 2-3 INCHES BEFORE IT WILL BEGIN TO BRAKE, AND PEDAL TRAVELS TOO FAR DOWN.THIS DEFECT CAUSES INCREASED REACTION TIME. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CLAIM IT WAS DESIGNED LIKE THAT. *AK

Equipment

ODI #752336

Incident: August 9, 2001 · Filed: September 18, 2001

THE STEEL CABLE SYSTEM SECURING THE SPARE TIRE RUSTED THROUGHAND SEVERED RELEASING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL FREELY FROM UNDER THE VAN TO THE ROAD BELOW. AT THE SLOW SPEED I WAS TRAVELING I INCURRED NO LOSS OF CONTROL OR DANGER TO OTHER MOTORISTS, HOWEVER IF I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS FAILURE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A 65MPH MISSLE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. CALLS TO THE MANUFACTURER RESULTED IN NO ACTION. I AM IN POSSESSION OF ALL FAILED PARTS. THANK YOU

Steering

ODI #745571

Incident: September 1, 1997 · Filed: May 21, 2001

WHEN PARKED STEERING WILL NOT TURN. STEERING GEAR BOX & PUMP REPLACED WITH NO EFECT.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #742594

Filed: March 17, 2001

DIMINISHED BRAKING ABILITY,DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM. *AK

Other Chevrolet Express model years

Check your 1996 Chevrolet Express VIN

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

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