NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Chevrolet K1500 Recalls & Complaints

The 1996 Chevrolet K1500 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 94 owner complaints on file as of October 21, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Chevrolet K1500. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

1996 Chevrolet K1500 owner complaints

Owners have filed 94 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Chevrolet K1500, describing incidents dated October 6, 1996 to July 20, 2020.

Most-cited components

Visibility 26 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 13 complaints
Tires 10 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline 8 complaints
Power Train 8 complaints
Seats 8 complaints

Of the 94 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 94 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11383128 · Filed December 12, 2020
MY VEHICLE FAILED MASSACHUSETTS SEAT BELT TEST. THEY DONT LOCK WHEN PULLED ON QUICKLY. I HAVE REMOVED AND INSPECTED THEM AND IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE MECHANISM ITSELF IS NOT CAPABLE OF PASSING THIS TEST I AM BELIEVING THAT THE TEST HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED AFTER THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS PARTICULAR…
ODI #10860764 · Filed September 30, 2014
1996 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER NOTICED ANTI-FREEZE ON THE GROUND TOWARD THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TOOK THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. A GM SERVICE MANAGER STATED, THEY WERE AWARE OF COOLANT…
ODI #10595325 · Filed May 31, 2014
UNIROYAL LAREDO P245-R16 TIRES HAVE DRY-ROT CRACKS NEXT TO TREAD BLOCKS AFTER LESS THAN FIVE YEARS AND 24,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *TR

Read all 94 complaints

OIL FILTER/OIL LEAK/POSSIBLE FIRE

NHTSA #07E088000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported October 24, 2007 · HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Potentially affected: 121,680 vehicles

Owners notified November 8, 2007

Defect description

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

Notes

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.

AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS/FUEL LEAK

NHTSA #06E043000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported May 19, 2006 · HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Potentially affected: 88,303 vehicles

Owners notified October 18, 2006

Defect description

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET FRAM FUEL FILTERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED.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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1996 Chevrolet K1500. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

94 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Chevrolet K1500.

Seat Belts

ODI #11383128

Incident: July 20, 2020 · Filed: December 12, 2020

MY VEHICLE FAILED MASSACHUSETTS SEAT BELT TEST. THEY DONT LOCK WHEN PULLED ON QUICKLY. I HAVE REMOVED AND INSPECTED THEM AND IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE MECHANISM ITSELF IS NOT CAPABLE OF PASSING THIS TEST I AM BELIEVING THAT THE TEST HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED AFTER THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS PARTICULAR DESIGN OF SEAT BELT, AND AM ASKING IF THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN GRANDFATHERED FOR THIS TEST THERE ARE INTERTIA WEIGHTS IN THEM THAT WILL LOCK THEM IN A COLLISION, AND I HAVE TESTED THIS IN A WIDE OPEN PARKING LOT BY SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES AND THEY DO LOCK BUT MY INSPECTION STATION IS UNWILLING TO RECOGNIZE THIS I WISH TO KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO TO GET A PASSING INSPECTION STICKER ON MY VEHICLE IS THERE A RECALL FOR AND UPDATED DESIGN OF SEAT BELT ? I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT BOTH EXISTING SEAT BELTS IN THE VEHICLE ARE "BAD" WILL THE NHTSA ASSIST ME, PLEASE ? THANK YOU

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10860764

Incident: September 1, 2014 · Filed: September 30, 2014

1996 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER NOTICED ANTI-FREEZE ON THE GROUND TOWARD THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TOOK THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. A GM SERVICE MANAGER STATED, THEY WERE AWARE OF COOLANT LEAKS. ESPECIALLY INTAKE LEKAS. THE CONSUMER STATED ONE DAY IT STARTED RAINING, AND HE SOO DISCOVERED THE WIPER DIDN'T WORK. HE DROVE TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME TRUCKS FOR A WIPER BOARD DEFECT. HOWEVER, HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.

Tires

ODI #10595325

Incident: April 1, 2014 · Filed: May 31, 2014

UNIROYAL LAREDO P245-R16 TIRES HAVE DRY-ROT CRACKS NEXT TO TREAD BLOCKS AFTER LESS THAN FIVE YEARS AND 24,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *TR

Seats

ODI #10547230

Incident: August 1, 2013 · Filed: October 8, 2013

THE DRIVER SIDE POWER BUCKET SEAT RELEASED AND DROPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, IT WILL NOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF A DRIVER. I HAVE SINCE PUT A SCISSOR LIFT JACK UNDERNEATH IT TO HOLD IT UP. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. I BEING A LICENSED P&C INSURANCE AGENT HERE IN ARIZONA - KNOW ALL ABOUT RISKS/HAZARD'S IN THE INDUSTRY. I WILL NOT SPEND THE $658 FOR A NEW POWER DRIVER ASSEMBLY WITH MOTOR #15662432. AS I HAVE SEEN THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT'S POSTED ON THIS SITE. I HOPE THIS ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED FOR EVERYONE! *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10384143

Incident: February 5, 2011 · Filed: February 23, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET K1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE INSPECTED THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE PART AND CONTACTED BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Vehicle Speed Control; Equipment

ODI #10375556

Incident: January 6, 2011 · Filed: January 11, 2011

SO FAR, I HAVE REPLACED A CRUISE CONTROL FOUR TIMES IN FIVE YEARS FROM SALVAGE, IN EVERY CASE, THE ONLY PARTS TO FAIL ARE THE SAME TWO PLASTIC GEARS WORTH ABOUT $5 RETAIL. SINCE GM WILL NOT SELL REPAIR PARTS, THE REPLACEMENT OF THE UNIT IS OVER $500. I WOULD UNDERSTAND IF I HAD FOUR DIFFERENT FAILURES HOWEVER THESE ARE ALIKE. MY VEHICLE IS A 1996 CHEVY, K1500, SILVERADO, 5.7 L ENGINE, CRUISE CONTROLLER #25169208. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10229033

Fire

Incident: November 27, 2007 · Filed: May 27, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET K1500. THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE WIRES WERE TOO SMALL A GAUGE FOR THE LOAD. THE PLASTIC INSULATION CAUSED THE WIRES TO OVER HEAT AND IT BURNED DOWN TO THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT SHOWED THE PARTS TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. HE ATTEMPTED TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH ANYONE. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

Fuel System, Diesel

ODI #10187285

Incident: March 21, 2007 · Filed: April 8, 2007

FAILING DIESEL INJECTION PUMP ON 1996 CHEVROLET K1500 PICKUP WITH 6.5L DIESEL ENGINE CAUSES ENGINE TO STALL WHEN APPROACHING A STOP, RENDERING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES INOPERABLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON 1994 THROUGH 1999 GM VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THIS ENGINE. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, BUT REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY, DESPITE AN 11-YEAR, 120,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED BY CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION DUE TO NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS PUMP.*AK

Power Train

ODI #10186078

Incident: March 8, 2007 · Filed: March 24, 2007

WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN INTERSECTION THE DRIVESHAFT BROKE. WHEN THE DRIVESHAFT BROKE IT SNAPPED IN THE MIDDLE, NOT THE U JOINTS, IT CRACKED THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING AND PUT A DENT IN THE GASOLINE TANK.WE WERE IN PROCESS OF GETTING THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT, AND GETTIN A DRIVESHAFT MADE OUT OF STEEL.*AK

Power Train

ODI #10182978

Incident: January 20, 2007 · Filed: February 19, 2007

TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY SUN SHELL I'M WRITING TO INFORM YOU OF A SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHICH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 3 AND A HALF YEARS, I'VE HAD A GM 4L60-E TRANSMISSION REBUILT BECAUSE OF THE SUN SHELL SHEARING OFF AND DAMAGING INTERNAL PARTS INSIDE THE HOUSING ON TWO SEPARATE VEHICLES. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH AND FINDING 3 NEIGHBORS WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, IT WAS CLEAR THERE WAS A PATTERN. ADDITIONALLY, INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET CONFIRMED MY SUSPICION, AS GM IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THE INHERENT PROBLEM, AND TRANSMISSION CENTERS ARE VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND HENCE ROUTINELY STOCK KITS NECESSARY TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE FROM THE FAILED SHELL, NOT TO MENTION THE TCC VALVE ISSUE. I'VE OWNED A NUMBER OF GM VEHICLES AND OWN TWO NOW A 1996 K1500 PICKUP AND A 1999 TAHOE. AS MENTIONED ABOVE, BOTH HAD THE SAME DEFECT AND CONSEQUENTLY NEEDED TO BE REBUILT NOT AN INEXPENSIVE ITEM. WHILE I SUPPORT AMERICAN AUTO MANUFACTURERS, I AM SADLY DISAPPOINTED IN THE FAILURE OF NOT ONLY THE DEFECTIVE PART, BUT ALSO IN GMS COMMITMENT TO THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS. IN 2004, GM FINALLY ADDRESSED THE FAULTY SUN SHELL AND HAS BEGUN PUTTING IN A STRONGER MACHINED (NOT WELDED) PART IN THOSE TRANSMISSIONS. HOWEVER, FOR THE MAJORITY OF CHEVROLET TRUCK OWNERS PRE 2004, WE HAVE BEEN STUCK WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART AND CONSEQUENTLY REPLACED/REBUILT THE TRANSMISSIONS DUE TO ITS FAILURE.

Other Chevrolet K1500 model years

Check your 1996 Chevrolet K1500 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet K1500 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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