VehicleVerdict

1996 Chevrolet Caprice problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 87 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 34.8 times the median Caprice year — the 1996 model ranks #5 of 36 Caprice years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 1 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (16), engine (14), and transmission (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

87

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

3

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other Caprice years?

Caprice NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted185 complaints1965: 0 complaints1966: 0 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 2 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 6 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 8 complaints1984: 8 complaints1985: 8 complaints1986: 41 complaints1987: 20 complaints1988: 16 complaints1989: 19 complaints1990: 6 complaints1991: 170 complaints1992: 133 complaints1993: 63 complaints1994: 185 complaints1995: 111 complaints1996: 87 complaints1997: 3 complaints2003: 1 complaints2011: 2 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 9 complaints2014: 14 complaints
Caprice NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Caprice years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Chevrolet Caprice problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension1618%
Engine1416%
Transmission1011%
Fuel System78%
Steering67%
Electrical System56%
Tires & Wheels56%
Other56%
Speed Control56%
Visibility & Wipers45%
Brakes33%
Seat Belts22%
Airbags22%
Body & Structure22%
Lighting11%

Does the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06E065000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 3,593 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

96V245000Tires & WheelsDecember 10, 1996 · 21,582 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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

Remedy

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

96V020000SuspensionJanuary 31, 1996 · 154,214 units

Defect

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

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.

Remedy

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

96V018000SuspensionJanuary 30, 1996 · 102,403 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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

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.

95V215000AirbagsNovember 3, 1995 · 8,946 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 20, 2004

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 3, 1998

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 5, 1999

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 12, 1999

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 3, 1998

1996 Chevrolet Caprice — common questions

Is the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 87 complaints put the 1996 model at #5 of 36 Caprice years. It is one of the Caprice years to avoid.

What are the most common 1996 Caprice problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (16 complaints), engine (14 complaints), transmission (10 complaints).

Does the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Caprice years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Caprice years to avoid are 1994, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1993, 1986, 2014. The cleanest record among Caprice years belongs to 2012.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.