1996 Chevrolet Caprice
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1983 | 8 |
| 1984 | 7 |
| 1985 | 4 |
| 1986 | 30 |
| 1987 | 17 |
| 1988 | 12 |
| 1989 | 18 |
| 1990 | 6 |
| 1991 | 131 |
| 1992 | 89 |
| 1993 | 61 |
| 1994 | 146 |
| 1995 | 88 |
| 1996 | 65 |
| 1997 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 12 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
6% of complaints: tires — 4 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: suspension — 4 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: suspension — 4 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: power train — 4 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 4 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
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
NHTSA ODI report, 20021204
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20020905
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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.
Campaign 95V215000 — check if this car was fixed
REAR WHEEL SEPARATION
THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CRACK AT THE REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENTS.
Campaign 96V020000 — check if this car was fixed
DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND CAN LOOSEN.
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.
Campaign 96V018000 — check if this car was fixed
REAR WHEEL SEPARATION
THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL LUG NUTS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
Campaign 96V245000 — check if this car was fixed
COOLANT FIRES
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 S
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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
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 RE
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.
Campaign 06E065000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1996 Chevrolet Caprice — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for tires issues (4 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (4 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (4 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 95V215000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V020000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V018000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V245000 (wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E065000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice?
The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 6% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.