MYRModel Year Report

1996 Chevrolet Caprice

● Typical for this model
1996 Chevrolet Caprice
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:55:00.882Z

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
65
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

23% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 8 complaints 1983 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1986 1987: 17 complaints 1988: 12 complaints 1989: 18 complaints 1989 1990: 6 complaints 1991: 134 complaints 1992: 92 complaints 1992 1993: 63 complaints 1994: 152 complaints 1995: 88 complaints 1996: 65 complaints 1996 65 1997: 3 complaints 2003: 1 complaint 2011: 1 complaint 2012: 0 complaints 2013: 6 complaints 2013 2014: 12 complaints
1983: 8 complaints 1983 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 33 complaints 1987: 17 complaints 1987 1988: 12 complaints 1989: 18 complaints 1989 1990: 6 complaints 1991: 134 complaints 1991 1992: 92 complaints 1993: 63 complaints 1993 1994: 152 complaints 1995: 88 complaints 1996: 65 complaints 1996 65 1997: 3 complaints 2003: 1 complaint 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2013: 6 complaints 2013 2014: 12 complaints
1983: 8 complaints 1983 1984: 7 complaints 1984 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 33 complaints 1986 1987: 17 complaints 1987 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 18 complaints 1989 1990: 6 complaints 1990 1991: 134 complaints 1991 1992: 92 complaints 1992 1993: 63 complaints 1993 1994: 152 complaints 1994 1995: 88 complaints 1995 1996: 65 complaints 1996 65 1997: 3 complaints 1997 2003: 1 complaint 2003 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2012 2013: 6 complaints 2013 2014: 12 complaints 2014

1996: 65 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19838
19847
19854
198633
198717
198812
198918
19906
1991134
199292
199363
1994152
199588
199665
19973
20031
20111
20120
20136
201412

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

23% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing lower ball joint and front.

Engine and engine cooling

18% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and belts and associated pulleys.

Show complaint excerpts

Safety emissions.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-20

Power train

14% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumers child was able to shift gears into neutral. Child jumped out and was run over by the car. This is a safety issue with all cars that need to be taken care off.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-10-29

Fuel system, gasoline

11% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing fuel pump and tank assembly.

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-04

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, 2002-09-05

Steering

9% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and hydraulic power assist system.

Show complaint excerpts

Consumer stated that while driving at 15MPH on flat surface and without warning the steering wheel locked up. Dealer notified. Ts

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-24

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1995-12-08Air bags95V215000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1996-01-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-05-31 Rear wheel separation
  3. R
    1996-02-22Suspension96V020000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1996-02-22Suspension96V018000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1996-05-31Engineering analysisClosed 1996-12-24 Rear wheel separation
  6. R
    1996-12-02Wheels96V245000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    1999-01-13Engineering analysisClosed 2000-08-17 Coolant fires
  8. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2006-07-31Exterior lighting06E065000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Chevrolet Caprice — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 15 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 9 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 95V215000 · Air bags
  • Recall 96V020000 · Suspension
  • Recall 96V018000 · Suspension
  • Recall 96V245000 · Wheels
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years2 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 suspension, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.