1996 Chevrolet Silverado

● Typical for this model
1996 Chevrolet Silverado
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:57:04.401Z

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
186
Recalls
0

None on file

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Visibility

39% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 2 complaints 1980 1982: 2 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 15 complaints 1988 1989: 22 complaints 1990: 25 complaints 1991: 17 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 69 complaints 1994: 210 complaints 1995: 263 complaints 1996: 186 complaints 1996 186 1997: 272 complaints 1998: 279 complaints 1999: 1,660 complaints 2000: 1,305 complaints 2001: 877 complaints 2002: 710 complaints 2003: 695 complaints 2003 2004: 622 complaints 2005: 316 complaints 2006: 182 complaints 2007: 183 complaints 2008: 162 complaints 2008 2009: 76 complaints 2010: 62 complaints 2011: 75 complaints 2012: 68 complaints 2013: 64 complaints 2013 2014: 124 complaints 2015: 76 complaints 2016: 5 complaints 2017: 125 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1982: 2 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1985 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 15 complaints 1989: 22 complaints 1989 1990: 25 complaints 1991: 17 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 69 complaints 1994: 210 complaints 1995: 263 complaints 1996: 186 complaints 1996 186 1997: 272 complaints 1998: 279 complaints 1998 1999: 1,660 complaints 2000: 1,305 complaints 2001: 877 complaints 2001 2002: 710 complaints 2003: 695 complaints 2004: 622 complaints 2004 2005: 316 complaints 2006: 182 complaints 2007: 183 complaints 2007 2008: 162 complaints 2009: 76 complaints 2010: 62 complaints 2010 2011: 75 complaints 2012: 68 complaints 2013: 64 complaints 2013 2014: 124 complaints 2015: 76 complaints 2016: 5 complaints 2016 2017: 125 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1982: 2 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 3 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1987 1988: 15 complaints 1989: 22 complaints 1989 1990: 25 complaints 1991: 17 complaints 1991 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 69 complaints 1993 1994: 210 complaints 1995: 263 complaints 1996: 186 complaints 1996 186 1997: 272 complaints 1998: 279 complaints 1999: 1,660 complaints 1999 2000: 1,305 complaints 2001: 877 complaints 2001 2002: 710 complaints 2003: 695 complaints 2003 2004: 622 complaints 2005: 316 complaints 2005 2006: 182 complaints 2007: 183 complaints 2007 2008: 162 complaints 2009: 76 complaints 2009 2010: 62 complaints 2011: 75 complaints 2011 2012: 68 complaints 2013: 64 complaints 2013 2014: 124 complaints 2015: 76 complaints 2015 2016: 5 complaints 2017: 125 complaints 2017

1996: 186 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19822
19845
19853
19872
198815
198922
199025
199117
199240
199369
1994210
1995263
1996186
1997272
1998279
19991,660
20001,305
2001877
2002710
2003695
2004622
2005316
2006182
2007183
2008162
200976
201062
201175
201268
201364
2014124
201576
20165
2017125

Known problem areas

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

Visibility

39% · 73 reports

Most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Driving at approx 55 MPH another vehicle came from right stopping at stop sign, suddenly pulled out from right side of consumer vehicle, ending up hitting driver's side door. Hit head on.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-10-30

Also filed under Air bags and steering

Service brakes

17% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

13% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

FIRE

Seats

8% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing recliner.

INJURY

Engine and engine cooling

8% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIREINJURY

Safety timeline

No recalls on file for this model year.

0 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Chevrolet Silverado — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Visibility: 73 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 32 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 24 reports on file for this year.

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Chevrolet Silverado is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Silverado?
The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Silverado have?
No recalls are on file for this model year.

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