1996 Chevrolet Tahoe

● Typical for this model
1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Tahoe Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1988: 1 complaints 1988 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 8 complaints 1994: 19 complaints 1995: 246 complaints 1995 1996: 283 complaints 1996 1997: 410 complaints 1998: 263 complaints 1999: 552 complaints 2000: 282 complaints 2000 2001: 512 complaints 2002: 449 complaints 2003: 507 complaints 2004: 466 complaints 2005: 292 complaints 2005 2006: 114 complaints 2007: 1176 complaints 2008: 528 complaints 2009: 283 complaints 2010: 314 complaints 2010 2011: 446 complaints 2012: 178 complaints 2013: 231 complaints 2014: 90 complaints 2015: 657 complaints 2015 2016: 252 complaints 2017: 168 complaints 2018: 98 complaints 2019: 101 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 421 complaints 2022: 174 complaints 2023: 196 complaints 2024: 60 complaints 2025: 34 complaints 2025 2026: 17 complaints 2026
1996: 283 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19881
19913
19926
19938
199419
1995246
1996283
1997410
1998263
1999552
2000282
2001512
2002449
2003507
2004466
2005292
2006114
20071176
2008528
2009283
2010314
2011446
2012178
2013231
201490
2015657
2016252
2017168
201898
2019101
202053
2021421
2022174
2023196
202460
202534
202617

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 14%

14% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 39 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WHEN APPLIED IN PANIC STOPPING DO NOT WORK, THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE SUMMER. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970205

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
VISIBILITY 6%

6% of complaints: visibility — 18 distinct reports on file.

VISIBILITY 6%

6% of complaints: visibility — 17 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4%

4% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 10 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19960411 — vehicle speed control

THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY S

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.

Campaign 96V057000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19981215 — visibility

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

Campaign 98V150001 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990714 — RQ (closed 20011228)

FRONT SEAT RECLINER BOLT FAILURE

I 19991203 — PE (closed 20000502)

BATTERY LEAKS ACID

I 20000411 — PE (closed 20000926)

HEADLIGHT

I 20000502 — EA (closed 20020628)

BATTERY LEAKS ACID

I 20000926 — EA (closed 20011221)

HEADLIGHT

I 20010717 — PE (closed 20011220)

SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION

I 20020531 — EA (closed 20030723)

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

R 20030619 — visibility

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND D

Campaign 03V159000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

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 MANUFACTURE

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).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071108 — equipment

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. TH

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.

Campaign 07E088000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Chevrolet Tahoe — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (39 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V057000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V150001 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V159000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E088000 (equipment) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 2020 ▲ 2024

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2015 ■ 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe have?

5 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.