1996 Chevrolet CAPRICE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
35 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
59,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 35 complaints (11.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 11.4% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 8.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires | 4 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 2 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 2 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
Tires: 4; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 3; Electrical System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 2; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint: 2; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 24 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
1995: 2; 2000: 2; 2001: 11; 2002: 4; 2003: 8; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10425416 · 2011-09-14 (September 14, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET CAPRICE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN HE HEARD A DRAGGING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STRAPS WHICH HELD THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE WERE FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY DRIVEN HOME AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 145,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 145,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10425416 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8017915 · 2002-09-05 (September 5, 2002)
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. ALSO THE CONSUMER DOES NOT THINK THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS IN A PROPER PLACE, BECAUSE IF THERE WAS A SPARK THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8017915 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004598 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15MPH ON FLAT SURFACE AND WITHOUT WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007612 · 2003-02-16 (February 16, 2003)
I HAVE A 1996 CHEVROLET CAPRICE WITH ONLY 28, 000 MILES ON IT. SEVERAL OCCURANCES OF STEERING LOOCKUP WHEN GOING AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS AND TURNING EITHER LET OR RIGHT. RACING THE ENGINE SEEMS TO CLEAR THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES. THE STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINES TO OCCUR OCCASIONALLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007612 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 976706 · 1995-12-14 (December 14, 1995)
AUTO-TRANSMISSION; VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND ONCE ENGAGED IN REVERSE, WILL LOCK DOWN W/SOME WARNING FROM CONSOLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976706 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042324 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
WHEN DRIVING BELOW 20 MPH VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE DISTRIBUTOR/SPARK PLUGS AND SOMETHING ON THE DRIVESHAFT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP WAS REPLACED DUE TO A BROKEN SCREW ON THE CAP AND ROTOR. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 225,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042324 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8013886 · 2002-07-15 (July 15, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING, BRAKE HOSE RUBS ITS MOUNTING BOLT. IT WAS INSTALLED WITH A LOOP IN THE HOSE. REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE ON VEHICLE.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE HOSE WAS WORN IN THE REENFORCING LAYER OF THE HOSE, CONSUMER NOTICED THIS WHEN THE WHEEL WAS OFF.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8013886 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 889361 · 2001-05-30 (May 30, 2001)
WIRES FOR FUEL SENDING UNIT HAVE BURNED AND MELTED, INCLUDING ELECTRICAL FUEL CONNECTOR PLUG INSIDE GAS TANK, CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED UNIT, AND NOTICED THAT NEW PART WAS REDESIGNED AND BEEN MODIFIED, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH OLD DESIGN. CONSUMER STILL HAS ORIGINAL UNIT. *AK *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 889361 at NHTSA ↗