1996 Chevrolet SILVERADO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
121 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
79,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 34 of 121 complaints (28.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 20 | 16.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 9.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 5.0% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 4.1% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 4.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 3.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 34 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 11 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 7 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 5 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 34; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 7; Air Bags:Frontal: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 5; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 95 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 35 |
| 2001 | 31 |
| 2002 | 17 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 35; 2001: 31; 2002: 17; 2003: 10; 2004: 10; 2005: 10; 2006: 5; 2007: 1; 2016: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 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 10067924 · 2004-04-27 (April 27, 2004)
WHENEVER A PANIC STOP IS REQUIRED THE BRAKES TAKE ALMOST A SECOND AFTER APPLICATION BEFORE THEY RESPOND. IT IS LIKE PUSHING ON AN AIR CYLINDER WITH A SMALL ORIFICE - A SECOND IS TOO LONG TO WAIT FOR THE BRAKES. THE PEDAL TRAVEL IS CORRECT AND THE DEALER SAYS IT MUST BE NORMAL. I SAY IT IS UNSAFE AFTER NARROWLY AVOIDING A CRASH THAT SHOULD HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN CLOSE IF THE BRAKE WOULD GRAB AS SOON AS I STEP ON THEM. NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSH THERE IS A TIME DELAY WHILE I PUSH "AIR THROUGH THE ORIFICE".*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067924 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069889 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN INJURY ACCIDENT. I HAD TO MAKE A PANIC STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE OFFICERS ASKED, IF I HAD APPLIED THE BRAKES, BEACAUSE THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS. I FEEL THE BRAKES FAILED BECAUSE NO SKID MARK AND THE SEAT BELTS DIDN'T LOCK. I WORK FOR THE STATEHIGHWAY PATROL. WE HAVE SEVERAL 1998 AND 1999 FULL SIZE CHEVROLET SILVERDO TRUCKS. SEVERAL OFFICERS OPERATING THESE VEHICLE HAVE EXPERIENCE BRAKE FAILURE IN A "PANIC STOP SITUATION. I'M ASKING TO SEE,IF YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS INFORMATION…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10069889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024756 · 2003-06-23 (June 23, 2003)
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHILE TRAVELING, TRANSMISSION GOES OUT DURING PASSING GEAR. CONSUMER IS NOW ON 3RD TRANSMISSION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060308 · 2004-03-03 (March 3, 2004)
TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND STOPPED SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR AT 50,000 MILES. WAS REBUILT AT TRANS SERVICE SHOP. CAUSE WAS LACK OF GROUND WIRE BETWEEN CONTROL MODULE AND TRANSMISSION CAUSING ERRATIC FLUID PRESSURES. I PAID THE $1470.00 REPAIR BILL. TSB DESCRIBED THE DEFECT, I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THIS WAS PREVENTABLE FROM CHEVY'S PERSPECTIVE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 50,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120113 · 2005-05-06 (May 6, 2005)
DT: WHILE DRIVING SHE WAS EXPERIENCING HESITATION, HIT POTHOLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE FACTORY WIRING INSIDE THE FUEL TANK TO THE FUEL PUMP WAS BURNED UP AT THE CONNECTOR, ONLY BEAR WIRING WAS PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANK. FEARFUL THIS MAY CATCH FIRE. HARDWIRED THIS FEATURE PER OWNER WHO IS ALSO MECHANIC. APPEARED TO BE FAULTY WIRING, DEFINITELY 4 PIN CONNECTOR AT THE TOP OF THAT WIRE ASSEMBLY. NO OTHER PROBLEMS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 785186 · 2000-12-26 (December 26, 2000)
FUEL PUMP FAILED. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 785186 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048656 · 2003-11-25 (November 25, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING ANT ANY SPEED. THIS HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE TWELVE TIMES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048656 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080225 · 2004-06-30 (June 30, 2004)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF BRAKES WHILE TOWING A TRAILER. CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND REPLACED TWO FRONT BRAKE HOSES THAT ERUPTED. ALSO, VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 73,262 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053042 · 2004-01-13 (January 13, 2004)
POWER STEERING LOOSES ASSIST AND BECOMES STIFF. POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKS
Owner-reported narrative. 126,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053042 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115205 · 2005-03-16 (March 16, 2005)
HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO MOVE THE TILT STEERING WHEEL TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS TO COME BACK ON. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10115205 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10873661 · 2016-06-10 (June 10, 2016)
DURING A JUMP START IGNITION WOULD NOT DISENGAGE EVEN AFTER I TURNED OFF, AND REMOVED KEY. HAD TO REMOVER BATTERY CABLE 2 TIMES NOW
Owner-reported narrative. 196,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10873661 at NHTSA ↗