1996 Chevrolet CAPRICE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10015586 · 2003-04-10 (April 10, 2003)
THE ACCELERATOR IDLED WHILE DRIVING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015586 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015587 · 2003-04-10 (April 10, 2003)
THE ACCELERATOR IDLED WHILE DRIVING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015628 · 2003-04-10 (April 10, 2003)
THE CONSUMER MUST APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO GAIN SPEED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016205 · 2003-04-19 (April 19, 2003)
RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINTS BROKE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 80,305 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016205 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033593 · 2003-08-11 (August 11, 2003)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH ITS LOWER CONTROL ARM AS STATED IN RECALL 96 V 018 001; BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 42,016 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033593 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 ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
95V215000 · Air Bags
Reported: 1995-11-03 (November 3, 1995)
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 REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: OPERATORS COULD FAIL TO NOTICE AND HEED THE WARNING LABELS.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V018000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Reported: 1996-01-30 (January 30, 1996)
DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND CAN LOOSEN.
Consequence: THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN LOOSEN, FATIGUE, AND SEPARATE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION KNUCKLE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V020000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 1996-01-31 (January 31, 1996)
THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CRACK AT THE REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN BE AGGRAVATED BY THE SEVERE DUTY CYCLE OF THESE VEHICLES AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO FRACTURE COMPLETELY CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V245000 · Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Reported: 1996-12-10 (December 10, 1996)
THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL LUG NUTS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
NHTSA campaign record ↗