1996 CHEVROLET CHEVROLET TRUCK Recalls, Complaints & Safety

I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 50MPH WHEN A CAR DID A U-TURN IN FRONT OF ME, AFTER HITTING THE CAR I WAS SPUN AROUND AND HIT A SIGN AND THEN A POLE BEFORE STOPPING, THE FRONT END WAS TOTALED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NO INJURIES.*TR

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FORTUNATELY WHILE STILL IN MY GARAGE, I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE BY LIFTING THE DOOR HANDLE. UPON DOING SO THE DOOR UNLATCHED AND IMMEDIATELY FELL INTO MY CHEST AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE WITH MY RIGHT HAND STILL ON THE DOOR HANDLE. AFTER SUPPORTING THE DOOR WITH A FOOT STOOL IT WAS OBVIOUS THE DOOR HAD FALLEN OFF THE TOP HINGE COMPLETELEY. YES, THE 4 SPOT WELDS HAD SIMPLY GIVEN WAY. TO SAY THE LEAST I AM AMAZED SOMETHING AS HEAVY AS THAT DOOR IS SIMPLY SPOT WELDED ON AT THE HINGES. I AM GREATFUL MY WIFE OR ANYONE ELSE WAS NOT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND I WAS TRAVELING AT SPEED MAKING A TURN WHILE THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN LEANING ON THE DOOR. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE LOCAL GARAGE I DO BUSINESS WITH AND THEY RECOMMENDED A CLOSE BY RELIABLE REPAIR SHOP. UNFORTUNATELY I PREFER NOT TO TAKE MY CARS TO THE DEALERS ONCE THEY ARE OUT OF WARRANTY FOR REASONS I WON'T GO INTO HERE. THEY ORDERED A NEW HINGE FROM THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND I THINK IT INTERESTING IT CAME WITH 4 BOLTS AND NUTS WHICH MAKES A WHOLE LOT MORE SENSE TO ME THAN 4 TINY SPOT WELDS. I DID TAKE THE BILL FOR THE REPAIR TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER ($199.05) TO SEE IF THEY OR GM MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN PAYING IT AND ALSO WHAT HAPPENED OR EVEN BETTER WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. THEY OFCOURSE REMINDED ME THE TAHOE WAS WAY OUT OF WARRANTY AND I SAID I KNEW THAT BUT THOUGHT THEY MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THE FACT A DOOR FELL OFF IN A CUSTOMERS HANDS AND BESIDES BEING DANGEROUS IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOOD PR EITHER. I DID ASK THE SERVICE SUPERVISOR TO CHECK RECALLS AND SERVICE BULLETINS FOR MY VEHICLE. I WATCHED AS HE HIT A FEW KEYS ON HIS COMPUTER NEVER ALLOWING ME TO VIEW HIS SCREEN AND SAID HE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING EXCEPT A COUPLE OF CARGO DOORS. I DID NOT ASK THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE OLD HINGE BUT I"M SURE THE ALONG WITH ANOTHER WITNESS FROM MY REGULAR GARAGE CAN TELL YOU WHAT THEY FOUND. I WILL CALL THEM FIRST THING TOMORROW AND SEE IF BY CHANCE THEY STILL HAVE THE OLD HINGE.

WIRE PLUG INSIDE GAS TANK OVERHEATED AN MELTED THE WIRES AND THE PLUG. THE PUMP OF COURSE STOPPED WORKING SO TRUCK WOULD NOT START. ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY HUBLER CHEVROLET ON US31 IN GREENWOOD. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THEN. THE BILL SAYS THEY REPLACED THE PUMP AT THAT TIME. THIS TIME THE TRUCK WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY SO I WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MYSELF. WHEN I PULLED THE PUMP FROM THE TANK I FOUND THE BURNT WIRES. I BENCH TESTED THE PUMP AND IT STILL WORKED. ALSO THE WIRES FOR FUEL GAUGE WERE MELTED. THE FUEL GAUGE HAD BEEN WORKING OFF AND ON FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. I WAS WAITING FOR WARMER WEATHER TO PULL THE FUEL TANK AND FIX IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. AS HOT AS IT HAD TO GET TO MELT THE WAY IT DID, MY FAMILY AND I ARE FORTUNATE THAT THE FUEL TANK DID NOT EXPLODE. *JB

1996 CHEVROLET 1 TON 4-DOOR PICKUP TRUCK 4X4 WITH A 350 VORTEC AND AUTOMATIC THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WIRE-PLUG SHORTS OUT AND THE WIPERS STOP WORKING. I STUCK A PIECE OF WOOD SHIM BETWEEN THE PLUG-IN AND HOUSING AND THIS KEEPS THE IT FROM SHORTING OUT. I WAS TOLD BY A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY VERY COMMON WITH THESE TRUCKS AND THAT IT IS A SHORT INSIDE THE LITTLE BOX WHERE THE PLUG PLUGS INTO. I WAS DRIVING HOME PULLING A LARGE TRAILOR IN THE RAIN WHEN THE WIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING AND ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE FREEWAY RAILING AND HAD TO STOP ON THE FREEWAY NEAR SEATTLE! I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFEC IN THE WIRING, WHEN MY OLD 1976 CHEVY TRUCK NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THAT!

CONSUMER STATES WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES VAN PULLS TO THE LEFT. VAN CHECKED BY DEALER WHO REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS. CONSUMER ADVISED WHILE DRIVING AGAIN HAD TO SUDDENLY APPLY BRAKES AND VAN PULLED TO THE LEFT ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. VAN CHECKED AGAIN BY DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT A DUROSTOP NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED ON VAN TO EQUALIZE PRESSURE ON BRAKE PADS. VAN DID NOT HAVE COMPONENT WHEN PURCHASED NEW IN 01/97. NLMTHE GAS GAUGE BOUNCES ERRATICALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE CONCERNING THIS DEFECT, TO NO AVAIL. *JG

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CONSUMER STATES WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES VAN PULLS TO THE LEFT. VAN CHECKED BY DEALER WHO REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS. CONSUMER ADVISED WHILE DRIVING AGAIN HAD TO SUDDENLY APPLY BRAKES AND VAN PULLED TO THE LEFT ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. VAN CHECKED AGAIN BY DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT A DUROSTOP NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED ON VAN TO EQUALIZE PRESSURE ON BRAKE PADS. VAN DID NOT HAVE COMPONENT WHEN PURCHASED NEW IN 01/97. NLMTHE GAS GAUGE BOUNCES ERRATICALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE CONCERNING THIS DEFECT, TO NO AVAIL. *JG

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CONSUMER STATES WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES VAN PULLS TO THE LEFT. VAN CHECKED BY DEALER WHO REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS. CONSUMER ADVISED WHILE DRIVING AGAIN HAD TO SUDDENLY APPLY BRAKES AND VAN PULLED TO THE LEFT ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. VAN CHECKED AGAIN BY DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT A DUROSTOP NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED ON VAN TO EQUALIZE PRESSURE ON BRAKE PADS. VAN DID NOT HAVE COMPONENT WHEN PURCHASED NEW IN 01/97. NLMTHE GAS GAUGE BOUNCES ERRATICALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE CONCERNING THIS DEFECT, TO NO AVAIL. *JG

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I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK USED IN VIRGINIA. I RAN A CARFAX CHECK, HAD IT INSPECTED AND ASKED IF IT HAD ANY KNOWN DEFECTS. I DID NOT KNOW WHEN I BOUGHT IT THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP AND SOLENOID WERE BAD. THE TRUCK STALLS AT ANY SPEED AND I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FACT IT MAY STALL ANYTIME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP, BUT IT ONLY COVERS 10 YEARS OR 120,000. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK WITH 122,400 MILES AND HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE ANOTHER 100 OR SO MILES. THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL. I HAVE TALKED TO GM AND THEY ARE GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AND WILL CONTINUE TO FILE COMPLAINTS UNTIL GM/CHEVROLET FIXES THE TRUCK. THE DEALER ESTIMATED THE REPAIRS AT $2,500. I FEEL THEY SHOULD HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE PART IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND WAS WHEN I BOUGHT IT.*AK

HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER TRUCK AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT WORK.

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VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR DUE TO MALFUNCTION WITHIN TRANSMISSION. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *TT

BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED, AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BY DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AGAIN WITH AN UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF MILES ON BRAKE ROTORS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

OUTSIDE SIDEVIEW MIRRORS VIBRATE AT SPEES FROM APPROX 25 TO 70 MPH. REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES YET THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

CONSUMER REPLACED ALL 4 GOODYEAR WRANGER 16" LOAD RANGE E TIRES DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION, DEALER STATED THE TIRES WERE EXPERIENCING THIS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES FAILED AT ONLY 20000 MILES. *SLC

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS WHICH SENT AN IMPROPER GROUND TO THE PCM AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. NLM

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TURNED ON AND SOMETIMES DO NOT COME ON OR STOP WHILE IN OPERATION. THIS MAKES VISABILITY NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES PUMP THE BRAKES SOMETIMES WHEN TRYING TO STOP ON DRY PAVEMENT AT SLOW SPEEDS.

THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT PULLED A TRAILER OR BEEN USED TO TOW.......THERE IS NO HITCH ON THE VAN

NO SUNMMARY

WHENEVER WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE IN USE THEY WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY. WOULD SOMETIMES NOT COME ON WHEN SWITCH WAS TURNED. THE PROBLEM CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER IN RAIN OR SNOW. BEEN TO DEALER & CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. INDICATION WAS THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL. *AK *ML

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW FREEZING, THE WINDOWS FOG UP AND DO NOT CLEAR. EVEN WITH DEFROST ON HIGH, THE WINDOWS DO NOT CLEAR. HEATER CORE HAS BEEN CHANGED AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND DEALER SAYS, IT'S THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO STOP IT. *AK

ARE THERE ANY RECALLS ON THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS? IF SO PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW? NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P265/R161 )

PINION SEAL REPLACED TWICE DUE TO LEAK, PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *YC

PAINT CHIPING AND FLYING OFF VEHICLE EXTENSIVELY, WIPERS QUIT WORKING AFTER RUNNING AWHILE

THIS LETTER IS TO INFORM YOU OF A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC CONDITION. THE CONNECTOR AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT AND THE WIRING TO THE FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK, HAVE SHORTED AND MELTED TO THE POINT OF FAILURE. THE ELECTRICAL PINS INSIDE THE CONNECTOR ARE VERY BADLY PITTED AND BURNT. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRE (GRAY) FORM THE SENDING UNIT TO THE CONNECTOR OF THE FUEL PUMP IS MELTED, EXPOSING THE BARE WIRE (APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES). HAVING ELECTRICAL ARCING/SPARKING AND HEAT GENERATION SUFFICIENT TO MELT THE INSULATION, LOCATED IN A GASOLINE FUEL TANK IS A VERY SERIOUS AND UNSAFE CONDITION! ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER (CHRIS PFAFF) AT ROUNDTREE CHEVROLET IN BOISE ID, THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN SEEN BEFORE WITH OTHER CHEVROLET VEHICLES. I HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART IF NEEDED.

AXLE SEAL LEAKING. *MJS

WHEEL BEARINGS ARE LOOSE AND ONE IS LEAKING. *MJS

LEFT REAR WHEEL CYLINDER BOOTS ARE FALLING APART. *YC

REAR END AXLE SEEMS TO RUN HOT AND NOISE PRESENT, REAR END COVER PLATE PAINT HAS PEELED OFF DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. *YC

NO SUMMARY

ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND RUNS ROUGH AT IDLE. ALSO SHIFTS HARD. HAS BEEN LOOKED AT 3 TIMES. TWICE BY DEALER WHILE UNDER WARRENTY ONCE BY A DIFFERENT DEALER JUST OUT OF WARRENTY. THIRD TIME WAS TOLD NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

REPLACEMENT MASTER CYLINDER FAILED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE. (MJS)

BRAKE SYSTEM CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE FAILURES AFTER SEVERAL COMPONENT REPLACEMENTS. (MJS)

BRAKE ROTORS EXPERIENCING OVERHEATING. (MJS)

BATTERY CABLE FAILED. (MJS)

MAIN COMPUTER FAILED, REPLACEMENT FAILED ALSO. (MJS)

BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT, DUE TO FAILURE OF THE MASTER CYLINDER & SPEED SENSOR. (MJS)

TRANSMISSION REPAIRED, DUE TO SLIPPING. (MJS)

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED 50-65 MPH DRIVER HAS DIFFICULTY SEEING A CLEAR IMAGE BECAUSE OF EXTREME VIBRATION IN THE RIGHT AND LEFT HAND OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS.

Z71 FULL SIZE PICKUP RE: FUEL PUMP FAILURE...TALKED WITH THREE OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND ALL HAD IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH FUEL PUMP FAILURE. DEALER GAVE NO EXPLANATION OF FAILURE. RE: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM...ONE PANEL ON INTERIOR STAYED "HOT" EVEN AFTER THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM IGNITION AND TRUCK SHUT OFF...CRUISE CONTROL "REMEMBERS" IS LAST SPEED EVEN AFTER TRUCK HAS BEEN SHUT OFF..THIS CAUSED ME TO ACCELERATE TO NEARLY 50MPH ON A CURVED ENTRANCE RAMP MERELY BY TURNING THE CRUISE ON (NOT SETTING IT)..TRUCK SIMPLY RESUMED SPEED I HAD SET LAST (70MPH) FROM THE DAY BEFORE. I HAVE TALKED TO TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS TO BE COINCIDENCE.