The vats system is the problem on my 96 Impala it just shut my car off for the past 3 mos
The worst 1996 Chevrolet Caprice problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine12
- Suspension12
- Transmission8
- Fuel system7
- Steering6
- Acceleration5
- Electrical5
- Tires4
- Brakes3
- Visibility3
- Airbags2
- Body2
- Seat belts2
- Lights1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice
Recalls 4
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
- What is wrong
- The wheel lug nuts were not tightened to the proper specification during assembly.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 96V245000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- The rear lower control arm can crack at the rear stabilizer bar attachment.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 96V020000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- Defective lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts were not properly torqued and can loosen.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 96V018000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 95V215000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice
Defect investigations
Coolant fires
There is no summary currently available
EA99003
Rear wheel separation
Gm notified odi that they are conducting a recall to retorque the wheel lug nuts on vehicles built between august and september of 1995.it is anticipated that most vehicles will require the wheel lug nuts to be retorqued to 135 n.m(100 lb. Ft.).customers who have had all four of their tires and wheels rotated should have properly torqued lug nuts.however, gm is offering customers who have had their tires and wheels rotated the option of returning to their dealer for this repair or completing and returning an owner reply card included with their recall notice.this engineering analysis is closed.
EA96007
Rear wheel separation
Information obtained from gm indicates that further investigation to determine the cause of wheel separations is warranted.in gm's response dated april 26, 1996, gm stated that:gm has not identified any defect in the manufacture of the subject vehicles whih may contribute to wheel separation.investigation as to the root cause of wheel separations is continuing.the results of these further investigations are required to assess the probability of any future incidents . . .
PE96001
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice 32
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- Fuel system, gasoline
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Equipment
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case
- A no reverse, no second gear, or no fourth gear condition
1996 Chevrolet Caprice fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 8‑cyl | RWD | 16 | 24 | 19 |
| 5.7L 8‑cyl | RWD | 15 | 24 | 18 |
What 1996 Chevrolet Caprice owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Safety emissions.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet caprice. While driving 45 MPH, the instrument panel cluster lights began blinking on and off. The failure continued for approximately six months until it completely shut off. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the panel cluster was a recurring failure with that make and model vehicle. She had to replace the entire panel cluster with the speedometer and odometer, which corrected the failure for two years. Recently, while driving 5 MPH, the instrument panel began to flicker on and off again. Within the last two weeks, the instrument panel suddenly shut off and would occasionally turn back on. The failure causes the contact to be unsure of the speed that she is traveling or how many miles are on her vehicle. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 59,000.
During maintenance of my vehicle it was found to be missing the bolts, guides, washers, bushings and nuts that connect the radiator support to the frame. This 1996 chevrolet caprice classic may be only one of many wherein these critical bolts and assemblies were never installed at the factory.
The tire on the consumer's 1996 chevrolet caprice blewout while parked damaging the entire front end (cooper cornell tire).*mr
Defective tires, resulting in tires exploding while car was parked, damaging entire front end of vehicle. *bf the tire stated they sold the consumer the wrong tires for the weight of the vehicle and even though it was the tires store's fault, the consumer still had to pay for the upgrade.
While driving at any speed consumer heard a loud knocking noise and the vehicle started to jerk. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic determined that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.
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
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.
Compare the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice
Other model years
Questions about the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice
Is the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice reliable?
Owners have filed 64 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice, 10.7 times a typical Caprice model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice?
Engine and cooling, with 12 complaints. Next is suspension (12).
How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice have?
4 recalls, covering wheels, suspension and air bags.
What year does the Chevrolet Caprice have bad engine?
The Chevrolet Caprice model years with the most engine complaints are 1991 (12 complaints), 1996 (12 complaints) and 1994 (10 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice range from 18 to 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.3L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 16 city and 24 highway.
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