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.
1996 Chevrolet Caprice suspension problems
12 complaints (19% of all complaints for this car).
- owner complaints
- 12
- of this car's complaints
- 19%
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Front: control arm: lower ball joint4
- Front4
- Front: control arm: upper ball joint3
- Front: springs: coil springs1
- Front: shock absorber1
- Front: control arm: lower arm1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Caprice suspension problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice suspension
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
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
Related investigations
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
What 1996 Chevrolet Caprice owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Right front ball joints broke.
Driver side lower control arm ball joint stud and nut were separated, r/r ball joint
I checked the federal safety agency's web sidt, my car was on recall list for that lower ball joint. I called gm, they said my car was not on recall list for that part.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Consumer was going 60mph and front end of vehicle jumped sideways after hitting a bump. Shocks and tires were replaced to rectify problem. Consumer was afraid that he could hit someone. Dealers did not know what was wrong with vehicle.
Upper and lower ball joints snapped when vehicle was backing up and once when moving forward and making a left turn causing loss of steering ability. Nlm
Suspension causing excessive tire wear---replaced tires at 18,000 and now at 29000 miles. Dealer claims I need another alignment even though they just fixed it. Two tsbs associated with the steering and suspension. Steering has always been loose and sometimes locks up completely. Suspension has always pulled to the right front. Brakes have squealed since around 10000 miles. Engine has severe hesitation, but dealer cannot reproduce.( dot number: )
Vehicle has been aligned. But when it was taken for inspection the vehicle was denied approval because the alignement was bad, and caused unusual wear and tear on tires. Dealer has been contacted.
Questions about the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice suspension
Does the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 12 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice, 19% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet Caprice suspension problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice suspension?
Yes, 2 recalls: 96V020000, 96V018000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Caprice have bad suspension?
The Chevrolet Caprice model years with the most suspension complaints are 1995 (13 complaints) and 1996 (12 complaints).
Other 1996 Chevrolet Caprice problems
Engine 12Transmission 8Fuel system 7Steering 6Acceleration 5Electrical 5Tires 4Brakes 3Visibility 3Airbags 2Body 2Seat belts 2Lights 1Wheels 1
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