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: ball joint or control arm failure
6 of the 64 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
- 20031
- 19966
- 199510
- 19943
- 19933
- 19924
- 19913
What owners say
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.
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
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
Questions about the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice?
6 of 64 owner complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice (9%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 1995.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice?
There are 2 recalls and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1996 Chevrolet Caprice?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history