Check a VIN

1996 Chevrolet Tahoe problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe is brakes, typically around 119,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Tahoe model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
283
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
33
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
14-15mpg

The worst 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe 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.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe

Wipers 35Brake failure 21ABS 16Headlights 11No deployment 9Fuel pump 9Stalling 8Door locks 6Overheating 6Power steering loss 6Engine failure 5Fire or smoke 5Transmission failure 5

Recalls 3

Visibility: windshield wiper/washerReported April 28, 2003 · 1,755,876 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
Risk
If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on june 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.

Recall number 03V159000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield wiper/washerReported July 1, 1998 · 1,557,585 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
Risk
This condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.

Recall number 98V150001 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported April 4, 1996 · 379,004 vehicles affected
What is wrong
These vehicles were assembled with the throttle cable contacting the dash mat which could bind the throttle. This does not meet with the maximum return times required by federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, "accelerator control systems."
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance: the engine speed may not return to idle increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect for adequate throttle cable to dash mat clearance, and if there is insufficient clearance, cut out a portion of the dash mat to provide proper clearance.

Recall number 96V057000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe

Defect investigations

Windshield wiper failureOpened May 31, 2002, closed July 23, 2003

As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, gm has expanded the population of safety recall 98v‑150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details.

EA02006

Seat belt anchorage separationOpened July 17, 2001, closed December 20, 2001

Odi has received one (1) complaint alleging that the 2nd row passenger-side seat belt release buckle anchor detached from seat frame during a side impact crash.during the crash, the occupant was thrown from his seat, partially ejected through the rear quarter window of the vehicle.occupant sustained injury.gm has subsequently changed seat belt anchoring design in my 2000. Odi has completed a preliminary investigation and has determined that further information is needed to determine whether a safety defect exists.

PE01023

HeadlightOpened September 26, 2000, closed December 21, 2001

EA00024

Battery leaks acidOpened May 2, 2000, closed June 28, 2002

There is no summary currently available

EA00013

HeadlightOpened April 11, 2000, closed September 26, 2000

Based on the reports received by odi from consumers, failure of the headlight electrical circuit may occur in the subject vehicles, and may result from repeated adjustment ofthe tilt steering wheel in the subject vehicles.repeated adjustment of the steering wheel position may strain the wiring in the headlight circuit to the point of failure where they are attached to the multi-function switch, resulting in the unanticipated loss of headlights while the vehicle is in motion.odi has concerns regarding the high rate of warranty repairs for problems potentially associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicles, with the recognition the each incident of headlight failure represents a condition of vehicle disablement.in addition, the manufacturer's evaluation of the alleged defect has not been received, and this office has interest in the details of the methodologies and results of that assessment.

PE00017

Battery leaks acidOpened December 3, 1999, closed May 2, 2000

Odi has received 21 complaints where owners allege that the standard gm factory supplied AC delco battery case failed, resulting in the leakage of sulfuric acid.of the 21 complaint vehicles, six suburban, three tahoes, and one yukon owner(s) complained about a loss of brake fluid from deterioration of the right frontbrake line as a result of sulfuric acid contamination.the remaining 11 complaints pertain primarily to sulfuric acid leakage from the battery case.at least one complainant stated that the replacement battery also failed.several of the complainants note that the leaking acid had come in contact with a wire harness at the frame in the vicinity of the steel brake line.a field inspection by odi indicates that the described harness is the ABS connection to the right front wheel speed sensor.prior to the battery case failure, there is usually no warning (short of an underhood inspection), and the ensuring damage (sulfuric acid contamination) is progressive.of the known battery failures, there may be a temperature correlation, as 60% of the owner complaints came from four states; california, florida, georgia and texas.there is also a product improvement program and engineering change notice to add 1% silver to the battery's positive side terminall, with the earliest implementation date for this being feb 2, 1998.the effect of this design change is as yet unknown; further review is warranted.an ea is being opened to gather further appropriate information, clarify any defect trends, and to assess the safety implications and risks concerning these failures.

PE99073

Front seat recliner bolt failureOpened July 14, 1999, closed December 28, 2001

RQ99015

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe 33

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 33 bulletins for the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe

1996 Chevrolet Tahoe fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
6.5L 8‑cyl Diesel4WD141715
5.7L 8‑cylRWD121614
5.7L 8‑cyl4WD121614

What 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 22, 2020 · Tires · 240,000 miles · TN · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet tahoe equip with dexteero dht2 tires, sized: p265/75r/16, dot 01bthbac00420, and line: not available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH and making a left turn the front drivers side tire suddenly experienced a blow out causing the driver to loose control of the steering and crashed into a guard rail. No injuries were reported. No police report was taken and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer walmart located at 10404 6th st ranch cucamonga ca. Notified. The manufacturer was not notified. The same failure mileage was approximately 100 for the tire. *ln* *bf

Filed May 8, 2020 · Airbags · 144,906 miles · CA

I have a 1996 chevy tahoe which I have been the original owner since new. I recently had maintenance performed on the vehicle and had the shop check the drivers side air bag because the check air bag indicator light was coming on during the operation of the vehicle. The repair shop indicated to me that the sensor needed to be replaced but the sensor was no longer available even after a states wide search was performed. I contacted general motors only to find out the part has been discontinued and no replacement part is available. The part number from gm is #16162465 and there is no after market parts. Is general motors still responsible for a replacement part for this required safety item or what do you suggest I do to correct this problem?

Filed May 3, 2016 · Brakes · 170,000 miles · IL · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet tahoe. While driving approximately 5 MPH and pushing another vehicle, the brakes failed when the brake pedal was depressed. As a result, both vehicles crashed into a wall. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Jul 20, 2014 · Electrical, Visibility · 80 miles · NY

My husband was driving our 1996 tahoe when it just stopped! We found that the key had shut off while driving. We were in the middle of a thruway when everyone was driving 60 MPH. A very dangerous situation indeed. This has happened 3 times in the year I've owned the vehicle. We are also having a problem with the wipers working intermittently and sometimes get stuck in the middle of the windshield or jumping across the windshield pop, pop, pop.etc.

Filed Nov 18, 2013 · Acceleration · 125,000 miles · LA

Vehicle stop shut down complete with jerking before shutting down stop pulling and lost all power now service engine light is on and anti-lock brake light is on and want shift into second gear as if something is wrong with transmission.

Filed Aug 21, 2013 · Body · 110,000 miles · OR

Paint started chipping/peeling off from drivers front finder and hood in approx. 2009 to todays date (08/21/2013). Ps we are the original owners and our tahoe has been kept up in top condition.

Filed Oct 7, 2011 · Brakes · 130,000 miles · OH

Unwanted antilock brake activation at low speed started intermittent now consistent in unwanted activation resulting in increased stopping distance. There is a current campaign for 1999-2002 that should be expanded to include 1996 vehicles. Campaign no. 05v379000.

Filed Jun 12, 2011 · Seats · 50,000 miles · TX

Driver power seat will not operate . I have read similar complaints on the web about the failure of seat working properly and has there been a recall? I have owned the vehicle new and the only driver. I only weight 90lbs.

Filed Dec 16, 2010 · Brakes · 53,000 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet tahoe. While driving approximately 25 MPH the brakes were applied and the pedal extended to the floor. The vehicle was taken to his residence and the contact could see brake fluid leaking from the brake lines. The failure was not diagnosed and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 53,000.

Filed Nov 12, 2010 · Airbags · 140,000 miles · IN

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet tahoe. While the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that the front right and left frame rails for the air bag sensor were separating and rotting. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the parts for repair were no longer manufactured. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 140,000.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe before you buy

Compare the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe

Tahoe vs Ford ExpeditionTahoe vs Chevrolet SuburbanTahoe vs GMC YukonTahoe vs Toyota SequoiaTahoe vs Nissan Armada

Other model years

199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe

Is the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?

Owners have filed 283 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe, close to a typical Tahoe model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe?

Brakes, with 78 complaints, typically around 119,000 miles. Next is visibility (44).

How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe have?

3 recalls, covering visibility and vehicle speed control.

What year does the Chevrolet Tahoe have bad brakes?

The Chevrolet Tahoe model years with the most brakes complaints are 2001 (272 complaints), 1999 (249 complaints) and 2015 (196 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe range from 14 to 15 mpg combined. The most efficient version (6.5L 8-cyl diesel, 4WD) gets 14 city and 17 highway.

Share your experience with the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN