Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100–25K
4425–50K
9350–75K
6775–100K
41100–150K
14150K+
269 reports with mileage · 447 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Visibility. Review the 256 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seats. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
46 crash reports15 fire reports31 injury reports
What owners actually said
716 reports
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2002
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE HAD SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION ON MY TRUCK. I HAVE RECENTLY TAKEN IT O PINKERTON CHEVROLET AND WANTED THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM . AT THIS TIME I DID NOT KNOW OF ANY RECALL ON THE 1996 AND 1997 MODELS. I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. BUT THE GUY AT THE PLACE INFORMED ME THERE MAY BE A RECALL, BUT HE W…
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I HAVE HAD SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION ON MY TRUCK. I HAVE RECENTLY TAKEN IT O PINKERTON CHEVROLET AND WANTED THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM . AT THIS TIME I DID NOT KNOW OF ANY RECALL ON THE 1996 AND 1997 MODELS. I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. BUT THE GUY AT THE PLACE INFORMED ME THERE MAY BE A RECALL, BUT HE WANTED TO LOOK AT IT AND CALL ME BACK. WELL A FEW HRS LATER HE CALLED ME AND SAID THAT IT WAS NOT MY BALL JOINTS IT WAS THE IDLER ARM SO I HAD IT REPLACED AND THOUGHT I WAS DONE. WELL 3 DAYS LATER MY TRUCK IS WORSE THAN IT WAS BEFORE .SO I HAVE SINCE CALLED THE DEALER AND I AM GOING TO TAKE IT TODAY TO SEE IF WE CAN COME TO TERMS ON THIS. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 96 AND 97 MODELS, IS MY TRUCK AFFECTED? WHY DID THE MECHANIC TELL ME HE CHECKED BALL JOINTS WHEN HE DIDN'T . HE SENT ME ON THE ROAD UNSAFE WITH MY CHILD. AND PROBABLY FIXED SOMETHING NOT BROKEN. WAS I SCAMMED? IS THE A WAY TO ABSORB THE COST OF A RECALL AT THE PUBLICS EXPENSE? NOT GOOD BUSINESS. WERE LEFT OVER PARTS USED ON 98 VEHICLES? IS THIS CONSIDERED WHEN A RECALL IS DETERMINED NECESSARY? ARE THE PARTS STAMPED TO DETERMINE MANF. DATE ON PARTS? *AK
NHTSA ODI #761664
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AT THE BACK .*JB INVESTIGATOR BELIEVES THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION. *YH
NHTSA ODI #8009064
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2002
Suspension
UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE GONE COMPLETELY OUT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8008656
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2002
Suspension
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #761124
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
HAD TAKEN VEHICLE FOR CHECKUP. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC MOUNTS SUPPORTING THE MOTOR WERE CRACKED. PRIOR TO CRACKED MOUNTS, HAD PROBLEMS TAKING OFF FROM A STOP, AND VEHICLE FELT AS IF PULLING BACKWARDS.*AK *TT
NHTSA ODI #8007706
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE BEEN REPORTING THIS PROBLEM AT LEAST SIX TIMES BETWEEN THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS. THEY ALL CAN NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AIK
NHTSA ODI #760248
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2002
Visibility
INTERMITTENTLY THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON SIMULAR MAKES AND MODELS, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE.*NLM THE WIPER MODULE HAD A BAD SOLDER CONNECTION. IT WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED. JG
NHTSA ODI #8006625
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2002
Seats
THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM IN CHEVY TRUCKS IN 1996... PLEASE SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96E010000 FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM. THE SEAT RECLINER TO SEAT FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS FRACTURED WHICH HAS RESULTED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT RECLINING AT ALL TIMES. NLM
NHTSA ODI #759826
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2002
Tires
SOFT SPOT/BELT/TREAD SEPARATION SLIGHT BULGE/SPLIT ALONG EDGE OF TREAD. *AK (DOT NUMBER: PJHL3PKR04 TIRESIZE: R235-75-15)
NHTSA ODI #759514
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2002
Exterior LightingInterior LightingSeats
DOME LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR NO REASON, THE NOISE FOR THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD COME ON WITHOUT THE TURN SIGNAL BEING ON (MY TURN SIGNALS WORKED PERFECTLY FINE)AND THE HANDLE YOU USE TO ADJUST THE SEAT BACKS BROKE OFF ON BOTH FRONT SEATS. ALSO, THE LATCH ON THE INSIDE ON THE VEHICLE WHICH YOU PULL TO RELEASE THE HOOD BROKE. WONDERIN…
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DOME LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR NO REASON, THE NOISE FOR THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD COME ON WITHOUT THE TURN SIGNAL BEING ON (MY TURN SIGNALS WORKED PERFECTLY FINE)AND THE HANDLE YOU USE TO ADJUST THE SEAT BACKS BROKE OFF ON BOTH FRONT SEATS. ALSO, THE LATCH ON THE INSIDE ON THE VEHICLE WHICH YOU PULL TO RELEASE THE HOOD BROKE. WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 3,000 CANNOT BE MOUNTED HIGHER THAN 864MM ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS THAT CHANGES THE DRL'S FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM DRL'S, AND INSTALL NEW LONG-LIFE LOW BEAM BULBS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE OR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE. ONE OR BOTH OF THE ATTACHING NUTS FOR THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM ARE UNDER TORQUED. THIS CAN ALLOW THE ATTACHMENT BOLT TO LOOSEN AND SUBSEQUENT BREAK RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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