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1996 Chevrolet Express

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
15Owner complaints

Model-year median: 15

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
199515
199629
199723
199868
1999
Compare all Express years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
3Engine And Engine Cooling
3Fuel System, Gasoline
3Equipment
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2
All reported categories
Steering
2Air Bags
1Power Train
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 15 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports3 fire reports0 injury reports

Power Train complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2003
Power TrainFire

WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO FLORIDA WHEN WE STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING. WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WE OPENED THE HOOD AT THAT TIME NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER NEATH THE DRIVERS SIDE. WE BARELY HAD ENOUGH TIME TO GET OUT BEFORE IT WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED WITH FLAMES. AT THE TIME WE WERE TOWING AN E…

Read full complaint

WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO FLORIDA WHEN WE STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING. WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WE OPENED THE HOOD AT THAT TIME NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER NEATH THE DRIVERS SIDE. WE BARELY HAD ENOUGH TIME TO GET OUT BEFORE IT WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED WITH FLAMES. AT THE TIME WE WERE TOWING AN ENCLOSED TRAILER WITH A 2003 HONDA GOLDWING. NOTHING PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENCE GAVE US ANY CLUE THAT THE VAN WAS ON FIRE. WE LOST ALL OUR POSSESSIONS IN THE VAN AND TRAILER. IT WAS ALL 100% DESTROYED. UNKNOWN CAUSE. WE HAD NOTICED THAT WE WERE USING MORE FUEL. AND WHEN WE PULLED THE VAN OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WE NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE GROUND FROM WHERE WE PULLED OVER UNTIL WE GOT STOPPED.

NHTSA ODI #10003069

Official recalls

2

96V092000 · Suspension:rear:springs:leaf Spring ASSEMBLY:U-BOLT, Leaf Spring To Axle

Jun 3, 1996

ONE OF THE FOUR REAR AXLE U-BOLTS CAN BREAK. THIS CAN POTENTIALLY LEAD TO THE SPRING LIFTING FROM THE AXLE UNDER CERTAIN REBOUND, BRAKING OR CORNERING MANEUVERS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FOUR REAR AXLE U-BOLTS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.