1996 Chevrolet Caprice: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice: 4 recalls, 65 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 4 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #95V215000 · 1995 · 8,946 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles were shipped with both the supplemental inflatable restraint caution label and a roof rack caution label installed on the same side of the sun visor. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no.208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: Consequence of non-compliance: operators could fail to notice and heed the warning labels.
The fix: A new roof rack caution label, with installation instructions, will be sent directly to owners. Owners will install the label or have their dealer install the label for them.
Suspension Vehicle recall #96V018000 · 1996 · 102,403 vehicles
What's wrong: Defective lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts were not properly torqued and can loosen.
Why it matters: The lower control arm ball joint can loosen, fatigue, and separate from the front suspension knuckle resulting in a loss of vehicle control.
The fix: 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #96V020000 · 1996 · 154,214 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear lower control arm can crack at the rear stabilizer bar attachment.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace both rear lower control arms and rear stabilizer bar attachments.
Wheels Vehicle recall #96V245000 · 1996 · 21,582 vehicles
What's wrong: The wheel lug nuts were not tightened to the proper specification during assembly.
Why it matters: This condition could result in a fracture of the wheel studs causing the wheel to separate from the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the vehicle's wheel lug nuts to the proper specification.
4 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E065000 · 2006 · 3,593 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and May possibly result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. The recall began on July 31, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Suspension (12): the most common themes are noise or vibration (3).
- Engine & cooling (11): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), leaks (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (9): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (3), stalls / loses power (2).
- Fuel system (7): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2), fire / smoke (2).
The 1996 Chevrolet Caprice has 65 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 13 Caprice model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 47). Complaints peaked in 1999 (18 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 59,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (88 complaints, 7 recalls), 1997 (3 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice, plus 4 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Chevrolet Caprice problems?
Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (12), engine & cooling (11), transmission & drivetrain (9).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (4.3 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 Chevrolet Caprice repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.