Chevrolet Express 1996

Model Express made in 1996 by Chevrolet got 21 consumer complains there are 3 recalls as well as 25 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags, electrical system and engine and engine cooling. Technical service bulletines regarding electrical system, engine and engine cooling and exterior lighting. There were some recalls concerningexterior lighting, fuel system, gasoline and suspension. The car has 4 modeles with engines 4.3, ffs mpfi, 5.0, ffs mpfi and 5.7, 350 v8 ffs mpfi.

Model 1996

Engine [L]CylindersTransmissionDriveEstimate MPG (city/highway/combined)Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined)FuelFuel costClassRelease date
4.3, (FFS) (MPFI) 6Automatic 4 gearsRWDRegular1 - Category 1 Truck
4.3, (FFS) (MPFI) 6Automatic 4 gearsRWDRegular2 - Category 2 Truck
5.0, (FFS) (MPFI) 8Automatic 4 gearsRWDRegular1 - Category 1 Truck
5.0, (FFS) (MPFI) 8Automatic 4 gearsRWDRegular2 - Category 2 Truck
5.0, (FFS) (MPFI) 8Automatic 4 gearsRWDRegular3 - Category 3 Truck
5.7, (350 V8) (FFS) (MPFI) 8Automatic 4 gearsRWDRegular3 - Category 3 Truck
5.7, (350 V8) (FFS) (MPFI) 8Automatic 4 gearsRWDRegular2 - Category 2 Truck
5.7, (350 V8) (FFS) (MPFI) 8Automatic 4 gearsRWDRegular1 - Category 1 Truck
5.7, (FFS) (MPFI) 8Automatic 4 gearsRWDRegular2 - Category 2 Truck
5.7, (FFS) (MPFI) 8Automatic 4 gearsRWDRegular1 - Category 1 Truck

Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
09E012000SABERSPORT E (Equipment)1627005/11/2009OVSCGENERAL MOTORS CORP.04/07/200904/07/2009571108
Defect SummarySabersport is recalling 16,270 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.
Consequence SummaryDecreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Corrective SummarySabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on may 11, 2009. owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
NotesThis recall only pertains to aftermarket replacement equipment and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles produced by the vehicle manufacturer.in order to determine if your aftermarket lamp assembly is affected by this noncompliance, please review the list of model numbers provided to us by sabersport.the list can be found under document search located at the bottom of your screen.owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov .
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
00V110000GENERAL MOTORS CORP.from 09/01/1995 to 06/30/1997V (Vehicle)10923903/26/2001ODIGENERAL MOTORS CORP.04/17/200004/28/2000
Defect SummaryPassenger vans. these vans experience fuel odors or leakage.
Consequence SummaryFuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Corrective SummaryDealers will install a revised evaporative emission pipe assembly.
NotesOwner notification is expected to begin march 26, 2001.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 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS - LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY - U-BOLT, LEAF SPRING TO AXLE
96V092000GENERAL MOTORS CORP.from 10/01/1995 to 03/01/1996V (Vehicle)10506/20/1996MFRGENERAL MOTORS CORP.06/03/199606/13/1996
Defect SummaryOne 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 SummaryThis condition could result in sudden loss of vehicle control increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the four rear axle u-bolts on the affected vehicles.
NotesSystem: suspension; rear; leaf spring; u-bolt. vehicle description: cargo vans equipped with 7,700 lb. or greater gross vehicle weight rating. owner notification:owner letters are expected to be mailed during june 1996. note: 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 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
00149D01/01/200400149C10005439Malfunction indicator lamp on with a p0300 set and a misfire. various models including 1996 - 1999 p32 models. sit bulletin 1416475. *tt02/27/2004
00149C11/18/200310004223Malfunction indicator lamp on with a p0300 set and a misfire. various models including the 1996-1999 p32 and the 1996-2002 gmc c/k truck. *tt11/21/2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
0122501/01/200401225A10007717Engine coolant leak at intake gasket. * mj07/08/2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
308110010375Service engine soon light and p0300 when towing, cruising uphill or on hard acceleration. *tt11/17/2004
0199201/01/2004100069526.5 l57 engine- cranks or starts with the key in run. 94-98 gmc p32 rv/van chassis, 94-98 chevrolet p32 rv/van chassis. *mr05/20/2004
03060102408/01/200310004371Rattle noise in engine. *tt12/04/2003
030601024A03/01/2004030601024B10004301Rattle noise in engine. *tt12/01/2003
11120112/11/2001629613Addressing customers comments about engine oil cooler lines leaking. *tt04/04/2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
31100110/31/2001628070Some vehicles may exhibit an exhaust noise, rattle noise at 550 rpm. *tt03/05/2002
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL - FLASHER UNIT
335610013491Turn signal flash too fast, opposite side dim. *tt04/20/2005
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
332510017191Supplement to bulletin 99-06-04-047a for fuel system cleaning. *tt10/27/2005
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER - FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
01349A11/18/2003100041356.5l l49 l56 l57 l65 diesel engine requiring fuel injection pump replacement. models p32/p42 1994-1999 included. *tt11/19/2003
POWER TRAIN
990730016A10/01/2002990730016B10007838Diagnostic information for intermittent transmission downshift, slip, busy/cycling tcc or noisy cooling fan. *tt07/12/2004
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)
0140411/18/200310004208Powertrain control module (pcm) will not fit in new tray per bulletin 02-06-04-020a. *tt11/21/2003
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - COLUMN SHIFT
020730024A08/01/2005020730024B634999Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case. *tt 2006 and prior cars and light duty trucks. *tt10/11/2002
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
24069907/24/1999608382Subject regarding abs 3-sensor ebc4 - special policy. *tt11/24/1999
STRUCTURE - BODY
15120012/15/2000617786This service message addresses customer concerns regarding theft deterrents, a new rear door outside handle and license plate housing developed for added theft protection. *tt04/11/2001
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR
020864012A06/01/200302086401210002842Side cargo door binds. *tt09/26/2003
02086401205/01/2002634592Side cargo doors are hard to open or stiff on 1996 - 2002 chevrolet and gmc g-van models. *tt10/03/2002
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
06086403210/01/200610020952Side cargo door is hard to open. install new hinge pins. *kb02/01/2007
24090109/24/2001626337Customers may complain of binding side cargo door hinges. *slc12/13/2001
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
020604020B10/01/2003020604020A10004726This bulletin is being revised to inform dealers that the vcm / pcm (powertrain control module) may be susceptible to corrosion and / or water intrusion. *tt01/02/2004
020604020A08/01/200302060402010004358This bulletin is being revised to inform dealers that the vcm / pcm (powertrain control module) may be susceptible to corrosion and / or water intrusion. *tt12/04/2003
02060402005/01/2002634727This bulletin is being revised to inform dealers that the vcm / pcm (powertrain control module) may be susceptible to corrosion and / or water intrusion. *tt10/07/2002
VISIBILITY - REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES - EXTERIOR
03086400302/01/200310001141Outside rearview mirror shake or vibration. *tt04/17/2003

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
AIR BAGS - FRONTAL
01/12/2000
 When the van was involved in a pretty severe frontal crash, passenger's side air bag did deploy, but the driver's side did not. van was traveling about 5 mph when this happened. frontal damage totalled over $7,000 dollars. the van is being repaired. please provide any further information. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
09/02/200158500111/01/2000
 The horn relay was smoking and melted the relay panel it was mounted to. mora fire department was called. they disconnected the battery. the relay and fuse have been removed as a temporary fix until a dealer can install a new relay panel and find the problem. this gave no warning signs. the van had been turned off since 12:20 pm. the horn was silent at 2:00 pm when my wife brought something in from the rear compartment of the van. at around 3:10 pm my wife noticed the horn sounding and went to check it out. she noticed smoke from driver's side coming out from under the hood. she opened the hood and noticed the battery was also starting to smoke. she dialed the sheriff's office dispatcher to get the fire department on the scene. the fire department disconnected the battery and stayed afterwards to ensure no hot embers existed. *ak ----dims 11 ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis-----751677.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
03/20/1999402/01/1997
 Engine runs ruff with no power. sounds like engine is dieseling. black smoke comes out of exhaust, somtimes backfires. ecm never sets trouble code. eventually the ecm set trouble code for right cat comming apart. the fourth (most resent) both cats came apart. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
01/05/1999108/01/1998
 Van totally destroyed ,had been sitting for over 2 hours before it decided to catch fire had trouble with keyless remote prior to catching fire remote would not unlock doors fire started under neath pass. side dashboard in what i was told the area where the computer is
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - DIESEL
03/20/1999402/01/1997
 Engine runs ruff with no power. sounds like engine is dieseling. black smoke comes out of exhaust, somtimes backfires. ecm never sets trouble code. eventually the ecm set trouble code for right cat comming apart. the fourth (most resent) both cats came apart. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
08/22/2002104/01/2001
 After appointment was made, and upon arrival, dealership refused to do recall oov110000 repairs.*ak *slc
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
 Consumer contacted dealer in reference to recall 00v110000/manufacturer's recall 00031 concerning fuel odor/leakage. dealer corrected recall problem. consumer believed recall problem has caused additional problems in fuel system. fuel system was contaminated, and fuel pump/ filler needed to be replaced. please provide any further details.*ak
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER
12/30/199712/01/1997
 No summary
EQUIPMENT - MECHANICAL - CARRIER/RACK
08/09/2001101/01/1997
 The steel cable system securing the spare tire rusted throughand severed releasing the spare tire to fall freely from under the van to the road below. at the slow speed i was traveling i incurred no loss of control or danger to other motorists, however if i was traveling at highway speeds this failure would have resulted in a 65mph missle going down the road. calls to the manufacturer resulted in no action. i am in possession of all failed parts. thank you
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - FUEL PUMP
 Consumer contacted dealer in reference to recall 00v110000/manufacturer's recall 00031 concerning fuel odor/leakage. dealer corrected recall problem. consumer believed recall problem has caused additional problems in fuel system. fuel system was contaminated, and fuel pump/ filler needed to be replaced. please provide any further details.*ak
3
 While driving vehicle had stalled out. lost steering and braking power. towed to dealership. informed by mechanic that fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. this has happened 3 times already.*ak the dealer said there was no recall on the fuel pump which was failing numerous times. *yh
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY
08/07/1998108/01/1996
 Vehicle's fuel tank was filled on the morining of 8/6/98 and driven 33 miles. it was parked in the driveway with the nose down on a 30 degree grade. on the afternoon of 8/7/98 as we were leaving on vacation i smelled gasoline while getting into the van. i looked underneath to find fuel draining from out underneath the gas tank plastic shield onto the driveway. it was determined at the dealership that gas was going through the vent pipe, to the charcoal canister and then out of the canister into the plastic shield around the tank. it was also found that one of the top seals on the tank was also leaking. mine was the 3rd express van at the dealership with a similar problem. with repeated discussions with the factory rep, i was told i would have to pay for these safety related defects and parts of the exact design that failed were reinstalled. there is an inherent defect in this design. when the tank is filled cool, and the vehicle sits or is driven with the nose down and the temperature increases, gasoline is forced throught the vent pipe, to the charcoal canister, then out onto the ground. i was just lucky i noticed this prior to starting my van. it could have blown up, especially with the heat and leaving it sit to cool down so my newborn wouldnt have to get into the hot vehicle. i was very upset with this situation and have not been satisfied with a response, or lack thereof from chevrolet. i also saw a similar vehicle as mine sitting by the roadway the other day with flames coming out from underneath the van. please help myself and others before someone gets hurt.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY - FILLER PIPE AND CAP
 Consumer contacted dealer in reference to recall 00v110000/manufacturer's recall 00031 concerning fuel odor/leakage. dealer corrected recall problem. consumer believed recall problem has caused additional problems in fuel system. fuel system was contaminated, and fuel pump/ filler needed to be replaced. please provide any further details.*ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
01/07/200306/28/1996
 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
03/01/1999
 Diminished braking ability,diagnosed as faulty anti-lock system. *ak
04/28/1997
 Brake pedal moves to 2-3 inches before it will begin to brake, and pedal travels too far down.this defect causes increased reaction time. dealer and manufacturer claim it was designed like that. *ak
STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
09/01/19972005/01/1997
 When parked steering will not turn. steering gear box & pump replaced with no efect.
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP
09/01/19972005/01/1997
 When parked steering will not turn. steering gear box & pump replaced with no efect.
10/31/2000101/01/1997
 After making a u turn, the power steering assist was lost. the power steering pump shaft had broken making the vehicle nearly impossible to control. could this be the problem of nhtsa campaign #: 96v187000?
VISIBILITY - REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
12/30/199712/01/1997
 No summary