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1996 Chevrolet TahoeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 283 owner complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

49
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Tahoe median · #14 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints28350 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage112kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 22, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe has problems

283 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic738
Visibility430
Power train374
Electrical system344
Engine and engine cooling252
Fuel system, gasoline210
Air bags1612
Exterior lighting140
Seats141
13 other systems676

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1996 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 03V-159 · Apr 28, 2003 · 1,755,876 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 98V-150 · Jul 1, 1998 · 1,557,585 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 96V-057 · Apr 4, 1996 · 379,004 vehicles

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Tahoe year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Tahoe median. How we score

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Chevrolet Tahoe safety ratings

1996 Chevrolet Tahoe 4-DR. 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BATTERY LEAKS ACIDEA00013 · closed Jun 28, 2002
    No recall
  2. HEADLIGHTEA00024 · closed Dec 21, 2001
    No recall
  3. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREEA02006 · closed Jul 23, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-159
  4. HEADLIGHTPE00017 · closed Sep 26, 2000
    No recall
  5. SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATIONPE01023 · closed Dec 20, 2001
    No recall
  6. BATTERY LEAKS ACIDPE99073 · closed May 2, 2000
    No recall
  7. FRONT SEAT RECLINER BOLT FAILURERQ99015 · closed Dec 28, 2001
    Led to recall 99V-130
In owners' words

What Tahoe owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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. *TR
Complaint 10429051 · Oct 7, 2011 · 130,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10370953 · Dec 16, 2010 · 53,000 miles
MY '96 CHEVROLET TAHOE 2-DOOR SUFFERED COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS WHEN A BRAKE LINE BURST WHILE IN-SERVICE. THE TAHOE, USED PRIMARILY IN ILLINOIS IN THE WINTER, SUFFERED THE FAILURE IN MAY OF 2008 WITH ABOUT 102,000 MILES ACCUMULATED AND WITH NO WITH NO PRIOR INDICATIONS OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE…
Complaint 10325453 · Apr 13, 2010 · 105,721 miles

Own a 1996 Tahoe?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.