1996 Chevrolet C30: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 5 complaints (80.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 60.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Equipment:Electrical | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Equipment:Electrical: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 3 |
| 2000 | 2 |
1997: 3; 2000: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 603111 · 1997-04-17 (April 17, 1997)
SHORT IN CIGARETTE LIGHTER CAUSED INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DOOR LOCKS TO FAIL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 603111 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 717964 · 2000-01-27 (January 27, 2000)
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717964 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 729459 · 2000-08-29 (August 29, 2000)
I HAVE A RECALL LETTER FROM GM CANADA CONCERNING ANTILOCK BRAKES. WHEN I TOOK THE VAN TO BE FIXED, THE DEALER WOULD NOT DO IT BECAUSE THE VAN WAS CONVERTED TO AN RV BY ROADTREK AND IT WOULD REQUIRE 16 HOURS LABOR TO REPAIR THE BRAKES. NEITHER GM OR ROADTREK WOULD COVER THE COST. HOW CAN I GET THIS RESOLVED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 810948 · 1997-04-14 (April 14, 1997)
THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD AND QUICKLY. HAD AN ACCIDENT, APPLIED THE BRAKES QUICKLY AND THEY MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL 30 FEET AND RUN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER SAID THAT WAS HOW THE BRAKES WORKED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 810948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 816175 · 1997-09-09 (September 9, 1997)
VEHICLE USED FOR POLICE USE. CONSUMER STATED WHEN TRAVELING AT 30 MPH THE REAR BRAKES GRAB AND ALSO LOCK UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FREEZE. CONSUMER ALSO STATED WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS THE OCCUPANTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE BEING FORCED INTO THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 816175 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
95V243000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1995-12-28 (December 28, 1995)
CERTAIN TRUCKS HAVE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES WITH AN IMPROPERLY CRIMPED END RETAINER CLIP THAT RESULTS IN A FUEL LEAK.
Consequence: IF FUEL LEAKAGE OCCURS AND AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE ANY FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY WITH A JULIAN DATE CODE OF 95318 THROUGH 95338.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V057000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1996-04-04 (April 4, 1996)
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V082000 · Suspension:Rear:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly:U-Bolt, Leaf Spring To Axle
Reported: 1996-05-07 (May 7, 1996)
THE FOUR U-BOLTS NUTS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE REAR AXLE WERE UNDER-TORQUED.
Consequence: VEHICLE USAGE COULD CAUSE THE NUTS TO LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY FALL OFF THE U-BOLT. THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE U-BOLT NUT TORQUE AND RE-TORQUE ANY LOOSE U-BOLTS TO SPECIFICATION.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V117000 · Tires:Bead
Reported: 1996-07-01 (July 1, 1996)
THESE TIRES HAVE BEAD DAMAGE WHICH OCCURED DURING TIRE MOUNTING.
Consequence: THIS DAMAGE TO THE TIRE REINFORCING STRUCTURE IN THE BEAD "TOE" AREA CAUSES A BULGE IN THE SIDEWALL AFTER THE TIRE IS INFLATED. THIS CONDITION WILL RESULT IN A SLOW AIR LOSS CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. HOWEVER, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE TO RESULT IN A RAPID AIR LOSS CAUSING INJURIES TO ANYONE IF THEY WERE HANDLING THE TIRE WHEN THIS OCCURRED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL DEMOUNT EACH TIRE AND INSPECT FOR BEAD DAMAGE. IF BEAD DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE TIRE WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V037000 · Seats
Reported: 1997-03-07 (March 7, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RECLINING SEATS AND THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE. THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH A PINCH POINT EXISTS IN THE RECLINER MECHANISM THAT CAN TRAP AND PINCH A PERSON'S HAND OR FINGER(S) WHEN THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE IS ACTIVATED.
Consequence: THIS PINCHING CAN CUT THE HAND OR POSSIBLY SEVER THE FINGER(S) WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
5 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 806080WHEN DRIVING ON WET AN DRY PAVEMENT AND APPLYING FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THE REAR ABS BRAKES TO LOCK UP. *AK*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 972751THE REAR BRAKE FAILED CAUSING TRUCK TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED TWO TIMES . TT | 125.0%ODI 980330ABS; THE CONSUMER WAS IN TWO ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE LOSS OF THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM, THE CONSUMER COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK | 228.6% | 777.8%ODI 800878THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD WHEN APPLIED. A DELAY IS EXPERIENCED.*AK | 480.0% | 125.0%ODI 818611WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 55 MPH ON A THREE LINED ROAD ANOTHER DRIVER STOPPED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER, FORCING HIM TO KEEP LONGER DISTANCE BETWEEN OTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. *AK | 2100.0%ODI 847764WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE VIBRATES AND PULLS TO THE LEFT. ABOUT EVERY 3 MONTHS, THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY HAS TO HAVE SOMETHING REPLACED SUCH AS PADS, ROTORS, ETC. DLR HAS SEEN VEHICLE OVER 11 TIMES AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 958298LEFT HAND FUEL TANK, PUMPED FUEL THROUGH ELECTRICAL WIRES, WHILE DRIVING. TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1100.0%ODI 548222VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 1100.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 980996SEAT; THE SEAT RECLINER FRAME ATTACHING THE BOLTS ARE BROKEN ALLOWING THE SEAT TO RECLINE BACK. *AK | 125.0%ODI 858462CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 95V24600/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 94-C-62. DEALER CORRECTED THE RECALL PROBLEM 3 YEARS LATER, THE BENCH SEAT BROKE INTO THE RECLINING POSITION, DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO CORRECT THE RECALL. *AK *ML | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 807400ANY KIND OF WEATHER WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE LOCK UP . *AK | 111.1%ODI 8002898WHILE APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE SKIDS FORWARD.*AK WHEN APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP ON A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE BRAKES WILL APPLY FOR A FRCTION OF A SECOND THEN RELEASE, VEHICLE WILL THEN COAST WOTH NO BRAKES AND COAST THROUGH TRAFFIC. *MJ | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Tires | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 972751THE REAR BRAKE FAILED CAUSING TRUCK TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED TWO TIMES . TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Equipment:Electrical | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 603111SHORT IN CIGARETTE LIGHTER CAUSED INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DOOR LOCKS TO FAIL. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1997: 3 complaints · 1998: 2 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 1998 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1998 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | Equipment:Electrical |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | — | 0 |
| Equipment:Electrical | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.