MotorDeets

1996 Chevrolet Pickup: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 1996 Chevrolet Pickup: 0 recalls, 60 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.

0vehicle recalls
60owner complaints
5mention a crash
16best combined mpg
No free-license photo yet

Recalls

0 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #08E050000 · 2008 · 1,921 vehicles

What's wrong: These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Why it matters: Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility May be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

The fix: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Visibility (wipers, glass)21
Brakes (hydraulic)8
Fuel system7
Electrical5
Engine & cooling4
Transmission & drivetrain4
Airbags3
Seats3

What owners describe

The 1996 Chevrolet Pickup has 60 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 11 Pickup model years for complaints (1.6× the average Pickup year). Complaints peaked in 1997 (16 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 38,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (79 complaints, 0 recalls), 1997 (75 complaints, 0 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
6.5 L 8-cyl turboAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive151816Diesel
5.0 L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive141715Regular
5.0 L 8-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive141815Regular
5.7 L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive131715Regular
5.7 L 8-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive111613Regular

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 Pickup.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 1996 Chevrolet Pickup manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 1996 Chevrolet Pickup manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 1996 Chevrolet Pickup manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 1996 Chevrolet Pickup manual

Heads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure

FAQ

Does the 1996 Chevrolet Pickup have any recalls?

NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 1996 Chevrolet Pickup, but 1 equipment or tire recalls may apply. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.

What are the most common 1996 Chevrolet Pickup problems?

Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility (wipers, glass) (21), brakes (hydraulic) (8), fuel system (7).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Chevrolet Pickup get?

EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (6.5 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 1996 Chevrolet Pickup 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.

Other Pickup years

19901991199419951996199719992000200120022003