1996 Chevrolet C1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 9%of 229 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,948miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Chevrolet C1500, 9% of the 229 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,948 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 1996 chevy 1/2 ton 2 wheel drive truck with less than 88000 miles. The automatic transmission started slipping while going from 2nd to 3rd and now has no 3rd or 4th. This all occurred in one day. In reading for recalls and TSB's it appears this has been a significant problem for some time and GM chooses not to address the problem. I called today and was told there was nothing that could be done by GM. I barely made it back home with my wife due to the problem. This known problem could cause a serious accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10014525, filed 2003-04, 87,895 miles“When ever it rains or if I go through the carwash, the transmission shifts very hard. Feels like someone hit you from behind. Seems like when the transmission harness gets wet is when the problem occurs.”
NHTSA complaint #10319228, filed 2010-03“Transmission would not shift properly when going forward. Can shift into reverse fine. Was at stop sigh & applied gas, transmission stopped. Motor was still running. Shifted into reverse to avoid being hit by another vehicle. Problem was intermittent. Been to dealership at least 4 times, but mechanic can not locate cause of problem.”
NHTSA complaint #873530, filed 2000-10“When shifting from first to second gear, at low speed, a louder than normal noise was heard and a rough shift was felt. Transmission was being rebuilt with only 50,000 miles. The mechanic wasnot sure why the transmission needed to be rebuilt. Manufacturer will be notified about the problem. Please provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #860112, filed 2000-04“Consumer saw smoke coming out of his wheel well when he pulled over to side, before he could get his family out of truck, the fire had spread to dash area. There was a trail of transmission fluid leakage along the road, consumer thinks that a transmission hose may have burst.”
NHTSA complaint #812515, filed 1997-05Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1996 Chevrolet C1500
58 complaintsBrakes
41 complaintsSeats
21 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Chevrolet C1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology