Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Chevrolet K1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Winshield wipers would stop at any time causing the drivers view to be obstructed. I contacted my dealer after reading your NHTSA campaign # 98V150001. They checked with GMC and said this did not apply to my vehicle. I am a master service technition (briggs and stratton) and I electronics are a hobby of mine. I removed the circut board and discovered the solder for 3 of the lugs was cracked. I resoldered the lugs and have had no other problems since. I beleve this problem to be a serious safety cocern and beleve GM should recall these vehicles also.
One time windshield wipers will work fine, the next time they will not. They have stopped while driving. This causes a severe safety hazard. GM dealerships say this problem is not covered under recall bulletin # 98043. I do not believe this. I think the dealers are trying to sell a fix that is the manufactures responsibility. GM would not subject their customers to a safety hazard and be subject to the libility.
Intermittent problem with windshield wiper failure. Alldata web site shows sept. 1998 safety recall for this problem for my truck -- #98043 -- but NHTSA has no record of this. Called GM and they said there is no such recall, but I have heard from several other Chevrolet and GMC truck owners with same problem with wipers. This is a safety issue.
Windshield wipers and horn work intermittently. Saftey issue when the wipers won't work in inclement weather, and horn won't when needed. Also cruise control works intermittently. All three have wires going through the steering column, possibly linking the three into one bigger problem.
Windshield wiper works intermittently when it is geared at low pace. Same make and year of vehicles were recalled for windshield wiper controller board which shut windshield wipers off. Manufacturer advised consumer thatvehicle was not a part of recall due to VIN.
My windshield wipers just stopped while I was driving at 50mph! I was very scared. Please check in to this as I have found out that others have been reporting this very same problem. This should not have been neglected so long. Thank you for your help.
Intermittently windshield wipes become inoperable, causing poor visibility. A recall has been issued on some makes and models; however this vehhicle was not included due to VIN. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.
Windshield wipers work intermittently. Dealer/manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under a recall. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.
Fuel pump failed. Also, windshield wipers failed to work properly, especially during inclement weather, affecting visibility/ front bucket seat latch failed, causing seat to fall backward.
While driving, windshield wipers will work intermittently. Dealer notified.*akconsumer researched and found several recalls pertaining to the same failure. Teh dealer will not acknowledge.
Window & Wiper complaints in other K1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1996 Chevrolet K1500?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1996 Chevrolet K1500, 28% of the model year's 94 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chevrolet K1500 window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 1996 Chevrolet K1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.