Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact's mother owns a 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe. The windshield wipers were not operating normally. They were repaired in 2001. Recall 03V159000 component: visibility:windshield wiper/washer is related to the failure. The dealer confirmed that the VIN is not related to the recall. The dealer also wrote on the invoice that the windshield wipers are working temporarily and can fail at anytime. The corporate office of GM was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 147956 and current mileage was 148114. Updated 01/08/09 the consumer stated the problems started when the vehicle would not start. It was determined the problem was the fuel pump. The headlights were not coming on. The consumer requested that the headlight switch be looked at. The vehicle began to shake and stall and white smoke emitted from the muffler. The check engine light also illuminated. Updated 01/09/09.
My husband was driving our 1996 Tahoe when it just stopped! We found that the key had shut off while driving. We were in the middle of a thruway when everyone was driving 60 MPH. A very dangerous situation indeed. This has happened 3 times in the year I've owned the vehicle. We are also having a problem with the wipers working intermittently and sometimes get stuck in the middle of the windshield or jumping across the windshield pop, pop, pop.etc.
1996 Chevrolet Tahoe. The left windshield wiper works and the right windshield wiper does not. This began while my husband was driving in the rain and resulted in very limited visibility. He went to auto zone to replace the wipers and when they replaced the right wiper, it did not correct the problem. I am taking it in for repair today. I have been told that it is probably the wiper transmission.
The windshield wiper comes on and off intermittently. Without prior warning. Dealer is aware of the problem. Ts this vehicle runs off of ethanol. At times, the wipers will not shut off. Repairs have not been made as of yet.
I replaced windshield wiper motor at my own expense/ circuit board did not come with new motor and had to be transfered from old unit. This was covered under a recall NHTSA 98v15001 however it covered vehicles mfg. Up to 5/96 mine was mfg 6/96 yet it has the problem covered in the recall which is to correct an intermittent wiper failure. It's a real treet to be driving down the interstate and have your wipers quit. You can pull over, open the hood, and slap the wiper unit and it will resume working for a while. .
I get no help from the dealer. They charged me for a new wiper motor, saying the recall was for last years model. My transmission was checked by a trans shop - they say it works fine. The dealer wants $3000 to fix it. After driving at highway speeds, and slowing back to normal stop and go driving, the vehicle bangs into second gear. If I turn the vehicle off for several seconds and back on again, the banging stops and the transmission works fine.
The NHTSA campaign id #98V150001 to replace this part included vehicles prior to my VIN #. I want to report that I also had problems and finally had to have windshield wiper motor circuit board replaced. I want you to be aware that additional vehicles May need to be included in the recall for this replacement. I paid $50 for labor and $53.47 for the part. I believe GM should reimburse me for this cost.
Purchase from local independent auto dealer(off lease at wholesale auction). Very dangerous windshield wiper problem in rain at high speeds. Don't know if NHTSA campaigns 98V150001,98V150000,96057000 have been done. Rear left passenger power window working intermitently. Low thunking or pop noise when pulling off on passenger side concerns me. May be A/C related or possible steering component.
The windshield wipers have worked intermittently for at least the past 6 months. NHTSA campaign I.d. Number 98V150000 was identified and the vehicle was taken to a Chevrolet dealer for recall. The dealer said that the VIN was not listed on their recall. I contacted Chevrolet and they indicated the same. This is a safety problem that we will correct at our expense versus a recall.
Consumer states that a defect in the mulitfunction switch, causes her to have no brake lights. Dealer replaced part 3 times, problem still occuring. Nlm serpentine belt tensioner coming apart. Disconnect nipple fitting leaking. Wipers slapping on windshield and has no speed and/or intermittent wiper operation. Dealer found needs wiper motor and wiper transmission.
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor May fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on June 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper failure
As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, GM has expanded the population of safety recall 98v-150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe, 14% of the model year's 283 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer › motor (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-159 (windshield wiper/washer, Apr 28, 2003); NHTSA recall 98V150001 (windshield wiper/washer, Jul 1, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 148,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
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.