The problem
Water intrusion into the kick panel areas in front of both the driver and passenger doors can cause a corrosion path between the battery feed and the electrical ground.
The risk
This condition can cause an electrical short leading to ignition and combusion of the plastics in the electrical components of the vehicle resulting in a vehicle fire.
The fix
Dealers will replace the 25 amp circuit breakers with 25 amp fuses in the fuse block; remove a temporary paper fuse-block cover; install a plastic shield over the fuse block; replace and reorient the power door lock relay (if equipped); inspect the remote keyless entry module (if equipped) for signs of corrosion, replace if corroded, and reorient it; and apply additional body sealer in key areas.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 96V-186 (96V186000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | General Motors, LLC |
| Component | Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers |
| Report date | September 26, 1996 |
| Owners notified | October 18, 1996 |
| Vehicles affected | 20,689 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the electrical system
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 96V-186 repair free?
Yes. Chevrolet dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will replace the 25 amp circuit breakers with 25 amp fuses in the fuse block; remove a temporary paper fuse-block cover; install a plastic shield over the fuse block; replace and reorient the power door lock relay (if equipped); inspect the remote…
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 20,689 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.