1996 GMC Jimmy

◆ Worse than typical
1996 GMC Jimmy
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, GMC Jimmy Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1982: 1 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1985 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 6 complaints 1988: 15 complaints 1988 1989: 13 complaints 1990: 11 complaints 1991: 118 complaints 1991 1992: 124 complaints 1993: 218 complaints 1994: 339 complaints 1994 1995: 503 complaints 1996: 407 complaints 1996 1997: 274 complaints 1997 1998: 238 complaints 1999: 137 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 100 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2003: 1 complaints 2003 2004: 2 complaints 2004
1996: 407 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19821
19831
19845
19856
19863
19876
198815
198913
199011
1991118
1992124
1993218
1994339
1995503
1996407
1997274
1998238
1999137
2000211
2001100
20020
20031
20042

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 52%

52% of complaints: service brakes — 210 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GMC JIMMY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140911

VISIBILITY 18%

18% of complaints: visibility — 75 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

CRASH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 66 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and radiator assembly.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
SUSPENSION 13%

13% of complaints: suspension — 53 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing control arm and upper ball joint.

CRASH
POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19941031 — EA (closed 20000228)

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM

1996 — complaint volume: 407
R 19961121 — fuel system, gasoline

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4-DOOR, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING DEVELOPMENT TESTING, THE PROP SHAFT CONTACTED THE INBOARD SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK ALLOWING FUEL

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL SHIELDING OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS WILL BE ADDED WITHOUT REMOVING OR DISASSEMBLING THE FUEL SYSTEM.

Campaign 96V234000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19970228 — EA (closed 19970805)

SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATION

R 19970922 — seat belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

Campaign 97V096001 — check if this car was fixed

R 19981215 — visibility

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 INTERMI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

Campaign 98V150001 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990305 — PE (closed 19990730)

UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT BREAKAGE

I 19990730 — EA (closed 20010828)

UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT

R 19991210 — service brakes, hydraulic

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE COMPUTER PROGRAM WHICH OPERATES THE ABS UNIT ON SOME VEHICLES, OR REPLACE THE COMPUTER ON OTHERS TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ABS ON THESE SURFACES.

Campaign 99I006000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20000531 — service brakes, hydraulic

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1989 THROUGH AUGUST 1996. UNDER CERTAIN D

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.

Campaign 99V193000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010904 — suspension

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE

Campaign 01V200000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20011204 — suspension

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1996-1997 4-WHEEL DRIVE CHEVROLET BLAZER, GMC

Remedy: GM HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. THIS SPECIAL POLICY IS FOR A PERIOD OF 8 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIR

Campaign 01I018000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020531 — EA (closed 20030723)

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

R 20030619 — visibility

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.

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 D

Campaign 03V159000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 GMC Jimmy — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (210 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (75 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (66 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V234000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V096001 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V150001 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99I006000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V193000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V200000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01I018000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V159000 (visibility) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2001 ▲ 1991 ▲ 1992

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ◆ 1994 ◆ 1997

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 GMC Jimmy reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 GMC Jimmy is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 GMC Jimmy?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 52% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Jimmy have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.