MYRModel Year Report

1996 GMC Jimmy

◆ Worse than typical
1996 GMC Jimmy
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
407
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

52% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 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 1995: 503 complaints 1996: 407 complaints 1996 407 1997: 274 complaints 1998: 238 complaints 1999: 137 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 100 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2003: 1 complaint 2003 2004: 2 complaints
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 6 complaints 1988: 15 complaints 1988 1989: 13 complaints 1990: 11 complaints 1990 1991: 118 complaints 1992: 124 complaints 1992 1993: 218 complaints 1994: 339 complaints 1994 1995: 503 complaints 1996: 407 complaints 1996 407 1997: 274 complaints 1998: 238 complaints 1998 1999: 137 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 100 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 1 complaint 2004: 2 complaints 2004
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 6 complaints 1985 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 6 complaints 1987 1988: 15 complaints 1988 1989: 13 complaints 1989 1990: 11 complaints 1990 1991: 118 complaints 1991 1992: 124 complaints 1992 1993: 218 complaints 1993 1994: 339 complaints 1994 1995: 503 complaints 1995 1996: 407 complaints 1996 407 1997: 274 complaints 1997 1998: 238 complaints 1998 1999: 137 complaints 1999 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 100 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 1 complaint 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% · 210 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
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, 2014-09-11

Visibility

18% · 75 reports

Most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

CRASH

Engine and engine cooling

16% · 66 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and radiator assembly.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Suspension

13% · 53 reports

Most commonly citing control arm and upper ball joint.

CRASH

Power train

7% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1994-10-31Engineering analysisClosed 2000-02-28 ABS braking system
  2. ▮
    1996Complaint volume 407 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    1996-11-21Fuel system, gasoline96V234000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install additional shielding of the fuel tank. This will be added without removing or disassembling the fuel system.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1997-02-28Engineering analysisClosed 1997-08-05 Seat belt webbing separation
  5. R
    1997-09-22Seat belts97V096001 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.…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    1998-12-15Visibility98V150001 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    1999-03-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-07-30 Upper control arm ball joint breakage
  8. I
    1999-07-30Engineering analysisClosed 2001-08-28 Upper and lower control arm ball joint
  9. R
    1999-12-10Service brakes, hydraulic99I006000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2000-05-31Service brakes, hydraulic99V193000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2001-09-04Suspension01V200000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2001-12-04Suspension01I018000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. I
    2002-05-31Engineering analysisClosed 2003-07-23 Windshield wiper failure
  14. R
    2003-06-19Visibility03V159000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 GMC Jimmy — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 210 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 75 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 66 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V234000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 97V096001 · Seat belts
  • Recall 98V150001 · Visibility
  • Recall 99I006000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 99V193000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 01V200000 · Suspension
  • Recall 01I018000 · Suspension
  • Recall 03V159000 · Visibility
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.