1996 GMC Jimmy
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 6 |
| 1988 | 15 |
| 1989 | 13 |
| 1990 | 11 |
| 1991 | 118 |
| 1992 | 122 |
| 1993 | 216 |
| 1994 | 334 |
| 1995 | 499 |
| 1996 | 407 |
| 1997 | 274 |
| 1998 | 238 |
| 1999 | 137 |
| 2000 | 211 |
| 2001 | 100 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
31% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 127 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
ABS BRAKE FAILURE, WHEN APPLIED EXPERIENCED BRAKE LOCKUP, AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION SPEED 45MPH, *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19960404
9% of complaints: visibility — 35 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: visibility — 27 distinct reports on file.
CRASH4% of complaints: suspension — 17 distinct reports on file.
CRASH4% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 16 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM
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
SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATION
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
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
UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT BREAKAGE
UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT
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
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
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
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
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
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, hydraulic issues (127 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (35 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (27 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
WORST 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, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Jimmy have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.