1996 GMC Savana
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
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
- 35
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Fuel system, gasoline
Campaigns on file for 1996
None on file
20% of complaints
Complaints per year
1996: 35 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 35 |
| 1997 | 46 |
| 1998 | 33 |
| 1999 | 49 |
| 2000 | 49 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 22 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 0 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Fuel system, gasoline
20% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing fuel pump and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.
Show complaint excerpts
1996 GMC Savana VAN- fuel pump failures at 40,000 miles and 75,000 miles. $600 repair each time. High failure item lasting less than a set of tires, major repairs needed. This *has* to be a manufacturing defect.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-12-05
Service brakes
17% · 6 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Visibility
17% · 6 reportsMost commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.
Show complaint excerpts
Windshield wiper motor quit working while driving in a severe thunder storm. After pulling to the side of the road the wipers started working intermittently.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-01
Power train
14% · 5 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission.
Structure
11% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing door and hinge and attachments.
Show complaint excerpts
On upward incline, passenger right rear door, when opened moves freely toward rear wheel, possibly may cause injury. &ak also on downward inclinr, when opened moves freely toward front wheel and slams shut.
NHTSA ODI report, 1996-07-02
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
1996-06-20Suspension96V092000 One of the four rear axle u-bolts can break. This can potentially lead to the spring lifting from the axle under certain rebound, braking or cornering maneuvers.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the four rear axle u-bolts on the affected vehicles.
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R
2001-03-26Fuel system, gasoline00V110000 Passenger vans. These vans experience fuel odors or leakage.
Remedy: Dealers will install a revised evaporative emission pipe assembly.
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R
2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
Buy-smart checklist
1996 GMC Savana — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Fuel system, gasoline: 7 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 6 reports on file for this year.
- Visibility: 6 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 96V092000 · Suspension
- Recall 00V110000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
FAQ
- Is the 1996 GMC Savana reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 1996 GMC Savana?
- The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Savana have?
- 3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.