1996 GMC Yukon

▲ Better than typical

1996 GMC Yukon
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:21:02.894Z

This year had at least 30% fewer 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

1996: 70 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1986	1
1987	1
1992	19
1993	17
1994	58
1995	90
1996	70
1997	133
1998	80
1999	204
2000	166
2001	197
2002	158
2003	204
2004	158
2005	85
2006	27
2007	428
2008	185
2009	94
2010	105
2011	158
2012	62
2013	116
2014	56
2015	528
2016	264
2017	194
2018	69
2019	51
2020	33
2021	290
2022	162
2023	207
2024	86
2025	46
2026	19

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 13%

13% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED IN A PANIC STOP PEDAL BECAME HARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN A COLLISION. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19990726

VISIBILITY 10%

10% of complaints: visibility — 7 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 4 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 4 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

1996 GMC YUKON STRUCK TREE HEAD ON @ 30 MPH, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER. VEHICLE WAS COLLISION FREE PRIOR TO INCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030401

DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHILE INVOLVED IN FRONTAL CRASH. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970310

VISIBILITY 4%

4% of complaints: visibility — 3 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19960411 — vehicle speed control

THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY S

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.

Campaign 96V057000 — 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 19990714 — RQ (closed 20011228)

FRONT SEAT RECLINER BOLT FAILURE

I 19991203 — PE (closed 20000502)

BATTERY LEAKS ACID

I 20000411 — PE (closed 20000926)

HEADLIGHT

I 20000502 — EA (closed 20020628)

BATTERY LEAKS ACID

I 20000926 — EA (closed 20011221)

HEADLIGHT

I 20010717 — PE (closed 20011220)

SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION

I 20011220 — EA (closed 20021209)

SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION

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

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURE

Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 GMC Yukon — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (9 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for visibility issues (7 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (4 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 96V057000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
Verify recall 98V150001 (visibility) has been completed.
Verify recall 03V159000 (visibility) has been completed.
Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2020 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2019

WORST YEARS

■ 2015 ■ 2007 ■ 2021

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 GMC Yukon reliable?

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

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

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Yukon have?

4 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.