1996 GMC Yukon

▲ Better than typical

1996 GMC Yukon
RENDERED 2026-09-16T17:34:43.145Z

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	59
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	187
2009	94
2010	105
2011	158
2012	62
2013	117
2014	56
2015	528
2016	266
2017	196
2018	69
2019	54
2020	36
2021	323
2022	178
2023	231
2024	102
2025	51
2026	36

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SERVICE BRAKES 26%

26% of complaints: service brakes — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY

VISIBILITY 20%

20% of complaints: visibility — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%

13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing axle assembly and automatic transmission.

AIR BAGS 11%

11% of complaints: air bags — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

NAR 02/28/2003 MR HEAD ON DEAD CENTER, FRONTAL CRASH TO A TREE, 25-30MPH, HIGH IMPACT, NO AIR BAG INFLATED. *CB

NHTSA ODI report, 20040805

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

AIR BAG SENSOR WAS BENT DURING CRASH. THIS PREVENTED THE SWITCH FROM ACTIVATING THE BAG.

NHTSA ODI report, 19980813

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 issues (18 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for visibility issues (14 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (9 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 ▲ 2026 ▲ 2025

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, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Yukon have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.