VehicleVerdict

1996 GMC Jimmy problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 605 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 121.0 times the median Jimmy year — the 1996 model ranks #2 of 33 Jimmy years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 40 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 214 reports (35% of the total).

605

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

5

Investigations

67

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

40

Injuries

2

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other Jimmy years?

See all Jimmy years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 GMC Jimmy problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes21435%
Visibility & Wipers7813%
Engine7312%
Suspension579%
Electrical System346%
Transmission325%
Fuel System244%
Airbags163%
Tires & Wheels163%
Other132%
Speed Control122%
Seat Belts71%
Body & Structure71%
Steering71%
Seats51%
Lighting41%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)41%
Latches & Locks20%

Does the 1996 GMC Jimmy have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

03V159000Visibility & WipersApril 28, 2003 · 1,755,876 units

Defect

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. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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 DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

01I018000SuspensionDecember 4, 2001

Defect

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 JIMMY, AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OWNERS HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS THAT HAVE SEPARATED. GM IS PROVIDING A SPECIAL POLICY TO THESE OWNERS TO COVER UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT IF THE CUSTOMER FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE CHASSIS LUBRICATION AND THE VEHICLE STILL REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS DUE TO SEPARATION.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

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 FIRST, FROM THE DATE THE VHEICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED IN SERVICE, REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP. THE UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT, DUE TO SEPARATION, WILL BE MADE AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER DURING THIS PERIOD. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-862-4389, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.

01V200000SuspensionJune 28, 2001 · 48,600 units

Defect

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, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. FAILURE OF AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY COULD OCCUR DUE TO CORROSION.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN IMPAIRED STEERING OR STEERING LOSS, OR A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

99V193000BrakesJuly 19, 1999 · 1,125,749 units

Defect

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 DRIVING CONDITIONS THE SWITCH WHICH SIGNALS THE ABS SYSTEM WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN 2-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.

99I006000BrakesJuly 19, 1999 · 2,400,000 units

Defect

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 UTILITY VEHICLES, OR MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3-SENSOR ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) EBC4 UNITS.

Consequence

THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS ON CERTAIN MULTIPLE SURFACES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

98V150001Visibility & WipersJuly 1, 1998 · 1,557,585 units

Defect

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 INTERMITTENTLY.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

97V096001Seat BeltsJune 12, 1997 · 586,058 units

Defect

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. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.

Consequence

IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

96V234000Fuel SystemNovember 14, 1996 · 432,183 units

Defect

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 LEAKAGE. THIS LEAKAGE WAS IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT PERMITTED BY FMVSS 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."

Consequence

IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, AND THERE IS A FUEL LEAK, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL SHIELDING OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS WILL BE ADDED WITHOUT REMOVING OR DISASSEMBLING THE FUEL SYSTEM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

CONSUMER WAS COMING OFF A RAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH WENT TO APPLY BRAKES WHEN VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULSATE, AND FELT AS THOUGH VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN. HEARD NOISE AND WHEEL ROTATING. VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ROLL FORWARD FOR AT LEAST 20 FEET, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO REAREND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 6, 1998 · crash

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AT THE SPEED OF 45MPH WHEN THE BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT PASSANGER TIRE BROKE, CAUSING ME TO GO THROUGH 3 LANES WITHOUT WARNING AND ALMOST FLIPPING MY CAR OVER. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WHERE I HAVE ALMOST LOST MY LIFE DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. LAST YEAR WHILE DRIVING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 5, 2000 · crash

HAVE HAD MANY SMALLER PROBLEMS, TOOK IN FOR ALTERNATOR THEY REPLACE BATTERY COST TO ME $70 MONTH OR SO LATER NEED NEW ALTERNATOR . AND HAD GAUGES CHECKED GAS GAUGE NOT READING TRUE, NEXT WEEK OR SO WINDOW WIPERS START ACTING UP AND STOPPING MID- WINDOW AND WIPER FLUID WONT SPRAY. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 1, 1998 · crash

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AT THE SPEED OF 45MPH WHEN THE BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT PASSANGER TIRE BROKE, CAUSING ME TO GO THROUGH 3 LANES WITHOUT WARNING AND ALMOST FLIPPING MY CAR OVER. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WHERE I HAVE ALMOST LOST MY LIFE DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. LAST YEAR WHILE DRIVING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 5, 2000 · crash

MY JIMMY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE FUSE BOX SYSTEM. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I AM SADDENED TO THINK THAT THIS HAPPENED. JUST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS 10 YEARS OLD, DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT SHOULD CATCH ON FIRE. I HAD BEEN CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AND LOST IT ALL.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 23, 2004 · fire

1996 GMC Jimmy — common questions

Is the 1996 GMC Jimmy reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 605 complaints put the 1996 model at #2 of 33 Jimmy years. It is one of the Jimmy years to avoid.

What are the most common 1996 Jimmy problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (214 complaints), visibility & wipers (78 complaints), engine (73 complaints).

Does the 1996 GMC Jimmy have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 GMC Jimmy. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1996 GMC Jimmy under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Jimmy years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Jimmy years to avoid are 1995, 1996, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 1993, 1999, 2001, 1991, 1992. The cleanest record among Jimmy years belongs to 2002.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.