VehicleVerdict

1996 GMC Jimmy visibility & wipers problems

The 1996 GMC Jimmy has 78 visibility & wipers complaints filed with NHTSA — 13% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

78

Visibility & Wipers complaints

13%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Visibility & Wipers complaints by year

Jimmy visibility & wipers complaints by model year89 complaints1985: 1 complaints1986: 1 complaints1989: 1 complaints1992: 2 complaints1993: 6 complaints1994: 8 complaints1995: 85 complaints1996: 78 complaints1997: 46 complaints1998: 89 complaints1999: 4 complaints2000: 11 complaints2001: 4 complaints
Jimmy visibility & wipers complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many visibility & wipers complaints does the 1996 GMC Jimmy have?

NHTSA has 78 complaints about the 1996 GMC Jimmy visibility & wipers — 13% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 GMC Jimmy visibility & wipers?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the visibility & wipers: 03V159000, 98V150001.

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.