1996 GMC Jimmy Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Jimmy years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 10 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 407 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 GMC Jimmy. That ranks 2nd out of 10 Jimmy model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (172 complaints, 42%), typically at around 100,000 miles. Complaints mention 54 crashes, 9 fires, 31 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 5 defect investigations involving it.
- 407owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 5NHTSA investigations
- 54complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1996 GMC Jimmy problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 172 | 42% | 100,000 | “stopping distance” (16%) | — |
| Visibility problems | 70 | 17% | 62,955 | “windshield wipers” (66%) | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 53 | 13% | 92,951 | — | — |
| Suspension | 49 | 12% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 28 | 7% | 43,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 25 | 6% | 129,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 19 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Air Bags | 16 | 4% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 11 | 3% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 11 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 9 | 2% | 70,400 | — | — |
| Equipment | 8 | 2% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 6 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 6 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 5 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 4 | 1% | 129,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 0% | 129,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 0% | 129,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0% | 140,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1996 GMC Jimmy recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Problem: 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.
Risk: If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Problem: 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.
Risk: If this occurred at a time when minimum stopping distance was required, a vehicle crash could occur without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Problem: 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.
Risk: This condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
Seat belts
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Problem: 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."
Risk: If an ignition source is present, and there is a fuel leak, a fire could occur.
Fix: Dealers will install additional shielding of the fuel tank. This will be added without removing or disassembling the fuel system.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Windshield wiper failure (EA02006) — opened May 31, 2002, closed Jul 23, 2003, led to recall 03V159000.
- Upper and lower control arm ball joint (EA99022) — opened Jul 30, 1999, closed Aug 28, 2001, led to recall 01I018000.
- Upper control arm ball joint breakage (PE99021) — opened Mar 5, 1999, closed Jul 30, 1999.
- Seat belt webbing separation (EA97004) — opened Feb 28, 1997, closed Aug 5, 1997, led to recall 97V096001.
- Abs braking system (EA94038) — opened Oct 31, 1994, closed Feb 28, 2000, led to recall 99I006000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 gmc jimmy. The contact stated that the rear brakes failed and the abs warning light was continuously illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the rear cylinders need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However…
Stopped at local restaurant, ignition would not turn off and we were unable to remove the key. At this time, the vehicle is not driveable at all. We are unable to start or shut off the vehicle. The vehicle is not recognizing that the key is in the ignition. All dash lights are on, brakes do not…
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 gmc jimmy. While driving at 30 mph, the contact had to abruptly depress the brake pedal. He then heard a grinding sound coming from the tires. The brakes were changed by an independent mechanic, but the noise persisted. Afterwards, the master cylinder was repaired and the…
I was driving down i-65 going to work, 70 mph. I looked in my rear view mirror and notice a large amount of smoke coming from my 1995, gmc jimmy, 104000 miles. I looked at my gauges and saw that i had no oil pressure and the check engine light was on. Fortunately i was right at an exit. I got off…
Abs brake failure. Abs led lit on dashboard, brakes failed approaching red light. Dealership stated brakes were fine when taken in to be inspected.. But led remained lit. Did not drive vehicle for a month because led remained on. Started driving it again to get to work-short distances only. Led is…
Other GMC Jimmy years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 Jimmy | 2 | 1 |
| 2003 Jimmy | 1 | 1 |
| 2002 Jimmy | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 Jimmy | 100 | 3 |
| 2000 Jimmy | 211 | 4 |
| 1999 Jimmy | 137 | 0 |
| 1998 Jimmy | 238 | 2 |
| 1997 Jimmy | 274 | 4 |
| 1996 | 407 | 6 |
| 1995 Jimmy | 499 | 6 |
See all GMC Jimmy problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.
Similar GMC models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 GMC Jimmy?
Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic, visibility, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 172 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1996 GMC Jimmy?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1996 GMC Jimmy a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Jimmy model years, the 1996 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.