1996 GMC Savana Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Savana years
- Far more complaints than other years 4th of 31 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 GMC Savana. That ranks 4th out of 31 Savana model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (7 complaints, 20%), typically at around 93,750 miles. Complaints mention 2 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 35owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1996 GMC Savana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 | 20% | 93,750 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 17% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 6 | 17% | 43,500 | — | — |
| Power Train | 4 | 11% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 11% | 65,350 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 3 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Electrical System | 2 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 3% | 94,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1996 GMC Savana recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Passenger vans. These vans experience fuel odors or leakage.
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a revised evaporative emission pipe assembly.
Suspension:rear:springs:leaf spring assembly:u-bolt, leaf spring to axle
Problem: One of the four rear axle u-bolts can break. This can potentially lead to the spring lifting from the axle under certain rebound, braking or cornering maneuvers.
Risk: This condition could result in sudden loss of vehicle control increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Fix: Dealers will replace the four rear axle u-bolts on the affected vehicles.
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.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Windshield wipers stopped working at random.
Dt*: the contact stated there is a strong odor of gasoline. There is a nhtsa recall, # 00v110000, regarding the fuel system gasoline delivery hoses, lines/piping and fittings. The vin was not included in the recall. Update 05/30/2006. *ak *ts
This is a commercial vehicle used in transporting interior decorating items. On or about 8/2/04, i delivered a table top to a client and upon opening the rear side doors (both doors) the upper hinge on the furthermost rear door broke. I had noticed a rattling sound prior to this date, however i…
The windshield wipers worked intermittently. Recall 03v159000 was issued which described the exact problem. But the consumer's vehicle identification number was not included in the recall. *ak the wipers would always work when on high speed. The consumer felt that his vehicle experienced the same…
Windshield wipers failed to operate. Intermittently will not work on intermittent or low speed. Dealer advised my vehicle not recalled with numerous others recalled for same problem.*ak
Other GMC Savana years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Savana | 0 | 3 |
| 2025 Savana | 0 | 4 |
| 2023 Savana | 0 | 2 |
| 2022 Savana | 2 | 2 |
| 2021 Savana | 2 | 3 |
| 2020 Savana | 0 | 2 |
| 2019 Savana | 5 | 5 |
| 2018 Savana | 3 | 7 |
| 2017 Savana | 7 | 6 |
| 2016 Savana | 6 | 7 |
| 2015 Savana | 2 | 4 |
| 2014 Savana | 1 | 7 |
| 2013 Savana | 2 | 9 |
| 2012 Savana | 3 | 7 |
| 2011 Savana | 1 | 5 |
| 2010 Savana | 3 | 4 |
| 2009 Savana | 2 | 8 |
| 2008 Savana | 3 | 7 |
| 2007 Savana | 6 | 3 |
| 2006 Savana | 7 | 7 |
| 2005 Savana | 13 | 5 |
| 2004 Savana | 12 | 7 |
| 2003 Savana | 22 | 11 |
| 2002 Savana | 12 | 0 |
| 2001 Savana | 19 | 0 |
| 2000 Savana | 49 | 2 |
| 1999 Savana | 49 | 1 |
| 1998 Savana | 33 | 1 |
| 1997 Savana | 46 | 1 |
| 1996 | 35 | 2 |
| 1995 Savana | 2 | 0 |
See all GMC Savana 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 Savana?
Owners most often report fuel system, gasoline, service brakes, hydraulic, visibility problems. The top one, fuel system, gasoline, accounts for 7 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1996 GMC Savana?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1996 GMC Savana a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Savana model years, the 1996 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.