CarModelProblems.com

1996 GMC Jimmy Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 4.7× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
407Complaints
8Recalls
54Crashes
9Fires
31Injured
2Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (31.7% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 4.7× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip129 · 31.7%RecalledRecall 99V193000 · Recall 99I006000
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor35 · 8.6%RecalledRecall 03V159000 · Recall 98V150001
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer28 · 6.9%RecalledRecall 03V159000 · Recall 98V150001
Suspension:front:control Arm17 · 4.2%RecalledRecall 01V200000 · Recall 01I018000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline16 · 3.9%not available
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components14 · 3.4%RecalledRecall 99V193000 · Recall 99I006000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM17 · 4.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE16 · 3.9%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS14 · 3.4%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL13 · 3.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY13 · 3.2%
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT13 · 3.2%
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT12 · 2.9%

Percentages are the share of the 407 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 8 campaigns

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

NHTSA campaign 01V200000 · 2001 · reported 06/28/2001

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

NHTSA campaign 03V159000 · 2003 · reported 04/28/2003

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

NHTSA campaign 01I018000 · 2001 · reported 12/04/2001

THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts

NHTSA campaign 97V096001 · 1997 · reported 06/12/1997

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

NHTSA campaign 99V193000 · 1999 · reported 07/19/1999

IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

NHTSA campaign 96V234000 · 1996 · reported 11/14/1996

IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, AND THERE IS A FUEL LEAK, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

NHTSA campaign 98V150001 · 1998 · reported 07/01/1998

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

NHTSA campaign 99I006000 · 1999 · reported 07/19/1999

THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS ON CERTAIN MULTIPLE SURFACES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THIS IS THE SECOND JIMMY I DRIVE (TOO LOYAL FOR MY OWN GOOD.) THE FIRST ONE A 1995. ALSO HAD A BOOSTER FAILURE AT AROUND…”NHTSA complaint 705113 — filed 03/30/1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES ON OFF-RAMP. ALMOST CAUSED SERIOUS ACCIDENT. BRAKES PADS, ROTORS AND MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS…”NHTSA complaint 704891 — filed 03/25/1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“ABS BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY VIBRATE AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS. BRAKES WEAR OUT. RIGHT WHEEL SEEMS LOOSE…”NHTSA complaint 832751 — filed 02/09/1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

3719961026219988591200089612002451320041222006112008112014

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1996 GMC Jimmy?

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 129 of 407 NHTSA complaints (31.7%), followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (35), visibility:windshield wiper/washer (28), suspension:front:control arm (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1996 GMC Jimmy have?

407 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 54 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 31 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.

Does the 1996 GMC Jimmy have any recalls?

Yes — 8 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 01V200000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1996 GMC Jimmy's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.