1996 GMC Jimmy Recalls, Complaints & Specs

6 safety recalls list the 1996 GMC Jimmy, and owners have filed 407 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

• 1970
• 1971
• 1981
• 1982
• 1983
• 1984
• 1985
• 1986
• 1987
• 1988
• 1989
• 1990
• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994
• 1995
• 1996
• 1997
• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001
• 2003
• 2004

6 safety recalls for the 1996 GMC Jimmy

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

1. Windshield wiper/washer (visibility)

   NHTSA 03V159000 Reported April 28, 2003 1,755,876 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   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.

   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…

2. Suspension: upper ball joint

   NHTSA 01V200000 Reported June 28, 2001 48,600 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   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…

   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…

3. Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (service brakes)

   NHTSA 99V193000 Reported July 19, 1999 1,125,749 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   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…

   Remedy: Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.

4. Windshield wiper/washer (visibility)

   NHTSA 98V150001 Reported July 1, 1998 1,557,585 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   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.

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.

5. Seat belts

   NHTSA 97V096001 Reported June 12, 1997 586,058 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   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.

   Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.

6. Tank assembly (fuel system)

   NHTSA 96V234000 Reported November 14, 1996 432,183 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   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."

   Remedy: Dealers will install additional shielding of the fuel tank. This will be added without removing or disassembling the fuel system.

407 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1996 GMC Jimmy have filed 407 complaints with NHTSA; 54 describe a crash and 9 describe a fire. Reports cite 31 injuries and 2 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 91,598 miles. Complaints peaked in 2000 with 71 filed that year.

Most-reported components

• Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip129
• Visibility: motor35
• Visibility: windshield wiper/washer28
• Suspension: control arm17
• Engine and engine cooling: gasoline16
• Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components14
• Air bags: frontal13
• Engine and engine cooling: radiator assembly13

What owners are reporting

“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 tech”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 11, 2014 · Service brakes

“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 ve”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 14, 2012 · Electrical system

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1996 GMC Jimmy (Jimmy 2WD, Jimmy 4WD, Jimmy AWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Compare GMC Jimmy model years

Recall and complaint counts for every GMC Jimmy model year in NHTSA's database.

Checking a specific 1996 GMC Jimmy

Other GMC models

• Sierra 15008,930 complaints
• Acadia5,569 complaints
• Yukon4,989 complaints
• Sierra3,937 complaints
• Terrain3,124 complaints
• Envoy2,459 complaints
• Yukon XL2,417 complaints
• Sierra 25001,821 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.