GMC JIMMY · model year

1996 GMC JIMMY

605 NHTSA complaints, 67 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996GMCJIMMY carries 605 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 67 crashes, 9 fires, 40 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1996 JIMMY is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 129 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (35) and visibility:windshield wiper/washer (28). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1996 JIMMY. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

605
Complaints
67
Crashes
9
Fires
40
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

605 filings

Crashes Reported

67 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP129
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR35
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER28
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM17
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE16
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS14
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY13
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT13
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT12
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM11
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS10

Recent Complaints

20140911SERVICE BRAKES

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, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 140,000

20120814ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 WORK. THIS IS A SAFEY CONCERN. *TR

Mileage: 177,000

20080711SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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 BRAKES, ROTORS, AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT; HOWEVER, THE NOISE EVENTUALLY RETURNED PERIODICALLY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

Mileage: 125,000

20070515ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 THE INTERSTATE AND STOP AT A GAS STATION. ALL OF THESE EVENTS HAPPEN IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES. WHEN I GO OUT I NOTICED ENGINE OIL ON THE OUTSIDE OF MY VEHICLE, DRIVER'S SIDE. I OPEN THE HOOD AND CHECKED THE OIL. NO OIL ON THE DIP STICK. LOOK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICE A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL ON THE PARKING LOT. I CALL A WRECKER AND HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO MY MECHANIC'S SHOP $85. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT ONE OF THE OIL LINES RUNNING TO THE FILTER AND COOLER HAD FAILED WHERE THE FITTING IS CRIMPED TO THE LINE AND THAT MY ENGINE WAS ALMOST DEPLETED OF OIL. MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE LINE AND FILL THE VEHICLE BACK UP WITH OIL. HE SAID IT TOOK OVER FIVE MINUTES FOR THE VALVES TO QUIT RATTLING

Mileage: 104,805

20061119SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

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 ON MOST OF THE TIME. *JB

Mileage: 100,000

20061119ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

RADIATOR SLUDGE/CORROSION. FLUSHED RADIATOR AND REPLACED THERMOSTAT. SLUDGE REAPPEARED AND CORRODED THERMOSTAT AGAIN. REPLACED RADIATOR AND OVER FLOW TANK PLUS ALL HOSES. SLUDGE AND CORROSION REAPPEARING AGAIN. *JB

Mileage: 99,500

20050722SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT: CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ON AT ALL TIMES. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING CAPABILITIES OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. MANUFACTURER SAID THE SAME THING. THERE WERE TWO RECALLS NHTSA 99V193000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 19990719 ON THIS COMPONENT, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE SERVICE DEALER SUGGESTED BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN AND PUTTING IT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATING. *AK

20050321VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

THE MIRROR ON THE CONSUMER'S 1996 GMC JIMMY CRACKED IN THE PIVOT WHERE THE MIRROR ADJUSTED IN AND OUT. *NM *SC *JB

20050227SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. I HAVE A 1996 GMC JIMMY AND ANY TIME THAT I APPLY BRAKES AND THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN ROAD CONDITIONS (PAVEMENT TO GRAVEL) WHILE APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS ALWAYS AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND NO CONTROL. WE HAVE PINE NEEDLES THAT GATHER ON THE SIDE OF OUR SMALL ROAD, MAKING SMALL MOUNDS. IF I APPLY MY BRAKES WHILE GOING ACROSS THESE THE CAR WILL NOT STOP. IT MAKES A "PONG" SOUND A COUPLE OF TIMES, THEN IT WILL FINALLY STOP. LUCKILY THERE HAS BEEN NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED A CHEVROLET DEALER IN THE PAST AND THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON VEHICLE. *JB

20050217SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MY BRAKES ON MY 1996 JIMMY HAVE LOCKED UP ON ME. INCREASING MY STOPPING DISTANCE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS , HOWEVER WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK TO GET SERVICED AT A DEALERSHIP THEY DID NOT MENTION ANY THING TO ME . *JB

20050126EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

THE CENTER HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT, OR THIRD BRAKE LIGHT, HAS GONE OUT CAUSING ME TO BE REJECTED FOR AN INSPECTION STICKER. THIS IS AN LED LIGHT MOUNTED ON THE REAR GLASS, NOT ROOF, AND THE RUBBER GASKET AND SCREWS HOLDING THE UNIT IN PLACE ARE DEFECTIVE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE AND REPLACE. THE REPLACEMENT UNIT IS APPROXIMATELY $100.00, IF IT COULD BE REMOVED. IN 30 DAYS, I WILL BE UNABLE TO DRIVE MY 1996 GMC JIMMY, 4.3L, ON THE ROAD LEGALLY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL PARTS DEALERS, MECHANIC, AND AUTO DEALERS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE.*AK

20050126ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

OVERHEATING AT 100,00 MILES. OPEN RADIATOR CAP TO FIND THICK, RUSTY ORANGE-COLORED SLUDGE. REPLACE LOWER HEATER HOSE WHICH HAD NO VISIBLE, OR DETECTABLE HOLE. FLUSH RADIATOR, REFILL W/ DEX-COOL. OVERHEATS AGAIN, MECHANIC SAID RUSTY SLUDGE IS CLOGGING RADIATOR. FLUSH AGAIN AND REFILL W/ DEX-COOL. STILL SMELL ANTIFREEZE UPON EXIT OF WARM CAR.*AK

20050103POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

(1) THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE OF MY TRANSMISSION. (2) I CAME TO A DEAD END STREET AND HAD TO TURN AROUND, I PUT THE TRUCK IN REVERSE AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I MANAGED TO GET TURNED AROUND BY PUSHING THE TRUCK. THE TRANSMISSION WILL ALSO NOT SHIFT INTO THE SECOND OR OVERDRIVE GEARS. I CAN ONLY DRIVE IN FIRST AND THIRD GEARS. (3) I HAVEN'T REPAIRED THE VEHICLE.*AK

Mileage: 130,000

20050103ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

(1)NO EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. (2) DOME LIGHT QUIT WORKING WHEN DOORS ARE OPEN. POWER MIRRORS QUIT WORKING. POWER SEATS QUIT WORKING. I CHECKED THE FUSE (A 20 AMP) AND IT WAS BURNED OUT. WHEN I REPLACE THE FUSE IT IMMEDIATELY BLOWS THE FUSE, I'VE TRIED MULTIPLE 20 AMP FUSES AND ALL HAVE INSTANTLY BLOWN WHEN I TRY TO REPLACE IT. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS A RELATED PROBLEM BUT THE REAR HATCH WILL ALSO NOT OPEN BY PRESSING EITHER THE BUTTON ON THE DASH OR THE BUTTON ON THE TAILGATE. (3) HAVEN'T HAD THE MONEY TO REPAIR THE LAUNDRY LIST OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE.*AK

Mileage: 129,000

20050103SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

(1)NO EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. (2) DOME LIGHT QUIT WORKING WHEN DOORS ARE OPEN. POWER MIRRORS QUIT WORKING. POWER SEATS QUIT WORKING. I CHECKED THE FUSE (A 20 AMP) AND IT WAS BURNED OUT. WHEN I REPLACE THE FUSE IT IMMEDIATELY BLOWS THE FUSE, I'VE TRIED MULTIPLE 20 AMP FUSES AND ALL HAVE INSTANTLY BLOWN WHEN I TRY TO REPLACE IT. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS A RELATED PROBLEM BUT THE REAR HATCH WILL ALSO NOT OPEN BY PRESSING EITHER THE BUTTON ON THE DASH OR THE BUTTON ON THE TAILGATE. (3) HAVEN'T HAD THE MONEY TO REPAIR THE LAUNDRY LIST OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE.*AK

Mileage: 129,000

20050103INTERIOR LIGHTING

(1)NO EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. (2) DOME LIGHT QUIT WORKING WHEN DOORS ARE OPEN. POWER MIRRORS QUIT WORKING. POWER SEATS QUIT WORKING. I CHECKED THE FUSE (A 20 AMP) AND IT WAS BURNED OUT. WHEN I REPLACE THE FUSE IT IMMEDIATELY BLOWS THE FUSE, I'VE TRIED MULTIPLE 20 AMP FUSES AND ALL HAVE INSTANTLY BLOWN WHEN I TRY TO REPLACE IT. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS A RELATED PROBLEM BUT THE REAR HATCH WILL ALSO NOT OPEN BY PRESSING EITHER THE BUTTON ON THE DASH OR THE BUTTON ON THE TAILGATE. (3) HAVEN'T HAD THE MONEY TO REPAIR THE LAUNDRY LIST OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE.*AK

Mileage: 129,000

20050103LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

(1)NO EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. (2) DOME LIGHT QUIT WORKING WHEN DOORS ARE OPEN. POWER MIRRORS QUIT WORKING. POWER SEATS QUIT WORKING. I CHECKED THE FUSE (A 20 AMP) AND IT WAS BURNED OUT. WHEN I REPLACE THE FUSE IT IMMEDIATELY BLOWS THE FUSE, I'VE TRIED MULTIPLE 20 AMP FUSES AND ALL HAVE INSTANTLY BLOWN WHEN I TRY TO REPLACE IT. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS A RELATED PROBLEM BUT THE REAR HATCH WILL ALSO NOT OPEN BY PRESSING EITHER THE BUTTON ON THE DASH OR THE BUTTON ON THE TAILGATE. (3) HAVEN'T HAD THE MONEY TO REPAIR THE LAUNDRY LIST OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE.*AK

Mileage: 129,000

20050103SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

(1)NO EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. (2)ON NUMEROUS OCASSIONS WHILE BRAKING THE BRAKES MADE A BUZZING SOUND AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, LOSING BRAKING POWER. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALMOST CAUSED A FEW MAJOR ACCIDENTS. I'VE RESEARCHED AND DISCOVERED THERE IS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT GMC DEALERSHIPS SAYS THERE IS NOT. (3) NOT FIXED, DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG.*AK

20041214CrashFireAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE STOPPING AT A LIGHT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, AND THE STANDING VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO A VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE BURNS TO BOTH OF HER ARMS. *AK

Mileage: 100,000

20041130FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

MY JIMMY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE FUSE BOX SYSTEM. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I AM SADDENED TO THINK THAT THIS HAPPENED. JUST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS 10 YEARS OLD, DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT SHOULD CATCH ON FIRE. I HAD BEEN CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AND LOST IT ALL.*AK

Compare 1996GMCJIMMY to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 GMC JIMMY have?
The 1996 GMC JIMMY has 605 NHTSA complaints, 67 crashes, 9 fires, 40 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 GMC JIMMY?
The most-complained component for the 1996 GMC JIMMY is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 129 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR and VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER.
Is the 1996 GMC JIMMY safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.