Total Complaints
28 filings
GMC K2500 · model year
1996 GMC K2500
28 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1996GMCK2500 carries 28 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 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 K2500 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 6 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (3) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc (2). 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 K2500. 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.
28
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 6 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20110624CrashFUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
I OWN A 1996 G M C SUBURBAN K2500 W THE 6.5 DIESEL ENGINE . I HAVE CHANGED (3) THREE INJECTION PUMPS IN ITS LIFE TIME AND ACCORDING TO SEVERAL HIGHLY QUALIFIED MECHANICS IT'S TIME TO DO IT AGAIN.THE PROBLEM IS THAT WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE TRUCK WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN,YOU WOULD LITERALLY HAVE TO STAND UP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THIS POSSESSED KILLING MACHINE. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE HAD MANY GOOD TIMES WITH THIS TRUCK, WITH ARE VACATIONS ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY TO OUR DAY TRIPS NOT TO MENTION OUR DAILY USE. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND ALL HAVE THEIR DRIVERS LICENSE, IT IS A CRYING SHAME THAT I HAD TO PUT OUR TRUCK UP ON CINDER BLOCKS,AND I SURE CAN'T SELL IT THE WAY IT IS.NEEDLESSLY TO SAY G M C REFUSES TO HELP US IN ANY WAY,THEY CLAIM THE PUMP IS NOT THE PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO APPARENT RECALL FOR MY PROBLEM, FURTHER MORE THE TRUCK IS TO OLD AND THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO SELL ME A NEW TRUCK,HA. IN CLOSING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WHEN I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK (NEW) MY INTENTI
Mileage: 198,200
20070809SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES ON MY 1996 K2500 SUBURBAN ACTIVATE AT SLOW SPEEDS. *TR
Mileage: 199,960
20020717VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FUNCTION WORKING INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. PROBLEM ORIGINALLY OCCURRED ONLY IN INTERMITTANT AND "LOW" SETTING, BUT NOW ALSO AFFECTS OPERATION IN "HIGH" SPEED.*AK
20020402FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
SMOKE ROLLED OUT OF THE CAB OF THE PICKUP, WIRE UNDER DRIVER SEAT FOR THE ELECTRIC SEATS BECAME BARE SHORTED OUT AND THE FUSE DID NOT CLOSE SHUT, BURNED UP HARNESS AND MELTED PART OF DASH BY FUSES AND BURNED UP ALL WIRES UNDER DASH.
20010305VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ERRATICALLY. THEY SHUT ON/OFF ON THEIR OWN AT ANY TIME. WHEN NEEDED THEY SHUT OFF, AND IT TAKES A WHILE BEFORE CUTTING BACK ON. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96043, CONSUMER REPAIRED ON HIS OWN. *SLC
20001219VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, THE CONSUMER HAS RECONNECTED THE SWITCH, BUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR STILL OCCURS. *SLC
20001219VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, THE CONSUMER HAS RECONNECTED THE SWITCH, BUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR STILL OCCURS. *SLC
19990325SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE WET THEY HAVE A TENDENCY TO BECOME AGGRESSIVE, WHICH CAUSES THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP. *AK
19990319SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE PROBLEMS INCLUDED WARPED ROTORS, BRAKES THAT LOCK UP WHEN BRAKES ARE FIRST APPLIED UPON START UP AND LEAKY MASTER CYLINDER. WHEN I BROUGHT IN THE VEHICLE, EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THESE PROBLEMS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WERE NOT AN ISSUE FOR THE VEHICLE. "TOUGH LUCK FOR THE VEHICLE OWNER -- THAT'S JUST THE WAY THEY ARE" IS WHAT ONE MECHANIC TOLD ME. UPON VIEWING THE NHTSA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WEB PAGE, IT APPEARS THAT THE BREAKS ARE AN ISSUE FOR MY TRUCK AND THE ROTORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR FIXED. AT THIS TIME, I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM OF WARPED ROTORS AND BRAKES THAT LOCK UP FOR THE FIRST FEW STOPS AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. AT THIS POINT IN TIME MY WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT, BUT WHEN I FIRST BEGAN SEEKING HELP FOR THE BRAKE PROBLEMS IN MY TRUCK, THE WARRANTY WAS STILL GOOD. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE?
19990319SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE PROBLEMS INCLUDED WARPED ROTORS, BRAKES THAT LOCK UP WHEN BRAKES ARE FIRST APPLIED UPON START UP AND LEAKY MASTER CYLINDER. WHEN I BROUGHT IN THE VEHICLE, EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THESE PROBLEMS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WERE NOT AN ISSUE FOR THE VEHICLE. "TOUGH LUCK FOR THE VEHICLE OWNER -- THAT'S JUST THE WAY THEY ARE" IS WHAT ONE MECHANIC TOLD ME. UPON VIEWING THE NHTSA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WEB PAGE, IT APPEARS THAT THE BREAKS ARE AN ISSUE FOR MY TRUCK AND THE ROTORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR FIXED. AT THIS TIME, I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM OF WARPED ROTORS AND BRAKES THAT LOCK UP FOR THE FIRST FEW STOPS AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. AT THIS POINT IN TIME MY WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT, BUT WHEN I FIRST BEGAN SEEKING HELP FOR THE BRAKE PROBLEMS IN MY TRUCK, THE WARRANTY WAS STILL GOOD. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE?
19980323SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES HARD TO ENGAGE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.
19980323POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
CV BOOT LEAKED GREASE, CAUSING SUSPENSION PROBLEMS AND CV JOINT FAILURE.
19980323ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL FILTER LEAKS OIL.
19980323SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT AXLE ACTUATOR FAILED, CAUSING DELAYED ENGAGEMENT.
19980323ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
FRONT DIFFERENTIAL NOT ENGAGING DUE TO FRONT CHASSIS WIRING HARNESS FAILURE.
19980323STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DRIVER'S DOOR LEAKS AIR AND WATER .
19980323SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT LOOSE.
19980109SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT/RIGHT UPON BRAKING. DIRECTION IS NOT PREDICTABLE PRIOR TO BRAKING. IN ADDITION, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS/PADS/ROTORS AND HOSES. *AK
19980109SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT/RIGHT UPON BRAKING. DIRECTION IS NOT PREDICTABLE PRIOR TO BRAKING. IN ADDITION, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS/PADS/ROTORS AND HOSES. *AK
19980109SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT/RIGHT UPON BRAKING. DIRECTION IS NOT PREDICTABLE PRIOR TO BRAKING. IN ADDITION, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS/PADS/ROTORS AND HOSES. *AK
Compare 1996GMCK2500 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1996 GMC K2500 have?▼
The 1996 GMC K2500 has 28 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 GMC K2500?▼
The most-complained component for the 1996 GMC K2500 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC.
Is the 1996 GMC K2500 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.