GMC SAVANA · model year

1996 GMC SAVANA

45 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996GMCSAVANA carries 45 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 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 SAVANA is fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump with 6 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (5) and power train:automatic transmission (3). 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 SAVANA. 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.

45
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

45 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR2
POWER TRAIN2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER2
SEAT BELTS1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH1
STRUCTURE1
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1

Recent Complaints

20130921VISIBILITY/WIPER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AT RANDOM.

Mileage: 94,000

20060427FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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

Mileage: 147,500

20040923STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

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 THOUGHT IT WAS ITEMS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR IS ONLY BEING HELD ON BY THE LOWER HINGE AND THE OTHER DOOR CLOSED UPON IT. I AM FEARFUL THAT THE OTHER HINGE WILL SUFFER A STRESS FRACTURE AND POSSIBLY THE DOOR WILL FALL OFF. I RESEARCHED THROUGH THIS SITE AND FOUND TWO INCIDENTS OF SERVICE BULLETINS (SEPTEMBER 24, 2001 AND JUNE 1,2003) NOTIFYING THAT CUSTOMERS HAVE COMPLAINED THAT THE DOOR HINGE BINDS. THIS HAD OCCURRED TO ME ALSO, PRIOR TO ITS BREAKING. *JB

Mileage: 65,350

20040409VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

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

Mileage: 20,000

20040408VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

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 PROBLEM AS IN RECALL# 03V159000. *SC *JB

20031205FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

1996 GMC SAVANA VAN- FUEL PUMP FAILURES AT 40,000 MILES AND 75,000 MILES. $600 REPAIR EACH TIME. HIGH FAILURE ITEM LASTING LESS THAN A SET OF TIRES, MAJOR REPAIRS NEEDED. THIS *HAS* TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE PER THE GM DEALER.*JB

Mileage: 40,000

20030401VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN A SEVERE THUNDER STORM. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE WIPERS STARTED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *JB

Mileage: 67,000

20021211ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

START THE ENGINE PUT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR REVERSE OR DRIVE AND THE THROTTLE IS STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION MY WIFE AND I HAVE SEARNED TO EITHER SET THE THE VEHICLE PROCEED AT IDLE TIL ANY DANGER OF UNINTENDED ACCELLERATION IS NOT PRESENT THEN PUSH TAP. THE ACCELLERATOR PEDAL UNTIL IT BREAKS LOOSE AND HAS FREE TRAVEL SO FAR THE ACCELLERATOR ONLY STICKS ON INITIAL STARTUP OF THE ENGINE EITHER HOT OR COLD. I AM WRITING THIS BECAUSE OF READING A TRADE PUBLICATION REPORTING AN INVESTIGATION IN 98-99. DT

20020130SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON WET AND DRY ROAD CONDITIONS AND BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATES AND GOES TO THE FLOOR. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

20010928EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SPARE TIRE CABLE SNAPPED, CAUSING TIRE TO DROP. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

20010406SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

THERE IS EXCESSIVE WEAR ON BRAKE PADS. DEALER REPLACED PADS, WHICH IN TURN, CAUSED VEHICLE TO PULL TO RIGHT. DEALER REPLACED PADS AGAIN AT 29,000 MILES, AND ADJUSTED ALIGNMENT AND ROTATED WHEELS FORWARD. RIGHT AFTER SECOND REPLACEMENT AT 29,000 MILES, VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO LEFT. AT 45,000 MILES, THERE WERE SCRAPING NOISES FROM THE BRAKE SYSTEM - TOLD BRAKE PADS WORE OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

20010207ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

GAS FUMES SMELL CONSTANT. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY-DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEMS

20010207UNKNOWN OR OTHER

GAS FUMES SMELL CONSTANT. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY-DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEMS

20010202SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE GMC DEALER SAID THE COMPUTER FAILED FROM CORROSION AT THE COMPUTER CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM TO KICK IN ON DRY ROADS. THEN THE ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON. THIS COST ME OVER $700 TO GET FIXED AND THREE DAYS WITHOUT THE USE OF MY VAN. THE GMC DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE BRAKES WORK PROPERLY. I CAN SEE THIS AS A BIG SAFTEY PROBLEM WITH THESE VANS! *AK

20000926TIRES

WE WERE COMING HOME FROM LITTLE ROCK TO PINE BLUFF, AR ON 9-13-99 WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD POP. I ASKED MY HUSBAND TO PULL OVER TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. THE REAR RIGHT TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED----PEALED AND STEEL WIRES POKING OUT. WE HAD NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING. IT JUST BLEW. WE WERE TRAVELING ABOU 70 MPH. THE ONLY THING UNUSUAL THAT I REMEMBER WAS GOING TO LITTLE ROCK THAT MORNING MY HUSBAND SAID THAT THE CAR SURE WAS RIDING BUMPY. THE NEXT DAY WE HAD THE TIRE REPLACED AT FIRESTONE AND THEY PRORATED IT. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER WE BOUGHT 3 MORE NEW ONES (FIREHAWKS) SO WE'D HAVE A COMPLETE SET OF NEW TIRES. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEM WITH THE FIREHAWKS. I WONDER IF THEY ARE SAFE. WE STILL HAVE 3 OF THE ORIGINAL ONES IN OUR GARAGE THAT STILL LOOK GOOD TO ME.*AK

20000906POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ENGINECHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR THREE DAYS. THEN IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT OF GEAR. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE FLUSHED OUT. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT AT 40,000 MILES SHE HAD SEVERE SHIFTING PROBLEM.*AK RUST IN TRANSMISSION FLUID, METAL FILING WAS FOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION POSSIBLY FROM COOLANT LEAK INTO IT. *YH

20000906POWER TRAIN

ENGINECHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR THREE DAYS. THEN IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT OF GEAR. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE FLUSHED OUT. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT AT 40,000 MILES SHE HAD SEVERE SHIFTING PROBLEM.*AK RUST IN TRANSMISSION FLUID, METAL FILING WAS FOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION POSSIBLY FROM COOLANT LEAK INTO IT. *YH

20000116UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PLEASE CONTACT JASON KENNEDY OF THE CENTRE OF AUTO SAFETY IN WASHINGTON,DC. HE HAS A COMPLETE AND DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ALL OF THE DEFECTS OF THE VEHICLE AND THE EFFORTS OF THE MANUFACTURER TO NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEMS, BUT TO ELIMINATE THE OWNERS/DRIVERS AND PASSANGERS BY MAKING THE VEHICLE TOXIC AND THUS UNUSABLE OR SAFELY REPAIRABLE. TRANSPORT CANADA ALSO HAS DETAILS AND SUGGESTED THAT NHTSA BE CONTACTED AS I AM DOING NOW. I HAVE ALL THE WORK ORDERS AND THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTED REPORTS TO BACK UP EACH AND EVERY ONE OF MY STATEMENTS AND AS THE TOXIC CHEMICALS WERE APPROVED BY GM IN MISSOURI, THERE ARE LIKELY THOUSANDS MORE THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA BEING DRIVEN THAT CAN ONLY BE DESCIBED AS "SLOW DEATH". I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR POSITIVE ACTIONS AND ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

19991216POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING SPEEDOMETER WILL GET STUCK AT 15 MPH/ 20MPH THEN 30MPH. WHEN CONSUMER GETS TO 60 MPH THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE SPEEDOMETER BEING STUCK. SPEEDOMETER HAS TO STAY UP WITH THE TRAFFIC IN ORDER TO KNOW HOW FAST THE CAR IS GOING, AND TO KEEP SPEED LIMITS. POLICE HAS PULLED CONSUMER OVER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BECAUSE CONSUMER WAS UNAWARE OF HOW FAST THE CAR WAS TRAVELING. ALSO, DEALER CHANGED THE CLUSTER UNIT. BUT IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STICKING AGAIN. *AK

19991216ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WHILE DRIVING SPEEDOMETER WILL GET STUCK AT 15 MPH/ 20MPH THEN 30MPH. WHEN CONSUMER GETS TO 60 MPH THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE SPEEDOMETER BEING STUCK. SPEEDOMETER HAS TO STAY UP WITH THE TRAFFIC IN ORDER TO KNOW HOW FAST THE CAR IS GOING, AND TO KEEP SPEED LIMITS. POLICE HAS PULLED CONSUMER OVER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BECAUSE CONSUMER WAS UNAWARE OF HOW FAST THE CAR WAS TRAVELING. ALSO, DEALER CHANGED THE CLUSTER UNIT. BUT IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STICKING AGAIN. *AK

Compare 1996GMCSAVANA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 GMC SAVANA have?
The 1996 GMC SAVANA has 45 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 GMC SAVANA?
The most-complained component for the 1996 GMC SAVANA is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1996 GMC SAVANA 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.