Total Complaints
90 filings
GMC YUKON · model year
1996 GMC YUKON
90 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1996GMCYUKON carries 90 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 1 fire, 17 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 YUKON is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 9 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (7) and air bags:frontal (4). 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 YUKON. 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.
90
Complaints
10
Crashes
1
Fires
17
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
10 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 | 9 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 7 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 4 |
| SEATS | 3 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 3 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS | 2 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 2 |
Recent Complaints
20160913SEATS
THE CABLE RELEASE FOR THE REAR SEATS FREEZE UP AND THE CABLES BREAK. THIS COULD TRAP SOMEONE IN THE BACK IF RIDING IN REAR, OR 3RD ROW SEATS. IF THE CAR CATCHES ON FIRE AND A PERSON WHO CAN'T CLIMB FORWARD OVER THE SEATS, IT WOULD BE DEVASTATING ON WHAT COULD HAPPEN. I FEEL AS THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON GENERAL MOTORS. MINE BROKE AND I AM UNABLE TO FOLD MY SEATS FORWARD. THIS IS A BAD DESIGN AND THE CABLES RUST AND SNAP WHEN BOTTOM OF SEAT IS FOLDED FORWARD, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO RELEASE THIS WAY.
Mileage: 240,000
20120222UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SOLD TO PEOPLE BY SCAMMING THEY OUT OF VEHICLE BEEN SOLD FOUR TIMES. *TR
Mileage: 85
20040805CrashAIR BAGS
NAR 02/28/2003 MR HEAD ON DEAD CENTER, FRONTAL CRASH TO A TREE, 25-30MPH, HIGH IMPACT, NO AIR BAG INFLATED. *CB
Mileage: 76,000
20040630ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAD 68,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WENT OUT ALLOWING COOLANT TO ENTER THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENS ON ALOT OF THESE 5.7 LITER 350 ENGINES. REPAIR WAS APPROXIMATELY 500 DOLLARS. CRAZY. *AK
Mileage: 68,000
20040616VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
20040426SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
WHILE DRIVING AND HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD ELECTRICAL SEAT DISCONNECTED AND FELL TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Mileage: 117,000
20030911POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE DOES NOT ENGAGE INTO REVERSE. *AK
20030811VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING IN A DOWN POUR OF RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. CONSUMER HAD TO COAST TO A SAFE STOP. *AK
Mileage: 75,000
20030711VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND PARK. *AK
Mileage: 94,380
20030528FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP AND FUEL LINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING. *TT
Mileage: 88,000
20030528FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL PUMP AND FUEL LINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING. *TT
Mileage: 88,000
20030528ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXTRACT A BOAT FROM THE WATER. *TT
20030401CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1996 GMC YUKON STRUCK TREE HEAD ON @ 30 MPH, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER. VEHICLE WAS COLLISION FREE PRIOR TO INCIDENT. *JB
Mileage: 92,000
20020614ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
CONSUMER WAS CHECKING ALTERNATOR AND HE ACCIDENTLY TOUCHED HEATER HOSE NIPPLE THAT IS ATTACHED TO ENGINE MANIFOLD. NIPPLE IS MADE OF ALUMINIUM AND BROKE. WATER GUSHED OUT ALL OVER CONSUMER.*AK
20020207FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
FAILURE OF INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS DUE TO INCOMPATIBILITY WITH DEXCOOL COOLANT
20011101VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING CONSUMER CAN HEAR MOTOR STILL RUNNING. CURRENTLY, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK AT ALL. *AK
20010723POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
INSIDE THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY, THE CARRIER PART # 12471391 COMPLETLY SHEARED FROM THE PUMPKIN. THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE AXLE AND WHEEL IN PLACE WAS A C-CLAMP. I DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE SUSPENSION OTHER THAN A PULLING TO THE RIGHT WHICH I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER FOR PREVIOUSLY ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. IT FINALLY TOOK OUT THE FRONT BEARING AND STARTED TO MAKE A HOWLING NOISE UPON ACCELERATION. I QUIT DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT. IF I HAD NOT QUIT DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE TIRE AND AXLE WOULD OF COMPLETELY WALKED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND COULD OF CAUSED GREAT HARM TO ME AND MY FAMILY. THE MANUFACTOR WAS NOT WILLING TO PAY TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE PART AT FIRST. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE CARRIER WAS A DEFECTIVE PART FROM THE MANUFACTOR DUE TO A BAD CASTING. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST 85 DAYS OUTSIDE AN EXTENDED WARRENTY PURCHASED WITH THE TRUCK. THE DEALER DID BUY A NEW CARRIER AND HAD IT INSTALLED AT A 50/50 COST ON THE LABOR. I H
20010712POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH REAR AXLE DISATTACHED FROM VEHICLE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A GARAGE, AND THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT CAUSE WAS SOME BUBBLES ON AXLE.*AK *SLC
20010427CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE TRYING TO COME TO A STOP FROM 55 MPH CONSUMER HAD APPLIED BRAKES. SLOWED DOWN TO 30-35 MPH AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. NO BRAKING ACTION AND VEHICLE REAR ENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT. $ 5100 DAMAGE. *AK SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK AND THE DRIVER BRUISED HIS CHEST. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AS WELL. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIREED AND THE BELTS, AIR BAG AND BRAKE SYSTEM HAD BEEN CHECKED. *YH
20010427CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRYING TO COME TO A STOP FROM 55 MPH CONSUMER HAD APPLIED BRAKES. SLOWED DOWN TO 30-35 MPH AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. NO BRAKING ACTION AND VEHICLE REAR ENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT. $ 5100 DAMAGE. *AK SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK AND THE DRIVER BRUISED HIS CHEST. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AS WELL. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIREED AND THE BELTS, AIR BAG AND BRAKE SYSTEM HAD BEEN CHECKED. *YH
Compare 1996GMCYUKON to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1996 GMC YUKON have?▼
The 1996 GMC YUKON has 90 NHTSA complaints, 10 crashes, 1 fires, 17 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 GMC YUKON?▼
The most-complained component for the 1996 GMC YUKON is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL.
Is the 1996 GMC YUKON 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.