1996 Gmc JIMMY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
227 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
99,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 50 of 227 complaints (22.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 65 | 28.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 4.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 4.4% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 3.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 50 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 25 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 19 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 15 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 11 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 11 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 11 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 50; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 25; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 19; Suspension:Front:Control Arm: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 11; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 11; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint: 11
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 197 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 2000 | 71 |
| 2001 | 48 |
| 2002 | 34 |
| 2003 | 36 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1995: 2; 1996: 13; 2000: 71; 2001: 48; 2002: 34; 2003: 36; 2004: 8; 2005: 9; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 65 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10006130 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THEY LOCKED UP. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006130 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019296 · 2003-05-26 (May 26, 2003)
MY 1996 GMC JIMMY HAS HAD BALL JOINT PROBLEMS (UPPER AND LOWER REPLACED AT 40K, 79K), ABS PROBLEMS (RECALLED TO CHANGE S/W, FAILED AT 80K) AND WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEMS (INTERMITTENT FAILURES AT 80K). ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE HAD RECALLS, BUT WHEN I CONTACT GMC THEY TELL ME MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED (VIN [XXX]). WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS IF MY CAR IS FAILING WITH THE EXACT PROBLEMS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL NOTICE, THEN THE PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE MORE WIDESPREAD THEN GM IS WILLING TO ADMIT. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM …
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019296 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10027173 · 2003-07-14 (July 14, 2003)
THE WIRING ON THE AIR BAG MODULE HAD CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE 4WD. CANNOT SHIFT FROM 2WD HIGH TO 4WD LOW OR VICE VERSA. VEHICLE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. ACCELERATOR NEEDS TO BE PRESSED VERY HARD TO GET TO 35MPH. HAD INFORMED DEALERSHIP OF PROBLEM. HAD INFORMED THE MECHANIC OF THE 4WD PROBLEM, AND THAT THE RECALL REMEDY HAD FAILED. MECHANIC CLAIMED PROBLEM LIKE THAT WHEN VEHICLE FIRST BROUGHT IN FOR RECALL. MECHANIC INDICATED REPAIRS ON HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLE WERE NOT DONE. RECALL ON WIPERS AND BALL JOINTS WERE NOT DONE. RECALL REPAIR ON AIR BAG …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10027173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037318 · 2003-09-05 (September 5, 2003)
SECOND FAILURE OF BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ON 1996 GMC JIMMY 4WD - ACTUAL MILAGE 38,910. THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SINCE NEW. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES - NO BETTER."A ROLLING NON-BRAKING NIGHTMARE TO DRIVE !! SECOND ALTERNATOR, 4TH BATTERY, RUST IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION,DRIVER'S POWER-WINDOW MOTOR @ 30,000 MILES HIS VEHICLE NEVER BEEN USED "OFF-ROAD.*AK IT IS DRIVEN BY AN OLDER WOMAN TO AND FROM WORK, SHOPPING, & PLEASURE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 38,910 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033964 · 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)
THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS STATED IN RECALLS 01I018000 LOWER BALL JOINT; RECALL 03V159000 WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, AND TRANSMISSION. RECALL NUMBER UNKNOWN. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT DUE TO A CRACKING NOISE. WHILE DRIVING THROUGH THE SNOW, THE CONSUMER WASN'T ABLE TO USE THE 4WD BECAUSE THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INTERMITTENT, A LOUD CRACKING NOISE HAD COME FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033964 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506358 · 1996-07-10 (July 10, 1996)
WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, WHEEL DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033175 · 2003-08-20 (August 20, 2003)
ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON A FEW MONTHS AGO, WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKES YOU CAN HEAR THE AIR PUSHING THROUGH THEN THEY GET VERY HARD. ALSO, IF I AM STOP AT A LIGHT THE TRUCK STALLS OR IS VERY SLOW TO GO WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS. MY MECHANIC STATES THE THE REPAIR WOULD BE TO A BREAK BOOSTER IN THE ANTI LOCK SYSTEM ($315.00 FOR THE BOOSTER) AND THE STALLING IS CAUSED BY THE BREAKING SYSTEM CAUSING A VACUMN IN THE ENGINE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 550553 · 2000-01-22 (January 22, 2000)
THE WIRING HARESS UNDER THE DASH TO THE POWER SEAT HAD BURNED TOGETHER THEREFOR SHORTING OUT THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR WHICH CAUSED INTERMITTENT STALLING. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 550553 at NHTSA ↗