Gmc Z-71 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
70,050 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 to 2000 model years. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 27 complaints (25.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 55.6% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 14.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.7% |
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 | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 3 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 2 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 3; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 2; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 16 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2000: 6; 2001: 4; 2002: 4; 2003: 5; 2004: 2; 2005: 5; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 854924 · 2000-01-12 (January 12, 2000)
ABS SYSTEM KEEPS GOING OUT. DEALER UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 854924 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060770 · 2004-03-08 (March 8, 2004)
A VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON THE ROADWAY WAITING FOR A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, I SAW THE TWO STOPPED VEHICLES AND WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES ON MY 1997 GMC TRUCK FROM ABOUT 200+ FEET AWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL JUST BECAME ROCK HARD AND TRUCK DIDN'T SLOW DOWN OR BRAKE CAUSING ME TO HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE. NO TYPICAL ANTI LOCK PULSATIONS WERE PRESENT OR FELT JUST A ROCK HARD PEDAL THAT COULDN'T BE PUSHED DOWN FURTHER NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRIED. THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO SKIP OR SKID TYPE MARKS ANYWHERE. I HAVE SINCE BEEN CITED …
Owner-reported narrative. 97,741 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060770 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10122099 · 2005-05-25 (May 25, 2005)
DT: POWER STEERING VIOLENTLY WENT OUT OF CONTROL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM, THE SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK, THEY WERE NOT DEPENDABLE WHEN NEEDED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE. AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO FIXED THEM. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM IN THE 1997 YEAR VEHICLES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10122099 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 727233 · 2000-08-09 (August 9, 2000)
STEERING SENSOR WENT OUT. VEHICLE'S STEERING DOES NOT RESPOND. CAN DO IT ANYWHERE ANYTIME WHEN MAKING TURNS. SEEMS TO BE MOST PREVALENT WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. DEALER REPLACED THE 1ST TIME AT NO COST. SAID THEY HAD REPLACED SEVERAL ALREADY. NEW COMPONENT IS NOW DOING THE SAME THING JUST NOT AS BAD YET. WHEN YOU MAKE A TURN OR COME OUT OF A TURN STEERING WHEEL MAY HAVE UP TO 1/2 A WHEEL OF TURN WITH NO RESPONSE. I KNOW THIS HAS OCCURRED ON OTHER VEHICLES. MY BROTHER IN-LAW HAS A SUBURBAN AND HIS DID THE SAME. THE POTENTIAL IS THERE FOR SE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 727233 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051363 · 2003-12-30 (December 30, 2003)
I HAVE A 1996 GMC 1/2 TON PICK UP Z71. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION FOR THE 2ND TIME. I MADE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE FIRST TRANNY, WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT ELHART GMC IN HOLLAND, MI. THEY KEPT TELLING ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AT 60K TRANNY WAS TOAST. I PAID $2000 FOR A NEW TRANNY WITH A 3 YEAR/50K WARRANTY. JUST SHORT OF 3 YEARS, BUT ONLY 29K MILES LATER 2ND TRANNY FAILED. AT ELHART (FOR THE LAST TIME) THEY PUT FLUID IN IT, AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH TRANNY. NOW AT GOOD GMC IN GRAND RAPIDS, MI THEY …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051363 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001347 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART UNTIL 15-30 MIN LATER. DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK INTO THE FUEL PUMP HAS COMPLETELY MELTED INSULATION CAUSING THE WIRE TO SPLIT. ALSO THE PLUG ON BOTH SIDES MELTED ALONG WITH THE WIRING IN TANK. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 148,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001347 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0