1996 Gmc SAVANA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
66,175 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 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 2 of 18 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.6% |
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 | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 12 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
1996: 2; 2000: 3; 2001: 4; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 3; 2006: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10013759 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049234 · 2003-12-05 (December 5, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049234 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065817 · 2004-04-09 (April 9, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065817 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066849 · 2004-07-15 (July 15, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10066849 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093113 · 2004-09-23 (September 23, 2004)
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 T…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10156325 · 2006-04-27 (April 27, 2006)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 147,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10156325 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10544786 · 2013-09-21 (September 21, 2013)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AT RANDOM.
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10544786 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 717414 · 2000-01-16 (January 16, 2000)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717414 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V110000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2000-04-17 (April 17, 2000)
PASSENGER VANS. THESE VANS EXPERIENCE FUEL ODORS OR LEAKAGE.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED EVAPORATIVE EMISSION PIPE ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V092000 · Suspension:Rear:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly:U-Bolt, Leaf Spring To Axle
Reported: 1996-06-03 (June 3, 1996)
ONE OF THE FOUR REAR AXLE U-BOLTS CAN BREAK. THIS CAN POTENTIALLY LEAD TO THE SPRING LIFTING FROM THE AXLE UNDER CERTAIN REBOUND, BRAKING OR CORNERING MANEUVERS.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FOUR REAR AXLE U-BOLTS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗