Tl* the contact owns a 1996 gmc jimmy. The contact stated that the rear brakes failed and the ABS warning light was continuously illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the rear cylinders need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the remedy failed to repair the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.
The worst 1996 GMC Jimmy problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes183
- Visibility70
- Engine53
- Suspension49
- Transmission28
- Electrical25
- Fuel system20
- Airbags16
- Tires9
- Seat belts8
- Acceleration6
- Body6
- Steering6
- Wheels5
- Lights4
- Seats4
- Locks2
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 GMC Jimmy
ABS 71Wipers 61Brake failure 40Ball joint 38No deployment 13Fire or smoke 8Grinding brakes 6Check engine light 6Overheating 5Stalling 5
Recalls 6
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
- Risk
- If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on june 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 03V159000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the district of columbia. Failure of an upper control arm ball joint assembly could occur due to corrosion.
- Risk
- This can result in impaired steering or steering loss, or a partial or complete collapse of the front suspension, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace both upper ball joints. Owner notification began september 4, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 01V200000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: certain 4-wheel drive pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS (antilock braking system) manufactured from september 1989 through august 1996. Under certain driving conditions the switch which signals the ABS system whether the vehicle is in 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive can malfunction causing increased stopping distances during ABS stops while in the two-wheel drive mode.
- Risk
- If this occurred at a time when minimum stopping distance was required, a vehicle crash could occur without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.
Recall number 99V193000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
- Risk
- This condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
Recall number 98V150001 · Recall details
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: extended cab pickup trucks equipped with 60/40 front bench seats and extended cab pickup trucks and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with manual locking recliner bucket seats. The outboard safety belt webbing on the driver's and/or passenger's seat can separate during a frontal impact.
- Risk
- If a separation occurred and there were secondary crash events or vehicle rollover, there would be no belt restraint of the occupant and increased injuries could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.
Recall number 97V096001 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: 4-door, 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive multi-purpose passenger vehicles. During development testing, the prop shaft contacted the inboard side of the fuel tank allowing fuel leakage. This leakage was in excess of the amount permitted by fmvss 301, "fuel system integrity."
- Risk
- If an ignition source is present, and there is a fuel leak, a fire could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install additional shielding of the fuel tank. This will be added without removing or disassembling the fuel system.
Recall number 96V234000 · Recall details
See all 6 recalls for the 1996 GMC Jimmy
Defect investigations
Windshield wiper failure
As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, gm has expanded the population of safety recall 98v‑150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details.
EA02006
Upper and lower control arm ball joint
There is no summary currently available
EA99022
Upper control arm ball joint breakage
An upper control arm ball joint fails, resulting in the front suspension collapsing on the failed side.
PE99021
Seat belt webbing separation
The federal safety agency's new car assessment program (ncap) tested a 1997 chevrolet s-10 extended cab pickup equipped with a driver-side air bag.the front passenger seat belt was completely cut during the test.
EA97004
Abs braking system
This investigation resulted in a safety recall, 99v‑193, and a service campaign, 99i-006.
EA94038
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 GMC Jimmy 51
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- Fuel system, gasoline
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Equipment
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Engine and engine cooling
- Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds
- Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case
1996 GMC Jimmy fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15-16 | 20-22 | 17-18 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15 | 20 | 16-17 |
What 1996 GMC Jimmy owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Stopped at local restaurant, ignition would not turn off and we were unable to remove the key. At this time, the vehicle is not driveable at all. We are unable to start or shut off the vehicle. The vehicle is not recognizing that the key is in the ignition. All dash lights are on, brakes do not work. This is a safey concern.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 gmc jimmy. While driving at 30 MPH, the contact had to abruptly depress the brake pedal. He then heard a grinding sound coming from the tires. The brakes were changed by an independent mechanic, but the noise persisted. Afterwards, the master cylinder was repaired and the brakes, rotors, and pads were replaced. There was a slight improvement; however, the noise eventually returned periodically. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 125,000 and current mileage was 133,000.
I was driving down I-65 going to work, 70 MPH. I looked in my rear view mirror and notice a large amount of smoke coming from my 1995, gmc jimmy, 104000 miles. I looked at my gauges and saw that I had no oil pressure and the check engine light was on. Fortunately I was right at an exit. I got off the interstate and stop at a gas station. All of these events happen in less than 5 minutes. When I go out I noticed engine oil on the outside of my vehicle, driver's side. I open the hood and checked the oil. No oil on the dip stick. Look under the vehicle and notice a large puddle of oil on the parking lot. I call a wrecker and had my truck towed to my mechanic's shop $85. Mechanic told me that one of the oil lines running to the filter and cooler had failed where the fitting is crimped to the line and that my engine was almost depleted of oil. My mechanic replaced the line and fill the vehicle back up with oil. He said it took over five minutes for the valves to quit rattling. The repair cost $212. We debated on whether to change the other set of lines. We decided to wait a few weeks to see if any damage to the vehicle shows up. I am out almost $300 to date, with another $250 repair waiting or a engine trashed from the first event. My after the fact web queries indicate that this is a common failure mode occurring in almost all jimmies and blazers. Why hasn't there been a recall on this problem? Coated the highway and a parking lot with engine oil. Had I not seen the smoke I was headed for a catastrophic failure at 70 MPH. I consider myself extremely lucky to have survived this incident. I' was very upset knowing that there many vehicles on the road every day that will have this problem sometime in the vehicle's life cycle.
Abs brake failure. Abs LED lit on dashboard, brakes failed approaching red light. Dealership stated brakes were fine when taken in to be inspected.. But LED remained lit. Did not drive vehicle for a month because LED remained on. Started driving it again to get to work-short distances only. Led is on most of the time.
Radiator sludge/corrosion. Flushed radiator and replaced thermostat. Sludge reappeared and corroded thermostat again. Replaced radiator and over flow tank plus all hoses. Sludge and corrosion reappearing again.
Dt: contact stated the ABS warning light was on at all times. There was no problem with the braking capabilities of the vehicle. The service dealer stated this vehicle was not covered under a recall. Manufacturer said the same thing. There were two recalls the federal safety agency 99v193000 and manufacturer's recall 19990719 on this component, but consumer's vehicle was not covered under the recall. The service dealer suggested bringing the vehicle in and putting it on the diagnostic test to determine the cause of the ABS light illuminating.
The mirror on the consumer's 1996 gmc jimmy cracked in the pivot where the mirror adjusted in and out. *nm *sc
I am having a problem with my anti-lock brake system. I have a 1996 gmc jimmy and any time that I apply brakes and there is a difference in road conditions (pavement to gravel) while applying brakes there is always an extended stopping distance and no control. We have pine needles that gather on the side of our small road, making small mounds. If I apply my brakes while going across these the car will not stop. It makes a "pong" sound a couple of times, then it will finally stop. Luckily there has been no oncoming traffic. This has been happening every since I have had the vehicle. I have contacted a chevrolet dealer in the past and they informed me there was no recalls on vehicle.
My brakes on my 1996 jimmy have locked up on me. Increasing my stopping distance. I am concerned about this , however when I took my truck to get serviced at a dealership they did not mention any thing to me .
Compare the 1996 GMC Jimmy
Other model years
Questions about the 1996 GMC Jimmy
Is the 1996 GMC Jimmy reliable?
Owners have filed 407 complaints about the 1996 GMC Jimmy, 203.5 times a typical Jimmy model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 GMC Jimmy?
Brakes, with 183 complaints, typically around 114,856 miles. Next is visibility (70).
How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Jimmy have?
6 recalls, covering visibility, suspension and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 1996 GMC Jimmy brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 99V193000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the GMC Jimmy have bad brakes?
The GMC Jimmy model years with the most brakes complaints are 1994 (263 complaints), 1995 (243 complaints) and 1996 (183 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1996 GMC Jimmy get?
Official estimates for the 1996 GMC Jimmy range from 16 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.3L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 15-16 city and 20-22 highway.
VIN decoder
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