RoadVitals

1996 GMC K2500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Jun 24, 2011
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Oct 24, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 GMC K2500, most frequently naming the brakes, visibility and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes836.4%
  • Visibility418.2%
  • Body & structure313.6%
  • Electrical29.1%
  • Engine14.5%
  • Fuel system14.5%
  • Interior & seats14.5%
  • Powertrain (other)14.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E088000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 14
Fuel system
Filed Jun 24, 2011
Crash reported

I OWN A 1996 G M C SUBURBAN K2500 W THE 6.5 DIESEL ENGINE . I HAVE CHANGED (3) THREE INJECTION PUMPS IN ITS LIFE TIME AND ACCORDING TO SEVERAL HIGHLY QUALIFIED MECHANICS IT'S TIME TO DO IT AGAIN.THE PROBLEM IS THAT WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE TRUCK WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN,YOU WOULD LITERALLY HAVE TO STAND UP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THIS POSSESSED KILLING MACHINE. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE HAD MANY GOOD TIMES WITH THIS TRUCK, WITH ARE VACATIONS ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY TO OUR DAY TRIPS NOT TO MENTION OUR DAILY USE. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND ALL HAVE THEIR DRIVERS LICENSE, IT IS A CRYING SHAME THAT I HAD TO PUT OUR TRUCK UP ON CINDER BLOCKS,AND I SURE CAN'T SELL IT THE WAY IT IS.NEEDLESSLY TO SAY G M C REFUSES TO HELP US IN ANY WAY,THEY CLAIM THE PUMP IS NOT THE PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO APPARENT RECALL FOR MY PROBLEM, FURTHER MORE THE TRUCK IS TO OLD AND THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO SELL ME A NEW TRUCK,HA. IN CLOSING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WHEN I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK (NEW) MY INTENTIONS WERE TO KEEP IT FOR A VERY LONG TIME,CONSIDERING IT IS A DIESEL AND EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT DIESELS LAST ALONG TIME OPPOSED TO GAS ENGINES. WE RELIGIOUSLY KEPT UP THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BY THE BOOK. I'M VERY DISCOURAGED AND DISAPPOINTED IN THE GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATIONS INTEGRITY. I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT MY WIFE HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT,WHERE THE TRUCK JUST TOOK OFF ON IT'S OWN WHILE SHE WAS WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THANK GOD NOBODY WAS HURT, EXCEPT MY WALLET WHERE I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO AVOID ANY INCREASE IN OUR INSURANCE FEES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10408737
Incident
May 20, 2011
Mileage
198,200 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 9, 2007

ABS BRAKES ON MY 1996 K2500 SUBURBAN ACTIVATE AT SLOW SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10199008
Incident
Aug 8, 2007
Mileage
199,960 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 11, 2002

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FUNCTION WORKING INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. PROBLEM ORIGINALLY OCCURRED ONLY IN INTERMITTANT AND "LOW" SETTING, BUT NOW ALSO AFFECTS OPERATION IN "HIGH" SPEED.*AK

NHTSA ID
764097
Incident
Jul 8, 2002
Electrical
Filed Feb 15, 2002
Fire reported

SMOKE ROLLED OUT OF THE CAB OF THE PICKUP, WIRE UNDER DRIVER SEAT FOR THE ELECTRIC SEATS BECAME BARE SHORTED OUT AND THE FUSE DID NOT CLOSE SHUT, BURNED UP HARNESS AND MELTED PART OF DASH BY FUSES AND BURNED UP ALL WIRES UNDER DASH.

NHTSA ID
9005915
Incident
Sep 20, 2001
Visibility
Filed Mar 5, 2001

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ERRATICALLY. THEY SHUT ON/OFF ON THEIR OWN AT ANY TIME. WHEN NEEDED THEY SHUT OFF, AND IT TAKES A WHILE BEFORE CUTTING BACK ON. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96043, CONSUMER REPAIRED ON HIS OWN. *SLC

NHTSA ID
882043
Incident
Mar 5, 2001
Visibility
Filed Mar 29, 2000

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, THE CONSUMER HAS RECONNECTED THE SWITCH, BUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR STILL OCCURS. *SLC

NHTSA ID
783647
Brakes
Filed Mar 19, 1999

THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE PROBLEMS INCLUDED WARPED ROTORS, BRAKES THAT LOCK UP WHEN BRAKES ARE FIRST APPLIED UPON START UP AND LEAKY MASTER CYLINDER. WHEN I BROUGHT IN THE VEHICLE, EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THESE PROBLEMS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WERE NOT AN ISSUE FOR THE VEHICLE. "TOUGH LUCK FOR THE VEHICLE OWNER -- THAT'S JUST THE WAY THEY ARE" IS WHAT ONE MECHANIC TOLD ME. UPON VIEWING THE NHTSA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WEB PAGE, IT APPEARS THAT THE BREAKS ARE AN ISSUE FOR MY TRUCK AND THE ROTORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR FIXED. AT THIS TIME, I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM OF WARPED ROTORS AND BRAKES THAT LOCK UP FOR THE FIRST FEW STOPS AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. AT THIS POINT IN TIME MY WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT, BUT WHEN I FIRST BEGAN SEEKING HELP FOR THE BRAKE PROBLEMS IN MY TRUCK, THE WARRANTY WAS STILL GOOD. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE?

NHTSA ID
704656
Brakes
Filed Oct 7, 1998

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE WET THEY HAVE A TENDENCY TO BECOME AGGRESSIVE, WHICH CAUSES THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP. *AK

NHTSA ID
827558

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

010730021

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN STATES THAT TECHNICIANS MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY IN REMOVING THE CONNECTORS FROM THE PARK / NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH, USUALLY WHEN TRYING TO REMOVE THE SWITCH DURING TRANSMISSION SERVICE. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC K2500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1996Viewing142049.7
1995102150.0
1994721—
1993230—
1992130—
1991432—
1990241—
1989341—
1988144—
1987001—
1986311—
1985011—
1984011—
1983011—
1982011—
1981011—
1980011—
1979011—
1978011—
1977011—
1976011—
1975011—
1974011—
1973011—
1972011—
1971031—
1970011—
1969030—
1967010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.