RoadVitals

1996 GMC Savana

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.
35
Latest Sep 21, 2013
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.
3
Latest Apr 7, 2009
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.
0
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 35 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 GMC Savana, most frequently naming the fuel system, visibility and brakes categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 27 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

  • Fuel system717.1%
  • Visibility717.1%
  • Brakes614.6%
  • Body & structure49.8%
  • Interior & seats37.3%
  • Engine37.3%
  • Transmission37.3%
  • Seat belts24.9%

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

3 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
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
00V110000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 17, 2000
109,239 units potentially affected
The defect: PASSENGER VANS. THESE VANS EXPERIENCE FUEL ODORS OR LEAKAGE.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED EVAPORATIVE EMISSION PIPE ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 00031View on NHTSA.gov
96V092000

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:U-BOLT, LEAF SPRING TO AXLE

Jun 3, 1996
105 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FOUR REAR AXLE U-BOLTS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 35
Visibility
Filed Sep 21, 2013

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AT RANDOM.

NHTSA ID
10544786
Incident
Feb 1, 2008
Mileage
94,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 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

NHTSA ID
10156325
Incident
Apr 27, 2006
Mileage
147,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 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 THIS SITE AND FOUND TWO INCIDENTS OF SERVICE BULLETINS (SEPTEMBER 24, 2001 AND JUNE 1,2003) NOTIFYING THAT CUSTOMERS HAVE COMPLAINED THAT THE DOOR HINGE BINDS. THIS HAD OCCURRED TO ME ALSO, PRIOR TO ITS BREAKING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10093113
Incident
Aug 2, 2004
Mileage
65,350 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 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

NHTSA ID
10066849
Incident
Apr 17, 2000
Visibility
Filed Apr 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

NHTSA ID
10065817
Incident
Mar 1, 1998
Mileage
20,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 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

NHTSA ID
10049234
Incident
Dec 4, 2003
Mileage
40,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 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

NHTSA ID
10013759
Incident
Mar 29, 2003
Mileage
67,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 4, 2002

START THE ENGINE PUT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR REVERSE OR DRIVE AND THE THROTTLE IS STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION MY WIFE AND I HAVE SEARNED TO EITHER SET THE THE VEHICLE PROCEED AT IDLE TIL ANY DANGER OF UNINTENDED ACCELLERATION IS NOT PRESENT THEN PUSH TAP. THE ACCELLERATOR PEDAL UNTIL IT BREAKS LOOSE AND HAS FREE TRAVEL SO FAR THE ACCELLERATOR ONLY STICKS ON INITIAL STARTUP OF THE ENGINE EITHER HOT OR COLD. I AM WRITING THIS BECAUSE OF READING A TRADE PUBLICATION REPORTING AN INVESTIGATION IN 98-99. DT

NHTSA ID
770434

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.

04-06-04-051F

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.

130089009

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

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

060864032

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

SIDE CARGO DOOR IS HARD TO OPEN. INSTALL NEW HINGE PINS. *KB

020730024A

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT

00149D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH A P0300 SET AND A MISFIRE. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 1996 - 1999 P32 MODELS. SIT BULLETIN 1416475. *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 Savana by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026030—
2025040—
2024000—
2023020—
2022221—
2021231—
2020020—
2019550—
2018371—
2017661—
2016671—
2015240—
2014170—
2013290—
2012370—
2011150—
2010340—
2009280—
2008370—
2007630—
2006770—
2005125039.8
2004127054.8
20032211054.0
2002120137.5
2001190035.6
2000492155.7
1999492046.4
1998332042.3
1997462049.9
1996Viewing353043.1
1995200—
1994100—
1993000—

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.