RoadVitals

1996 GMC Savana Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jul 2, 1996

What this page shows

Our database holds 35 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 GMC Savana. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 35 · page 1 of 2

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
Brakes
Filed Jan 30, 2002

ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON WET AND DRY ROAD CONDITIONS AND BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATES AND GOES TO THE FLOOR. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
8003198
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 28, 2001

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SPARE TIRE CABLE SNAPPED, CAUSING TIRE TO DROP. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
897036
Brakes
Filed Apr 6, 2001

THERE IS EXCESSIVE WEAR ON BRAKE PADS. DEALER REPLACED PADS, WHICH IN TURN, CAUSED VEHICLE TO PULL TO RIGHT. DEALER REPLACED PADS AGAIN AT 29,000 MILES, AND ADJUSTED ALIGNMENT AND ROTATED WHEELS FORWARD. RIGHT AFTER SECOND REPLACEMENT AT 29,000 MILES, VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO LEFT. AT 45,000 MILES, THERE WERE SCRAPING NOISES FROM THE BRAKE SYSTEM - TOLD BRAKE PADS WORE OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
885224
Incident
Jul 1, 1997
Engine
Filed Jan 31, 2001

GAS FUMES SMELL CONSTANT. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY-DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEMS

NHTSA ID
740212
Brakes
Filed Jan 26, 2001

THE GMC DEALER SAID THE COMPUTER FAILED FROM CORROSION AT THE COMPUTER CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM TO KICK IN ON DRY ROADS. THEN THE ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON. THIS COST ME OVER $700 TO GET FIXED AND THREE DAYS WITHOUT THE USE OF MY VAN. THE GMC DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE BRAKES WORK PROPERLY. I CAN SEE THIS AS A BIG SAFTEY PROBLEM WITH THESE VANS! *AK

NHTSA ID
739999
Incident
Jan 23, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 15, 2000

WE WERE COMING HOME FROM LITTLE ROCK TO PINE BLUFF, AR ON 9-13-99 WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD POP. I ASKED MY HUSBAND TO PULL OVER TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. THE REAR RIGHT TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED----PEALED AND STEEL WIRES POKING OUT. WE HAD NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING. IT JUST BLEW. WE WERE TRAVELING ABOU 70 MPH. THE ONLY THING UNUSUAL THAT I REMEMBER WAS GOING TO LITTLE ROCK THAT MORNING MY HUSBAND SAID THAT THE CAR SURE WAS RIDING BUMPY. THE NEXT DAY WE HAD THE TIRE REPLACED AT FIRESTONE AND THEY PRORATED IT. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER WE BOUGHT 3 MORE NEW ONES (FIREHAWKS) SO WE'D HAVE A COMPLETE SET OF NEW TIRES. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEM WITH THE FIREHAWKS. I WONDER IF THEY ARE SAFE. WE STILL HAVE 3 OF THE ORIGINAL ONES IN OUR GARAGE THAT STILL LOOK GOOD TO ME.*AK

NHTSA ID
731583
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Sep 6, 2000

ENGINECHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR THREE DAYS. THEN IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT OF GEAR. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE FLUSHED OUT. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT AT 40,000 MILES SHE HAD SEVERE SHIFTING PROBLEM.*AK RUST IN TRANSMISSION FLUID, METAL FILING WAS FOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION POSSIBLY FROM COOLANT LEAK INTO IT. *YH

NHTSA ID
869783
Incident
May 13, 1999
Filed Jan 16, 2000
2 injuries reported

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 THE TOXIC CHEMICALS WERE APPROVED BY GM IN MISSOURI, THERE ARE LIKELY THOUSANDS MORE THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA BEING DRIVEN THAT CAN ONLY BE DESCIBED AS "SLOW DEATH". I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR POSITIVE ACTIONS AND ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ID
717414
Incident
Sep 23, 1996
Interior & seatsPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 16, 1999

WHILE DRIVING SPEEDOMETER WILL GET STUCK AT 15 MPH/ 20MPH THEN 30MPH. WHEN CONSUMER GETS TO 60 MPH THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE SPEEDOMETER BEING STUCK. SPEEDOMETER HAS TO STAY UP WITH THE TRAFFIC IN ORDER TO KNOW HOW FAST THE CAR IS GOING, AND TO KEEP SPEED LIMITS. POLICE HAS PULLED CONSUMER OVER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BECAUSE CONSUMER WAS UNAWARE OF HOW FAST THE CAR WAS TRAVELING. ALSO, DEALER CHANGED THE CLUSTER UNIT. BUT IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STICKING AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
853151
Incident
Nov 19, 1996
Visibility
Filed Jan 28, 1999

WHILE DRIVING EXTERIOR MIRRIORS VIBRATE SO MUCH THAT IT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE, AND MAY CAUSE TENSION HEADACHES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. GM SAYS THIS IS A "NO-FIX" SITUATION AND REFUSE TO MAKE REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ID
834178
BrakesEngineTransmission+1 more
Filed Jan 6, 1999

THE VEHICKE HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE HEADS REWORKED DUE TO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMING ON STARTING AT 2000 MILES. #1 CYLINDER EXHUAST VALVE WAS STICKING OPEN. WE HAVE HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE WINDOW MOTOR CONTROL MOTOR AND SWITCH. FAILED 4 TIMES. BRAKES ARE TERRIBLE. ALTHOUGH ABS RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WILL LOCK UP, DEALER CAN'T SEEM TO CORRECT. FUEL PUMP FAILED IN AUGUST 1998. SPEEDOMETER WAS ACTING UP, WOULD MOVE 4-5 MILES PER HOUR AT A TIME, NOT SMOOTHLY, WOULD JUMP UP OR DOWN. CRUISE DIDN'T WORK WELL. DEALER REPLACED SPEED CONTROL SENSOR IN AUGUST 1998. DRIVE GEAR FOR SPEED SENSOR CAME APART INSIDE TRANSMISSION ON 12/31/98, LEAVING US 800 MILES FROM HOME ON NEWS YEARS EVE. TRYING TO GET REIMBURSEMENT ETC FROM GMC. STARTED ASKING FOR HELP ON MONDAY 1/4/99....PROMISED A PHONE CALL BACK ON 1/5/99...NO RETURN CALL ...CALLED GMC ON 1/6/99...PROMISED A RETURN CALL NOTHING AS OF 5 PM EST. WE WANT TO HAVE GMC BUY VEHICLE BACK UNDER LEMMON LAWS....HOW DO I PROCEED? *AK

NHTSA ID
701961
Steering
Filed Sep 9, 1998

STEERING WHEEL DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. AT TIMES WOULD NOT TURN. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA ID
827743
Incident
Aug 1, 1996
Fuel system
Filed Jun 1, 1998

GOING ABOUT 35-50MPH WHEN THE TRUCK STOPPED FOR NO REASON. FUEL PUMP FAILED. NO GAS TO ENGINE. WENT TO DEALER & MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP AT 2 TIMES. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS CONTINUOUSLY. GMC SAYS ITS OWNER'S PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
823817
Incident
Dec 18, 1997
Fuel system
Filed Jun 1, 1998

DRIVING ABOUT 35-50MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED OUT FOR NO REASON. FUEL PUMP NOT WORKING PROPERLY. GAS NOT GETTING TO ENGINE. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. HAD BEEN DONE AT LEAST TWICE. ITS A CONTINUOUS & CONSISTENT PROBLEM. GMC SAYS ITS THE OWNER'S PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
823811
Incident
Nov 28, 1997
Fuel system
Filed Jun 1, 1998

WHILE TRAVELING ANYWHERE BETWEEN 35-50MPH, THE TRUCK WOULD STOP OR STALL OUT. GAS NOT GETTING TO ENGINE. FUEL PUMP HAD STOPPED WORKING. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP 2 OR MORE TIMES. ITS A CONTINUOUS & CONSISTENT PROBLEM & MANUFACTURER SAID ITS OWNER'S PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
823802
Incident
Mar 28, 1997
Fuel system
Filed Jun 1, 1998

WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 35-50MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT. THE FUEL PUMP HAD STOPPED WORKING. GAS NOT GETTING TO ENGINE. TOOK TRUCK TO DEALERSHIP. FUEL PUMP REPLACED TWICE ON TRUCK. ITS A CONSISTANT & CONTINUOUS PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER SAID WAS OWNER'S PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
823798
Incident
Apr 14, 1997
Fuel system
Filed Jun 1, 1998

TRAVELING BETWEEN 35-50MPH WHEN THE FUEL PUMP WOULD STOP WORKING SUDDENLY. GAS WAS NOT GETTING TO ENGINE & VEHICLE WOULD EITHER STOP OR STALL. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP, TWICE. PROBLEM IS CONTINUOUS & CONSISTANT. GMC SAID OWNER'S PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
823796
Incident
Apr 1, 1997

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.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .