1996 GMC Savana Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 GMC Savana, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system717.1%
- Visibility717.1%
- Brakes614.6%
- Body & structure49.8%
- Interior & seats37.3%
- Engine37.3%
- Transmission37.3%
- Seat belts24.9%
- Powertrain (other)24.9%
- Steering12.4%
- Tires & wheels12.4%
- Other / unspecified12.4%
- Electrical12.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AT RANDOM.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
PASSENGER STEP IS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY, IS LOOSE AND GIVES WAY WHEN STEPPED ON.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE REAR DOOR OF THE VAN WILL NOT OPEN ALL THE TIME, AND THE LATCH STICKS AND PREVENTS ENTRY OR EXIT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
GAS FUMES SMELL CONSTANT. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY-DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEMS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN THE MIDDLE SEATS ARE PULLED UP IN THE FORWARD POSITION, THE SEAT BELTS CANNOT BE FASTENED. THIS IS A CONVERSION VAN. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
PURCHASED THE TRUCK NEW, IT IS A CONVERSATION VAN, THE BUCKET AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS ARE TOO SHORT . *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING WHEEL DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. AT TIMES WOULD NOT TURN. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SPARE TIRE CABLE SNAPPED, CAUSING TIRE TO DROP. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
BACK DOOR RUSTED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .