RoadVitals

1996 GMC Savana Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
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

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.

7
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10156325 · filed Apr 27, 2006

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 · filed Dec 5, 2003

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.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AT RANDOM.

NHTSA ID 10544786 · filed Sep 21, 2013

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 · filed Jul 15, 2004

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.

6
reports

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

NHTSA ID 8003198 · filed Jan 30, 2002

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 · filed Apr 6, 2001

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.

4
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10093113 · filed Sep 23, 2004

PASSENGER STEP IS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY, IS LOOSE AND GIVES WAY WHEN STEPPED ON.

NHTSA ID 522573 · filed Aug 8, 1997

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.

3
reports

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

NHTSA ID 853151 · filed Dec 16, 1999

THE REAR DOOR OF THE VAN WILL NOT OPEN ALL THE TIME, AND THE LATCH STICKS AND PREVENTS ENTRY OR EXIT. *AK

NHTSA ID 815022 · filed Aug 4, 1997

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.

3
reports

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

NHTSA ID 770434 · filed Dec 4, 2002

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

NHTSA ID 740212 · filed Jan 31, 2001

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.

3
reports

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

NHTSA ID 869783 · filed Sep 6, 2000

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 · filed Jan 6, 1999

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.

2
reports

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

NHTSA ID 813272 · filed Jun 19, 1997

PURCHASED THE TRUCK NEW, IT IS A CONVERSATION VAN, THE BUCKET AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS ARE TOO SHORT . *AK

NHTSA ID 802232 · filed Sep 30, 1996

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.

2
reports

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

NHTSA ID 869783 · filed Sep 6, 2000

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 · filed Dec 16, 1999

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 827743 · filed Sep 9, 1998

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 731583 · filed Sep 15, 2000

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 897036 · filed Sep 28, 2001

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

BACK DOOR RUSTED.

NHTSA ID 515968 · filed Mar 24, 1997

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

Data on this page last refreshed .