Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 GMC Savana, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel system, gasoline7
- Visibility6
- Service brakes, hydraulic6
- Power train4
- Structure4
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Unknown or other3
- Seat belts2
- Latches/locks/linkages2
- Electrical system2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1996 GMC Savana failed the safety check 1.56% of the time — 7% more often than the average 1996 passenger car (1.47%). Median odometer at inspection: 147,003 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 1996 GMC Savana.
| 2001058 9 Mar 2001 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, the fuel tank front rollover valve could stick open and allow fuel leakage. If the vehicle is parked down a grade of 2.5 degrees or more, … |
| 1996151 27 Sept 1996 | Steering On certain vehicles, the steering linkage relay rod tapered stud attachment nut may not have been torqued to specification. This could eventually lead to fractu… |
| 1996088 13 Jun 1996 | Suspension On certain vehicles, one of the four rear axle u-bolts may experience breakage. If this were to occur, the joint would no longer be capable of correctly transmi… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
PASSENGER VANS. THESE VANS EXPERIENCE FUEL ODORS OR LEAKAGE.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What GMC told its dealers about the 1996 GMC Savana: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 634999 | DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT |
| 634727 | THIS BULLETIN IS BEING REVISED TO INFORM DEALERS THAT THE VCM / PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION AND / OR WATER INTRUSION. *TT |
| 634592 | SIDE CARGO DOORS ARE HARD TO OPEN OR STIFF ON 1996 - 2002 CHEVROLET AND GMC G-VAN MODELS. *TT |
| 629613 | ADDRESSING CUSTOMERS COMMENTS ABOUT ENGINE OIL COOLER LINES LEAKING. *TT |
| 628070 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN EXHAUST NOISE, RATTLE NOISE AT 550 RPM. *TT |
| 626337 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF BINDING SIDE CARGO DOOR HINGES. *SLC |
| 617786 | THIS SERVICE MESSAGE ADDRESSES CUSTOMER CONCERNS REGARDING THEFT DETERRENTS, A NEW REAR DOOR OUTSIDE HANDLE AND LICENSE PLATE HOUSING DEVELOPED FOR ADDED THEFT PROTECTION. *TT |
| 608382 | SUBJECT REGARDING ABS 3-SENSOR EBC4 - SPECIAL POLICY. *TT |
| 10246631 | Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules |
| 10232287 | This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy. |
| 10209734 | This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive. |
| 10020952 | SIDE CARGO DOOR IS HARD TO OPEN. INSTALL NEW HINGE PINS. *KB |
| 10017191 | SUPPLEMENT TO BULLETIN 99-06-04-047A FOR FUEL SYSTEM CLEANING. *TT |
| 10013491 | TURN SIGNAL FLASH TOO FAST, OPPOSITE SIDE DIM. *TT |
| 10010375 | SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT AND P0300 WHEN TOWING, CRUISING UPHILL OR ON HARD ACCELERATION. *TT |
| 10007838 | DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT, SLIP, BUSY/CYCLING TCC OR NOISY COOLING FAN. *TT |
| 10007717 | ENGINE COOLANT LEAK AT INTAKE GASKET. * MJ |
| 10006952 | 6.5 L57 ENGINE- CRANKS OR STARTS WITH THE KEY IN RUN. 94-98 GMC P32 RV/VAN CHASSIS, 94-98 CHEVROLET P32 RV/VAN CHASSIS. *MR |
| 10005439 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH A P0300 SET AND A MISFIRE. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 1996 - 1999 P32 MODELS. SIT BULLETIN 1416475. *TT |
| 10004726 | THIS BULLETIN IS BEING REVISED TO INFORM DEALERS THAT THE VCM / PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION AND / OR WATER INTRUSION. *TT |
| 10004371 | RATTLE NOISE IN ENGINE. *TT |
| 10004358 | THIS BULLETIN IS BEING REVISED TO INFORM DEALERS THAT THE VCM / PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION AND / OR WATER INTRUSION. *TT |
| 10004223 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH A P0300 SET AND A MISFIRE. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING THE 1996-1999 P32 AND THE 1996-2002 GMC C/K TRUCK. *TT |
| 10004208 | POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) WILL NOT FIT IN NEW TRAY PER BULLETIN 02-06-04-020A. *TT |
| 10004135 | 6.5L L49 L56 L57 L65 DIESEL ENGINE REQUIRING FUEL INJECTION PUMP REPLACEMENT. MODELS P32/P42 1994-1999 INCLUDED. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)