Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 GMC Jimmy owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Driving under normal conditions a brake failure due to ABS malfunction,called the GMC number and they said that while they have the problem on record ,it cant be fixed unless I pay out of poket expenses due to there policy limits complaints on this problem tobe repaired by the dealer up to 2002.
On 5/27/98, I was in a vehicle accident in which I rear ended another vehicle, which caused damage to both vehicles. The vehicle I hit was a total loss. At the time of the accident I was traveling approximately 40 MPH and when I put on the brakes my vehicle slid three car lengths (leaving skid marks on the pavement) and stopped when I hit the car in front of me. The sliding was intense and the smoke so thick that I thought my vehicle engine was on fire. I felt at the time that the ABS system had malfunctioned, and I mentioned this to the police officer at the scene. When I took the vehicle to the local GMC dealer for collision repairs, I asked them to check the brake system. They indicated that there were not any problems with the brakes. The reason I am filing this claim is because I am a very careful driver who has never been involved in a motor vehicle accident. …
Soft brake pedal on 1996 Jimmy VIN [redacted]. Has been an on going problem since 1999 when we inherited the vehicle. There was a recall on the anti-lock brake system . I've had that done . Changed front rotors and pads also LED brakes changed out fluid etc. Pedal still soft. Can't even get my toe under pedal when pushed to the floor. The city I work for has 1997 blazer that is the same way. I'm a police officer. Most vehicles that I drive including cruisers have better take up then these 2 vehicles. My Jimmy is paid for but if I can't find a resolution or new idea on what to do I'm going to sell it. The dealerships and engineers I've talked to said that those particular years had a lot of brake pedal travel before take up. Thanks for your time. I'm out of ideas any suggestions would be great.
Anti-lock repeatedly engages and pulsates brakes at low speed stops. Has caused one collision and at least 15 other close calls. Usually occurs when slowing for a traffic signal, etc. At slow enough speeds that the anti-lock should not engage. After this occurs, the ABS warning light comes on. When the warning light is on, the brakes work fine. When the warning light goes back off, it is then likely to reoccur at any time. Warning light has stayed on since last occurance and I feel safer as long as the warning light stays on. I'm already paying for this safety defect through higher insurance rates and shouldn't have to pay to replace an obviously faulty system. I just received my 2nd ABS recall for this vehicle but it appears this problem addresses a different defect in the same ABS system.
Pulled out of parking lot on to road. Applied brakes while approaching a light. Even with both feet on the brake pedal the 1996 GMC Jimmy barely came to a stop from a distance of 6 car lengths going 30 MPH. Narrowly avoided rear-ending vehicle in front of me. This was not the first time but the closet encounter. Before this incident I had the front rotors, disk pads, calipers, front flex lines, booster, vacumm hose and connector on engine to booster, master cyl., and rear brake linings - replaced. Since then I had the vacumm checked from the engine to the booster and was told the booster was bad. I had the booster and masterc replaced again. Still no change. Pedal goes too far down and feels like it hits a brick followed by very weak breaking action.
Rear ended by truck which propelled vehicle into back of camper. Thus a rear end collision, immediately followed by a front end collision. Both front seat backs broke causing the driver and passenger to be violently slammed into the back seat area. The driver (only)air bag did not deploy. The ABS system failed upon application of the brakes, just prior to being rear ended by the tractor trailer truck which weighed 77,000 pounds and was going approximately 75mph. The truck driver admitted to the police that he never sloed down or applied his brakes.
Tl contact owns a 1996 GMC Jimmy. While driving at 30 MPH, the contact had to abruptly depress the brake pedal. He then heard a grinding sound coming from the tires. The brakes were changed by an independent mechanic, but the noise persisted. Afterwards, the master cylinder was repaired and the brakes, rotors, and pads were replaced. There was a slight improvement; however, the noise eventually returned periodically. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 125,000 and current mileage was 133,000.
Recall 99V193000/ABS. Recall notice was received after an accident. While traveling at highway speed of 60 MPH applied brakes in an emergency situation due to another vehicle pulling in front, as applying brakes, vehicle continued on, even after pumping brakes three times. Vehicle continued until hitting other vehicle's rear bumper. Upon impact, driver's air bag did not deploy. Dealer/manufacturer were not conacted at this time. Please feel free to provide any further details.
Driving north on hy 101 north of bay city , weather clear , road dry at 2:30 pm , new tires. P/u truck stopped dead in front of me to avoid an accident. I thought I had enough room to completly stop and applied my breaks with firm steady pressure but ran into the rear of the p/u. No damage to him but his trailer hitch and steel bumper damaged my front end. Contacted local GMC dealer and he said the GMC recall on the ABS did not pertain to my vehical. I feel that maybe it should.
Second failure of brake vacuum booster on 1996 GMC Jimmy 4wd - actual milage 38,910. The brakes on this vehicle have never worked properly since new. I have had it to the dealership numerous times - no better."a rolling non-braking nightmare to drive !! Second alternator, 4th battery, rust in automatic transmission,driver's power-window motor @ 30,000 miles his vehicle never been used "off-road. It is driven by an older woman to and from work, shopping, & pleasure.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Vehicle description: certain 4-wheel drive pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS (antilock braking system) manufactured from September 1989 through August 1996. Under certain driving conditions the switch which signals the ABS system whether the vehicle is in 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive can malfunction causing…
Remedy: Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.
NHTSA investigations
ABS braking system
This investigation resulted in a safety recall, 99v-193, and a service campaign, 99i-006.
Brake complaints in other Jimmy years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1996 GMC Jimmy?
NHTSA has 183 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 GMC Jimmy, 45% of the model year's 407 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (129 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 GMC Jimmy brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-193 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Jul 19, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 GMC Jimmy brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 37 crashes, 0 fires and 18 injuries and 2 deaths to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.