Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
We own a 1996 GMC Jimmy 4x4.the connecting rod in the engine broke causing extreme damage to the engine making it inoperabletthis vehicle has always been serviced on time or before needed which is every 3000 to 3500 mile.this vehicle was purchased as a GM buy back or as a lemon vehicle in 1998 with almost 15000 miles on it when we purchased it.the salesman recommended that I purchase an extended warranty which I did for an additional 72 months or 75000 miles for $905.00.I was told,along with my wife,that the vehicle would be covered till 90000 miles or until 2004. …
There was a recall of 96 GMC Jimmy's for independent front control arm upper: ball joints. We were advised that ours was not included in the recall. We experienced this problem at 53918 miles on jan. 8 2002. The lower ball joints were replaced along with 2 front tires that were worn and very dangerous because of the ball joint problem. Also replaced were: the belt tensioner, oil cooler lines, water and belt - at 54,000 miles. We received a 168.98 reimbursement from Pontiac GMC as a "goodwill adjustment"(half of the ball joint replacement charge). They never acknowledge that this vehicle should have been included in the recall. Please include this complaint on this vehicle for problems which should have been included in a recall. Documentation of repairs available if needed. Thank you. *dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut-over to artemis**761991
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system. Engine coolant has broken down at 60,000 miles 10/1/2001, 70,000 miles 6/1/2002, 79,000 1/30/2003 and has became sludge. Owner's manual states 100,000 mile maintenance. Dealer (GMC)wants to replace thermostat, radiator, heater core at my expense. System has been super flushed, cleaned and new dex-cool coolant per dealer recommendations. Dealer even states coolant is bad. GMC states iit is my fault.
Have had many smaller problems, took in for alternator they replace battery cost to me $70 month or so later need new alternator . And had gauges checked gas gauge not reading true, next week or so window wipers start acting up and stopping mid- window and wiper fluid wont spray.
Radiator sludge/corrosion. Flushed radiator and replaced thermostat. Sludge reappeared and corroded thermostat again. Replaced radiator and over flow tank plus all hoses. Sludge and corrosion reappearing again.
GMC/GM filled my Jimmy at the factory with dexcool. Dexcool is invasive and destructive to the vechicle I paid over 35 k for GMC/GM has sent service sheets to their dealerships with instructions to be followed exactly to purge the contamination from the cooling system. GMC/GM has hidden this problem because of the number of vechicles involved. GMC/GM has used the consumer as their scapegoat. Blammed the consumer for the 100,000 mile plus coolant they have used. Go to the internet explorer type in dexcool in search. Cooling system is the subject.www.scuderiaciriani. Com is the location. Go to antifreeze then scroll to date:sun 2 apr 2000 23:42:41-0500 the applications engineer is very specfic about the affect. Ford had transmissions,Firestone had tires. …
I was driving down I-65 going to work, 70 MPH. I looked in my rear view mirror and notice a large amount of smoke coming from my 1995, GMC Jimmy, 104000 miles. I looked at my gauges and saw that I had no oil pressure and the check engine light was on. Fortunately I was right at an exit. I got off the interstate and stop at a gas station. All of these events happen in less than 5 minutes. When I go out I noticed engine oil on the outside of my vehicle, driver's side. I open the hood and checked the oil. No oil on the dip stick. Look under the vehicle and notice a large puddle of oil on the parking lot. I call a wrecker and had my truck towed to my mechanic's shop $85. Mechanic told me that one of the oil lines running to the filter and cooler had failed where the fitting is crimped to the line and that my engine was almost depleted of oil. …
I noticed heater was not heating to full potential. Checked coolant and saw that the dextron orange coolant was a sludge type substance. I went to a shop to have radiator flushed and replenished with proper coolant. I was informed that the coolant inside radiator could not be replaced by the establishment and that it had turned into something that was not good for the engine. The establishment said they had turned away two other customers due to the same reason. Dextron orange could only be replaced by the dealership and that at 40000 miles left before replacement it should not look that way. I have talked to other GMC Jimmy and Chevy blazer owners and they have had the same complaint. This seems to be a repeating complaint among these owners in my region. I request you investigate the dextron orange coolant that needs to be changed every 5 years or 100000 miles.
The GMC antifreeze keeps breaking down forming sludge so bad I had to replace the radiator . 6months later it happened again the dealer says that some one put the wrong antifreeze in the system my mechanic says that he has seen antifreeze mixed it it doesn't look like what keeps happening in my cooling system is any one else reporting this problem? My radiator has been repaired by the dealer once replaced by my mechanic once and system flushed. I with in the month had to replace the water pump the dealer did that repair and power flushed the system. It makes me wonder if this isn't a GMC problem like the time they filled the faulty cadilac engine blocks with stop leak to be able to sell them.GMC claims that this anti freeze is supposed to be god for 100000 miles what gives.
During a repair of a main seal leak, mechanic removed the transfer case and did not put all the parts back together, a short while later, consumer noticed a strong fuel smell and after examination found that an unsecured fuel line had vibrated against the protruding edge of a body support brace causing it to sever and leak, dealer found 2 support brackets missing and 2 large steel rods missing that are designed to assist in preventing the transfer from cracking during extreme 4-wheel conditions, if mechanic would have put all parts together this incident would not have occurred, consumer is requesting reimbursement for rental car costs and costs of repairs. Vehicle also experienced a power steering leak.
Engine complaints in other Jimmy years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1996 GMC Jimmy?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1996 GMC Jimmy, 13% of the model year's 407 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 GMC Jimmy engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1996 GMC Jimmy, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 GMC Jimmy engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.