Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
I was on the highway going at the speed of 45mph when the ball joint on the front passanger tire broke, causing me to go through 3 lanes without warning and almost flipping my car over. This is not the first time where I have almost lost my life due to manufacturer defects. Last year while driving on the highway, the wipers went out on me in the middle of a thunderstorm. The wipers died out on me a total of 6 times in the last 2 years with over 10 visits to dealers for repairs. The ball joint cracking caused the cv boot to be damaged, the stabilizer lines were damaged, the line cover was damaged, and the dealer found that all 4 ball joints were severly bad - not because fo driving but manufacturer defect. The car is only four years old how could so many things be bad on a car that isn't even 4 years old. The warrantly co. …
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.
The vehicle experienced the same defect as stated in recall 03 v 159 000, however the vehicle identification number was not included in the recall. The problem occurs everytime it rains. The front wipers either won't work at all when it rains or will stop in mid sweep when it rains. The problem only occurs when it's wet.
NHTSA recall# 03v 159 000 windshield wiper motor cover.vehicle was not included in the recall. However, the consumer stated a recall noticed was received from the manufacturer, and they were denying consumer the opportunity to have this resolved.
Windshield wipers work sometimes but more then often do not work. I called GMC as there was a recall but they tell me my VIN number was not part of the recall. The recall was a month before I bought the truck. Why do I have the same problem but I'm not part of the recall? On the brakes- it was recalled for the antilock on a volunteer basis. I took it in for the computer adjustment as per the recall fix, they said it was done and a week later, on the same road it first happened to me, a light changed, I hit the brakes (not hard) and antilock kicked in and the pedal went to the floor and I almost crashed as my heart went into my stomach. Long before the recall, I had my truck into GMC many times for brake problems and even wrote letters that describe the recall long before I know there was one! GM says my truck brakes are fixed but they're not. The wipers they won't cover. …
The consumers vehicle experienced the same problems as stated in recalls 01i018000 lower ball joint; recall 03V159000 windshield wiper motor, and transmission. Recall number unknown. Dealer will not repair because VIN was not included. The dealer replaced the left lower ball joint due to a cracking noise. While driving through the snow, the consumer wasn't able to use the 4wd because the transfer case needed to be replaced. The windshield wipers were intermittent, a loud cracking noise had come from the right side of the vehicle when turning the steering wheel. The service dealer stated that the only problem was the transmission which had a leak and the ignition switch.
While driving to indianapolis on jan. 30,2001 for business, my windshield wipers would quit working periodically. It was raining very hard and they once stopped while passing another vehicle causing a very dangerous situation. I proceeded to drive on to indianapolis, but staying in the right lane of interstate 74 all the way so as to be able to hit the shoulder if necessary. I had to have the wipers repaired before returning home, and just recently received information that there is a recall for windshield wiper motors on 1996 GMC Jimmy. Would like reimbursement for work done to replace motor so that I could travel home safely.
While driving with windshield wipers working windshield wipers would fail without warning or notice. This is an intermitten wiper problem. So far has happened 3 times. The wiper failure problem would cause poor visibility for the driver. Last time it happened was in a snow storm on 12/26/99. Been in contact with dealer & wiper circuit board was cracked. Dealership & manufacturer indicated that vehicle was not included in recall (#98V150000 & #98V150001) due to being out of manufacturer's date. Owner feels vehicle should be repaired free of charge since experiencing the same windshield problem as mentione din the recall.
Windshield wipers stopped during a rain storm, this has happened 5 times previously. This problem was a recall on the 1995 blazers and jimmys, but not on the 1996 models even though it is the same part used on both years, according to a parts person at a GMC dealer ship. Fortunately no one in our family was injured. I am having the problem fixed at my expense, due to the fact that GMC will not pay for the defect. I feel I should be reimbursed for this for this dangerous defect, and this problem should be corrected, by recall, before serious injuries occur. Sincerly, ronald l keller
I own a 1996 GMC Jimmy SUV my windshield wipers would intermittently just stop working. They progressively got worse, but would just as mysteriously start working again. I had them checked a couple of times -- motor was fine, switch was fine. In November 2000 during heavy rain my wipers stopped working unexpectedly at about 100kmh/65mph on a major highway. I could not see anything, but managed to exit the highway without a crash. Needless to say this is a serious safety hazard!
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor May fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on June 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper failure
As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, GM has expanded the population of safety recall 98v-150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Jimmy years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1996 GMC Jimmy?
NHTSA has 67 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1996 GMC Jimmy, 16% of the model year's 407 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer › motor (35 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 GMC Jimmy window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-159 (windshield wiper/washer, Apr 28, 2003); NHTSA recall 98V150001 (windshield wiper/washer, Jul 1, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 GMC Jimmy window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.