IllustrationWHEN DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK *SLC
1996 GMC Yukon
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1996 GMC Yukon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 103.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Yukon years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 9 of 70 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
70 reportsWHEN STARTING CAR AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS AIRBAG MODULE. *AK THEY REFUSE TO FIX A SAFETY DEVICE AT THEIR EXPENCE. *YH
ON 12-27-00 WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN I NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE READIN LIGHT/DOME LIGHT BEHIND THE FRONT SEAT. I BLEW OUT THE FLAMES, THEM MY HUSBAND PUSHED THE LIGHT FIXTURE UP AND BLEW OUT THE FLAMES STILL BURNING INSIDE. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE LIGHT FIXUTE, THE HEADLINER, AND MY 7-MONTH-OLD SON'S CARSEAT (WH…
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ON 12-27-00 WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN I NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE READIN LIGHT/DOME LIGHT BEHIND THE FRONT SEAT. I BLEW OUT THE FLAMES, THEM MY HUSBAND PUSHED THE LIGHT FIXTURE UP AND BLEW OUT THE FLAMES STILL BURNING INSIDE. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE LIGHT FIXUTE, THE HEADLINER, AND MY 7-MONTH-OLD SON'S CARSEAT (WHICH HE WAS IN AT THE TIME). ON 12-29-00, MY HUSBAND TOOK THE YUKON TO TRI-VALLEY GMC. HE SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE DIRECTORE, PATRICK MADRAZO, AND SHOWED HIM THE DAMAGES. MR. MADRAZO SAID HE HAD TO SPEAK WITH HIS AREA SERVICE MANAGER, WENDELL WEIGEL. ON 1-8-01, MR MADRAZO CALLED TO SAY THAT MR. WEIGEL DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE LIGHT BEING LEFT ON TOO LONG. MY HUSBAND HAD TOLD MR. MADRAZO ON 12-29-00 AND AGAIN ON 1-8-01 THAT THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON, BUT HE SAID THAT GMC WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGES. WE ARE SURE THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON BECAUSE THAT LIGHT WAS NOT EVEN WORKING. ON 2-2-98, WE TOOK THE YUKON TO HERRERA GMC (SAME DEALERSHIP, DIFFERENT NAME AND LOCATION) BECAUSE THAT READING LIGHT WOULD STOP WORKING WHEN MOVED IN THE SOCKET. THEY LOOKED AT THE YUKON AND "FOUND THE WHITE WIRE FEEDING POWER TO THE READING LIGHT WAS NOT MAKING CONTACT AT ALL TIMES." THEY "REMOVED THE LIGHT CONTACT AND STRIPPED THE WIRE BACK AND REINSTALLED." THE LIGHT WORKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR, THEN STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. WE DID NOT TAKE IT BACK FOR REPAIR BECAUSE THE YUKON WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. ON 1-8-01, MY HUSBAND CONTACTED GM. HE EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. ON 1-11-01, MAJA PRUDEN (CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGER) CALLED. I EXPLAINED THE ENTIRE SITUATION. SHE ASKED IF THE LIGHT WAS ON, AND I SAID NO. SHE WANTED ME TO TAKE THE YUKON TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TO BE LOOKED AT. I ASKED IF ALL THE DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA WOULD HAVE THE SAME AREA SERVICE MANAGER, BECAUSE IF SO, THAT WOULD NOT HELP. ON 1-16-01, MS. PRUDEN CALLED TO SAY THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE WHO COULD LOOK AT IT, THAT GM WOULD HAVE TO GO WITH MR. WEIGEL'S DETERMINATION
>LAST OCTOBER (10-19-2000) WE WERE RETURNING FROM A TRIP TO YOSEMITE WITH THE TRAILER. JUST AS WE. NOSAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING AND USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS , WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY.*AK
DOOR LOCKS JUMP ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. OWNER BELIEVES THAT INCIDENT WAS DUE TO AN IMPROPER CHECK-UP THAT WAS PERFORMED 2 DAYS EARLIER. BATTERY HOT CABLES AND LUG WERE FOUND COMPLETELY OUT OF BATTERY. *AK *ML
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN FAILED COMPLETELY MAKING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. CONTACTED DEALER AND REPLACED WIPER MODULE AND COVER AT OWNERS EXPENSE. ON 7-5-00 CONTACTED GMC TO INQUIRE ABOUT RECALL ID #98V150001 AS IT MAY APPLY TO VEHICLE. GMC SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THIS…
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WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN FAILED COMPLETELY MAKING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. CONTACTED DEALER AND REPLACED WIPER MODULE AND COVER AT OWNERS EXPENSE. ON 7-5-00 CONTACTED GMC TO INQUIRE ABOUT RECALL ID #98V150001 AS IT MAY APPLY TO VEHICLE. GMC SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN CAMPAIGN PER VIN SEARCH. GMC CANNOT DO ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH THIS IS THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS THOSE INCLUDED IN RECALL #98V150001..????*AK
BATTERY POSITIVE POST CORRODED DUE TO ACID LEAK. BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK *ML
WHEN DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE FOOT BOARD POPPED OUT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. ALSO, MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
Official recalls
303V159000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Apr 28, 2003
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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 REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
98V150001 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Jul 1, 1998
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
96V057000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Apr 4, 1996
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
8EA02006 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
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.
EA01018 · Seat Belt Anchorage Separation
Opened Dec 20, 2001 · Closed Dec 9, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
No summary supplied.
PE01023 · Seat Belt Anchorage Separation
Opened Jul 17, 2001 · Closed Dec 20, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
ODI HAS RECEIVED ONE (1) COMPLAINT ALLEGING THAT THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASE BUCKLE ANCHOR DETACHED FROM SEAT FRAME DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.DURING THE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WAS THROWN FROM HIS SEAT, PARTIALLY EJECTED THROUGH THE REAR QUARTER WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE.OCCUPANT SUSTAINED INJURY.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY CHANGED SEAT BELT ANCHORING DESIGN IN MY 2000. ODI HAS COMPLETED A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION AND HAS DETERMINED THAT FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO DETERMINE WHETHER A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS.
EA00024 · Headlight
Opened Sep 26, 2000 · Closed Dec 21, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
No summary supplied.
EA00013 · Battery Leaks Acid
Opened May 2, 2000 · Closed Jun 28, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE00017 · Headlight
Opened Apr 11, 2000 · Closed Sep 26, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
BASED ON THE REPORTS RECEIVED BY ODI FROM CONSUMERS, FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT FROM REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OFTHE TILT STEERING WHEEL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION MAY STRAIN THE WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT TO THE POINT OF FAILURE WHERE THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, RESULTING IN THE UNANTICIPATED LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.ODI HAS CONCERNS REGARDING THE HIGH RATE OF WARRANTY REPAIRS FOR PROBLEMS POTENTIALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WITH THE RECOGNITION THE EACH INCIDENT OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE REPRESENTS A CONDITION OF VEHICLE DISABLEMENT.IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER'S EVALUATION OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED, AND THIS OFFICE HAS INTEREST IN THE DETAILS OF THE METHODOLOGIES AND RESULTS OF THAT ASSESSMENT.
PE99073 · Battery Leaks Acid
Opened Dec 3, 1999 · Closed May 2, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
ODI HAS RECEIVED 21 COMPLAINTS WHERE OWNERS ALLEGE THAT THE STANDARD GM FACTORY SUPPLIED AC DELCO BATTERY CASE FAILED, RESULTING IN THE LEAKAGE OF SULFURIC ACID.OF THE 21 COMPLAINT VEHICLES, SIX SUBURBAN, THREE TAHOES, AND ONE YUKON OWNER(S) COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID FROM DETERIORATION OF THE RIGHT FRONTBRAKE LINE AS A RESULT OF SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION.THE REMAINING 11 COMPLAINTS PERTAIN PRIMARILY TO SULFURIC ACID LEAKAGE FROM THE BATTERY CASE.AT LEAST ONE COMPLAINANT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY ALSO FAILED.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS NOTE THAT THE LEAKING ACID HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH A WIRE HARNESS AT THE FRAME IN THE VICINITY OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINE.A FIELD INSPECTION BY ODI INDICATES THAT THE DESCRIBED HARNESS IS THE ABS CONNECTION TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR.PRIOR TO THE BATTERY CASE FAILURE, THERE IS USUALLY NO WARNING (SHORT OF AN UNDERHOOD INSPECTION), AND THE ENSURING DAMAGE (SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION) IS PROGRESSIVE.OF THE KNOWN BATTERY FAILURES, THERE MAY BE A TEMPERATURE CORRELATION, AS 60% OF THE OWNER COMPLAINTS CAME FROM FOUR STATES; CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA AND TEXAS.THERE IS ALSO A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND ENGINEERING CHANGE NOTICE TO ADD 1% SILVER TO THE BATTERY'S POSITIVE SIDE TERMINALL, WITH THE EARLIEST IMPLEMENTATION DATE FOR THIS BEING FEB 2, 1998.THE EFFECT OF THIS DESIGN CHANGE IS AS YET UNKNOWN; FURTHER REVIEW IS WARRANTED.AN EA IS BEING OPENED TO GATHER FURTHER APPROPRIATE INFORMATION, CLARIFY ANY DEFECT TRENDS, AND TO ASSESS THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS AND RISKS CONCERNING THESE FAILURES.
RQ99015 · Front Seat Recliner Bolt Failure
Opened Jul 14, 1999 · Closed Dec 28, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
No summary supplied.