1996 GMC Savana Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 11%of 35 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 GMC Savana, 11% of the 35 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Enginecheck light came on and stayed on for three days. Then it was hard to shift of gear. She took vehicle to the dealership to be flushed out. Consumer was concerned that at 40,000 miles she had severe shifting problem. Rust in transmission fluid, metal filing was found in the transmission possibly from coolant leak into it.”
NHTSA complaint #869783, filed 2000-09“While driving speedometer will get stuck at 15 MPH/ 20mph then 30mph. When consumer gets to 60 MPH they are not aware of the speedometer being stuck. Speedometer has to stay up with the traffic in order to know how fast the car is going, and to keep speed limits. Police has pulled consumer over on several occasions because consumer was unaware of how fast the car was traveling. Also, dealer changed the cluster unit. But in less than 24 hours the speedometer was sticking again.”
NHTSA complaint #853151, filed 1999-12“The vehicke had to have the engine heads reworked due to engine check light coming on starting at 2000 miles. #1 cylinder exhuast valve was sticking open. We have had the dealer replace the window motor control motor and switch. Failed 4 times. Brakes are terrible. Although ABS right front wheel will lock up, dealer can't seem to correct. Fuel pump failed in august 1998. Speedometer was acting up, would move 4-5 miles per hour at a time, not smoothly, would jump up or down. Cruise didn't work well. Dealer replaced speed control sensor in august 1998. …”
NHTSA complaint #701961, filed 1999-01Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3 | 43% |
| 2016 | 1 | 17% |
| 2004 | 2 | 17% |
| 2003 | 1 | 5% |
| 2001 | 2 | 11% |
| 2000 | 3 | 6% |
| 1999 | 3 | 6% |
| 1998 | 1 | 3% |
| 1997 | 7 | 15% |
| 1996 | 4 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1996 GMC Savana
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 GMC Savana
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology