1996 GMC Pickup recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
What could happen: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 PICKUP.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08E050000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-909-839-2992.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Summary: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY HONDA, FORD, OR CHRYSLER LLC. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
What could happen: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 PICKUP.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E040000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO E SPEED RACING AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS." CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Visibility (wipers / glass) (3), Brakes (2), Hydraulic (2), Transmission / drivetrain (1), Steering (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/06/2004 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND WENT OFF ON THEIR OWN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD TO HONOR THE RECALL. *AK *JB
03/07/2002 · Transmission / drivetrain
THIS IS MY SECOND ATTEMPT AT GETTING HELP OR GETTING THIS PROBLEM INVESTIGATED. PLEASE SEE WWW.THECOMPLAINTSTATION.COM FOR NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS. NO SAFETY DEFECTS LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
08/23/2001 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS GO ON AND OFF AT WILL.*AK
08/23/2001 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
TALKED WITH GM CUSTOMER CARE ABOUT RCALL #98043 EXACT PROBLEM I AM HAVING. SAID MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED EVEN THOUGH SAME PROBLEM APPEARS IN MY VEHICLE. SAFETY ISSUE AS WIPERS ARE INTERMITTENT DURING USE. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE ISSUE OR PROVIDE GM DISTRICT MANAGER NAMES OR PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ESCALATION ON THIS ISSUE.*AK
01/26/2001 · Brakes
DEFECTIVE BRAKE HOSE COLLAPSED, CAUSING RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER TO LOCK UP AND WEAR OUT. GMC HAS A REDISIGNED BRAKE HOSE WHICH DEALER REPLACED ON BOTH SIDES. *AK BRAKES WERE GRINDING, SCREECHING AND CHATTERING. R/FRONT CALLPER LOCED UP. *YH
03/06/2000 · Steering
WIRE FOR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BROKEN AT TERMINAL BLOCK IN STEERING COLUMN, CAUSING LIGHTS NOT TO WORK. OTHER WIRES DAMAGED, NOT YET BROKEN. TILTING OF STEERING WHEEL CAUSES WIRE BUNDLE TO FLEX, AND WEAR OUT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *ML
06/29/1998 · Brakes · crash
BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE BRAKES ACTIVATE. THE BRAKE PADS BURNED OUT AND THE ROTORS/CALIPERS ARE DEFECTIVE. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
03/19/1997 · Engine
ENGINE IDLES AT HIGH RMP AFTER THROTTLE IS RELEASED.