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: 2 of 14 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 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
14 reports
198,200 miles · Jun 24, 2011
Fuel System, DieselCrash
I OWN A 1996 G M C SUBURBAN K2500 W THE 6.5 DIESEL ENGINE . I HAVE CHANGED (3) THREE INJECTION PUMPS IN ITS LIFE TIME AND ACCORDING TO SEVERAL HIGHLY QUALIFIED MECHANICS IT'S TIME TO DO IT AGAIN.THE PROBLEM IS THAT WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE TRUCK WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN,YOU WOULD LITERALLY HAVE TO STAND UP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL I…
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I OWN A 1996 G M C SUBURBAN K2500 W THE 6.5 DIESEL ENGINE . I HAVE CHANGED (3) THREE INJECTION PUMPS IN ITS LIFE TIME AND ACCORDING TO SEVERAL HIGHLY QUALIFIED MECHANICS IT'S TIME TO DO IT AGAIN.THE PROBLEM IS THAT WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE TRUCK WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN,YOU WOULD LITERALLY HAVE TO STAND UP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THIS POSSESSED KILLING MACHINE. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE HAD MANY GOOD TIMES WITH THIS TRUCK, WITH ARE VACATIONS ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY TO OUR DAY TRIPS NOT TO MENTION OUR DAILY USE. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND ALL HAVE THEIR DRIVERS LICENSE, IT IS A CRYING SHAME THAT I HAD TO PUT OUR TRUCK UP ON CINDER BLOCKS,AND I SURE CAN'T SELL IT THE WAY IT IS.NEEDLESSLY TO SAY G M C REFUSES TO HELP US IN ANY WAY,THEY CLAIM THE PUMP IS NOT THE PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO APPARENT RECALL FOR MY PROBLEM, FURTHER MORE THE TRUCK IS TO OLD AND THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO SELL ME A NEW TRUCK,HA. IN CLOSING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WHEN I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK (NEW) MY INTENTIONS WERE TO KEEP IT FOR A VERY LONG TIME,CONSIDERING IT IS A DIESEL AND EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT DIESELS LAST ALONG TIME OPPOSED TO GAS ENGINES. WE RELIGIOUSLY KEPT UP THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BY THE BOOK. I'M VERY DISCOURAGED AND DISAPPOINTED IN THE GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATIONS INTEGRITY. I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT MY WIFE HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT,WHERE THE TRUCK JUST TOOK OFF ON IT'S OWN WHILE SHE WAS WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THANK GOD NOBODY WAS HURT, EXCEPT MY WALLET WHERE I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO AVOID ANY INCREASE IN OUR INSURANCE FEES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10408737
199,960 miles · Aug 9, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS BRAKES ON MY 1996 K2500 SUBURBAN ACTIVATE AT SLOW SPEEDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10199008
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2002
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FUNCTION WORKING INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. PROBLEM ORIGINALLY OCCURRED ONLY IN INTERMITTANT AND "LOW" SETTING, BUT NOW ALSO AFFECTS OPERATION IN "HIGH" SPEED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #764097
Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
SMOKE ROLLED OUT OF THE CAB OF THE PICKUP, WIRE UNDER DRIVER SEAT FOR THE ELECTRIC SEATS BECAME BARE SHORTED OUT AND THE FUSE DID NOT CLOSE SHUT, BURNED UP HARNESS AND MELTED PART OF DASH BY FUSES AND BURNED UP ALL WIRES UNDER DASH.
NHTSA ODI #9005915
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2001
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ERRATICALLY. THEY SHUT ON/OFF ON THEIR OWN AT ANY TIME. WHEN NEEDED THEY SHUT OFF, AND IT TAKES A WHILE BEFORE CUTTING BACK ON. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96043, CONSUMER REPAIRED ON HIS OWN. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #882043
Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2000
Visibility
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, THE CONSUMER HAS RECONNECTED THE SWITCH, BUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR STILL OCCURS. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #783647
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE PROBLEMS INCLUDED WARPED ROTORS, BRAKES THAT LOCK UP WHEN BRAKES ARE FIRST APPLIED UPON START UP AND LEAKY MASTER CYLINDER. WHEN I BROUGHT IN THE VEHICLE, EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THESE PROBLEMS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WERE NOT AN ISSUE FOR T…
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THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE PROBLEMS INCLUDED WARPED ROTORS, BRAKES THAT LOCK UP WHEN BRAKES ARE FIRST APPLIED UPON START UP AND LEAKY MASTER CYLINDER. WHEN I BROUGHT IN THE VEHICLE, EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THESE PROBLEMS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WERE NOT AN ISSUE FOR THE VEHICLE. "TOUGH LUCK FOR THE VEHICLE OWNER -- THAT'S JUST THE WAY THEY ARE" IS WHAT ONE MECHANIC TOLD ME. UPON VIEWING THE NHTSA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WEB PAGE, IT APPEARS THAT THE BREAKS ARE AN ISSUE FOR MY TRUCK AND THE ROTORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR FIXED. AT THIS TIME, I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM OF WARPED ROTORS AND BRAKES THAT LOCK UP FOR THE FIRST FEW STOPS AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. AT THIS POINT IN TIME MY WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT, BUT WHEN I FIRST BEGAN SEEKING HELP FOR THE BRAKE PROBLEMS IN MY TRUCK, THE WARRANTY WAS STILL GOOD. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE?
NHTSA ODI #704656
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE WET THEY HAVE A TENDENCY TO BECOME AGGRESSIVE, WHICH CAUSES THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #827558
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT/RIGHT UPON BRAKING. DIRECTION IS NOT PREDICTABLE PRIOR TO BRAKING. IN ADDITION, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS/PADS/ROTORS AND HOSES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #522975
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SPABS BRAKES FAIL TO RESPOND TO PEAL APPLICATION, ALLOWING TRUCK TO ROLL THROUGH INTERSECTION. IN ADDITION, WHEN APPLYINGBRAKES IN A PANIC SITUATION, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #819388
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 GMC K2500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year