1997 GMC Jimmy

Defect. CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINS AN ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. SUSTAINED LOADS OF SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE AND DURATION ON THE BELT IN SEVERE CRASHES COULD FULLY DEPLOY THE BUCKLE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP, INTRODUCING A TOTAL OF 10 ADDITIONAL INCHES OF WEBBING INTO THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THE FREE FALLING LATCH PLATE USED IN THIS SYSTEM MAY ALLOW WEBBING TO DYNAMICALLY DISTRIBUTE BETWEEN THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT AS THE DRIVER'S POSITION CHANGES DURING A MULTIPLE ROLLOVER EVENT.

Risk. IF THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP FULLY DEPLOYS IN A SEVERE MULTIPLE ROLLOVER CRASH, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A BELTED DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE PARTIAL OR EVEN COMPLETE EJECTION FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WITH ONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 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.

Defect. CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Risk. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 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 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1996-1997 4-WHEEL DRIVE CHEVROLET BLAZER, GMC JIMMY, AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OWNERS HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS THAT HAVE SEPARATED. GM IS PROVIDING A SPECIAL POLICY TO THESE OWNERS TO COVER UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT IF THE CUSTOMER FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE CHASSIS LUBRICATION AND THE VEHICLE STILL REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS DUE TO SEPARATION.

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy. GM HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. THIS SPECIAL POLICY IS FOR A PERIOD OF 8 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST, FROM THE DATE THE VHEICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED IN SERVICE, REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP. THE UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT, DUE TO SEPARATION, WILL BE MADE AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER DURING THIS PERIOD. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-862-4389, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.

Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. FAILURE OF AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY COULD OCCUR DUE TO CORROSION.

Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN IMPAIRED STEERING OR STEERING LOSS, OR A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 4, 2001. 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.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.

Risk. IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

NHTSA RECALL#03V117 REGARDING POSSIBLE SEATBELT FAILURE AND WE NOTIFIED OUR LOCAL GMC DEALER BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED.WE ARE CONCERNED OF A POSSIBLE CATASTROPHE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC JIMMY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC JIMMY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND RESTARTED AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

BAD 3 VEHICKLE AUTO ACCIDENT ON I-96 IN MICHIGAN. A WHITE CAR STOPPED OR STALLED IN CENTER LANE OF HIGHWAY AND WAS THEN HIT BY A GREEN CAR AND WE HIT THE GREEN CAR "HEAD ON" IN THE REAR.. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITH A DIRECT HEAD ON HIT AT 65 TO 70 MILES PER HOUR. MY TRUCK WAS A 1997 GMC JIMMY. *TT

I WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AT MY WORK PLACE PARKING LOT AND BACKED ON TO MY SPARE TIRE. THE SPARE TIRE CABLE BROKE DUE TO CORROSION. LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH AND SOMEONE BEHIND ME RUN INTO IT. I HAVE OWNED BLAZERS AND JIMMY'S FOR THE LAST 23 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. CHECKING OUT THIS WEBSITE I NOW KNOW THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. I WILL TELL EVERYONE THAT I KNOW WHO OWN THESE VEHICLES ABOUT THIS DEFECT. *TR

I OWN A 1997 GMC JIMMY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE ALWAYS ONLY WORKED WHEN THEY WANTED TO. NOW, THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAVE BEEN DOING SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALOT OF THE SAME MODELS. I SEE THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1996 MODELS. WHY NOT THE 1997 MODELS? THE EXACT SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO MY 1997. I NEVER KNEW OR WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS. I WANT THIS REPAIR FIXED AT NO COST TO ME. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR

1997 GMC JIMMY BATTERY DRAIN. AFTER VEHICLE SITS FOR A COUPLE HOURS IT WILL NOT START. HAS NEW (NOT REBUILT) ALTERNATOR, STARTER, BATTERY. STILL WON'T START MOST OF THE TIME. BATTERY DRAINS COMPLETELY IF VEHICLE SITS OVERNIGHT. AS SOON AS I JUMP THE VEHICLE, IT STARTS IMMEDIATELY. NOTHING I DO WILL HELP.VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS FOR8YEARS AND I CAN'T FIX IT SO I DON'T EVEN PUT LICENSE IT ANYMORE. I CAN'T SELL IT BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS A BROKE DOWN CAR. IT STILL LOOKS AND DRIVES GREAT. I WOULD LIKE GM TO FIX IT. THERE ARE ALSO OTHER THINGS THAT APPEAR TO BE FACTORY DEFAULTS LIKE FRONT SUSPENSION AND MORE I WON'T GO INTO NOW. *TR

THE HEAD LIGHTS KEEP SHUTTING OFF AS YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT TIME THEN IT WILL SWITCH OVER TO THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS, THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME YOU DRIVE AT NIGHTTIME WITH THE LIGHTS ON, WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SO WE HAVE NOT BROUGHT IT IN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC JIMMY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER ON ITS PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V200000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE SIMILAR. THE MANUFACTURER FURTHER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,402.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NOW DEPENDABLY NON-FUNCTIONAL, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY'RE NEEDED THE MOST (LIKE WHEN IT'S RAINING). THEY ARE INOPERABLE ABOUT 90% OF THE TIME, NOTHING SEEMS ABLE TO COAX THE WIPER SYSTEM BACK INTO OPERATION UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, AND THE VEHICLE'S OPERATOR IS SIMPLE LEFT SOAKING WET AND WHOLLY IRRITATED FOR HIS EFFORTS. IF THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION WHEN THESE FAILURES OCCUR, THE DRIVER MUST NEGOTIATE TRAFFIC LIKE SOME JEDI KNIGHT USING "THE FORCE" BEFORE HE CAN EVEN GET SAFELY PULLED OVER. AND ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THAT'S NO SMALL TRICK! THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM, AND GENERAL MOTORS' SEEMINGLY CAVALIER ATTITUDE ABOUT ADDRESSING IT IS UNACCEPTABLE! THEY HAVE ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGED THIS EXACT PROBLEM WITH PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR VEHICLES AND CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE 1997 MODELS; WHY WON'T THEY ISSUE THE SAME BADLY-NEEDED RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES? ARE THEY WAITING FOR THE INEVITABLE TRAFFIC FATALITIES AND SUBSEQUENT CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT...? WHAT WILL GET THESE PEOPLE TO OWN UP TO FAULTY SAFETY EQUIPMENT ON THEIR VEHICLES AND CORRECT IT...? IF GM THINKS EXAMPLES OF THIS SORT OF CUSTOMER SERVICE AND VEHICLE RELIABILITY IS GOING TO MAKE PEOPLE FLOCK TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS TO BUY THEIR PRODUCTS, THEY'RE IN FOR A VERY RUDE AWAKENING...! BIG MYSTERY WHY THEY'RE LOSING MONEY...! *TR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY AT BEST; HAVE BEEN THIS WAY FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW, BUT HAVE BEEN GETTING STEADILY LESS RELIABLE. WIPERS FAILED RECENTLY ON I-35S IN WACO, TX DURING RAIN SHOWER; ANYONE WHO'S DRIVEN THIS STRETCH OF ROAD DOESN'T HAVE TO BE TOLD HOW DANGEROUS A SITUATION THAT WAS. WINDSHIELD WASHERS ARE ONLY PARTIALLY EFFECTIVE (PASSENGER SIDE NOZZLE IS ALMOST TOTALLY INOPERATIVE); THIS HAS BEEN THE CASE FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 YEARS NOW. HAVE TRIED BLOWING OUT LINE/NOZZLE WITHOUT SUCCESSFUL REMEDY; OBVIOUSLY PROBLEM LIES WITH SYSTEM DESIGN AND/OR FLUID PUMP. THIS PROBLEM IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, AND THE "BEAN COUNTERS" AT GM NEED TO START REALIZING THAT A RECALL IS LESS COSTLY THAN A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT. I UNDERSTAND (FROM PERUSING THIS SITE) THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM. THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECALLS ISSUED WHICH APPLY TO PREVIOUS MODEL-YEAR VEHICLES FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM; OBVIOUSLY THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE 1997 MODELS AS WELL. PLEASE PRESSURE GM TO DO SO BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE BECAUSE THEIR WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL AT A CRITICAL MOMENT. *TR

FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT INDICATE ACCURATELY AT LOW FUEL STATES. AS FUEL APPROACHES EMPTY (WITH 1/8 - 1/4 ACTUAL FUEL REMAINING IN TANK), GAUGE BEGINS TO ERRONEOUSLY INDICATE PROGRESSIVELY HIGHER FUEL QUANTITIES IN THE TANK UNTIL A POINT WHERE THE GAUGE IS INDICATING ALMOST FULL, WHEN IN REALITY, THE TANK IS ALMOST EMPTY. THE OBVIOUS IMPLICATION IS THAT A MOTORIST WHO IS NOT PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION COULD BE LEFT STRANDED WITHOUT FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC JIMMY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HIS ARMS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS SENT TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN AND THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

97 GMC JIMMY UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY, REPAIRED AND INSPECTED OTHER UPPER BALL JOINT FOUND IT WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT . 2001 GMC JIMMY UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY, WHILE ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL BUT WAS ABLE TO KEEP VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE PLAY WITH THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND UPON TURNING ANY DIRECTION THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #01V200000, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 9/13/2006 - *NM

WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE I HAD MY 1997 GMC JIMMY IN CRUISE CONTROL. I TAPED TO BRAKE TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. AFTER RESUMING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE VEHICLE BEGAN PICKING UP SPEED MUCH TO FAST. I AGAIN TAPPED THE BRAKE AND SHUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. I THEN HEARD WHAT SEEMED LIKE A FLAT TIRE, I BEGAN PULLING OFF OF THE ROAD. AS I LOOKED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR I COULD SEE FLAMES COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE I SAID TO MY MOTHER THE PASSENGER "THE VEHICLE IS ON FIRE GET OUT" AFTER SHE OPENED THE DOOR THE FLAMES TORNADOED AND CAME INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND STARTED EVERYTHING ON FIRE. I THEN PULLED MY MOTHER OVER THE CONSOLE AND DRAGGED HER AWAY TO SAFETY, THE VEHICLE IN LESS THAN 20 SECONDS WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *NM

APPARENTLY THERE IS A SHORT IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR, AND IN THE MIDDLE OF A HAIL STORM, SUDDENLY THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO A COVERED AREA, AND JIGGLE THE WIRES TO GET IT GOING AGAIN. NOW IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, AND HE SAID THAT MANY JIMMY'S AND BLAZERS HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE WIPER MODULE REPLACED. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR IT YET, B/C APPARENTLY THE PART ALONE COSTS OVER $150. IF SO MANY OF THESE SUV'S ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, I WAS JUST WONDERING WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHE PLACED THE GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE REAR SEAT THE BUCKLE WOULD NOT LATCH. SHE WAS ABLE TO USE ANOTHER BELT IN THE REAR . TWO DAYS LATER THE OTHER TWO REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND THERE WAS NO FREE REMEDY OFFERED. THE DEALER WAS GOING TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA RECALL 96V142000 DEALING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE 1991 JIMMY. *AK

DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES BROKE WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE BALL JOINTS AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSORS WERE REPLACED. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THERE WERE NHTSA RECALLS 01I018000 AND 01V200000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS DUE TO VIN. IN ADDITION, THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS AS WELL. THE LEFT DOOR BROKE OFF WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE MALE JOINT OF THE DOOR BROKE WHEN SHUTTING THE DOOR. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION AND ANTI LOCK BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. *AK