1998 GMC Jimmy

Above average

Owners filed 238 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility. It has been recalled 2 times.

Not among the GMC Jimmy years to avoid. Which GMC Jimmy years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
72,000 milesMedian miles at failure

68 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 1998 GMC Jimmy problems

70 of the 238 complaints (29%) are about the visibility.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer26
100
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor25
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes14
100
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission13
000
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags10
10110
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Switch/Wiring8
000
Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing6
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine6
010
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch6
000
Suspension › Front5
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm98V053000
Filed Mar 9, 199872 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE OR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE. ONE OR BOTH OF THE ATTACHING NUTS FOR THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM ARE UNDER TORQUED. THIS CAN ALLOW THE ATTACHMENT BOLT TO LOOSEN AND SUBSEQUENT BREAK RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings97V218000
Filed Nov 24, 199719,716 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.

Risk. PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension
Filed Apr 26, 201610 milesNJ

AFTER GETTING AN OIL CHANGE I WAS INFORMED OF A LEAK IN MY OIL PAN, AS I GOT HOME THE NEXT MORNING I NOTICED THAT MY CAR LEAKED OUT ALL THE OIL IN THE CAR RESULTING FROM A FAULT O-RING SEAL, ALSO NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION AS MY IDLER ARM IS ABOUT TO SNAP AT ANY MOMENT RESULTING IN THE LOSE OF STEERING FOR THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC BEFORE I PURCHASED IT AND ONLY ONE BUSHING WAS REPLACED INSTEAD OF ALL OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME, ALSO THE MECHANIC IMPROPERLY REPLACED THE FRONT SHOCKS AS INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE GREASE BEARINGS THE MECHANIC USED BOLTS TO ASSEMBLE AND HOLD THEM IN PLACE RESULTING IN AN ANNOYING SQEAK IN THE FRONT END OF THE CAR SINCE THE SHOCKS CANT BE PROPERLY GREASED AS THERE ARE NOT GREASE FITTINGS.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 13, 201418,000 milesHI

THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE PARKING LOT, STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, PROCEEDED INTO THE ROADWAY AND ENGINE DIED. EVERYTHING WENT OFF - ALL POWER ALL ELECTRICAL. I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE SECOND HAND AND THE OWNER TOLD ME LATER THAT SHE HAD BATTERY PROBLEMS, BUT SHE PUT IN A NEW BATTERY. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIX IT. MY HUSBAND FIGURED IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. I KEPT THE CAR FOR TWELVE YEARS AND HAD TO CHANGE IT TWICE, PLUS THE INITIAL REPAIR WAS WARRANTIED. WHEN IT FIRST OCCURRED IN 2000 I LOOKED FOR A RECALL, BUT THERE WAS NONE. I REMEMBER THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD A VERY LARGE KEYCHAIN, AND WE DID FIGURE OUT ON OUR OWN TO CARRY A SINGLE KEY, BUT AFTER ABOUT 5-6 YEARS YOU STILL NEED TO CHANGE THE IGNITION, YOU CAN TELL CAUSE THE ELECTRONICS START GOING WACKY IN THE VEHICLE. THEN IT WON'T START, LIKE YOU THINK ITS THE BATTERY. IT IS SAD THAT PEOPLE DIED FROM THIS AND THAT GMC CANNOT ADMIT THAT THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON, I KNOW SINCE 1998. I NOW KNOW WHY I GOT SUCH A GOOD DEAL ON THE VEHICLE, THAT PERSON COULD HAVE KILLED ME, BY NOT TELLING ME THE TRUTH! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 9, 2011150,000 milesIN

I HAVE A GMC JIMMY THAT IS EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE DASHBOARD FAILURES. WHEN I FILL THE GAS TANK THE GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY, THEN WHEN I DRIVE A WHILE IT GOES TO FULL AND THEN BACK TO EMPTY. I NEVER HAVE A PARTIALLY FULL READING. ALSO THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES OFF AND ON. MY OIL PRESSURE GAUGE REVES UP AND DOWN LIKE I AM OUT OF OIL. I PULL OFF THE ROAD AND CHECK AND THE OIL IS FINE. I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS. I TOOK IT TO THE GM DEALER AND THEY WANT MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD JUST TO LOOK AT IT AND CAN'T GUARANTEE ANYTHING. I DID PAY $85 TO PUT IT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTER BUT THIS NEVER SHOWED UP. PLEASE HELP! *TR

Tires
Filed Jul 5, 2011105,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC JIMMY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE HOIST THAT HELD THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO DISENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND STATED THE SPARE TIRE HOIST WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 3, 2010MI

ABS ACTIVATES AT OR BELOW 5MPH ON DRY ROADS/PAVEMENT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE. OCCURS OFTEN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT STOP SIGNS/LIGHTS OR PARKING AREAS POSING DANGER TO OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer
Filed May 22, 2009141,000 milesNM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC JIMMY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK WHEN ACTIVATED. THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED EXTREMELY LIMITED VISIBILITY AND HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE RAIN SLACKED UP BEFORE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 141,000.

Fuel System, GasolineFire1 injured
Filed Mar 9, 2009OK

I WAS DRIVING A 1998GMC JIMMY FROM OKLAHOMA CITY, OK TO WALTERS, OK. EVERYTHING WAS GREAT AND THE CAR WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY. I WAS ON THE HE BAILEY TURNPIKE ON HIGHWAY MARKER 30 - I COULD SEE THE SIGN AND PULL OFF FOR THE FAXON EXIT AND THE BIG SIGN FOR WALTERS. A FEW WISPS OF WHITE SMOKE APPEARED AND THEN HEAVY GREY SMOKE STARTED TO BILLOW INTO MY FACE THROUGH THE RIGHT SIDE VENT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I STARTED TO COUGH AND COULDN'T SEE SO I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AS I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, I PULLED THE HOOD RELEASE AND RAN TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLES. UNDER THE HOOD, HALF OF THE ENGINE BAY WAS ALREADY BURNED AWAY - LIKE THE BOTTLE FOR ANTI-FREEZE AND HOSES.... THE WHOLE ENGINE BAY WAS ON FIRE. THE CAR WAS GONE AT THAT POINT - THERE WAS NO WAY TO SAVE IT. I RAN TO THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT AND GRABBED A BASKET THAT HAD MY CENSUS ID AND I THREW IT AWAY FROM THE CAR. I GRABBED SOME CDS THEN TOO, BUT THEY WERE ON FIRE. THE DASH WAS ON FIRE AND WAS SPREADING INTO THE FRONT SEAT. I THREW THE CDS IN THE DIRT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. I GRABBED THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF THE BACK SEAT AND GRABBED A HAMPER WITH PRESENTS FOR MY DAUGHTER. I RAN TO THE OTHER SIDE BACK SEAT AND GRABBED THE LEGAL PAPERS OF CENSUS APPLICANTS - THEY WERE ON FIRE AND I SNUFFED OUT THE FIRE IN THE DIRT. I GRABBED MY JEAN JACKET WITH MY MILITARY ID AND DRIVER'S LICENSE - THE BACK SEAT AND FRONT SEAT WERE ON FIRE AND I RAN AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT FIREBALLED AND EXPLODED. TWO MEN FROM THE TUR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 9, 2008134,000 milesMI

FRONTAL ACCIDENT TO MY 1998 JIMMY AT 35 MPH. EXTENSIVE FRONT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. NO AIR BAG CODES EVERYTHING WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. BOTH POLICE OFFICERS AGREED THAT WITH THE TYPE OF ACCIDENT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS. BECAUSE OF NO DEPLOYMENT I WAS INJURED AND HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF MY INJURIES. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 12, 2008172,000 milesIN

DRIVE AN 1998 GMC JIMMY WITH AROUND 172,000 MILES ON IT (I KNOW THIS IS A LOT OF MILES). HAD THE LOCAL GM DEALER WORK ON MY REAR DEFROSTER (ONE OF THE CLIPS FELL OFF). AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE DEALER I TURNED MY DEFROSTER ON ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER. THE BACK WINDOW EXPLODED LIKE A SHOTGUN AFTER ABOUT 15-20 SECONDS. DEALER SAYS REAR DEFROSTER VOLTAGE REGULATOR MUST HAVE WENT BAD. I ARGUED THAT A FUSE SHOULD HAD BLOWN BEFORE AN EXPLOSION TOOK PLACE. GM COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT ALSO DISAGREES, SAYING THAT THE VEHICLE IS OLD AND THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS STANDING BY THE REAR WINDOW WHEN IT EXPLODED BECAUSE IT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE KILLED THEM. IF I'M WRONG TELL ME I'M WRONG BUT I BELIEVE GM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR NO ONLY REPLACING THE WINDOW BUT FIXING THE REAR DEFROSTER VOLTAGE REGULATOR. I HOPE THIS IS AN ISOLATED CASE BUT MAYBE BY REPORTING THIS I CAN PREVENT SOMEONE FROM GETTING HURT (INCLUDING A GM TECHNICIAN). *TR

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Dec 6, 2007113,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC JIMMY. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 15 MPH DOWN A STEEP, WET ROAD, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE BUMPER AND HEADLAMPS WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE BODY SHOP AND WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN ABS DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V218000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 8, 2007AK

THE ENGINE CONTINUALLY MISFIRES. THERE IS A TSB BULLETIN #00-06-04-003B. DEPOSIT BUILDUP ON POPPED VALVE BALL &/OR SEAT, CAUSING IT TO STICK. THERE IS A RECALL BECAUSE OF THIS BUT ONLY IN CALIFORNIA. I LIVE IN ALASKA. I GOT AN ESTIMATE OF $1200 BUCKS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. BECAUSE OF THIS, I ONLY GET 5-7 MPG, AND HAVE LITTLE POWER. ALSO, MY ABS LIGHT TURNS ON AND THE ABS ACTIVATES AT LOW SPEEDS ON DRY GROUND. MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS TOTALLY MESSED UP. MY RIGHT CLICKER JUST THE SOUND NOT LIGHT) GOES OFF WHEN DRIVING. IT IS COMPLETELY ERRATIC AND UNPREDICTABLE. MY SPEAKERS TURN OFF AND ON SPORADICALLY. *AK MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT ADJUSTER BROKE OFF WITH LITTLE PRESSURE. MY STEERING WHEEL CONTINUOUSLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT. THIS MANY PROBLEMS IN A VEHICLE IS RIDICULOUS. WHAT A LEMON. ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE SEEN THE SAME EXACT COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THIS SIGHT ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 7, 2006122,000 milesOH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S RIGHT REAR BRAKELINE CRACKED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THEY WOULD NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER BECAUSE THE REPAIR WORK WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRACTURED BRAKELINE WAS VISIBLE.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Nov 6, 2006NC

KEY GETS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION AND I CAN'T REMOVE IT, THE DASH LIGHTS AND GAUGES DO NOT WORK AND TRANSMISSION DOESN'T START OFF IN 1ST GEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 OTHER TIMES AND EVERYTIME I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AND THIS IS IN A 3 YEAR PERIOD. THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE WORTH PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 6, 2006139,000 milesMI

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE FELL OFF DUE TO A RUSTY CABLE. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED. UPDATED 10/18/2006 - *NM

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Apr 21, 2006CO

TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHT FAILURE, ELECTRIC WINDOW CONTROL FAILURE OFF AND ON. *NM

Suspension › Front
Filed Apr 7, 200699,305 milesIN

VEHICLE CONSTANTLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT. HAS PULLED TO THE RIGHT SINCE BOUGHT. ACCORDING TO OTHER COMPLAINTS, ALIGNMENT WILL NOT FIX PROBLEM EITHER. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Feb 16, 200668,600 milesOH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR ALIGNMENT. THE REPAIR PERSONNEL DISCOVERED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. THE PROBLEM RETURNED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES, BUT ONLY THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED DURING THESE INCIDENTS. UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 30, 2006TX

CAR ISL STUCK ACCELERATING. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Dec 28, 2005VA

DRIVING IN HEAVY RAINS ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY WIPERS JUST STOPPED. I HAD TO BREAK HEAVY AND GET OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WAITED UNTIL THE RAIN SUBSIDED AND THEN DROVE HOME. THE NEXT MORNING THEY WORKED OKAY AND AFTER ABOUT 20 MILES STOPPED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS CONSTANTLY AND I DON'T KNOW IF AND WHEN OR HOW LONG THEY WILL WORK. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 23, 2005MN

I HAVEN'T GOTTEN INTO ANY ACCIDENTS, BUT I'M AFFRAID I WILL. THE RECALL OUT THERE RIGHT NOW HAVING TO DO WITH THE ABS AND BRAKE SYSTEM, I FEEL THE SAME IS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE, BUT SINCE IT'S A 1998 WITH 96000 MILES ON IT, NO ONE WILL HELP ME OUT. MY VEHICLE DOES THE EXACT SAME DESCRIPTION THAT THE RECALL DESCRIBES. I UNFORTUNATELY CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX IT AT THIS TIME AND IT'S PRETTY SCARY HAVING TO DRIVE OUT THERE KNOWING THAT IT'S POSSIBLE I MIGHT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I WAS PRETTY DISAPPOINTED THAT GMC WOULD NOT HELP IN SOLVING THE ISSUE. EVEN JUST TO HELP OUT IN THE COST A LITTLE BIT WOULD BE HELPFUL. *NM

Visibility
Filed Dec 7, 2005MI

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED ONLY WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD, BUT STILL DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE DELAY RAN AS THOUGH IT WAS ON NORMAL. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS . ALSO, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE NOT WORKED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH. SHE HAS REPLACED THE BULBS, FUSE, AND CHECKED THE ELECTRONIC SENSOR. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. *AK UPDATED 1/4/2006 - *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Dec 6, 2005MN

THIS MAY NOT BE A HUGE COMPLAINT OR IMPORTANT. NONETHELESS, I OWN A 1998 GMC JIMMY. I READ THE DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH MY TRUCK. MY QUESTION IS, HOW CAN I GET MY TRUCK LOOKED AT OR FIXED WITHOUT ANY COST TO ME? *NM

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Oct 27, 2005FL

MANUAL RECLINE BAR ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEATS BROKE. THE FIRST INCIDENCE HAPPENED ON DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BEFORE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED (PRE-OWNED VEHICLE). VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND SO BAR WAS REPLACED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE RECLINE BAR BROKE A SECOND TIME APPROXIMATELY 3-4 YEARS LATER. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE RECLINE BAR ALSO BROKE APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS TO A YEAR AFTER THAT. BECAUSE THE SEAT WAS IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WHEN THE RECLINE BAR BROKE ON ANY OF THE OCCASIONS, HAD THE SEAT BEEN IN A RECLINED POSITION, THE SEAT POSSIBLY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN USABLE. THE RECLINE BARS ON BOTH SIDE HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED, AS THE COST IS OVER $200 FOR EACH PART. *NM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Oct 25, 2005104,000 milesOH

DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE MOTOR FAILED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAD BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY FOR PAST THREE MONTHS. WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THERE WAS A RECALL BUT IT DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS GOING TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AT HIS OWN EXPENSE, BUT HE FELT VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed Oct 17, 2005MN

THE ABS LIGHT IS ON IN MY 1998 GMC JIMMY. I HAVE HEARD ABOUT A RECALL ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, BUT MY TRUCK ISN'T QUALIFIED FOR IT. I'M WONDERING WHY AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO GET IT TO. THERE IS SOMETHING WITH THE SENSOR AND CORRODING IN THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT MAY BE MY PROBLEM. I HAVEN'T FIXED IT YET BECAUSE I WAS HOPING IT WOULD BE UNDER THE RECALL. WHAT HAPPENS IS IF THE LIGHT WERE TO COME OFF, MY BRAKES LOCK UP. IN THE RECALL, IT MENTIONS THAT THIS SENSOR GETTING CORRODED CAUSES SLOW TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN INTO ANY ACCIDENTS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF IT WOULD BE UNDER THE RECALL BEFORE I HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 17, 2005135,000 milesMI

I WAS DRIVING IN MEXICO LAST NOV 18TH 2004 -JAN 1ST 2005 I WAS DRIVING ON BUMPY ROADS AND HIGH USAGE OF BRAKES ON POOR ROADS . ABS FAILED AND WHEN I HIT PAVED ROADS THE BRAKES CAME BACK TO LIKE NEW SYSTEM, THEN IN JULY OF THIS YEAR I WAS DRIVING DOWN DIRT ROAD AND WENT AROUND A CORNER AND IT WAS LIKE I HAD NO BRAKES AGAIN I WANT THE ABS REMOVED FROM ALL OF MY CARS NOW IT IS A BAD SYSTEM . I AM A TRAINED DRIVER I HAVE SUB CONTRACTED TO KELLY HAZE AS A ABS RECORDER FOR NEW VEHICLE. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 6, 200582,000 milesNY

DT: THE CONTACT STATED ABS BRAKES WERE DOING THE EXACT SAME THING AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 05V379000. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE ABS KICKED IN, CAUSING A DELAY IN STOPPING. SHE NOTICED THAT THIS HAPPENED ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO. IT WAS RANDOM , BUT NOW EVERY TIME SHE GOES 10 MPH OR BELOW AND STOPS THE ABS KICK IN. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/WasherCrash
Filed Aug 31, 2005100,000 milesNH

DT: THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY WORK. THIS WAS OVER A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS AND LATER STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. CONSUMER DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AFTER ACCELERATION FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT THIRTY SECONDS, AND THEN IT SHIFTED INTO GEAR. THE ABS WAS DELAYED WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE. THE BRAKES LOCKED, AND THEN THE VEHICLE SLID. THE BRAKES PADS WERE REPLACED EVERY THREE MONTHS, THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT CONTINUOUSLY, AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED A YEAR AGO BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IN JANUARY 2004 THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, IT STRUCK A PARKED CAR AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 30 MPH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS WAS FRONT IMPACT. THE CONSUMER HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VEHICLE. *AK.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 31, 200534,500 milesNY

GMC JIMMY 1998 CARS REACHED 34000 MILES ANTI- LOCK BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. AT LOW SPEED SOMETIMES (5-10 MPH) ANTI-LOCK COMES ON AND TRUCK TAKE A WHILE TO STOP. THIS PROBLEM IS SAME AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 05V379000 GM RECALL NO. 05068 AND SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE 1998 GMC JIMMY ALSO. SPOKE TO GMC AND WAS TOLD THIS CAR IS COVERED FOR THIS RECALL. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Aug 19, 200594,000 milesPA

I HAVE A GMC JIMMY AND THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH KEEPS GOING ON IT. FOR TWO YEARS NOW THIS IS THE THRID ONE I HAD TO REPLACE. WHEN THE SWITCH GOES, YOU NO LONGER HAVE ANY DASH LIGHTS AND YOUR TRANSMISSION DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. YOU ONLY HAVE 2ND, AND 3RD GEAR WHICH CAUSES A HAZARD BECAUSE YOU HAVE VERY LITTLE POWER WHEN YOU ARE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN PROCEED TO GO. YOU BETTER MAKE SURE NOTHING IS COMING AS FAR AS YOU CAN SEE BECAUSE YOU START OUT VERY VERY SLOWLY AND IT TAKES A WHILE TO GET GOING AT A FASTER RATE TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC. YOU ALSO DO NOT KNOW ON HOW FAST YOU ARE TRAVELING FOR A SAFE SPEED. I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE DRIVER AND OTHERS OUT THERE ON THE ROAD AND CONSIDERING IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITHIN 2 YEARS, I BELIEVE SOMETHING SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO FURTHER ON THIS.

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Aug 11, 2005AR

FUEL GAUGE FAULTY. SOMETIMES READS FULL WHEN YOU HAVE LESS THAN 1/2 TANK OF GAS. TOOK TO DEALER AND WILL COST MORE THAN $250.00 TO REPAIR. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Aug 2, 200545,000 milesFL

DT: CONTACT STATED WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED AND STARTED INTERMITTENTLY ON THEIR OWN. IT HAPPENED DURING A MAJOR RAIN STORM. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY SORT OF WARNING PRIOR TO THIS. WAS HAPPENING FOR THE LAST 4 MONTHS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jun 1, 2005MI

I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS W/MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS SINCE LAST YEAR. THEY WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATING AND THEN SOMETIMES NOT TURN OFF AT ALL. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL OCCURING ON THE MODELS W/THE YEAR ENDING IN 1997. SO I CONTACTED GMC AND THEY DENIED THAT MY VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL SINCE THE YEAR IS 1YR LATER. NOW I WORK FOR A MAJOR COUNTERTOP KITCHEN APPLIANCE CO. AND I KNOW THAT THERE COULD BE A CUT OFF IN MONTHS NOT JUST YEARS. I AM VERY UPSET TO SEE THAT MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL STATES AND THE MANUFACTUER IS NOT WILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY DIRECTED ME TO A DEALER THAT WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR THE DIAGNOIS TEST AND THE REPAIR WHICH I AM UNWILLING TO DO. I BELIEVE THAT GMC NEEDS TO LOOK FURTHER INTO THE RECALL AGAIN ON THE YEAR 1998 GMC JIMMYS

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed May 27, 2005NM

DT; THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC JIMMY. THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE WIPER MODULE MAKES THE WIPERS FREEZE UP AND QUIT WORKING WHEN IT'S RAINING. GMC DID CONDUCT RECALLS ON OTHER VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM JUST NOT FOR HIS VIN.

Wheels › Hub
Filed Mar 18, 2005MD

1998 GMC S15 JIMMY TRUCK, DEFECTIVE ENCODER MOTOR. *BF ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS DURING SNOW STORMS THE CONSUMER HAD TO RELY ON THE 2-WHEEL DRIVE TO NAVIGATE ON THE ROADS COVERED IN SNOW AND ICE WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF THE ADDED TRACTION OF 4-WHEEL DRIVE. ONCE THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM 4-WHEEL DRIVE BACK TO 2-WHEEL DRIVE. THIS PAST WINTER, THE CONSUMER LOST TRACTION AND SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WHEEL COVER. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm
Filed Mar 11, 2005IN

I PURCHASED A USED 1998 GMC JIMMY WITH NO WARRANTY FROM FORT WAYNE NISSAN/INFINITI ON JANUARY 4, 2005 FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. I HAD SURGURY ON MY RIGHT HAND AND COULD NOT DRIVE IT FOR ABOUT 5 WEEKS AFTERWARD. WHEN I DID DRIVE THE CAR,I TOLD HER IT NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND TO GET THE OIL CHANGED. OF COURSE, MOM (ME) ENDED UP TAKING IT INTO MONROE MUFFLER AND BRAKES, WHERE WE ALWAYS GET ARE CARS ROUTINE MAINTENENCE TAKEN CARE OF. THEY CALLED ME ABOUT AN HOUR LATER AND ASKED WHO I BOUGHT THIS CAR OFF OF. I TOLD THEM. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE THEY SOLD ME THIS DEATH TRAP. 3 OF THE 4 BALLJOINTS HOLDING THE FRONT UP WHERE BROKEN AND THE PIN CRACKED. PLUS HE THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THEM. I CHECKED WITH GMC AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE BALL JOINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC SAID THESE BALL JOINTS WERE WAY TO SMALL TO SUPPORT THIS KIND OF VEHICLE. I TOOK THE BALL JOINTS AND HAVE THENM NOW AS PROOF. MY DAUGHTER, SON OR I COULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR WORSE-WHICH WAS VERY POSSIBLE PROBABILITY IN THE SHAPE THE UNDER BODY OF THAT CAR WAS IN. WE WERE VERY LUCK WE DID NOT HAVE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I CALLED THE NISSAN COMPANY AND TALKED TO BRUCE BRIGHT. HE SOUNDED VERY CONCERNED AND WOULD CALL RIGHT BACK AFTER CHECKING INTO IT. HE NEVER CALLED AND IT HAS BEEN A WEEK. I CALLED TODAY AND LEFT A MESSAGE. STILL NO CALL. MY QUESTION AND COMPLAINT TO YOU, IS IT LEGAL FOR A CAR COMPANY(A MAJOR NAMED COMPANY) TO SELL A CAR THAT IS VERY UNSAFE TO A PERSON? I AM A W

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jan 6, 2005UT

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. DEALER WAS AWARE THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Dec 28, 2004122,000 milesGA

THE CONSUMER STATES THE WIPERS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. A RECALL(GM RECALL # 03023) WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE YEAR IS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Dec 19, 2004129,485 milesCA

NOTED ISSUES WITH MY 98 JIMMY (PURCHASED 12/97)THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPAIR WHICH I BELIEVE WERE DEFECTIVE PARTS: 1) 10/00 MILEAGE=57248 REPLACED FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH DUE TO DASH BOARD LIGHTS NOT WORKING 2) NOT REPAIRED TO DATE: WIPERS HAVE HAD OCCASIONS THEY DID NOT WORK. I USUALLY CAN GET THEM WORKING BY TURNING THEM ON/OFF A FEW TIMES. INTERMITTENT MODE TAKES A LONG TIME(3-10 SECONDS) TO START RUNNING IN BEST SCENARIO. 3) BOTH FRONT RECLINING SEAT LEVERS BROKE OFF(BRITTLE METAL ROD)WITHIN FIRST 3 YEARS OF USAGE. I HAVE NOT REPLACED DUE TO COST OF REPLACING COMPLETE SEAT ASSEMBLIES IS ONLY FIX. 4) 12/04 MILEAGE=129,518 THROTTLE CHOKE PLATE ASSEMBLY DISINTEGRATED PARTIALLY AND JAMMED THROTTLE OPEN. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS COULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE CAR WAS RUNNING. AFTER BROKEN PIECE WORKED ITS WAY PAST THE VALVES I NEEDED $1900 IN CYLINDER HEAD REPAIRS. *JB

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Dec 14, 200470,000 milesAL

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED AND A ROARING NOISE WAS HEARD. CONSUMER, STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT WHEEL BEARING. CONSUMER REPLACED THREE SETS OF FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WITHIN 70,000 MILES OF WEAR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Dec 13, 200477,500 milesMI

UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE. THE BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO UP UNDER THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. OWNER HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Dec 1, 2004OK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD IN THE RAIN. WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Nov 30, 2004VA

I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS MOOT, BUT I THOUGHT I'D ALERT YOU TO A PROBLEM I HAD IN THE PAST. I HAD INTERMITTENT FAILURE WITH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS FOR MY 1998 GMC JIMMY, VIN = [XXX]. I NOTICED THERE HAD BEEN A WIPER RECALL FOR GMC'S WITH OTHER YEARS, BUT NOT FOR MY YEAR OR MY VIN. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD MY WIPERS WERE NOT RECALLED. I ENDED UP GETTING THE WIPER MOTOR REPLACED, BUT THAT COST ME OVER $200.00. MY OLDER BROTHER ALSO DRIVES A 1998 GMC JIMMY AND HE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS I DID I AM FILING THE COMPLAINT AS I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT IRRITATES ME THAT GMC REFUSED TO PAY FOR MY REPLACEMENT. A FEW TIMES MY WIPERS WERE NOT WORKING WHEN THERE WAS AN EXTREME DOWNPOUR. *AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Nov 16, 2004TX

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. MY WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES HUNG RANDOMLY DURING A DOWN POUR. THE CONTROL WHEEL ON THE LEFT BLINKER SHAFT DID NOT MOVE THEM. THIS ALMOST KILLED ME WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE, BUT THERE WAS ON OTHERS. ANOTHER GMC CONSUMER THAT CAME INTO TO DEALER HAD WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPLACED 3 TIMES, BUT WAS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING TERRIBLY WRONG WITH THIS DESIGN. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Nov 16, 200475,435 milesKY

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL QUIT WORKING. THEY WILL QUIT FOR A WHILE THEN START BACK WORKING. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Nov 8, 2004DC

1998 GMC JIMMY EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SWITCH WHICH CAUSED INSTRUMENT TO PANEL LOSE POWER AND TRANSMISSION TO LOSE FIRST AND SECOND GEAR.*MR VEHICLE WOULD ONLY RUN IN THIRD AND FOURTH GEAR. THE KEY ALSO BECAME LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. THIS WAS ALL DUE TO THE SWITCH GOING BAD. *BF *NM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Nov 2, 2004MA

THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH WHERE THE DOOR LATCH MOUNTED ON THE DOOR JAM HAS A HOLE. THE HOLE WAS ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE DOOR JAM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Nov 2, 200474,000 milesMO

03 V 159 000/GM WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR: THE WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY DURING INCLEMENT CONDITIONS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Oct 6, 200449,000 milesTX

WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED. WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY WENT OUT OF LINE AND OFF THE TRACK WHILE ENGAGED. THIS FAILURE ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM WITH REDUCED DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights
Filed Sep 6, 200494,850 milesMA

THE BLINKER SOUND COMES ON FOR NO REASON AND STAYS ON FOR RANDOM LENGTHS OF TIME. TAPPING ON THE BRAKE WILL TURN OFF THE BLINKER NOISE FOR A SHORT TIME, BUT IT COMES BACK ON OFTEN. I REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL RELAY, BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED.*AK

Complaints 1-50 of 238, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20042100Routine
20031100Routine
2001100300Routine
2000211440Above average
1999137010Routine
1998 — this page238230Above average
1997274551Fatalities reported
1996407892Fatalities reported
1995499870High concern
1994334441Fatalities reported
1993216592Fatalities reported
1992122320Routine
1991118561Fatalities reported
199011110Routine

Compare every Jimmy year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 9, 1998. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.