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 15 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.
Seat Belts. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seats. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
15 reports
175,000 miles · Nov 10, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1988 GMC JIMMY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, AND WRIST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED CONTINUOUS MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1988 GMC JIMMY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, AND WRIST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED CONTINUOUS MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
NHTSA ODI #10925435
99,845 miles · Jan 22, 2015
Engine
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD 3 TIMES NOW.A FRIEND OF MINE TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE NOTORIOUS FOR CRACKING HEADS.MINE WAS BROKE IN 3 PLACES.CAN YOU HELP?? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10678416
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2004
Seat Belts
I AM AN ENGINEER. TWO OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS ON MY 1988 GMC JIMMY - FULL SIZE FAILED COMPLETELY. THE ANGLE BRACKET HAS A STEEL STRAP WHICH IS RIVETED IN PLACE TO IT AND THE TO THE END OF THE SEAT BELT(S). THIS STEEL STRAP BROKE IN COMPLETELY IN HALF , A VINYL COVERING HELD IT TOGETHER SUCH THAT THE USER IS UNAWARE THAT IT IS COM…
Read full complaint
I AM AN ENGINEER. TWO OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS ON MY 1988 GMC JIMMY - FULL SIZE FAILED COMPLETELY. THE ANGLE BRACKET HAS A STEEL STRAP WHICH IS RIVETED IN PLACE TO IT AND THE TO THE END OF THE SEAT BELT(S). THIS STEEL STRAP BROKE IN COMPLETELY IN HALF , A VINYL COVERING HELD IT TOGETHER SUCH THAT THE USER IS UNAWARE THAT IT IS COMPLETELY BROKEN IN HALF. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE THE SEAT BELT HAS NO STRENGTH LEFT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAPPENED TO TWO OF THE THREE REAR SEAT BELTS. THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT IS ATTACHED DIFFERENTLY AND DID NOT FAIL. I DISCOVERED THIS WHEN I WAS REBUILDING THE VEHICLE. NO REPLACEMENT SEAT BELTS ARE AVAILABLE AND I WOULD NOT BUY THE ORIGINAL BELTS IF THEY WERE AVAILABLE.THIS IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS! I WILL REPLACE WITH AFTERMARKET BELTS. BUT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND A REDESIGN OF THESE BELTS. PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE REAR SEAT FOLDS UP AND DOWN. THE VINYL DOES NOT KEEP THE BELT OUT OF THE WAY WHEN THE SEAT IS PUT DOWN. THIS CAUSES BENDING OF THE STEEL STRAP WHICH IS NOT DESIGNED FOR BENDING. IT IS DESIGNED ONLY FOR TENSION. THIS NEED ONLY HAPPEN ONCE TO BREAK THE STEEL STRAP! I DO HOPE YOU FOLLOW UP ON THIS , BECAUSE PEOPLE MAY THINKK THE SEAT BELT IS OK AND NOT REALIZE IT IS BROKEN!
NHTSA ODI #10053127
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2001
Seats
DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BOLTS THAT WERE ATTACHED TO FLOOR WERE DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AND SEAT WENT BACK WHILE DRIVING.*AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #878866
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2000
Tires
JUST WANT TO REPORT 2 FRONT FIRESTONE TIRES W/ ABOUT 7,000 MILES ON THEM FAILED DUE TO BELT TEAR OR SEPARATION .IT SEEMS MOST FIRESTONE TIRES DON'T LAST AS LONG AS CLAIMED! SOMETHINGS WRONG W/ THEIR MANUFACTURE PROCESS OR MATERIALS. (TIRESIZE: P235R75/15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235R75/15 )
NHTSA ODI #734627
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 1999
Unknown Or Other
PAINT JOB-GREY COLOR. CLEAR COAT DISAPPEARED AFTER A YEAR. PAINT FADED OXIDIZED, RUST, CRACK, IMPOSSIBLE TO WAX. TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF AUTO. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716557
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline
CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK DUE TO CORROSION AT THE SEAL. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY AND THE SENDING UNIT. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #826484
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 1997
Vehicle Speed Control
SUDDEN ACCELERATION; WENT TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #815630
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 1996
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
LEFT REAR BRAKE CYLINDER CAME APART, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK/BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #508301
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 1996
Seats
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BOLTS WENT THROUGH THE FLOORBOARD AND THE SEAT IS NOW LOPSIDED AND MAY BREAK FURTHER. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #985976
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
2
PE89097 · Cruise Control
Opened Mar 6, 1989 · Closed Jun 5, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
===
PE89024 · Steering Damper Separation
Opened Dec 14, 1988 · Closed Feb 27, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
1988 GMC Jimmy Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration