IllustrationPROBLEM STARTED UNDER 100,000 MILES. DT
1996 GMC Jimmy
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Jimmy years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 30 of 407 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 172 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
54 crash reports9 fire reports18 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
53 reportsTHE ANTIFREEZE GUMMED UP AND THE COOLING SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. GM IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. MR
I HAVE REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT ON 7/25/97,10/23/98, 8/2/99, 10/25,99, 10/19/00, AND 9/14/01 HAVE REPLACED THE BELT TENSIONER ON 10/23/98, 8/2/99, 9/14/01. WHY DO THESE TWO ITEMS HAVE TO BE REPLACED SO OFTEN? IS THERE SOME OTHER PROBLEM CAUSING THIS?*AK
FAN CLUTCH SEPARATED AT HUB. TWO BOLTS WERE SHEARED OFF AND TWO OTHERS HAD ALMOST COMPLETELY BACKED OUT. THE CLUTCH PULLEY HAD LOOSENED AND THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD COME OFF. COMPLETE LOSE OF POWER STEERING, COOLING, ALTERNATOR ETC. WITHOUT POWER STEER. *AK
THE GMC ANTIFREEZE KEEPS BREAKING DOWN FORMING SLUDGE SO BAD I HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR . 6MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE DEALER SAYS THAT SOME ONE PUT THE WRONG ANTIFREEZE IN THE SYSTEM MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT HE HAS SEEN ANTIFREEZE MIXED IT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WHAT KEEPS HAPPENING IN MY COOLING SYSTEM IS ANY ONE ELSE REP…
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THE GMC ANTIFREEZE KEEPS BREAKING DOWN FORMING SLUDGE SO BAD I HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR . 6MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE DEALER SAYS THAT SOME ONE PUT THE WRONG ANTIFREEZE IN THE SYSTEM MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT HE HAS SEEN ANTIFREEZE MIXED IT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WHAT KEEPS HAPPENING IN MY COOLING SYSTEM IS ANY ONE ELSE REPORTING THIS PROBLEM? MY RADIATOR HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY THE DEALER ONCE REPLACED BY MY MECHANIC ONCE AND SYSTEM FLUSHED. I WITH IN THE MONTH HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP THE DEALER DID THAT REPAIR AND POWER FLUSHED THE SYSTEM. IT MAKES ME WONDER IF THIS ISN'T A GMC PROBLEM LIKE THE TIME THEY FILLED THE FAULTY CADILAC ENGINE BLOCKS WITH STOP LEAK TO BE ABLE TO SELL THEM.GMC CLAIMS THAT THIS ANTI FREEZE IS SUPPOSED TO BE GOD FOR 100000 MILES WHAT GIVES. *AK
THERE WAS A RECALL OF 96 GMC JIMMY'S FOR INDEPENDENT FRONT CONTROL ARM UPPER: BALL JOINTS. WE WERE ADVISED THAT OURS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AT 53918 MILES ON JAN. 8 2002. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH 2 FRONT TIRES THAT WERE WORN AND VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF THE BALL JOINT…
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THERE WAS A RECALL OF 96 GMC JIMMY'S FOR INDEPENDENT FRONT CONTROL ARM UPPER: BALL JOINTS. WE WERE ADVISED THAT OURS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AT 53918 MILES ON JAN. 8 2002. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH 2 FRONT TIRES THAT WERE WORN AND VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF THE BALL JOINT PROBLEM. ALSO REPLACED WERE: THE BELT TENSIONER, OIL COOLER LINES, WATER AND BELT - AT 54,000 MILES. WE RECEIVED A 168.98 REIMBURSEMENT FROM PONTIAC GMC AS A "GOODWILL ADJUSTMENT"(HALF OF THE BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT CHARGE). THEY NEVER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. PLEASE INCLUDE THIS COMPLAINT ON THIS VEHICLE FOR PROBLEMS WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN A RECALL. DOCUMENTATION OF REPAIRS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THANK YOU. *TS *NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS**761991
GMC/GM FILLED MY JIMMY AT THE FACTORY WITH DEXCOOL. DEXCOOL IS INVASIVE AND DESTRUCTIVE TO THE VECHICLE I PAID OVER 35 K FOR GMC/GM HAS SENT SERVICE SHEETS TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO BE FOLLOWED EXACTLY TO PURGE THE CONTAMINATION FROM THE COOLING SYSTEM. GMC/GM HAS HIDDEN THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF VECH…
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GMC/GM FILLED MY JIMMY AT THE FACTORY WITH DEXCOOL. DEXCOOL IS INVASIVE AND DESTRUCTIVE TO THE VECHICLE I PAID OVER 35 K FOR GMC/GM HAS SENT SERVICE SHEETS TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO BE FOLLOWED EXACTLY TO PURGE THE CONTAMINATION FROM THE COOLING SYSTEM. GMC/GM HAS HIDDEN THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF VECHICLES INVOLVED. GMC/GM HAS USED THE CONSUMER AS THEIR SCAPEGOAT. BLAMMED THE CONSUMER FOR THE 100,000 MILE PLUS COOLANT THEY HAVE USED. GO TO THE INTERNET EXPLORER TYPE IN DEXCOOL IN SEARCH. COOLING SYSTEM IS THE SUBJECT.WWW.SCUDERIACIRIANI. COM IS THE LOCATION. GO TO ANTIFREEZE THEN SCROLL TO DATE:SUN 2 APR 2000 23:42:41-0500 THE APPLICATIONS ENGINEER IS VERY SPECFIC ABOUT THE AFFECT. FORD HAD TRANSMISSIONS,FIRESTONE HAD TIRES. WILL IT TAKE SOMEONE OR SOMEONE'S WIFE AND CHILDREN TO BECOME AT A DISADVANTAGE DUE TO THE COOLING SYSTEM AND BE INJURED ATTACKED OR KILLED FOR THIS FACTORY ISSUE TO BE ADDRESSED? THE FIRST TIME I REACHED MY WIFE THE PROBLEM WAS A COVERED UP $700.00 REPAIR. THERE IS A DAMM GOOD POSIBILITY THAT THEIR HAVE BEEN INJURIES BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM HASN'T BEEN ADDRESSED AND THE PEOPLE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SAVING HAVE NO CLUE THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THEY ONLY KNEW!*AK
VEHICLE OVERHEATS, THEN STALLS AT ANY SPEED/ ANY TIME. DEALER HAS FLUSHED COOLING SYSTEM, DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. PLEASE ADD FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE IS ON ITS 3RD TRANMISSION, THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK AND HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST FORMING ON THE TRANMISSION FLUID STICK, ALSO THE REAR AXLE SEALS WER REPLACED.*JB
VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING BECAUSE COOLING SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER INDICATED RUST WAS IN RADIATOR. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
Official recalls
603V159000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Apr 28, 2003
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 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.
01V200000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint
Jun 28, 2001
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
99V193000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Jul 19, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1989 THROUGH AUGUST 1996. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE SWITCH WHICH SIGNALS THE ABS SYSTEM WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN 2-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.
98V150001 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Jul 1, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
97V096001 · Seat Belts
Jun 12, 1997
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
96V234000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Nov 14, 1996
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4-DOOR, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING DEVELOPMENT TESTING, THE PROP SHAFT CONTACTED THE INBOARD SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE. THIS LEAKAGE WAS IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT PERMITTED BY FMVSS 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, AND THERE IS A FUEL LEAK, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL SHIELDING OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS WILL BE ADDED WITHOUT REMOVING OR DISASSEMBLING THE FUEL SYSTEM.
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
5EA02006 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
EA99022 · Upper And Lower Control Arm Ball Joint
Opened Jul 30, 1999 · Closed Aug 28, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE99021 · Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Breakage
Opened Mar 5, 1999 · Closed Jul 30, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILS, RESULTING IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSING ON THE FAILED SIDE.
EA97004 · Seat Belt Webbing Separation
Opened Feb 28, 1997 · Closed Aug 5, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:webbing
NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seat Belts:front:webbing
NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.
Seat Belts:front:webbing
NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.
EA94038 · Abs Braking System
Opened Oct 31, 1994 · Closed Feb 28, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.