IllustrationCONSUMER STOPPED AT A RED A LIGHT, PULLED UP AND HEARD A BANG. CONSUMER THOUGHT TIRE BLEWOUT. PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY, AT THAT POINT VEHICLE WOULDN'T STEER. IT WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. UPPER LEFT BALL JOINT WAS BROKEN. CONSUMER TO HAVE ALL THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING ON THE OTHER SIDE.*AK *SLC
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
Suspension complaints
49 reportsTHE BALL JOINT BROKE ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE. NLM
NOISE WAS BEING EMITTED BY SUSPENSION SYSTEM. NOISE APPEARED AS A METAL TO METAL SOUND THAT CONSUMER FELT WAS VERY UNSAFE, IT FELT LIKE SUSPENSION WAS ABOUT READY TO FALL OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
THE VEHICLE WANDERS WHILE DRIVING, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS, STEERING BOX, TIRES AND SHOCKS BUT THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST, DEALER HAS ALSO PERFORMED 6 ALIGNMENTS. NLM
CONTROL ARM UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CAUSING TIRE TO BLOWOUT, AND WHEEL TO BREAK IN HALF, RESULTING IN VEHICLE LOSING CONTROL. VEHICLE IS AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. *AK *SLC
I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AT THE SPEED OF 45MPH WHEN THE BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT PASSANGER TIRE BROKE, CAUSING ME TO GO THROUGH 3 LANES WITHOUT WARNING AND ALMOST FLIPPING MY CAR OVER. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WHERE I HAVE ALMOST LOST MY LIFE DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. LAST YEAR WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE WIPERS WENT…
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I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AT THE SPEED OF 45MPH WHEN THE BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT PASSANGER TIRE BROKE, CAUSING ME TO GO THROUGH 3 LANES WITHOUT WARNING AND ALMOST FLIPPING MY CAR OVER. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WHERE I HAVE ALMOST LOST MY LIFE DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. LAST YEAR WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE WIPERS WENT OUT ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF A THUNDERSTORM. THE WIPERS DIED OUT ON ME A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS WITH OVER 10 VISITS TO DEALERS FOR REPAIRS. THE BALL JOINT CRACKING CAUSED THE CV BOOT TO BE DAMAGED, THE STABILIZER LINES WERE DAMAGED, THE LINE COVER WAS DAMAGED, AND THE DEALER FOUND THAT ALL 4 BALL JOINTS WERE SEVERLY BAD - NOT BECAUSE FO DRIVING BUT MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CAR IS ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD HOW COULD SO MANY THINGS BE BAD ON A CAR THAT ISN'T EVEN 4 YEARS OLD. THE WARRANTLY CO. AND MANUFACTURER REFUSE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE CAUSED TO OTHER COMPONENTS BECAUSE OF THE BROKEN BALL JOINT. THE ENGINE COOLER LINE IS ALSO BAD, INCLUDING THE CLAMP WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED ALREADY BY OUTSIDE SOURCE. THE WIPERS HAVE SHUT DOWN MORE THAN ONCE AND IT TOOK OVER 10 VISITS TO GET THEM FIXED - INCLUDING PAYING OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE OF $433.00. THE CAR HAS ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE MORE THAN 6 TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. SORRY TO SAY - THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A DEATH TRAP FROM DAY ONE. *AK
EA 99 022/UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT: FRONT LEFT WHEEL COLLAPSED WHILE TRAVELING AT 10 MPH. TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE OFF THE SOCKET. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
AS I MADE A LEFT HAND TURN THERE WAS A CLUNK AND THE TRUCK VEERED TO THE RIGHT. I SLOWED AND REGAINED CONTROL AND PULLED ON TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD JUST MISSING THE GAURD RAILS. THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS COLLAPSED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE UPPER BALL JOINT HAD SNAPPED. REPLACED BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS AS THE TECHNICIAN REP…
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AS I MADE A LEFT HAND TURN THERE WAS A CLUNK AND THE TRUCK VEERED TO THE RIGHT. I SLOWED AND REGAINED CONTROL AND PULLED ON TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD JUST MISSING THE GAURD RAILS. THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS COLLAPSED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE UPPER BALL JOINT HAD SNAPPED. REPLACED BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS AS THE TECHNICIAN REPORTED THE DRIVER SIDE ONE WAS WORN.*AK
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE AND PULLED FROM THE SOCKET, ALL BALL JOINTS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, ALL SHOWING EXCESSIVE WEAR. *MJS
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.