IllustrationWHILE DRIVING IN RAIN THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT OF WINDSHIELD DUE TO WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. THE WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
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
What owners actually said
407 reportsWHILE DRIVING WNDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION. AFTER A FEW MINUTES WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME BACK ON, AND SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT PROBLEM. TRUCK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 98V150001, AND COULD NOT BE SERVICED FREE OF CHARGE. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK
WHEN BRAKING THE BRAKES MAKE A NOISE AND HAVE LOST VACUUM POWER AND GONE STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR NUMEROUS TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE WHEN GOING DOWN AN INCLINE TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. A SLIGHT BUMP WHEN BRAKING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. A FEW SECONDS LATER, I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AGAIN. TH…
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WHEN BRAKING THE BRAKES MAKE A NOISE AND HAVE LOST VACUUM POWER AND GONE STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR NUMEROUS TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE WHEN GOING DOWN AN INCLINE TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. A SLIGHT BUMP WHEN BRAKING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. A FEW SECONDS LATER, I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE OFTEN ON WET OR SLIPPERY SURFACES. ON 07/21/00 I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHEN ANOTHER CAR WAS PULLING IN FRONT OF ME. THE SURFACE WAS STILL WET AND SLIPPERY AND WHEN BRAKING, THE BRAKE PEDAL MADE A NOISE AND THEN ALL BRAKING ABILITY IS LOST, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO ME NUMEROUS TIMES. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE ABS RECALL THE END OF 1999 AND TOLD THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I TRAVEL A LOT WITH MY FAMILY AND A BRAKING PROBLEM IS VERY SCARY!!! *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE AND PULLED FROM THE SOCKET, ALL BALL JOINTS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, ALL SHOWING EXCESSIVE WEAR. *MJS
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING AND ONLY HUM. IF I SHAKE WIRING HARNESS AT MOTOR IT WILL START WORKING AGAIN. GMC SAYS THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1996 GMC JIMMY FOR WIPER PROBLEMS LIKE MINE, BUT MY AUTO WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. IT IS STRANGE TO ME THAT MY PROBLEMS IS IDENTICAL TO THE OTHERS, BUT NOT ONE TO RECALL. IS IT POSSIBLE TH…
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WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING AND ONLY HUM. IF I SHAKE WIRING HARNESS AT MOTOR IT WILL START WORKING AGAIN. GMC SAYS THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1996 GMC JIMMY FOR WIPER PROBLEMS LIKE MINE, BUT MY AUTO WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. IT IS STRANGE TO ME THAT MY PROBLEMS IS IDENTICAL TO THE OTHERS, BUT NOT ONE TO RECALL. IS IT POSSIBLE THEY HAVE MADE A MISTAKE. IS MY FAMILY SAFETY NOT IMPORTANT AS THE OTHER 1996 GMC JIMMY OWNERS. *AK
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK A RECALL APPLICABLE TO THIS VEHCLE WAS PARTIALLY COMPLETED. *YH
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE PADS / SHOES ARE EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE WEAR WITHIN EVERY 10,000 MILE OF WEAR. PADS AND SHOE NEEDS REPLACEMENT, AND ROTORS WOULD NEEDS TURNING OR REPLACEMENT. ALSO, NEEDS TO APPLIED HARD ON PEDAL TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
RADIATOR HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING COOLANT PROBLEMS. COOLANT USED BY THE DEALER WAS CAUSING SLUDGE. RADIATOR MUST BE SENT OUT TO HAVE IT CLEANED. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK *ML
I NOTICED HEATER WAS NOT HEATING TO FULL POTENTIAL. CHECKED COOLANT AND SAW THAT THE DEXTRON ORANGE COOLANT WAS A SLUDGE TYPE SUBSTANCE. I WENT TO A SHOP TO HAVE RADIATOR FLUSHED AND REPLENISHED WITH PROPER COOLANT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE COOLANT INSIDE RADIATOR COULD NOT BE REPLACED BY THE ESTABLISHMENT AND THAT IT HAD TUR…
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I NOTICED HEATER WAS NOT HEATING TO FULL POTENTIAL. CHECKED COOLANT AND SAW THAT THE DEXTRON ORANGE COOLANT WAS A SLUDGE TYPE SUBSTANCE. I WENT TO A SHOP TO HAVE RADIATOR FLUSHED AND REPLENISHED WITH PROPER COOLANT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE COOLANT INSIDE RADIATOR COULD NOT BE REPLACED BY THE ESTABLISHMENT AND THAT IT HAD TURNED INTO SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT GOOD FOR THE ENGINE. THE ESTABLISHMENT SAID THEY HAD TURNED AWAY TWO OTHER CUSTOMERS DUE TO THE SAME REASON. DEXTRON ORANGE COULD ONLY BE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THAT AT 40000 MILES LEFT BEFORE REPLACEMENT IT SHOULD NOT LOOK THAT WAY. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER GMC JIMMY AND CHEVY BLAZER OWNERS AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A REPEATING COMPLAINT AMONG THESE OWNERS IN MY REGION. I REQUEST YOU INVESTIGATE THE DEXTRON ORANGE COOLANT THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED EVERY 5 YEARS OR 100000 MILES.*AK
BRAKE BOOSTER WENT COMPLETELY OUT, CAUSING POOR BRAKING ABILITY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *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.