IllustrationENGINE COOLING LINE TO FILTER AND COOLING LINE TO RADIATOR ARE LEAKING, DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
1997 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: 57 of 274 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.
- Suspension. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
23 crash reports5 fire reports18 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
38 reportsWHILE DRIVING CONSUMER LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED SMOKE IN THE ROAD AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD, THERE WERE FLAMES ENGULFING THE ENGINE, CONSUMER THEN CLOSED THE HOOD AND MOVED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT (10-89-383). *YD
WHILE DRIVING, TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS AND WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR OVERDRIVE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAME THICK. *AK *TT CONSUMER STATES NOW SHE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIATOR LOSING COOLANT. *SLC
ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHEN LEAVING SIGNAL LIGHT, TURNING OR CHANGING DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. ALSO HAS OCCURRED WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CANNOT MAKE IT HAPPEN, IT JUST HAPPENS WHENEVER IT WANTS TO HAPPEN. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPORTED; 816911, 863413, 825902, 730158, JUST TO LIST A FEW. THIS NEEDS TO BE CO…
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ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHEN LEAVING SIGNAL LIGHT, TURNING OR CHANGING DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. ALSO HAS OCCURRED WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CANNOT MAKE IT HAPPEN, IT JUST HAPPENS WHENEVER IT WANTS TO HAPPEN. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPORTED; 816911, 863413, 825902, 730158, JUST TO LIST A FEW. THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE A FATALITY OCCURS. IN ONE INSTANCE, IF I HAD NOT BEEN AWARE OF THE POSSIBLITY OF THIS OCCURING I WOULD HAVE PANICED AN D BEEN BROADSIDED! AS IT WAS, I WAS ABLE TO STEER HARD RIGHT AND PARALELL THE TRAFFIC THAT WOULD HAVE HIT ME IF I HAD STOPPED!
TRANSMISSION HAS A HISTORY OF "SHIFTING HARD" BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND, ESPECIALLY WHEN WARM. DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, MECHANIC NOTICED A "RUSTED TRANS DIP STICK". THOUGH PROTESTED BY GM AS A DEFECT, EXTENDED WARENTY COVERED. I HAD TO GO ELSEWHERE FOR TRANS FLUSH, DEALER DID NOT HAVE EQUIPMENT. PROBLEM PERSISTS THROUGH 2000.…
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TRANSMISSION HAS A HISTORY OF "SHIFTING HARD" BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND, ESPECIALLY WHEN WARM. DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, MECHANIC NOTICED A "RUSTED TRANS DIP STICK". THOUGH PROTESTED BY GM AS A DEFECT, EXTENDED WARENTY COVERED. I HAD TO GO ELSEWHERE FOR TRANS FLUSH, DEALER DID NOT HAVE EQUIPMENT. PROBLEM PERSISTS THROUGH 2000. TRASMISSION OVERHEATED ON HWY CAUSING OVERFLOW AND SLIPAGE. DEALER FOUND "RUST IN RADIATOR" AND "DEBRISE IN TRANS". HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR/FLUSH ENGINE AND TRANS. AT MY EXPENSE 1/2001. NOW, WITH WARMER WEATHER, TRANS. OIL IS "VARNISHED" AND SHIFT HARD BETWEEN 1 & 2ND AGAIN JUST 5000 MILES LATER. ENGINE LITE ON. FOUND MULTIBLE SIMULAR COMPLAINTS AT HTTP://WWW.THECOMPLAINTSTATION.COM/G/GM_TOC.HTM. GM IS NOT RECOGNIZING WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN EXPENSIVE, CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION AND ASSOCIATED COOLING COMPONENTS. I AM NOT PREPARED TO SPEND ANOTHER $1-$2K ON A $30K THAT HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR WHEN GM KNOWS ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SENT LETTERS TO GM DIRECTORS AND GOT NO INTELLECT OR SYMPATHY ASSIGNED TO MY CASE. PLEASE READ THE WEB SITE, THERE ARE MANY CASES OF 1995-1997 JIMMY/S10/BLAZERS WITH THE EXACT SYMPTOMS.*AK
I HAD COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE KNOCK SINCE PURCHASE NEW, DEALER COMMENT COULD NOT DUPLICATE, FINALLY TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THE COULD HEAR KNOCK, DEALER INSTALLED NEW CRANKSHAFT, VEHICLE STILL HAS KNOCK IN ENGINE, ALSO HAD TO HAVE RADIATOR CLEANED AND COOLANT JUG REPLACED DUE TO RUSTY CONTAMINATION, ABS CAUSES SKIDS AT SLOW SPEE…
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I HAD COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE KNOCK SINCE PURCHASE NEW, DEALER COMMENT COULD NOT DUPLICATE, FINALLY TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THE COULD HEAR KNOCK, DEALER INSTALLED NEW CRANKSHAFT, VEHICLE STILL HAS KNOCK IN ENGINE, ALSO HAD TO HAVE RADIATOR CLEANED AND COOLANT JUG REPLACED DUE TO RUSTY CONTAMINATION, ABS CAUSES SKIDS AT SLOW SPEEDS ON WET PAVEMENT
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN DUE TO ANTI FREEZE LEAKING ONTO THE OIL SHAFT, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OR TOTAL COMPENSATION FOR ENGINE REPAIR WORK THAT WILL NEED TO BE DONE. *CJ
WHEN BOTH BACK WINDOWS ARE DOWN AND DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY55-65 MPH VEHICLE WILL SHAKE AND STEERING WHEEL WILL VIBRATE . THERE IS NO SOLUTION, BUT VIBRATION WILL STOP IF ALL THE WINDOWS ARE UP OR IF ALL ARE DOWN. ALSO, AT ONLY 48,000 MILES RUST IS DEVELOPING IN COOLING SYSTEM POSSIBLY DUE TO RADIATOR . DEALER CLAIMS RUST…
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WHEN BOTH BACK WINDOWS ARE DOWN AND DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY55-65 MPH VEHICLE WILL SHAKE AND STEERING WHEEL WILL VIBRATE . THERE IS NO SOLUTION, BUT VIBRATION WILL STOP IF ALL THE WINDOWS ARE UP OR IF ALL ARE DOWN. ALSO, AT ONLY 48,000 MILES RUST IS DEVELOPING IN COOLING SYSTEM POSSIBLY DUE TO RADIATOR . DEALER CLAIMS RUST IS NORMAL,AND THAT THE CAUSE IS DUE TO ENGINE BLOCK. BUT, THE ENGINE BLOCK IS MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM WHICH DOES NOT RUST.*AK
EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH STALLING ONLY AT HIGHER ALTITUDES. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND UNABLE TO RESOLVE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
VEHICLE JUST STOPPED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK
Official recalls
403V117000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Mar 31, 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINS AN ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. SUSTAINED LOADS OF SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE AND DURATION ON THE BELT IN SEVERE CRASHES COULD FULLY DEPLOY THE BUCKLE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP, INTRODUCING A TOTAL OF 10 ADDITIONAL INCHES OF WEBBING INTO THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THE FREE FALLING LATCH PLATE USED IN THIS SYSTEM MAY ALLOW WEBBING TO DYNAMICALLY DISTRIBUTE BETWEEN THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT AS THE DRIVER'S POSITION CHANGES DURING A MULTIPLE ROLLOVER EVENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP FULLY DEPLOYS IN A SEVERE MULTIPLE ROLLOVER CRASH, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A BELTED DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE PARTIAL OR EVEN COMPLETE EJECTION FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WITH ONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 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.
03V093000 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior
Mar 7, 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 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 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
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.
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.
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
2EA97004 · 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.