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1997 GMC Jimmy

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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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

Suspension complaints

54 reports
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103,699 miles · May 8, 2003
SuspensionCrash

EXPERIENCED LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION (FAILURE) WHILE MOVING RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL, DAMAGE, DISABLEMENT. FAILURE IS IDENTICAL TO THAT DESCRIBED IN NHTSA RECALL # 01V200000, AND, ALSO GM BULLETIN 01048A. HOWEVER, VEHICLE VIN # IS NOT WITHIN THE BREAKPOINTS SPECIFIED BY 01048A BULLETIN AND MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO COR…

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EXPERIENCED LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION (FAILURE) WHILE MOVING RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL, DAMAGE, DISABLEMENT. FAILURE IS IDENTICAL TO THAT DESCRIBED IN NHTSA RECALL # 01V200000, AND, ALSO GM BULLETIN 01048A. HOWEVER, VEHICLE VIN # IS NOT WITHIN THE BREAKPOINTS SPECIFIED BY 01048A BULLETIN AND MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO CORRECT. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018430

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S BALL JOINTS. MR THE CONSUMER HEARD A SOUND COMING FROMT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AREA. THE RADIATOR, POWER STEERING PUMP, OIL COOLER LINES AND ENGINE ALL LEAKED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10015183

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, AirSteeringCrashInjury

THE DEALER KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECTS TO THIS VEHICLE AND REFUSED TO FIX THEM AFTER RECEIVING 3 SEPARATE ESTIMATES. 2 DAYS AFTER I REPEATEDLY WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THESE SAFETY HAZARDS THE DEALER CONTINUED TO REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS AND I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. THE DEALER COMPLIANCE BOARD…

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THE DEALER KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECTS TO THIS VEHICLE AND REFUSED TO FIX THEM AFTER RECEIVING 3 SEPARATE ESTIMATES. 2 DAYS AFTER I REPEATEDLY WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THESE SAFETY HAZARDS THE DEALER CONTINUED TO REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS AND I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. THE DEALER COMPLIANCE BOARD HAS A CURRENT CASE AGAINST THE DEALER AND HE HAS ONLY AGREED TO TAKE HIS VEHICLE BACK. THE DEALER HAS REQUESTED THE DAMAGE FROM THE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT NOT BE FIXED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DAMAGE PRIOR TO THE SALE WAS SO EXTENSIVE FROM WATER OR FLOOD DAMAGE THAT THE ENGINE IS COMPLETELY RUINED. IT WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS. MY FEAR IS THAT THE NEXT UNSUSPECTING CONSUMER WILL BE DECEIVED BY THIS DEALER AND THIS VEHICLE AND I BELIEVE THE NEXT PERSON WILL NOT BE AS LUCKY. I SHOULD BE DEAD RIGHT NOW. THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD HAVE, WHICH MAY ALSO INDICATE THAT THEIR IS ALSO SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THERE MAY NOT EVEN BE AN AIR BAG IN THIS VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT STATES THERE IS ONE. THIS DEALER WILL GET THIS VEHICLE BACK AND I AM SURE THAT INSTEAD OF SELLING IT AS A SALVAGE VEHICLE HE WILL AGAIN SLAP A PRICE TAG ON IT AND RE-SELL IT IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT FIXING IT. DT

NHTSA ODI #770359

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2002
Suspension

CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, BOTH FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8013513

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2002
SuspensionInjury

THE VEHICLE HAD A BALL JOINT FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN ACCIDENT AND INJURY TO THE CONSUMER. THE BALL JOINTS WERE ON RECALL BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED, 01I018. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *YH

NHTSA ODI #566276

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2002
SuspensionInjury

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. DRIVER SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES. HOWEVER DEALER REFUSED FOR THE LAST 44 DAYS TO PERFORM REPAIRS UNLESS CONSUMER SIGNS A WAIVER RELEASING GM OF ANY LIABILITIES AND PREVENTING THE AFFECTED PARTIES FROM DISCUSSING THE MATTER WITH ANYONE. CONSUMER STATES SHE WILL NOT SIGN THE F…

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CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. DRIVER SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES. HOWEVER DEALER REFUSED FOR THE LAST 44 DAYS TO PERFORM REPAIRS UNLESS CONSUMER SIGNS A WAIVER RELEASING GM OF ANY LIABILITIES AND PREVENTING THE AFFECTED PARTIES FROM DISCUSSING THE MATTER WITH ANYONE. CONSUMER STATES SHE WILL NOT SIGN THE FORM DUE TO THE GAG ORDER CLAUSE FROM THE AGREEMENT. CONSUMER IS AWARE THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN NOTICE 01V200000 INVOLVING REPLACEMENT OF THE BALL JOINTS. *TT *JG

NHTSA ODI #566241

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2002
Suspension

PRIOR TO THE RECALL NOTICE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 01V200000, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HAD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. CONSUMER IS SEEKING FURTHER REIMBURSEMENT. *YD

NHTSA ODI #566165

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2002
Suspension

CONSUMER STATES PRIOR TO RECALL 01V2 THE BRAKES NEEDED REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AS WELL AS THE ROTORS AND 1 FRONT WHEEL BEARING PLUS AN ALIGNMENT. DEALER STATES THESE REPAIR ITEMS WERE A DIRECT RESULT OF THE FAULTY UPPER BALL JOINTS. *YD

NHTSA ODI #566085

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2002
Suspension

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO BALL JOINT FAILURE. ALSO, THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8010866

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2002
Suspension

AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES WE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. GM IS RECALLING LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS ON 1997 GMC JIMMYS, BUT THEY CLAIM THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #761066

Official recalls

4

03V117000 · 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

2

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.