IllustrationWHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. *JB
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
What owners actually said
274 reportsEXPERIENCED 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
FUEL GAUGE WOULD READ FULL OR HALF FULL EVEN THOUGH TANK WOULD BE EMPTY. I SET MY TRIP MILEAGE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR AND WOULD PUT MORE GAS IN ABOUT EVERY 300 MILES. DEALER CHARGED ME $400 TO REMOVE THE TANK AND REPLACE A SENSOR THAT SITS ON TOP OF THE TANK. HAD VAPOR LOCK PROBLEMS A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT. *JB
THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING OR BRAKING. *JB
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY.*JB
POWER ACCESSORY CIRCUIT BREAKER (20) GETS EXTREMELY HOT AFTER POWER WINDOWS AND POWER SEAT FAILS TO OPERATE. AT SAME TIME, WHEN HIT A BUMP IN ROAD, INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER. BURNED FINGERS TRYING TO REMOVE BREAKER BEFORE FIRE MAY HAVE STARTED. DEALER GUESSED AND REPLACED DRIVER SEAT ELECTRIC SWITCH, BUT STILL GETS HOT AND FAILS.*…
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POWER ACCESSORY CIRCUIT BREAKER (20) GETS EXTREMELY HOT AFTER POWER WINDOWS AND POWER SEAT FAILS TO OPERATE. AT SAME TIME, WHEN HIT A BUMP IN ROAD, INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER. BURNED FINGERS TRYING TO REMOVE BREAKER BEFORE FIRE MAY HAVE STARTED. DEALER GUESSED AND REPLACED DRIVER SEAT ELECTRIC SWITCH, BUT STILL GETS HOT AND FAILS.*JB
I LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 GMC JIMMY ON THE HIGHWAY. IT JUST STOPPED RUNNING. I PUSHED IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. WHEN WE GOT TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE STARTED. *NLM
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
THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD RISE AND FALL QUICKLY IN AN ERRATIC MANNER. UPON INSPECTION THE RADIATOR WAS FOUND TO BE FULL OF A THICK REDDISH SUBSTANCE. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE RELATED TO THE DEX COOL COOLANT. HE ALSO SAID THAT THERE IS A TSB THAT INSTRUCTS THE MECHANIC TO FLUSH AND REPLACE THE FLUI…
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THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD RISE AND FALL QUICKLY IN AN ERRATIC MANNER. UPON INSPECTION THE RADIATOR WAS FOUND TO BE FULL OF A THICK REDDISH SUBSTANCE. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE RELATED TO THE DEX COOL COOLANT. HE ALSO SAID THAT THERE IS A TSB THAT INSTRUCTS THE MECHANIC TO FLUSH AND REPLACE THE FLUID. MY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE OEM FOR NOT INFORMING ME OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN OF THE PROBLEM, THEN I WOULD HAVE HAD THE SERVICE PERFORMED BEFORE DAMAGING MY COOLANT SYSTEM. THE DAMAGE COST ME ABOUT $2000 IN REPAIRS TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP AND SENSORS. *NLM
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE FIRE STARTED NEAR THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER.*JB
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.