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 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2005
Visibility
WHEN OWNER SWITCHES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THEY FAIL TO ENGAGE, NOT OPERATING AT ALL. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER NOT TO HAVE VISIBILITY. OWNER STATES THE PROBLEM STRAIGHTENS AFTER THE WEATHER IS DRY. OWNER CONTACTED GMC, AND WAS TOLD THAT GMC HAS TAKEN THE RECALL OUT OF THE PARAMETER, ESTABLISHING A TIME LIMIT. SPECIFIC RECAL…
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WHEN OWNER SWITCHES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THEY FAIL TO ENGAGE, NOT OPERATING AT ALL. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER NOT TO HAVE VISIBILITY. OWNER STATES THE PROBLEM STRAIGHTENS AFTER THE WEATHER IS DRY. OWNER CONTACTED GMC, AND WAS TOLD THAT GMC HAS TAKEN THE RECALL OUT OF THE PARAMETER, ESTABLISHING A TIME LIMIT. SPECIFIC RECALL NOT FOUND. *AK.....CONSUMER ENCLOSED RECALL OF FAULTY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ISSUED ON 05/02/2003. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10109269
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2005
Visibility
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORK, I KNOW OTHER GMC MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED, CAN WE ADD THIS ONE?*AK
NHTSA ODI #10108025
84,000 miles · Jan 19, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB *AK
NHTSA ODI #10108527
Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2004
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. IT HAD NO POWER OR LIGHTS, AND WAS UNABLE TO BE JUMPED START BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROB…
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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. IT HAD NO POWER OR LIGHTS, AND WAS UNABLE TO BE JUMPED START BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10103368
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2004
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
THE TRUCK I HAVE IS 1997 GMC JIMMY 4X4 SLT MODEL I PURCHASED THE TRUCK IN 2000 KNOWING IT WAS A PRE OWNED VEHICLE FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS THE VEHICLE WAS NICE BUT THE NEXT TWO YEARS I HAVE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLES SO FAR WITH THIS VEHICLE I HAVE REPLACED 1) IGNITION SWITCH THAT COSTED 700.OO 2) PULLEY 3) ALTERNATOR 4) HEATE…
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THE TRUCK I HAVE IS 1997 GMC JIMMY 4X4 SLT MODEL I PURCHASED THE TRUCK IN 2000 KNOWING IT WAS A PRE OWNED VEHICLE FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS THE VEHICLE WAS NICE BUT THE NEXT TWO YEARS I HAVE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLES SO FAR WITH THIS VEHICLE I HAVE REPLACED 1) IGNITION SWITCH THAT COSTED 700.OO 2) PULLEY 3) ALTERNATOR 4) HEATER CORE 5) COMPRESSOR FOR A/C IS GONE HAVENT REPLACED 6) FUEL PUMP IS GONE HAVENT REPLACED 7)WINSHIELD WIPERS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO USUAL ON CLEAR DAYS BUT WHEN ITS STORMING THEY DONT WORK WHICH HAS RESULTED IN ME GETTING DRENCHED 8) TAILGATE DOENST WANT TO GO UP I HAVE HAD TWO YEARS OF PROBLEMS WITH MY TRUCK AND STILL CONTINE TO DO SO I PURCHASED MY TRUCK WITH 21,252 MI AND I NOW HAVE 70,329 MI I NEED BALL JOINTS WHICH I HAVE NOT REPLACED IN MY OPINION THIS IS THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNMED AND I BELIEVE EVER MADE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10102287
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2004
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
DEFECTIVE ENGINE AND THROTTLE FOR A 1997 GM JIMMY, VIN [XXX]. *BF WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL, BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE REPLACED …
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DEFECTIVE ENGINE AND THROTTLE FOR A 1997 GM JIMMY, VIN [XXX]. *BF WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL, BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE REPLACED WHICH INCLUDE THE BRAKE PAD SENSOR, BRAKE PADS, ELECTRICAL WIRING. ON THE DAY OF DELIVERY THE VEHICLE'S LEFT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE LOSS OF FOUR MAJOR BOLT WHICH HELD THE ASSEMBLY TO THE CHASSIS. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10097913
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2004
Exterior Lighting
CONSUMER STATED MALFUNCTIONED SWITCH WAS CAUSING THE TAIL LIGHTS TO FAIL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *TC
NHTSA ODI #10089821
136,000 miles · Sep 24, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10094282
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON MY 1997 GMC JIMMY TWICE IN 25,000 MILES. MY DAUGHTER AND SON-IN-LAW ALSO HAVE GM PRODUCTS (TRAILBLAZER AND TRUCK) AND HAVE HAD PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR AND FREEZE-UP.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10091064
120,000 miles · Sep 2, 2004
Exterior Lighting
BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE, NO LOWER BRAKE LIGHTS RESEARCHED PART TO REPAIR IS AT A COST OF $340.00 WITHOUT LABOR.....*AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
1997 GMC Jimmy Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year