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
68,000 miles · Aug 29, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, OtherPower Train
WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. I WAS IN A BAD RAINSTORM LAST NIGHT AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE WE COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. SCARY - THIS IS A POTENTIAL BIG LAW SUIT FOR GMC IF ANYONE DIES IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS COMMON COMPLAINT. MY GMC MECHANIC REVEALED THAT THIS HAPPENS ON ALMOST ALL GMC JIMMY'S, YET THER…
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WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. I WAS IN A BAD RAINSTORM LAST NIGHT AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE WE COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. SCARY - THIS IS A POTENTIAL BIG LAW SUIT FOR GMC IF ANYONE DIES IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS COMMON COMPLAINT. MY GMC MECHANIC REVEALED THAT THIS HAPPENS ON ALMOST ALL GMC JIMMY'S, YET THERE IS NO RECALL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART TO DATE. TRANSMISSION - SLIPPED BADLY. I PAID TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND SOMETIMES IT STILL SLIPS. THIS TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THE JIMMY, AS WELL AS A FAULTY GAS GAUGE, FAULTY BALL JOINTS AND OXYGEN SENSORS. I DID HAVE TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR, BUT I CONSIDER THAT NORMAL REPAIRS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10088759
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
THE 1997 GMC JIMMY JUST SHUTS OFF. THIS OCCURS AT NO SPECIAL TIMES AND WITH NO IDENTIFIABLE CIRCUMSTANCES PRECEDING THE SHUTDOWN. THE ENGINE AND ALL CONTROL SYSTEMS SIMPLY STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THERE IS NO RYHME NOR REASON FOR THE FAILURE. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN A SINGLE EVENING AND THEN GONE MONTHS B…
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THE 1997 GMC JIMMY JUST SHUTS OFF. THIS OCCURS AT NO SPECIAL TIMES AND WITH NO IDENTIFIABLE CIRCUMSTANCES PRECEDING THE SHUTDOWN. THE ENGINE AND ALL CONTROL SYSTEMS SIMPLY STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THERE IS NO RYHME NOR REASON FOR THE FAILURE. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN A SINGLE EVENING AND THEN GONE MONTHS BEFORE RECURRING. COMPUTER DIAGNOSES, NO CODES FOUND BY MECHANIC. SINCE IT HAS ALWAYS FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, USUALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE BECOMES A REAL CONCERN. LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAN EASILY CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE JIMMY ALWAYS RESTARTS EASILY AFTER TEN SECONDS OR SO. OF COURSE AT 70-75 MILES PER HOURS THAT CAN SEEM LIKE A VERY LONG TIME INDEED. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10080869
64,212 miles · Jul 8, 2004
Power Train
IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN PAST 4 YEARS (10/2000 & 8/2003). WHEN IT FAILS, THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND/OR STALLS. THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY GM TECHNICIANS TH…
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IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN PAST 4 YEARS (10/2000 & 8/2003). WHEN IT FAILS, THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND/OR STALLS. THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY GM TECHNICIANS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO POOR DESIGN, ENGINEERING AND MFG QUALITY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10080601
67,200 miles · Jul 8, 2004
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK ON MY 1997 GMC JIMMY WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN A RAINSTORM. SHE HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY INTO SOMEONES DRIVEWAY AND PULL ON THE WIPER ARMS TO GET THEM TO START WORKING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10080580
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2004
Unknown Or Other
CONSUMER HAS NOT GOTTEN DRIVER SEAT BELT RECALL PERFORMED. *PH CONSUMER SUBMITTED CHANGE OF ADDRESS INFORMATION. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10071460
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
THE PAINT OF THE CAR IS CHIPPING, THE ELECTICAL IS NOT WORKING (BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND INTERIOR LIGHTS), THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NOT WORKING (MOTOR), AND THE FUSES KEEP BREAKING, AND THE SEAT BEAL BUCKLES ARE NOT WORKING AS WELL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10067541
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2004
Exterior Lighting
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM. BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OPERATING POORLY. EACH TIME CONSUMER'S HUSBAND PUT IN A FUSE IT BLEW OUT. CONSUMER HAD NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALER/MECHANIC BECAUSE IT COST TOO MUCH. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND WENT TO THE WEB AND FOUND A LOT OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE. CONSUMER FELT TH…
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CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM. BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OPERATING POORLY. EACH TIME CONSUMER'S HUSBAND PUT IN A FUSE IT BLEW OUT. CONSUMER HAD NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALER/MECHANIC BECAUSE IT COST TOO MUCH. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND WENT TO THE WEB AND FOUND A LOT OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE. CONSUMER FELT THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS ON WEB ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10067524
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2004
Exterior Lighting
MY 1997 GMC JIMMY IS ON ITS THIRD MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. I REPLACED IT ONCE IN NOVEMBER 2001, AND AGAIN LAST WEEK. MY JIMMY ONLY HAS 54,000 MILES ON IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10066262
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2004
Air BagsElectrical System
HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS, HAZARD LIGHTS OR DRIVING LIGHTS. VEHICLE ALSO HAS BEEN IN TWO FRONT END COLLISIONS AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN EITHER WRECK. VEHICLE WAS LOOKED AT BY A DEALER AND COULD NOT BE FIXED.
NHTSA ODI #10066198
51,000 miles · Apr 12, 2004
Exterior Lighting
WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE 'ON' THEY COMPETE WITH THE RUNNING LIGHTS. SIMPLY, THE LIGHTS FLASH BETWEEN THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE RUNNING LIGHTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS. I HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHT SWITCH 3 TIMES AND WHEN IT GETS 'HOT', THIS HAPPENS AGAIN.*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
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