Model year record

1997 GMC Jimmy

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 421 owner complaints on file.

GMC Jimmy, 1992–2001 generation
Pictured: the 1992–2001 generation. Bull-Doser, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V117000

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
312,715
Reported to NHTSA
2003-03-31
Owners notified
2003-08-08

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V093000

Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior

Component
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
507,171
Reported to NHTSA
2003-03-07
Owners notified
2003-04-24

Defect description

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V200000

Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
48,600
Reported to NHTSA
2001-06-28
Owners notified
2001-09-04

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V096001

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
586,058
Reported to NHTSA
1997-06-12
Owners notified
1997-09-22

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3851,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint2978,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2268,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1968,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1250,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline11—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1170,000 mi
Electrical system1070,000 mi
Air bags: frontal984,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system952,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition770,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm775,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine6—
Exterior lighting670,000 mi
Air bags5—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator5—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers577,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling5136,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump570,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor5—
Structure: body: door5—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments551,000 mi
Suspension551,402 mi
Fuel system, other4—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system4—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor440,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys3—
Exterior lighting: brake lights3—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system368,000 mi
Interior lighting3—
Seat belts3—
Service brakes, air: antilock3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads3—
Steering360,187 mi
Steering: linkages370,000 mi
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment3—
Suspension: front375,000 mi
Tires3—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire3153,225 mi
Unknown or other3—
Vehicle speed control3—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal3—
Wheels3—
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module2135,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control268,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift2—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch2120,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit251,500 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch2105,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors2—
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump2—
Power train: axle assembly2—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal2—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft2—
Power train: driveline: universal joint270,000 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)278,000 mi
Seats2—
Service brakes, hydraulic2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum2—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)2—
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm260,123 mi
Visibility271,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls2135,000 mi
Visibility: windshield2—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module159,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1180,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Equipment1—
Equipment adaptive/mobility170,000 mi
Equipment: electrical1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch151,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Fuel system, gasoline170,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery170,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1—
Power train1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Power train: driveline1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seat belts: rear/other188,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Steering: column1—
Steering: gear box: shaft sector1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Structure1153,225 mi
Structure: body1210,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate1—
Structure: body: tailgate1114,000 mi
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1—
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Suspension: multiple axle1—
Suspension: rear1—
Trailer hitches1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1117,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear190,836 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior184,000 mi

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other GMC Jimmy model years

All GMC Jimmy recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.