Model year record

1997 GMC Jimmy

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

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.

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.