IllustrationBATTERY, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTER HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED. *TT
1996 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: 30 of 407 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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 172 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
54 crash reports9 fire reports18 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
53 reportsENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD, AND VEHICLE OVERHEATED. CONSUMER OPENED RADIATOR CAP AND NOTICED THICK MUDDY RUSTY LIQUID INSIDE. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT A DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
DURING A REPAIR OF A MAIN SEAL LEAK, MECHANIC REMOVED THE TRANSFER CASE AND DID NOT PUT ALL THE PARTS BACK TOGETHER, A SHORT WHILE LATER, CONSUMER NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL AND AFTER EXAMINATION FOUND THAT AN UNSECURED FUEL LINE HAD VIBRATED AGAINST THE PROTRUDING EDGE OF A BODY SUPPORT BRACE CAUSING IT TO SEVER AND LEAK, DEAL…
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DURING A REPAIR OF A MAIN SEAL LEAK, MECHANIC REMOVED THE TRANSFER CASE AND DID NOT PUT ALL THE PARTS BACK TOGETHER, A SHORT WHILE LATER, CONSUMER NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL AND AFTER EXAMINATION FOUND THAT AN UNSECURED FUEL LINE HAD VIBRATED AGAINST THE PROTRUDING EDGE OF A BODY SUPPORT BRACE CAUSING IT TO SEVER AND LEAK, DEALER FOUND 2 SUPPORT BRACKETS MISSING AND 2 LARGE STEEL RODS MISSING THAT ARE DESIGNED TO ASSIST IN PREVENTING THE TRANSFER FROM CRACKING DURING EXTREME 4-WHEEL CONDITIONS, IF MECHANIC WOULD HAVE PUT ALL PARTS TOGETHER THIS INCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR RENTAL CAR COSTS AND COSTS OF REPAIRS. VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING LEAK. *SLC
RADIATOR WENT BAD AND FLUID WAS TURNING INTO SLUSH. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER PUT TEXA COOLING INTO RADIATOR, BUT IT MADE SITUATION WORSE.*AK
WHEN TOWING MY 3000LB TRAVEL TRAILER THE ENGINE WILL MAKE PRE-IGNITION NOISES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR DAYS AFTERWARD, THEN GO OFF. COOLANT WAS CHANGED WHEN I PURCHASED IT USED BECAUSE IT WAS BLACK. WITHIN 25,000 MILES IT'S BLACK AGAIN.
PULLEY MOUNT BROKE COMPLETELY OFF AND CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND MADE REPAIRS. *AK THE CAST ALUMINIUM ARM AND PULLEY ASSEMBLY BREAKING CAUSED POWER STEERING AND WATER PUMP FALURES. *YH
RADIATOR ANTI FREEZE TORNS TO A BROWN SLUDGE THAT HAS TO BE CLEANED OUT OF THE RADIATOR CORE AT A COST OF $335.00 PER CLEANING. BASED ON THIS DEFECT I AM SERIOURLY THINKING OF PURCHASING ANOTHER MAKE OF VEHICLE IN 2001. *AK
RADIATOR HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING COOLANT PROBLEMS. COOLANT USED BY THE DEALER WAS CAUSING SLUDGE. RADIATOR MUST BE SENT OUT TO HAVE IT CLEANED. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK *ML
I NOTICED HEATER WAS NOT HEATING TO FULL POTENTIAL. CHECKED COOLANT AND SAW THAT THE DEXTRON ORANGE COOLANT WAS A SLUDGE TYPE SUBSTANCE. I WENT TO A SHOP TO HAVE RADIATOR FLUSHED AND REPLENISHED WITH PROPER COOLANT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE COOLANT INSIDE RADIATOR COULD NOT BE REPLACED BY THE ESTABLISHMENT AND THAT IT HAD TUR…
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I NOTICED HEATER WAS NOT HEATING TO FULL POTENTIAL. CHECKED COOLANT AND SAW THAT THE DEXTRON ORANGE COOLANT WAS A SLUDGE TYPE SUBSTANCE. I WENT TO A SHOP TO HAVE RADIATOR FLUSHED AND REPLENISHED WITH PROPER COOLANT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE COOLANT INSIDE RADIATOR COULD NOT BE REPLACED BY THE ESTABLISHMENT AND THAT IT HAD TURNED INTO SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT GOOD FOR THE ENGINE. THE ESTABLISHMENT SAID THEY HAD TURNED AWAY TWO OTHER CUSTOMERS DUE TO THE SAME REASON. DEXTRON ORANGE COULD ONLY BE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THAT AT 40000 MILES LEFT BEFORE REPLACEMENT IT SHOULD NOT LOOK THAT WAY. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER GMC JIMMY AND CHEVY BLAZER OWNERS AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A REPEATING COMPLAINT AMONG THESE OWNERS IN MY REGION. I REQUEST YOU INVESTIGATE THE DEXTRON ORANGE COOLANT THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED EVERY 5 YEARS OR 100000 MILES.*AK
THE DEALERSHIP HAD DONE ALL THE SERVICE WORK SINCE I OWNED THE VEHICLE,AT 47,000 MILES THE ANTI-FREEZE HAD THE CONSISTENCY OF SYRUP AND WAS CLOGGING UP.AFTER MUCH COMPLAINING THE DEALER PULLED THE RADIATOR HAD IT FLUSHED AND REFILLED.APPROX. 30,000 MILES LATER THE SAME THING.THEY FLUSHED AND FILLED AGAIN.IT'S DOING THE SAME THIN…
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THE DEALERSHIP HAD DONE ALL THE SERVICE WORK SINCE I OWNED THE VEHICLE,AT 47,000 MILES THE ANTI-FREEZE HAD THE CONSISTENCY OF SYRUP AND WAS CLOGGING UP.AFTER MUCH COMPLAINING THE DEALER PULLED THE RADIATOR HAD IT FLUSHED AND REFILLED.APPROX. 30,000 MILES LATER THE SAME THING.THEY FLUSHED AND FILLED AGAIN.IT'S DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN IN LESS THEN A YEAR.THEY REFUSE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.THEY INFORMED ME I HAD TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF.IT WAS NEVER CORRECTED TO BEGIN WITH. *AK
Official recalls
603V159000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Apr 28, 2003
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 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.
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.
99V193000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Jul 19, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1989 THROUGH AUGUST 1996. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE SWITCH WHICH SIGNALS THE ABS SYSTEM WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN 2-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.
98V150001 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Jul 1, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
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.
96V234000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Nov 14, 1996
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4-DOOR, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING DEVELOPMENT TESTING, THE PROP SHAFT CONTACTED THE INBOARD SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE. THIS LEAKAGE WAS IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT PERMITTED BY FMVSS 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, AND THERE IS A FUEL LEAK, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL SHIELDING OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS WILL BE ADDED WITHOUT REMOVING OR DISASSEMBLING THE FUEL SYSTEM.
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
5EA02006 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
EA99022 · Upper And Lower Control Arm Ball Joint
Opened Jul 30, 1999 · Closed Aug 28, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE99021 · Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Breakage
Opened Mar 5, 1999 · Closed Jul 30, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILS, RESULTING IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSING ON THE FAILED SIDE.
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.