IllustrationRIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT APPEARS TO BE SHATTERED. MAINTENANCE WAS ABOVE LEVEL REQUIRED BY BOOK AND SEEMS TO BE A CASTING DEFECT. *AK
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
Suspension complaints
49 reportsTHE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT BALLS JOINTS WERE WORN OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS RECALL ON THE BALL JOINTS, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WA NOT INCLUDED. *JB *NM
THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS STATED IN RECALLS 01I018000 LOWER BALL JOINT; RECALL 03V159000 WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, AND TRANSMISSION. RECALL NUMBER UNKNOWN. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT DUE TO A CRACKING NOISE. WHILE DRIVING…
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THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS STATED IN RECALLS 01I018000 LOWER BALL JOINT; RECALL 03V159000 WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, AND TRANSMISSION. RECALL NUMBER UNKNOWN. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT DUE TO A CRACKING NOISE. WHILE DRIVING THROUGH THE SNOW, THE CONSUMER WASN'T ABLE TO USE THE 4WD BECAUSE THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INTERMITTENT, A LOUD CRACKING NOISE HAD COME FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION WHICH HAD A LEAK AND THE IGNITION SWITCH. *SCC *JB
WHILE DRIVING A CLICKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD, AND VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP, WHERE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
MY 1996 GMC JIMMY HAS HAD BALL JOINT PROBLEMS (UPPER AND LOWER REPLACED AT 40K, 79K), ABS PROBLEMS (RECALLED TO CHANGE S/W, FAILED AT 80K) AND WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEMS (INTERMITTENT FAILURES AT 80K). ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE HAD RECALLS, BUT WHEN I CONTACT GMC THEY TELL ME MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED (VIN [XXX]). WHAT I DON'T …
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MY 1996 GMC JIMMY HAS HAD BALL JOINT PROBLEMS (UPPER AND LOWER REPLACED AT 40K, 79K), ABS PROBLEMS (RECALLED TO CHANGE S/W, FAILED AT 80K) AND WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEMS (INTERMITTENT FAILURES AT 80K). ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE HAD RECALLS, BUT WHEN I CONTACT GMC THEY TELL ME MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED (VIN [XXX]). WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS IF MY CAR IS FAILING WITH THE EXACT PROBLEMS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL NOTICE, THEN THE PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE MORE WIDESPREAD THEN GM IS WILLING TO ADMIT. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT WAS DAMAGED, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO LEAN INWARD. *JB
CONSUMER STATE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND MAKE SOME NOISE, CAUSING BY THE LOWER BALL JOINT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT TIRES WERE WEARING OUT DUE TO LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT COULDN'T FIND CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
THIS IS LISTED SPECIFICALLY ON NHTSA AS A SAFETY RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE (4WD 1996 GMC JIMMY). I WAS TOLD ON A RECENT SAFETY INSPECTION THAT THESE BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED AND THAT A CRASH CAN RESULT. HOWEVER, THE DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT APPLICABLE TO MY VEHICLE AND THAT GMC WILL NOT PAY FOR IT. THE NHTSA NOTICE MAKES NO MENTION O…
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THIS IS LISTED SPECIFICALLY ON NHTSA AS A SAFETY RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE (4WD 1996 GMC JIMMY). I WAS TOLD ON A RECENT SAFETY INSPECTION THAT THESE BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED AND THAT A CRASH CAN RESULT. HOWEVER, THE DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT APPLICABLE TO MY VEHICLE AND THAT GMC WILL NOT PAY FOR IT. THE NHTSA NOTICE MAKES NO MENTION OF MANUFACTURER'S DATES OR PARTICULAR VINS, SO IT SEEMS ODD THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS CLASS OF VEHICLE AND YET SOMEHOW IT IS NOT APPLICABLE TO MINE.*AK
CONSUMER STATES AFTER FINDING OUT THAT HE COULD NOT GET HIS TRUCK ALIGNED, HE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT HIS LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE MOVING APPROX 1-1 1/2 IN. CONSUMER ALSO SAYS THAT WHEN HE SHIFTS HIS TRUCK FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE HE HEARS A KNOCK WHICH ALSO INDICATES THIS BALL JOINT PROBLEM.*JB
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.