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
What owners actually said
407 reports
114,856 miles · Aug 5, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
PULLED OUT OF PARKING LOT ON TO ROAD. APPLIED BRAKES WHILE APPROACHING A LIGHT. EVEN WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE 1996 GMC JIMMY BARELY CAME TO A STOP FROM A DISTANCE OF 6 CAR LENGTHS GOING 30 MPH. NARROWLY AVOIDED REAR-ENDING VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME BUT THE CLOSET ENCOUNTER. BEFORE THIS INCI…
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PULLED OUT OF PARKING LOT ON TO ROAD. APPLIED BRAKES WHILE APPROACHING A LIGHT. EVEN WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE 1996 GMC JIMMY BARELY CAME TO A STOP FROM A DISTANCE OF 6 CAR LENGTHS GOING 30 MPH. NARROWLY AVOIDED REAR-ENDING VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME BUT THE CLOSET ENCOUNTER. BEFORE THIS INCIDENT I HAD THE FRONT ROTORS, DISK PADS, CALIPERS, FRONT FLEX LINES, BOOSTER, VACUMM HOSE AND CONNECTOR ON ENGINE TO BOOSTER, MASTER CYL., AND REAR BRAKE LININGS - REPLACED. SINCE THEN I HAD THE VACUMM CHECKED FROM THE ENGINE TO THE BOOSTER AND WAS TOLD THE BOOSTER WAS BAD. I HAD THE BOOSTER AND MASTERC REPLACED AGAIN. STILL NO CHANGE. PEDAL GOES TOO FAR DOWN AND FEELS LIKE IT HITS A BRICK FOLLOWED BY VERY WEAK BREAKING ACTION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10086218
104,100 miles · Jul 28, 2004
Suspension
RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT APPEARS TO BE SHATTERED. MAINTENANCE WAS ABOVE LEVEL REQUIRED BY BOOK AND SEEMS TO BE A CASTING DEFECT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10082880
100,000 miles · Jun 8, 2004
Visibility
NHTSA RECALL# 03V 159 000 WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER.VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL NOTICED WAS RECEIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY WERE DENYING CONSUMER THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THIS RESOLVED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10075903
80,000 miles · Nov 24, 2003
Suspension
THE 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
NHTSA ODI #10044608
Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2003
Seat Belts
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LATCH NO LONGER WORKS. IT FAILED SUDDENLY. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043207
15,000 miles · Oct 17, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SOFT BRAKE PEDAL ON 1996 JIMMY VIN [XXX]. HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM SINCE 1999 WHEN WE INHERITED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM . I'VE HAD THAT DONE . CHANGED FRONT ROTORS AND PADS ALSO LED BRAKES CHANGED OUT FLUID ETC. PEDAL STILL SOFT. CAN'T EVEN GET MY TOE UNDER PEDAL WHEN PUSHED TO THE FLO…
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SOFT BRAKE PEDAL ON 1996 JIMMY VIN [XXX]. HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM SINCE 1999 WHEN WE INHERITED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM . I'VE HAD THAT DONE . CHANGED FRONT ROTORS AND PADS ALSO LED BRAKES CHANGED OUT FLUID ETC. PEDAL STILL SOFT. CAN'T EVEN GET MY TOE UNDER PEDAL WHEN PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. THE CITY I WORK FOR HAS 1997 BLAZER THAT IS THE SAME WAY. I'M A POLICE OFFICER. MOST VEHICLES THAT I DRIVE INCLUDING CRUISERS HAVE BETTER TAKE UP THEN THESE 2 VEHICLES. MY JIMMY IS PAID FOR BUT IF I CAN'T FIND A RESOLUTION OR NEW IDEA ON WHAT TO DO I'M GOING TO SELL IT. THE DEALERSHIPS AND ENGINEERS I'VE TALKED TO SAID THAT THOSE PARTICULAR YEARS HAD A LOT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL BEFORE TAKE UP. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. I'M OUT OF IDEAS ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREAT. *LA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10043103
120,000 miles · Oct 15, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
WHILE DRIVING, FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE AREA - TOTAL LOSS. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10042939
100,400 miles · Oct 10, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE IDLING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT UNDER THE DASH.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10042765
175,000 miles · Sep 29, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
WIRING HARNESS THAT LEADS TO THE LUMBAR SUPPORT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA ODI #10040903
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2003
Electrical SystemPower TrainSuspension
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
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.
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: 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.
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.
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.
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
5
EA02006 · 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.
1996 GMC Jimmy Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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