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1997 GMC Jimmy

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 57 of 274 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.

  • Suspension. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports5 fire reports18 injury reports

What owners actually said

274 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2002
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GMC TRUCKS.ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY TRUCK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #766546

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2002
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OUT UNTIL THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE BLEW OUT. REPLACED FUSE AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OUT. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS AGO AND I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO JONES CHEVROLET IN SUMTER, SC. THEY SAID THEY ADJUSTED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THIS TIME I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TIM…

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BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OUT UNTIL THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE BLEW OUT. REPLACED FUSE AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OUT. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS AGO AND I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO JONES CHEVROLET IN SUMTER, SC. THEY SAID THEY ADJUSTED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THIS TIME I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TIM'S AUTO PRO IN DALZELL, SC TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. TIM FOUND THAT THE WIRING FROM THE FUSE BLOCK UP UNDER AND BEHIND THE DASH HAD SHORTED OUT DUE TO THE WAY IT WAS INSTALLED ORIGINALLY AT THE FACTORY. PART OF THE WIRING HARNESS WAS CHAFFED IN SEVERAL PLACES AND THE WIRING MELTED TOGETHER KEEPING OUR BRAKE LIGHTS ON. HE REMOVED THE DASH AND ASSOCIATED ITEMS TO GET TO THE HARNESS AND REPAIRED IT SO OUR BRAKES WORK AND THERE ARE NO SHORTS. MY CONCERN IS THAT GMC SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS REPAIR SINCE THE HARNESS WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT. IF BY SOME CHANCE THE WIRING HAD CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE DASH WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER GMC JIMMY DOWN THE ROAD THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS OR LOSS OF LIFE. PLEASE CHECK FOR ME WITH GMC AND SEE IF THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED ON OTHER GMC JIMMY OR BLAZER PRODUCTS.

NHTSA ODI #765981

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2002
Power Train

VEHICLE UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE BECAUSE WATER GOT INTO TRANSMISSION WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8016435

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2002
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR STOP WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8015580

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2002
Visibility

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO WIPE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE PAST YEAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #764112

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2002
Suspension

CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, BOTH FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8013513

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2002
SuspensionInjury

THE VEHICLE HAD A BALL JOINT FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN ACCIDENT AND INJURY TO THE CONSUMER. THE BALL JOINTS WERE ON RECALL BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED, 01I018. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *YH

NHTSA ODI #566276

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

COOLANT HAS FAILED AND IS GELLING UP IN ENGINE. GM HAS STATED THE COOLLANT SHOULD LAST 5 YEARS OR 100000 MILES. THE COOLANT SYSTEM NOW NEEDS AN ACID FLUSHH AND REPAIR PARTS WHICH WILL COST $440. GM STATES THIS IS M=NOT A FLAW , BUT THE DEALER STATES THAT IT IS ONLY OCCURRING IN THE JIMMY AND CHEVY S-10 VEHICLES. THEY HAVE RE…

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COOLANT HAS FAILED AND IS GELLING UP IN ENGINE. GM HAS STATED THE COOLLANT SHOULD LAST 5 YEARS OR 100000 MILES. THE COOLANT SYSTEM NOW NEEDS AN ACID FLUSHH AND REPAIR PARTS WHICH WILL COST $440. GM STATES THIS IS M=NOT A FLAW , BUT THE DEALER STATES THAT IT IS ONLY OCCURRING IN THE JIMMY AND CHEVY S-10 VEHICLES. THEY HAVE RECEIVED A SEREVICE BULLETIN ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #763450

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2002
SuspensionInjury

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. DRIVER SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES. HOWEVER DEALER REFUSED FOR THE LAST 44 DAYS TO PERFORM REPAIRS UNLESS CONSUMER SIGNS A WAIVER RELEASING GM OF ANY LIABILITIES AND PREVENTING THE AFFECTED PARTIES FROM DISCUSSING THE MATTER WITH ANYONE. CONSUMER STATES SHE WILL NOT SIGN THE F…

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CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. DRIVER SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES. HOWEVER DEALER REFUSED FOR THE LAST 44 DAYS TO PERFORM REPAIRS UNLESS CONSUMER SIGNS A WAIVER RELEASING GM OF ANY LIABILITIES AND PREVENTING THE AFFECTED PARTIES FROM DISCUSSING THE MATTER WITH ANYONE. CONSUMER STATES SHE WILL NOT SIGN THE FORM DUE TO THE GAG ORDER CLAUSE FROM THE AGREEMENT. CONSUMER IS AWARE THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN NOTICE 01V200000 INVOLVING REPLACEMENT OF THE BALL JOINTS. *TT *JG

NHTSA ODI #566241

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2002
Suspension

PRIOR TO THE RECALL NOTICE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 01V200000, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HAD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. CONSUMER IS SEEKING FURTHER REIMBURSEMENT. *YD

NHTSA ODI #566165

Official recalls

4

03V117000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Mar 31, 2003

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

03V093000 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

Mar 7, 2003

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

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

2

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.