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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
70,000 miles · Sep 8, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment Adaptive/mobility

TRANSMISSION FAILURE / REPLACED TRANSMISSION - UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE / REPLACED UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS - REAR WINDOW WIPER FAILURE / INOPERABLE AT THIS POINT - EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENTS WITH NO OLD PARTS AVAILABLE AT THIS POINT. EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE I CAN ONLY ATTRIBUTE TO SEVERELY POOR MANUFACTURIN…

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE / REPLACED TRANSMISSION - UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE / REPLACED UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS - REAR WINDOW WIPER FAILURE / INOPERABLE AT THIS POINT - EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENTS WITH NO OLD PARTS AVAILABLE AT THIS POINT. EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE I CAN ONLY ATTRIBUTE TO SEVERELY POOR MANUFACTURING OF PRODUCTS, THERE WAS NO OPERATING MISUSE OR ABUSE. ALSO OTHER PARTS THAT HAVE FAILED AND HAVE SINCE BEEN REPLACED ARE THE: ALTERNATOR, FUEL PUMP, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM FAILURES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10135766

181,000 miles · Aug 31, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN JUNE. A VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME AND I STRUCK THE REAR OF THAT VEHICLE. THE ROAD WAS WET FROM RAIN. MY BRAKES, ALL FOUR WHEELS, LOCKED UP AND I SLID INTO THAT VEHICLE. NO INJURIES. PROPERTY DAMAGE PROBABLY $4,000. TOTAL BRAKE LOCKUP. HAD ANTI LOCK BRAKES WORKED PROPERLY I BELIEVE I WOULD…

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I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN JUNE. A VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME AND I STRUCK THE REAR OF THAT VEHICLE. THE ROAD WAS WET FROM RAIN. MY BRAKES, ALL FOUR WHEELS, LOCKED UP AND I SLID INTO THAT VEHICLE. NO INJURIES. PROPERTY DAMAGE PROBABLY $4,000. TOTAL BRAKE LOCKUP. HAD ANTI LOCK BRAKES WORKED PROPERLY I BELIEVE I WOULD HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM TO STOP AND AVOID CRASH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10134863

50,000 miles · Aug 30, 2005
Visibility

DT: THE VEHICLE IS A 1997 GMC JIMMY. CONSUMER RECEIVED NOTICE G02054 FROM THE MANUFACTURER, WHICH TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. THERE WAS A CRACKED SOLDER JOINT ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT ALL. THE LETTER STATED T…

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DT: THE VEHICLE IS A 1997 GMC JIMMY. CONSUMER RECEIVED NOTICE G02054 FROM THE MANUFACTURER, WHICH TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. THERE WAS A CRACKED SOLDER JOINT ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT ALL. THE LETTER STATED THAT IF CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM OR DID NOT BELIEVE HE HAD THIS PROBLEM NOT TO BRING VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. HE RECEIVED THE LETTER IN 2-2003. THE PROBLEM STARTED BEFORE HE RECEIVED THE LETTER, AND HE DID NOT KNOW WHY. CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN HE GOT THE LETTER THE PROBLEM STOPPED. SO HE DID NOT HAVE IT FIXED. IT WAS FINE UP UNTIL THE PAST YEAR OR SO. CONSUMER HAD STUCK THE LETTER IN GLOVE BOX WITH OWNERS MANUAL. WHEN HE FOUND THE LETTER HE CALLED GMC AT 1-800-462-8782. THEY TOLD HIM THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE NOTICE HAD EXPIRED ON 2-2004. THE DEALERSHIP THAT HE PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS.*AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10129447

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2005
Visibility

1997 GMC JIMMY DEVELOPED A PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. *MR *SC

NHTSA ODI #10133470

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2005
Tires

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNED A 1997 GMC JIMMY. HEARD A LOUD CRASHING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. WHEN HE LOOKED IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR HE SAW SOMETHING BOUNCING IN A FIELD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE WAS GONE. THE CABLE THAT HELD THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE BROKE. THIS OCCURRED LAST NIGHT, AND HE HAS NOT YET HA…

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DT: THE CONSUMER OWNED A 1997 GMC JIMMY. HEARD A LOUD CRASHING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. WHEN HE LOOKED IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR HE SAW SOMETHING BOUNCING IN A FIELD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE WAS GONE. THE CABLE THAT HELD THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE BROKE. THIS OCCURRED LAST NIGHT, AND HE HAS NOT YET HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP. ALSO OCCURRED ON CONSUMER'S SON' VEHICLE, 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10130788

105,000 miles · Jul 24, 2005
Exterior Lighting

I OWN THIS 1997 GMC JIMMY THAT I PURCHASED FROM MY MOTHER IN DECEMBER 2004. I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SIGNAL LIGHTS, THEY JUST QUIT WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL GM DEALER AND AT THAT TIME NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS REASON. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AND ASSEMBLY. I KNOW THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR GMC AND CHE…

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I OWN THIS 1997 GMC JIMMY THAT I PURCHASED FROM MY MOTHER IN DECEMBER 2004. I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SIGNAL LIGHTS, THEY JUST QUIT WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL GM DEALER AND AT THAT TIME NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS REASON. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AND ASSEMBLY. I KNOW THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR GMC AND CHEVROLET MINIVANS FOR THIS SAME REASON. IT IS MY FEELING THAT THE 1997 JIMMY SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OR A SEPARATE RECALL SHOULD BE MADE FOR THE MODELS USING THE SAME ASSEMBLY AS THE 1997 JIMMY.

NHTSA ODI #10129827

70,000 miles · Jul 8, 2005
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

DT: ON 5/24/05 CALLER WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON LEVEL GROUND ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SPARE TIRE FELL OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE ONTO THE VEHICLE BROKE AND ALLOWED SPARE TO BREAK AWAY AND FELL ONTO THE HIGHWAY. *AK THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE CAUSED MANY PROBLEMS IN THE PAST AS WELL. THE W…

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DT: ON 5/24/05 CALLER WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON LEVEL GROUND ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SPARE TIRE FELL OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE ONTO THE VEHICLE BROKE AND ALLOWED SPARE TO BREAK AWAY AND FELL ONTO THE HIGHWAY. *AK THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE CAUSED MANY PROBLEMS IN THE PAST AS WELL. THE WIPERS WOULD START AND STOP UNANNOUNCED AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED AND THE BLINKERS WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF ON THEIR OWN. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A GENERAL PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CAR WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED. EACH TIME THE CONSUMER FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH GAS, THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SMELL LIKE GAS AND FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, THE GAS GAUGE DID NOT WORK. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10122079

51,500 miles · Mar 28, 2005
Exterior Lighting

I OWN THIS 1997 GMC JIMMY THAT I PURCHASED NEW. IN JULY 2004 AT 51,500 MILES, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE, SIGNAL, HAZARD FLASHER LIGHTS, THEY JUST QUIT WORKING AND I HAD A NEAR COLLISION BECAUSE OF IT TWICE BEFORE I REALIZED THAT THEY WERE NOT WORKING. I CARRIED IT TO THE LOCAL GM DEALER AND AT THAT TIME NO RECALL HAD BEEN…

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I OWN THIS 1997 GMC JIMMY THAT I PURCHASED NEW. IN JULY 2004 AT 51,500 MILES, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE, SIGNAL, HAZARD FLASHER LIGHTS, THEY JUST QUIT WORKING AND I HAD A NEAR COLLISION BECAUSE OF IT TWICE BEFORE I REALIZED THAT THEY WERE NOT WORKING. I CARRIED IT TO THE LOCAL GM DEALER AND AT THAT TIME NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS REASON. I PAID THEM $427.45 FOR A REPLACEMENT ASSY. INSTALLED. I AM RECENTLY AWARE OF A RECALL FOR GMC AND CHEVROLET MINIVANS FOR THIS SAME REASON. IT IS MY FEELING THAT THE 1997 JIMMY AND BLAZER SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OR A SEPARATE RECALL SHOULD BE MADE FOR THE MODELS USING THE SAME ASSEMBLY AS THE 1997 JIMMY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10115936

117,000 miles · Feb 9, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

OWNER WAS DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED ON ITS OWN. THE CRUISE CONTROL GOT STUCK, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO OPERATE. OWNER PUT THE VEHICLE IN O NEUTRAL, AND THE KEY WAS STUCK INTO THE IGNITION. OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10111250

90,836 miles · Feb 7, 2005
Visibility

SITTING IN CAR WITH MOTOR OFF..LIGHTS OFF. BACK WINDOW EXPLODED. WINDOW SHOT UP OVER CAR AND BROKE INTO A MILLION PIECES, WHILE WINDOW STAYED LOCKED. SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF . I WAS SITTING IN PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. POLICE REPORTED TO SCENE. GMC OF FRESNO COULD FIND NO REASON, SAID IT WAS NOT ELECTRICAL. TOOK VEH…

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SITTING IN CAR WITH MOTOR OFF..LIGHTS OFF. BACK WINDOW EXPLODED. WINDOW SHOT UP OVER CAR AND BROKE INTO A MILLION PIECES, WHILE WINDOW STAYED LOCKED. SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF . I WAS SITTING IN PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. POLICE REPORTED TO SCENE. GMC OF FRESNO COULD FIND NO REASON, SAID IT WAS NOT ELECTRICAL. TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER GARAGE..THEY COULD FIND NO REASON EITHER. INSURANCE REFUSES TO REPAIR BECAUSE REPORT STATES NOT CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL. ALSO CAUSED FRONT DASH EQUIPMENT TO MALFUNCTION. VERY, VERY SCARY!! GLASS BLEW OUT EVERYWHERE! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10110044

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.