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1998 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 →
238Owner complaints

Model-year median: 12

2Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
499
1995407
1996274
1997238
1998137
1999211
2000100
2001
Compare all Jimmy years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Visibility
81Electrical System
33Power Train
30Service Brakes, Hydraulic
29Suspension
25
All reported categories
Engine And Engine Cooling
20Steering
16Air Bags
15Exterior Lighting
11Seats
11Unknown Or Other
9Equipment
6Vehicle Speed Control
6Structure
5Fuel System, Gasoline
4Tires
4Wheels
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Fuel System, Other
2Parking Brake
2Seat Belts
2Interior Lighting
1Service Brakes, Air
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

68 reports with mileage · 170 unknown

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.

  • Visibility. Review the 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports3 fire reports12 injury reports

Wheels complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2005
Power TrainWheels

1998 GMC S15 JIMMY TRUCK, DEFECTIVE ENCODER MOTOR. *BF ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS DURING SNOW STORMS THE CONSUMER HAD TO RELY ON THE 2-WHEEL DRIVE TO NAVIGATE ON THE ROADS COVERED IN SNOW AND ICE WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF THE ADDED TRACTION OF 4-WHEEL DRIVE. ONCE THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM 4-WHEEL DRIVE BACK TO 2-WHEEL D…

Read full complaint

1998 GMC S15 JIMMY TRUCK, DEFECTIVE ENCODER MOTOR. *BF ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS DURING SNOW STORMS THE CONSUMER HAD TO RELY ON THE 2-WHEEL DRIVE TO NAVIGATE ON THE ROADS COVERED IN SNOW AND ICE WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF THE ADDED TRACTION OF 4-WHEEL DRIVE. ONCE THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM 4-WHEEL DRIVE BACK TO 2-WHEEL DRIVE. THIS PAST WINTER, THE CONSUMER LOST TRACTION AND SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WHEEL COVER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10115766

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2002
SteeringSuspensionWheels

WHEN MAKING A TURN VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO EITHER THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT. DEALER HAS REPLACED SWAY BAR/ IDLE ARM AND HUBS ON FRONT END. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8012159

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2001
Wheels

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #747200

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicWheels

WHEEL HIT A BUMP AND FONT BRAKES AND BACK BRAKES RELEASED, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #884267

Official recalls

2

98V053000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Mar 9, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE OR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE. ONE OR BOTH OF THE ATTACHING NUTS FOR THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM ARE UNDER TORQUED. THIS CAN ALLOW THE ATTACHMENT BOLT TO LOOSEN AND SUBSEQUENT BREAK RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.

97V218000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Nov 24, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.