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1997 GMC JimmyProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 274 owner complaints about the 1997 GMC Jimmy, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

45
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the Jimmy median · #4 of 14 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints27446 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage75kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 26, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 GMC Jimmy has problems

274 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension5410
Service brakes, hydraulic517
Visibility441
Engine and engine cooling382
Power train331
Electrical system285
Steering183
Air bags1610
Exterior lighting150
14 other systems744

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1997 GMC Jimmy recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 03V-117 · Mar 31, 2003 · 312,715 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Rearview mirrors/devices: exterior

Recall 03V-093 · Mar 7, 2003 · 507,171 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Control arm: upper ball joint

Recall 01V-200 · Jun 28, 2001 · 48,600 vehicles

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seat belts

Recall 97V-096 · Jun 12, 1997 · 586,058 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Jimmy year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Jimmy median. How we score

'70'71'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'03'04
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 GMC Jimmy safety ratings

1997 GMC Jimmy 4-DR. 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 GMC Jimmy, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ABS BRAKING SYSTEMEA94038 · closed Feb 28, 2000
    Led to recall 99I006000
  2. SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATIONEA97004 · closed Aug 5, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-096
In owners' words

What Jimmy owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC JIMMY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT…
Complaint 10621744 · Aug 12, 2014 · 210,000 miles
1997 GMC JIMMY BATTERY DRAIN. AFTER VEHICLE SITS FOR A COUPLE HOURS IT WILL NOT START. HAS NEW (NOT REBUILT) ALTERNATOR, STARTER, BATTERY. STILL WON'T START MOST OF THE TIME. BATTERY DRAINS COMPLETELY IF VEHICLE SITS OVERNIGHT. AS SOON AS I JUMP THE VEHICLE, IT STARTS IMMEDIATELY. NOTHING I DO WILL…
Complaint 10269780 · May 23, 2009 · 75,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC JIMMY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER ON ITS PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE…
Complaint 10246126 · Oct 20, 2008 · 51,402 miles

Own a 1997 Jimmy?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.