RoadVitals

1988 GMC Jimmy

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Nov 10, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Mar 23, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 GMC Jimmy, most frequently naming the interior & seats, seat belts and driver assistance categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Interior & seats321.4%
  • Seat belts321.4%
  • Driver assistance214.3%
  • Engine17.1%
  • Fuel system17.1%
  • Airbags17.1%
  • Tires & wheels17.1%
  • Brakes17.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E026000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Mar 23, 2006
61,944 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE89097ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

CRUISE CONTROL

Opened Mar 6, 1989
Closed Jun 5, 1989

===

EQUIPMENT
PE89024ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STEERING DAMPER SEPARATION

Opened Dec 14, 1988
Closed Feb 27, 1989

There is no summary currently available

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 15
Airbags
Filed Nov 10, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1988 GMC JIMMY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, AND WRIST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED CONTINUOUS MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ID
10925435
Incident
Oct 23, 2007
Mileage
175,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 22, 2015

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD 3 TIMES NOW.A FRIEND OF MINE TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE NOTORIOUS FOR CRACKING HEADS.MINE WAS BROKE IN 3 PLACES.CAN YOU HELP?? *TR

NHTSA ID
10678416
Incident
Aug 8, 2013
Mileage
99,845 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jan 13, 2004

I AM AN ENGINEER. TWO OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS ON MY 1988 GMC JIMMY - FULL SIZE FAILED COMPLETELY. THE ANGLE BRACKET HAS A STEEL STRAP WHICH IS RIVETED IN PLACE TO IT AND THE TO THE END OF THE SEAT BELT(S). THIS STEEL STRAP BROKE IN COMPLETELY IN HALF , A VINYL COVERING HELD IT TOGETHER SUCH THAT THE USER IS UNAWARE THAT IT IS COMPLETELY BROKEN IN HALF. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE THE SEAT BELT HAS NO STRENGTH LEFT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAPPENED TO TWO OF THE THREE REAR SEAT BELTS. THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT IS ATTACHED DIFFERENTLY AND DID NOT FAIL. I DISCOVERED THIS WHEN I WAS REBUILDING THE VEHICLE. NO REPLACEMENT SEAT BELTS ARE AVAILABLE AND I WOULD NOT BUY THE ORIGINAL BELTS IF THEY WERE AVAILABLE.THIS IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS! I WILL REPLACE WITH AFTERMARKET BELTS. BUT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND A REDESIGN OF THESE BELTS. PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE REAR SEAT FOLDS UP AND DOWN. THE VINYL DOES NOT KEEP THE BELT OUT OF THE WAY WHEN THE SEAT IS PUT DOWN. THIS CAUSES BENDING OF THE STEEL STRAP WHICH IS NOT DESIGNED FOR BENDING. IT IS DESIGNED ONLY FOR TENSION. THIS NEED ONLY HAPPEN ONCE TO BREAK THE STEEL STRAP! I DO HOPE YOU FOLLOW UP ON THIS , BECAUSE PEOPLE MAY THINKK THE SEAT BELT IS OK AND NOT REALIZE IT IS BROKEN!

NHTSA ID
10053127
Incident
Nov 10, 2003
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 23, 2001

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BOLTS THAT WERE ATTACHED TO FLOOR WERE DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AND SEAT WENT BACK WHILE DRIVING.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
878866
Incident
Jan 1, 1999
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 18, 2000

JUST WANT TO REPORT 2 FRONT FIRESTONE TIRES W/ ABOUT 7,000 MILES ON THEM FAILED DUE TO BELT TEAR OR SEPARATION .IT SEEMS MOST FIRESTONE TIRES DON'T LAST AS LONG AS CLAIMED! SOMETHINGS WRONG W/ THEIR MANUFACTURE PROCESS OR MATERIALS. (TIRESIZE: P235R75/15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235R75/15 )

NHTSA ID
734627
Incident
Sep 15, 2000
Filed Dec 28, 1999

PAINT JOB-GREY COLOR. CLEAR COAT DISAPPEARED AFTER A YEAR. PAINT FADED OXIDIZED, RUST, CRACK, IMPOSSIBLE TO WAX. TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF AUTO. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ID
716557
Incident
Jan 1, 1993
Fuel system
Filed Aug 10, 1998

CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK DUE TO CORROSION AT THE SEAL. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY AND THE SENDING UNIT. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
826484
Incident
Aug 3, 1998
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 12, 1997

SUDDEN ACCELERATION; WENT TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *AK

NHTSA ID
815630
Incident
Aug 11, 1997

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

02015

SUSPENSION:FRONT

POP SNAP NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BRAKING. *MR

GM161514

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

END GATE LATCH RATTLE (INSTALL REVISED STRIKER). *TW

GM561204

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

WATER LEAK AT THE A/C RECIRCULATION DOOR (INSTALL NEW HOOD HINGE SEAL). *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC Jimmy by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004210—
2003110—
2002001—
20011003257.7
20002114257.2
19991370039.7
19982382048.6
19972745260.5
19964078566.0
19954998667.4
19943344267.4
19932165370.7
19921223364.2
19911185671.2
1990111453.4
1989131458.5
1988Viewing151250.9
1987612—
1986312—
1985612—
1984503—
1983123—
1982120—
1981010—
1980010—
1979010—
1978010—
1977010—
1976010—
1975010—
1974010—
1971010—
1970010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.