1994 GMC Jimmy Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 GMC Jimmy, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes26370.1%
- Engine287.5%
- Seat belts123.2%
- Fuel system112.9%
- Driver assistance102.7%
- Interior & seats82.1%
- Visibility82.1%
- Transmission82.1%
- Electrical71.9%
- Suspension51.3%
- Tires & wheels41.1%
- Body & structure30.8%
- Powertrain (other)30.8%
- Steering30.8%
- Other / unspecified10.3%
- Exterior lighting10.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS DIDN'T ACTIVATE WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSE TO. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A P PROBLEM. *JB DURING QUICK STOPS THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL AND THE ABS LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. *NM
I WAS BRAKING AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HIT THERE BRAKES. I STEPPED ON MY BRAKES HARDER AND THE ABS KICKED IN FOR A SHORT TIME. THEN THE BRAKES FAILED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP. HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO MY CAR OR THE CAR I HIT. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THE TRUCK DO THIS AGAIN.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
EGR VALVE CONTINUALLY FAILS (OPENS) , THE ENGINE LOOSES VACUME AND BRAKES FAIL TO FUNCTION. SINCE 1999 THE EGR HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVEN (7) TIMES AND IS CURRENTLY IN A FAILURE MODE. IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SERVICE BULLITENS ISSUED WITH REGARD TO THIS PROBLEM GMC HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. TO DATE OVER TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS HAS BEEN SPENT REPLACING EGR VALVES. WHEN DRIVING I AM IN CONSTANT FEAR OF THE EGR VALVE FAILING AND COVERSLY, THE BRAKES FAILING. *AK
1994/GMC/JIMMY,S1500,4.3 /6/ MY FRONT DRVER SEAT ROCKS WHEN I HAVE TO BRAKE SUDDENLY. WHEN IT RAINS BRAKES LOCK UP, SLIDES BEFORE COMPLETELY STOPS, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW DOESN'T WORK,LOCKS WORKS ON OCASSIONS,IT RATTLES WHEN PARKING OR PARKED.WHEN SHUTTING OFF SHAKES COMPLETELY THEN SHUTS OFF . AN AWFUL SMELL FROM GAS FUMES I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE OTHER THREE WINDOWS DOWN JUST TO HAVE FRESH AIR.,BLACK SMOKE,DO NOT START UPON FIRST TRY,BACK TAIL GATE RATTLES.FAN FOR A/C OR HEAT DON'T WORK THRU VENTS.SLOWS DOWN TO 15MPH SOMETIMES IT IT WILL SPEED UP UN NESSACARILY, WHEN ON ROAD IN CITY LIMITS SLOWS DOWN AND SHUTS OFF ON HIGH WAYS. BUT MOST OF ALL THE BRAKES SCARES ME I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL WORK OR WHEN IT WON'T ,SO I TRY NOT TO TRAVEL WITH MY CHILDREN OR WHEN IT IS RAINING .MY VEHICHILE WAS LISTED AS RELIABLE AND LOW GAS MILAGE I HAVE TO PUT$10.00 IN EVERY DAY AND NOT TRAVEL UNESSACARILY. I HAD NOT HAD THIS TRUCK LONG AND IT IS A LIABILITY HEALTH WISE AND FINACIALLY. IF SOME ONE CAN HELP OR HAVE INFORMATION THAT MAY BE USEFULL ,I AM INTERESTEDWHAT CAN I DO OR SHOULD DO.*AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
1994/GMC/JIMMY,S1500,4.3 /6/ MY FRONT DRVER SEAT ROCKS WHEN I HAVE TO BRAKE SUDDENLY. WHEN IT RAINS BRAKES LOCK UP, SLIDES BEFORE COMPLETELY STOPS, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW DOESN'T WORK,LOCKS WORKS ON OCASSIONS,IT RATTLES WHEN PARKING OR PARKED.WHEN SHUTTING OFF SHAKES COMPLETELY THEN SHUTS OFF . AN AWFUL SMELL FROM GAS FUMES I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE OTHER THREE WINDOWS DOWN JUST TO HAVE FRESH AIR.,BLACK SMOKE,DO NOT START UPON FIRST TRY,BACK TAIL GATE RATTLES.FAN FOR A/C OR HEAT DON'T WORK THRU VENTS.SLOWS DOWN TO 15MPH SOMETIMES IT IT WILL SPEED UP UN NESSACARILY, WHEN ON ROAD IN CITY LIMITS SLOWS DOWN AND SHUTS OFF ON HIGH WAYS. BUT MOST OF ALL THE BRAKES SCARES ME I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL WORK OR WHEN IT WON'T ,SO I TRY NOT TO TRAVEL WITH MY CHILDREN OR WHEN IT IS RAINING .MY VEHICHILE WAS LISTED AS RELIABLE AND LOW GAS MILAGE I HAVE TO PUT$10.00 IN EVERY DAY AND NOT TRAVEL UNESSACARILY. I HAD NOT HAD THIS TRUCK LONG AND IT IS A LIABILITY HEALTH WISE AND FINACIALLY. IF SOME ONE CAN HELP OR HAVE INFORMATION THAT MAY BE USEFULL ,I AM INTERESTEDWHAT CAN I DO OR SHOULD DO.*AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN HE WAS REAR-ENDED AND SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS NOT WORKING, CONSUMER WENT FORWARD UPON IMPACT. *YD
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS IN A ACCIDENT WITH MY 1994 GMC JIMMY . IT JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE AND I AM HERE TO SAY THAT I WAS SCARED TO DEATH AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED BUT I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR FOUR DAYS. SO CAN YOU PLEASE ADVISE ME ON WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT? ACCIDENT DATE IS MARCH 13,2016. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.
1994/GMC/JIMMY,S1500,4.3 /6/ MY FRONT DRVER SEAT ROCKS WHEN I HAVE TO BRAKE SUDDENLY. WHEN IT RAINS BRAKES LOCK UP, SLIDES BEFORE COMPLETELY STOPS, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW DOESN'T WORK,LOCKS WORKS ON OCASSIONS,IT RATTLES WHEN PARKING OR PARKED.WHEN SHUTTING OFF SHAKES COMPLETELY THEN SHUTS OFF . AN AWFUL SMELL FROM GAS FUMES I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE OTHER THREE WINDOWS DOWN JUST TO HAVE FRESH AIR.,BLACK SMOKE,DO NOT START UPON FIRST TRY,BACK TAIL GATE RATTLES.FAN FOR A/C OR HEAT DON'T WORK THRU VENTS.SLOWS DOWN TO 15MPH SOMETIMES IT IT WILL SPEED UP UN NESSACARILY, WHEN ON ROAD IN CITY LIMITS SLOWS DOWN AND SHUTS OFF ON HIGH WAYS. BUT MOST OF ALL THE BRAKES SCARES ME I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL WORK OR WHEN IT WON'T ,SO I TRY NOT TO TRAVEL WITH MY CHILDREN OR WHEN IT IS RAINING .MY VEHICHILE WAS LISTED AS RELIABLE AND LOW GAS MILAGE I HAVE TO PUT$10.00 IN EVERY DAY AND NOT TRAVEL UNESSACARILY. I HAD NOT HAD THIS TRUCK LONG AND IT IS A LIABILITY HEALTH WISE AND FINACIALLY. IF SOME ONE CAN HELP OR HAVE INFORMATION THAT MAY BE USEFULL ,I AM INTERESTEDWHAT CAN I DO OR SHOULD DO.*AK
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS IN A ACCIDENT WITH MY 1994 GMC JIMMY . IT JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE AND I AM HERE TO SAY THAT I WAS SCARED TO DEATH AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED BUT I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR FOUR DAYS. SO CAN YOU PLEASE ADVISE ME ON WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT? ACCIDENT DATE IS MARCH 13,2016. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM RPM AND A YEAR LATER MY MOTOR HAD BLOWN THEY CHARGED ME $1,100.00 FOR A NEW ONE. IT'S BEEN 4 MONTHS AND 3 MOTORS LATER MY TRUCK STILL DON'T RUN THE WAY IT SHOULD. EVERYTIME I TRY TO TAKE IT IN THEY GIVE ME SOME EXCUSE WHY THEY CAN'T LOOK AT IT. NOW THAT MY MUFFLER FELL OFF I CAN'T TAKE MY TRUCK BACK IN. YET IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE 30 DAYS FOR MY WARRENTY TO EXPIRE ON THIS MOTOR. I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER MUFFLER. IN THE MEANTIME I'V HAD TO TAKE BECK 2 OF THERE LOANER CARS CAUSE THEY WERE BROKE. I'VE HAD TO KEEP MAKING PAYMENTS FOR A TRUCK THAT I COULD'T DRIVE. I DIDN'T PAY FOR THE MOTOR IN THE TRUCK TIL I GOT IT BACK THEY PUT THAT TO A CREDIT COMPANY. I STILL PAID MY MONTHLY TRUCK PAYMENTS OF $270.00 IN THE MEANTIME. I FEEL THIS ISN'T FAIR. THEY SHOULD OF LOOKED AT MY TRUCK WHEN I TRIED TO TAKE IT BACK FOR 3 TIMES NOW INSTEAD OF SHOVING ME OUT THE DOOR. *AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
1994/GMC/JIMMY,S1500,4.3 /6/ MY FRONT DRVER SEAT ROCKS WHEN I HAVE TO BRAKE SUDDENLY. WHEN IT RAINS BRAKES LOCK UP, SLIDES BEFORE COMPLETELY STOPS, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW DOESN'T WORK,LOCKS WORKS ON OCASSIONS,IT RATTLES WHEN PARKING OR PARKED.WHEN SHUTTING OFF SHAKES COMPLETELY THEN SHUTS OFF . AN AWFUL SMELL FROM GAS FUMES I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE OTHER THREE WINDOWS DOWN JUST TO HAVE FRESH AIR.,BLACK SMOKE,DO NOT START UPON FIRST TRY,BACK TAIL GATE RATTLES.FAN FOR A/C OR HEAT DON'T WORK THRU VENTS.SLOWS DOWN TO 15MPH SOMETIMES IT IT WILL SPEED UP UN NESSACARILY, WHEN ON ROAD IN CITY LIMITS SLOWS DOWN AND SHUTS OFF ON HIGH WAYS. BUT MOST OF ALL THE BRAKES SCARES ME I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL WORK OR WHEN IT WON'T ,SO I TRY NOT TO TRAVEL WITH MY CHILDREN OR WHEN IT IS RAINING .MY VEHICHILE WAS LISTED AS RELIABLE AND LOW GAS MILAGE I HAVE TO PUT$10.00 IN EVERY DAY AND NOT TRAVEL UNESSACARILY. I HAD NOT HAD THIS TRUCK LONG AND IT IS A LIABILITY HEALTH WISE AND FINACIALLY. IF SOME ONE CAN HELP OR HAVE INFORMATION THAT MAY BE USEFULL ,I AM INTERESTEDWHAT CAN I DO OR SHOULD DO.*AK
4- WHEEL DRIVE MODULE HAS GONE OUT. ALSO, OVER PAST YEARS CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE FUELINJECTOR SYSTEM/ EGR VALVE/ BRAKE LININGS/ BRAKES ONCE YEARLY/ FUEL PUMP, AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER STARTED NOTICING AN ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE IN THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER THE CONSUMER SAW ANTIFREEZE AND OTHER FLUIDS ON THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THE HEATER CORE REPLACED ONCE AND ANOTHER IS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH *SC *JB
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH ITS WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AS STATED IN RECALL 03 V 159 000. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *PH *JB
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
94 S15 JIMMY IS NOT SWITCHING OUT OF 3RD GEAR ONLY GETS UP TO 40-45 MPH. I'VE TRIED MANURAL GEAR SWITCHING NO LUCK. WAS TOLD IT COULD BE GEAR OIL LOW. IM GONNA CHANGE TRANNY FILTER AND FLUIDS AND HOPFULLY SOME LUCK . IF ANY INFO ON THIS PLZ REPLY. JUST BOUGHT TRUCK AND WAS TOLD IT JUST STOPPED CHANGING GEARS. DROVE IT HOM DRIVES FINE BUT NO LUCK WITH IT CHANGING GEARS. *TR
VIBRATION HAS CAUSED THE SHEET METAL EDGE TO WEAR THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE METAL HYDRAULIC LINE TO THE EXTENT THAT FLUID HAS LEAKED OUT. *SLC
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS IN A ACCIDENT WITH MY 1994 GMC JIMMY . IT JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE AND I AM HERE TO SAY THAT I WAS SCARED TO DEATH AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED BUT I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR FOUR DAYS. SO CAN YOU PLEASE ADVISE ME ON WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT? ACCIDENT DATE IS MARCH 13,2016. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.
DIGITAL DASH WENT OUT CANT SEE GAUGES NEITHER SPEED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
LOWER BALL JOINT PROBLEMS.
BRAKE PEDAL HARD AT TIMES WHEN ENGAGED, THUS PROVIDING NO BRAKING POWER UNTIL CONSUMER RELEASES PEDAL AND ENGAGES BRAKES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE SEPARATED GOING DOWNHILL ,CAUSING DAMAGE TO FENDER/ DOOR AND BODY OF VEHICLE. TIRE DID CONTINUE TO HOLD AIR, ENABLING DRIVER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE TO PREVENT A SERIOUS COLLISION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING, REAR DRIVER SIDE BRIDGESTONE DUELLER APT TIRE P235/75R15 EXPERIENCED BLOWOUT, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
A CRACK IN VEHICLE FRAME. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH LEFT REAR AXLE CAME OUT. DEALER SAID THE MOVEMENT IN THE AXLE CAUSED IT TO FALL OUT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
PROBLEM STILL HAPPENING AFTER TWO YEARS AND TWO MECHANICS. NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED 60MPH THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. THEN THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING AND BRAKES COMPLETELY. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IT HAPPENED. *AK *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
JACK WAS NOT ABLE TO LIFT VEHICLE ENOUGH TO CHANGE FLAT TIRE DUE TO WEAK MATERIAL DESIGN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF LOCK CYLINDER, CAUSING DIFFICULTY INSERTING KEY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .