1995 GMC Jimmy Engine Problems

BOTH OUTSIDE MIRRORS HAVE FALLEN OFF BEFORE 90K MILES. THIS WAS DUE TO THE PLASTIC DETERIORATING AT THE JUNCTION WHERE THE MIRROR "FOLDS AWAY." REPLACED EGR VALVE SEVERAL TIMES. THE FIRST THREE WERE UNDER WARRANTY, THE REST HAVE BEEN ON ME. IN ADDITION, MOST MAJOR FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, OR REPAIRED. THE IDLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN ROUGH, AND IT WILL ON OCCASION, SMOKE AND OMIT STRONG ODORS OF UNBURNED FUEL. WIPERS FAILED AT 20K MILES. I RESOLDERED THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. DRIVERS SEAT WILL NOT STAY IN A LOCKED POSITION, WHICH CAUSES ME SOME CONCERN. BY THE WAY, THE FIRST WEEK I HAD THE CAR (BOUGHT IT NEW), THE SEAT WOULD NOT STAY LOCKED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND WAS PROMPTLY TOLD THAT "IT IS A NORMAL CONDITION." HMMM, AS A DESIGN ENGINEER I HAVE TO WONDER ABOUT THE LOGIC BEHIND THIS; AS ANY FORWARD OR REARWARD IMPACT WOULD ALLOW THE SEAT TO FLEX WHICH COULD MAKE A MINOR NON-INJURY ACCIDENT SOMETHING FAR WORSE. THE WATER PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, ALTERNATOR TWICE, BATTERY FIVE. ALL PARTS WERE REPLACED WITH ORIGINAL PARTS THROUGH GM. I HAVE HAD ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS REPLACED THREE TIMES, AND STILL THERE IS A PAINFUL CHATTER OF THE PEDAL UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, WHICH IS OUTSIDE THE ABS PARAMETERS. WIND NOISE IS QUITE LOUD, AS THE FIT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD, TERRIBLE. THE PLASTIC WHICH COVERS THE A/C WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAS BROKEN AND FALLEN AWAY, PIECE BY PIECE, SOMETIMES LODGING ITSELF ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING SOME RATHER UNPLEASANT ODORS. OH, AND SINCE THERE IS NO LONGER ANY COVERING OVER THE A/C, IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT THE COLDNESS, WHICH WAS THE SAVING GRACE OF THIS VEHICLE, HAS BEEN REDUCED TO THAT OF A GLORIFIED FAN. *NM

NHTSA ID

10168470

Incident

Sep 17, 2006

HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINE FROM MOTOR TO OIL COOLER BLEW OFF. ALL ENGINE OIL WAS DUMPED ONTO ROAD WHICH DID CAUSE MY TIRES TO LOOSE TRACTION. ENGINE LOCKED UP. *JB

NHTSA ID

10146726

Incident

Dec 23, 2005

Mileage

150,000 mi

I HAVE A 1995 GMC JIMMY THAT HAS A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH THE EGR SYSTEM CLOGGING UP AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMING ON PLUS THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM NOT WORKING AT ALL RIGHT NOW AS THE MECHANIC SAID THE SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED.I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WITH 49,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE THEN.*AK

NHTSA ID

10055115

Incident

Jan 28, 2004

I PURCHASED A 1995 GMC JIMMY WITH 37,000 MILES IN 1997. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT SHIFTING AROUND 50,000 MILES. I HAD NEVER TOWED ANYTHING WITH IT. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER CHANGED TO SEE IF IT WOULD HELP. THE DIPSTICK WAS RUSTED VERY BADLY AND THE FLUID WAS MILKY AND BURNED. I HAD A TRANSMISSION SHOP CHECK IT THAT TOLD ME IT NEEDED AN ELECTRONIC SHIFT CONTROL MODULE. I HAD IT REPLACED BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. AT 67,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. I PURCHASED A GOODWRENCH TRANSMISSION FROM A DEALERSHIP IN MY TOWN THINKING THIS WOULD BE THE BEST THING TO DO BECAUSE IT HAD A 3 YEAR 50,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE TRANSMISSION COST $1350 AND THE INSTALLATION COST $100. THIS WAS A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION SHOP. I ALSO REMOVED THE RADIATOR AND HAD IT COMPLETELY RODDED OUT AND THE TRANSMISSION COOLER REPLACED TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS OK. AT 104,000 MILES, APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES ON THE GOODWRENCH TRANSMISSION, IT STARTED SHIFTING BADLY. I HAD THE FLUID AND FILTER CHANGED AGAIN. SAME THING, DIPSTICK VERY RUSTED AND FLUID MILKY AND BURNED. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND MY WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT BY EXACTLY ONE MONTH. I CONTACTED THE GM CORPORATION AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE HAVING TO LET OUT OF THE THROTTLE IN ORDER FOR IT TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR UNTIL NOW. NOW THIS TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. I CHANGED THE FLUID AND FILTER MYSELF THIS TIME TO SEE IF IT MIGHT WORK. THE FLUID WAS BURNED AGAIN WITH ONLY ABOUT 8 OR 9 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. I BEGAN RESEARCHING AND HAVE FOUND A LOT OF OWNERS HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS AS I HAVE HAD. I HAVE BEEN TOLD GM HAS COME OUT WITH A NEW VALVE BODY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS TELLS ME THAT THEY KNOW THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE FIRST PLACE. IF YOU GO TO WWW.THECOMPLAINTSTATION.COM YOU WILL FIND MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME. LARRY ROGERS, 707 CLAIRE ST., GADSDEN, AL. 35901, (H)256-546-2502

NHTSA ID

10069926

Incident

May 15, 2000

Mileage

67,000 mi

AFTER REPLACING THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT AT 117000 MILES, THE ENGINE OVERHEATS WHEN THE A/C IS USED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. AFRAID TO TRAVEL DUE TO OVERHEATING. BUBBLING FROM UNDER THE DASH ALSO. WHEN NOT RUNNING A?C IT RUNS OK. FLUIDS ALL WELL CHANGED AND MAINTAINED REGULARLY.

NHTSA ID

10025391

Incident

Jun 26, 2003

Mileage

118,000 mi

EGR VALVE KEEPS GETTING CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS FROM CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING TRUCK TO RUN ROUGH AND STALL. WHEN VALVE IS STUCK OPEN BRAKES ALSO FAIL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE USED VEHICLE IN 5/00. IT ONLY HAD 68,000 MI. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE BUT IT HAD LIMIT OF 75,000 MI AND I HAD 78,000 WHEN I RECEIVED IT AND THE DEALER WOULD ONLY FIX IT IF I PAID FOR IT. I KNOW THERE IS A REPLACEMENT KIT BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS. THEY SAID THAT SOME KIND OF SCREEN NEEDS TO BE FITTED TO KEEP PIECES OF CARBON BUILDUP FROM BEING SUCKED INTO TO EGR VALVE FROM THE CONVERTER. THIS SEEMS LIKE AN EASY AND SIMPLE FIX. EVERYONE I TALK TO WHO HAS THE SAME ENGINE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM APPALLED THAT MANUFACTURES CAN PUT A MILEAGE LIMIT ON THEIR RECALLS! ESPECIALLY WHEN BRAKES ARE INVOLVED. AFTER LOOKING THROUGH YOUR LIST AND I'VE SEEN HOW MANY COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE ON FILE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHY ISN'T ANYTHING BEING DONE!! DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE TO GET YOUR ATTENTION! I PRAY EVERYTIME MY TRUCK STARTS ACTING UP THAT ME AND MY 9-YR. OLD DAUGHTER GET SOMEWHERE SAFE BEFORE WE HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. YOU ARE OUR ONLY HOPE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO MAKE GM CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10023422

Incident

Jun 19, 2003

Mileage

78,000 mi

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 67,000 MILES. RUST ON DIPSTICK. TRANSMISSION FLUID BURNED. BOUGHT GOODWRENCH TRANSMISSION AND HAD IT INSTALLED. THIS COST $1450. NOW THIS TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED WITH ONLY 40,000 ON IT. SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE, RUST ON DIPSTICK AND FLUID BURNED. WHEN I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I'M ASKING FOR HELP. I'VE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT RUST ON DIPSTICK AND IN TRANSMISSION. I'M AFRAID TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON THIS THINKING IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN. PLEAS LOOK INTO THIS. THANK YOU. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10023077

Incident

Jan 17, 1998

Mileage

67,000 mi

1995 GMC JIMMY SLS 4 DOOR 4WD VORTEC 4.3 L V6. WE HAVE HAD THIS THING FOR 7 YEARS AND NOTHING I HAVE EVER OWNED HAS TAUGHT ME MORE ABOUT BEING A "SHADETREE" MECHANIC! THE LIST IS AS FOLLOWS, BREAK BOOSTER REPLACED 2 TIMES. EGR VALVE REPLACED 3 TIMES. FRONT BRAKES REPLACED AT LEAST 12 TIMES (THEY FAIL EVERY 1500 TO 1800 MILES!) BACK HATCH WONT OPEN. BOTH SET OF WIPERS, FRONT AND BACK DO NOT WORK( SAFETY ISSUE!) ENGINE OVERHEATS. WATER PUMP REPLACED 2 TIMES. THERMOSTAT REPLACED 3 TIMES. LIGHTS FLICKER AS IF THE ALTENATOR IS GOING BAD,(RESULTING IN POLICE ASKING ME TO CHECK INTO THIS.) BATTERY REPLACED 4 TIMES (AVERAGE LIFE OF NEW BATTERY, 4 YEARS!) TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD WHEN ENGINE IS COOL/ HOT! STARTING TO SEE RUST IN TRANS, DIPSTICK. SOMETIMES CANT SHIFT FROM 2 WD TO 4 WD AND WHEN ABLE, TRANSFER CASE MAKES CLICKING SOUND. THIS IS NOT A PHONY COMPLAINT! I NEED HELP WITH THIS AS I NEVER SEE A RECALL, WARRANTY IS OUT AND I CANT AFFORD TO TAKE IT IN. I DON'T THINK I LEFT ANY THING OUT, BUT IM SURE MY WIFE WILL LET ME KNOW. YOU CAN GIVE MY NAME TO WHO EVER WHEN EVER IF IT WILL HELP US FIX THIS SITUATION. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10010501

Incident

Jan 1, 2003

Mileage

7,000 mi

WHEN GAS TANK IS NEAR EMPTY AND ENGINE DIES WHILE TRAVELING DOWNHILL AT A 15 DEGREE SLOPE OR GREATER. CONSUMER VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY DUE TO HILLS IN AREA BEING VERY STEEP,AND VEHICLE STALLING.*AK

NHTSA ID

8018362

Incident

Sep 1, 2002

ALSO EGR VALVE AFFECTS THE ALREADY POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. *AK

NHTSA ID

763780

Incident

May 9, 2000

I WANT TO KNOW OF ANY RECALLS. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ID

761735

WHILE DRIVING OIL PRESSURE LINE SEPARATED, CAUSING ENGINE TO SEIZE UP AND SHUT DOWN. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID

8008369

I HAVE HAD TWO HIGH PRESSURE OIL HOSES BLOW AND LOST OIL IN BOTH INSTANCES. SECOND INCIDENT CAUSED ENGINE BLOCK TO CRACK. IN TALKING WITH A NUMBER OF MECHANICS, INCLUDING DEALERSHIPS, I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON OCCURENCE AND FAULT WITH THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

761034

Incident

Jan 20, 2002

AT 50,000 MILES VEHICLE HAD BEEN EXPEREINCING OIL LEAKAGES FROM OIL LINES. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK

NHTSA ID

899635

Incident

Apr 15, 1999

PONTIAC - GMC NOTICE G98066 STATES A POSSIBLE FAILURE OF THE LINEAR EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (LEGR) VALVE. IT CLEARLY STATES THE FAILURE EXCEPT FOR THE LOSS OF BRAKES. WHEN THE VALVE STICKS OPEN VACUUM IS LOST WHICH CAUSES SUDDEN LOSS OF THE POWER BRAKES. THIS HAS OCCURED 3 TIMES. THEY WILL ONLY REPAIR OR REPLACE THE VALUE WHICH IS THE RESULT BUT NOT THE CAUSE. I WOULD LIKE TWO THINGS: 1) A NEW NOTICE TO ALL OWNERS ABOUT THE BREAK LOSS AND 2) A CORRECTION OF THE PROBLEM ( WHICH I.'M TOLD REQUIRES THE INTAKE MANAFOLD TO BE REMOVED & CLEANED. *AK

NHTSA ID

753600

Incident

Oct 5, 2001

THE MUFFLER WAS REPLACED. NLM

NHTSA ID

563526

VEHICLE RAN ROUGH AND STALLED. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN SITTING STILL. PROBLEM HAS BEEN SINCE 1996. EGR VALVE HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AND CLEANED ONCE. MANUFACTURER SENT A WARRANTY LETTER OUT FOR SERVICE REGARDING THE EGR VALVE, HOWEVER CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED THE ORIGINAL. *AK *YH

NHTSA ID

896859

Incident

Jul 31, 1996

CAUSING EXCESSIVE GAS USAGE, HIGH ACCELERATION, GUNNING EFFECT. *AK

NHTSA ID

752005

Incident

Aug 1, 2001

A RECALL FOR THE LINEAR EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE. CONSUMER HAS EXPIERENCED ROUGH IDLE/ ENGINE SURGE, AND LOSS OF BRAKES. WHEN LOSING POWER THERE ARE NO BRAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

895698

Incident

Sep 4, 2001

WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 1996, THE EGR VALVE HAS FAILED FIVE SEPARATE TIMES (WAS REPLACED ONLY ONCE UNDER WARRANTY) AND WE'VE JUST RECENTLY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. I CONSIDER MYSELF FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN HURT WHEN THE EGR VALVE FAILS AS WE HAVE NO WARNING AND LOSE ALL BRAKE FUNCTION.*AK

NHTSA ID

751347

Incident

Aug 16, 2001

CARB0N DIOXIDE SMELL WITHIN VEHICLE. ALSO REPLACED EGR AND TP SENSOR. *AK

NHTSA ID

749660

Incident

Apr 15, 2001

I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, AND THE FAULTY DESIGN OF THE EGR VALVE SYSTEM ON THIS MOTOR, LEADS TO SENSELESS FREQUENT NEED TO BE REMOVED AND CLEANED DUE TO CARBON CHUNKS CAUSING THE VALVE TO STICK OPEN (ABOUT EVERY 500 MILES). WHEN THIS OCCURS (WITHOUT WARNING)THE BRAKE SYSTEM ALMOST COMPLETELY FAILS, (ALBEIT AT LOW SPEEDS), AND WE HAVE THE ADDED DANGER OF HAVING TO FREQUENTLY REPAIR THIS PROBLEM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, (AMIDST TRAFFIC), OR BE SUBJECT TO MONTHLY TOWING AND REPAIR BILLS. THIS IS A REDICULOUS PROBLEM, AND I BELEIVE THAT A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE DEVISED BY GM, AND APPLIED TO ALL GM VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE VORTEC 4.3 V6 ENGINE, AND ELECTRONIC EGR VALVE.*AK

NHTSA ID

749392

Incident

Apr 3, 2000

THIS COMPONENT CAUSES THE LOSS OF POWER STEARING, OVERHEATING, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT

NHTSA ID

749239

Incident

Jul 24, 2001

VEHICLE HAS A FUEL BURNING SMELL. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS ON, AND THERE IS A CLANKING SOUND. DEALER REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER, DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. AT THIS TIME DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ID

892027

Incident

Jun 20, 2001

AT 60+ MPH MY HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINE CRIMPED FITTING LET GO. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I LOST 5QTS. OF OIL ALL OVER MY FRONT BRAKES, MARKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO COME TO A STOP. THESE FITTINGS SHOULD NEVER FAIL, BUT LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS NOT A PART THAT WEARS OUT FROM USE AND IF SO, 61,000 I THINK WOULD BE TO SOON? I HAVE OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS TRIED TO GET GMC TO RESPOND TO THIS AS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, TO NO AVAIL. I ALSO EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT AT 60 MPH I COULD HAVE LOST BOTH MY POWER STEERING AND BRAKES IF THE MOTOR HAD SEIZED DO TO LACK OF LOST OIL. NO RESPONSE. I ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE SHOP WHERE I HAVE MY WORK DONE HAS HAD 4-5 OF THESE FAILURES IN JUST THE LAST 2 MONTHS AND TOLD THEM TO CONTACT MY TECH. TO FIND OUT MORE, AGAIN NO RESPONSE. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS WHEN I LOST ALL MY OIL AT SUCH A RAPID RATE I NOW HAVE DONE SOME SERIOUS DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE, WHICH I FEEL COULD STILL SEIZE. I FEEL THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE AND ARE AVOIDING NOT ONLY THE DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE, BUT THE FACT THAT THIS FAILURE HAS HAPPENED 4-5 TIMES AT MY SHOP. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME ASAP WITH MORE DETAILED INFO. THEIR LACK OF CUSTOMER CONCERN, SAFETY, AND DAMAGE THAT THIS DEFECT HAS CAUSED IS WHY I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT I CONTACT SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. THIS ENGINE DAMAGE COULD COST ME A NEW ENGINE THRU NO FAULT OF MY OWN.*AK

NHTSA ID

746318

Incident

Mar 18, 2001