Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Suspension reportsComplaints 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.
55
Latest Aug 12, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
20%
of 274 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5
What this page shows
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 GMC Jimmy submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 55 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming suspension
The 25 most recent of 55, in the owner's own words
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 END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.
NHTSA ID
10621744
Incident
Feb 28, 2014
Mileage
210,000 mi
ElectricalSuspension
Filed May 23, 2009
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 HELP.VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS FOR8YEARS AND I CAN'T FIX IT SO I DON'T EVEN PUT LICENSE IT ANYMORE. I CAN'T SELL IT BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS A BROKE DOWN CAR. IT STILL LOOKS AND DRIVES GREAT. I WOULD LIKE GM TO FIX IT. THERE ARE ALSO OTHER THINGS THAT APPEAR TO BE FACTORY DEFAULTS LIKE FRONT SUSPENSION AND MORE I WON'T GO INTO NOW. *TR
NHTSA ID
10269780
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Mileage
75,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 20, 2008
Crash reported
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 MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V200000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE SIMILAR. THE MANUFACTURER FURTHER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,402.
NHTSA ID
10246126
Incident
Oct 21, 2005
Mileage
51,402 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 13, 2006
97 GMC JIMMY UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY, REPAIRED AND INSPECTED OTHER UPPER BALL JOINT FOUND IT WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT . 2001 GMC JIMMY UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY, WHILE ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL BUT WAS ABLE TO KEEP VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. *NM
NHTSA ID
10170799
Incident
Jun 6, 2006
Suspension
Filed Sep 1, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE PLAY WITH THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
NHTSA ID
10167226
Incident
Apr 4, 2006
Mileage
89,528 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 22, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND UPON TURNING ANY DIRECTION THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #01V200000, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 9/13/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ID
10166244
Incident
Aug 22, 2006
Mileage
86,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesSuspension+1 more
Filed Nov 3, 2005
DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES BROKE WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE BALL JOINTS AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSORS WERE REPLACED. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THERE WERE NHTSA RECALLS 01I018000 AND 01V200000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS DUE TO VIN. IN ADDITION, THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS AS WELL. THE LEFT DOOR BROKE OFF WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE MALE JOINT OF THE DOOR BROKE WHEN SHUTTING THE DOOR. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION AND ANTI LOCK BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. *AK
NHTSA ID
10141716
Incident
Oct 21, 2005
Mileage
51,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system+5 more
Filed Sep 8, 2005
TRANSMISSION FAILURE / REPLACED TRANSMISSION - UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE / REPLACED UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS - REAR WINDOW WIPER FAILURE / INOPERABLE AT THIS POINT - EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENTS WITH NO OLD PARTS AVAILABLE AT THIS POINT. EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE I CAN ONLY ATTRIBUTE TO SEVERELY POOR MANUFACTURING OF PRODUCTS, THERE WAS NO OPERATING MISUSE OR ABUSE. ALSO OTHER PARTS THAT HAVE FAILED AND HAVE SINCE BEEN REPLACED ARE THE: ALTERNATOR, FUEL PUMP, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM FAILURES. *JB
NHTSA ID
10135766
Incident
Nov 15, 2004
Mileage
70,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 11, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SC *JB
NHTSA ID
10056120
Incident
Jan 29, 2004
Mileage
119,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 5, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING TO THE LEFT UPPER BALL JOINTS BROKE, AND THE WHEEL FELL OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ID
10061492
Incident
Mar 5, 2004
Suspension
Filed Jan 14, 2004
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ID
10054090
ElectricalFuel systemInterior & seats+4 more
Filed Jan 9, 2004
UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINT SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING HAD TO REPLACE BOTH ALONG WITH IDLER ARM PITMAN ARM & TIE ROD ENDS , HAD RECEIVED NOTICE ABOUT POSSIBLE FAILURE ON THESE WHEN I CALLED GMC THEY REPORTED MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS POSSIBLE RECALL. COST OF 1500.00 ALSO FUEL PUMP FAILED COST OF 700.00 NOW DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS DEFECTED WILL NOT CLOSE , PROBEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LOCKS ,WINDOWS, LIGHTS INTERIOR & EXTERIOR,WIPERS WILL ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY, FUEL GAUGE STICKS. *AK
NHTSA ID
10052763
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Suspension
Filed Dec 30, 2003
Crash reported
RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM AND UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE AT 45 MILES A HOUR
NHTSA ID
10051371
Incident
Dec 26, 2003
Mileage
60,123 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 10, 2003
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE INSPECTED, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WEARING PREMATURELY, AND REPLACED THEM. *AK
NHTSA ID
10046634
Incident
Nov 2, 2003
Mileage
100,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 9, 2003
A YEAR AFTER RECALL O1I018000 REPAIRS FOR UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION WAS PERFORMED, THE DEFECT RECURRED.*AK
NHTSA ID
10042636
Mileage
90,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 15, 2003
BALL JOINTS HAVE REPEATEDLY WORN OUT - ONCE AT 40000 MILES AGAIN AT 100000 MILES. THIS IS AFTER RELIGIOUS LUBE JOBS, ETC. CALLED GMC AND MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS BUILT AND REGISTERED IN MICHIGAN, WHERE JIMMY'S WERE RECALLED FOR CORROSION.
NHTSA ID
10038948
Incident
Sep 15, 2003
Mileage
40,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 2, 2003
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH THE UPPER BALL JOINT AS STATED IN RECALL 01 I 018 000, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *AK *SCC *JB
NHTSA ID
10032234
Mileage
48,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 31, 2003
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND PITMAN ARM. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE IS DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WITH THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATING AND THE PITMAN ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT HER VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *PH
NHTSA ID
10031784
Suspension
Filed Jun 26, 2003
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT REGARDING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS AS STATED IN RECALL 01 I 018 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB PH *JB
NHTSA ID
10019855
Mileage
78,000 mi
EngineSuspension
Filed Jun 13, 2003
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 1 UPPER BALL JOINT AND TWO LOWER ONES , I WAS TOLD MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH FOR THE RECALL LISTED ON YOUR SITE. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BOTH OF MY OIL COOLING LINES THAT STARTED LEAKING BADLY, THIS IS PART OF THE TOWING PACKAGE OFFERED BY GMC. *NLM
NHTSA ID
10023025
Incident
May 26, 2003
Mileage
75,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 8, 2003
Crash reported
EXPERIENCED LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION (FAILURE) WHILE MOVING RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL, DAMAGE, DISABLEMENT. FAILURE IS IDENTICAL TO THAT DESCRIBED IN NHTSA RECALL # 01V200000, AND, ALSO GM BULLETIN 01048A. HOWEVER, VEHICLE VIN # IS NOT WITHIN THE BREAKPOINTS SPECIFIED BY 01048A BULLETIN AND MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO CORRECT. *NLM
NHTSA ID
10018430
Incident
May 6, 2003
Mileage
103,699 mi
EngineSuspension
Filed Mar 27, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S BALL JOINTS. MR THE CONSUMER HEARD A SOUND COMING FROMT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AREA. THE RADIATOR, POWER STEERING PUMP, OIL COOLER LINES AND ENGINE ALL LEAKED. *JB
NHTSA ID
10015183
Incident
Mar 3, 2003
BrakesEngineSteering+1 more
Filed Dec 3, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported
THE DEALER KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECTS TO THIS VEHICLE AND REFUSED TO FIX THEM AFTER RECEIVING 3 SEPARATE ESTIMATES. 2 DAYS AFTER I REPEATEDLY WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THESE SAFETY HAZARDS THE DEALER CONTINUED TO REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS AND I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. THE DEALER COMPLIANCE BOARD HAS A CURRENT CASE AGAINST THE DEALER AND HE HAS ONLY AGREED TO TAKE HIS VEHICLE BACK. THE DEALER HAS REQUESTED THE DAMAGE FROM THE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT NOT BE FIXED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DAMAGE PRIOR TO THE SALE WAS SO EXTENSIVE FROM WATER OR FLOOD DAMAGE THAT THE ENGINE IS COMPLETELY RUINED. IT WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS. MY FEAR IS THAT THE NEXT UNSUSPECTING CONSUMER WILL BE DECEIVED BY THIS DEALER AND THIS VEHICLE AND I BELIEVE THE NEXT PERSON WILL NOT BE AS LUCKY. I SHOULD BE DEAD RIGHT NOW. THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD HAVE, WHICH MAY ALSO INDICATE THAT THEIR IS ALSO SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THERE MAY NOT EVEN BE AN AIR BAG IN THIS VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT STATES THERE IS ONE. THIS DEALER WILL GET THIS VEHICLE BACK AND I AM SURE THAT INSTEAD OF SELLING IT AS A SALVAGE VEHICLE HE WILL AGAIN SLAP A PRICE TAG ON IT AND RE-SELL IT IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT FIXING IT. DT
NHTSA ID
770359
Incident
Oct 24, 2002
Suspension
Filed Jul 9, 2002
CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, BOTH FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA ID
8013513
Incident
Jul 1, 2002
Suspension
Filed Jul 3, 2002
1 injury reported
THE VEHICLE HAD A BALL JOINT FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN ACCIDENT AND INJURY TO THE CONSUMER. THE BALL JOINTS WERE ON RECALL BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED, 01I018. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *YH
NHTSA ID
566276
Incident
Mar 14, 2002
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own