RoadVitals

1998 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.
238
Latest Apr 26, 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.
2
Latest Mar 9, 1998
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.
0
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.
21
15 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 238 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 GMC Jimmy, most frequently naming the visibility, electrical and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 76 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

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

2 campaigns 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
98V053000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Mar 9, 1998
72 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE OR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE. ONE OR BOTH OF THE ATTACHING NUTS FOR THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM ARE UNDER TORQUED. THIS CAN ALLOW THE ATTACHMENT BOLT TO LOOSEN AND SUBSEQUENT BREAK RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 98006View on NHTSA.gov
97V218000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Nov 24, 1997
19,716 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
The risk: PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 238
Suspension
Filed Apr 26, 2016

AFTER GETTING AN OIL CHANGE I WAS INFORMED OF A LEAK IN MY OIL PAN, AS I GOT HOME THE NEXT MORNING I NOTICED THAT MY CAR LEAKED OUT ALL THE OIL IN THE CAR RESULTING FROM A FAULT O-RING SEAL, ALSO NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION AS MY IDLER ARM IS ABOUT TO SNAP AT ANY MOMENT RESULTING IN THE LOSE OF STEERING FOR THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC BEFORE I PURCHASED IT AND ONLY ONE BUSHING WAS REPLACED INSTEAD OF ALL OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME, ALSO THE MECHANIC IMPROPERLY REPLACED THE FRONT SHOCKS AS INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE GREASE BEARINGS THE MECHANIC USED BOLTS TO ASSEMBLE AND HOLD THEM IN PLACE RESULTING IN AN ANNOYING SQEAK IN THE FRONT END OF THE CAR SINCE THE SHOCKS CANT BE PROPERLY GREASED AS THERE ARE NOT GREASE FITTINGS.

NHTSA ID
10861420
Incident
Mar 28, 2016
Mileage
10 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 13, 2014

THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE PARKING LOT, STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, PROCEEDED INTO THE ROADWAY AND ENGINE DIED. EVERYTHING WENT OFF - ALL POWER ALL ELECTRICAL. I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE SECOND HAND AND THE OWNER TOLD ME LATER THAT SHE HAD BATTERY PROBLEMS, BUT SHE PUT IN A NEW BATTERY. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIX IT. MY HUSBAND FIGURED IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. I KEPT THE CAR FOR TWELVE YEARS AND HAD TO CHANGE IT TWICE, PLUS THE INITIAL REPAIR WAS WARRANTIED. WHEN IT FIRST OCCURRED IN 2000 I LOOKED FOR A RECALL, BUT THERE WAS NONE. I REMEMBER THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD A VERY LARGE KEYCHAIN, AND WE DID FIGURE OUT ON OUR OWN TO CARRY A SINGLE KEY, BUT AFTER ABOUT 5-6 YEARS YOU STILL NEED TO CHANGE THE IGNITION, YOU CAN TELL CAUSE THE ELECTRONICS START GOING WACKY IN THE VEHICLE. THEN IT WON'T START, LIKE YOU THINK ITS THE BATTERY. IT IS SAD THAT PEOPLE DIED FROM THIS AND THAT GMC CANNOT ADMIT THAT THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON, I KNOW SINCE 1998. I NOW KNOW WHY I GOT SUCH A GOOD DEAL ON THE VEHICLE, THAT PERSON COULD HAVE KILLED ME, BY NOT TELLING ME THE TRUTH! *TR

NHTSA ID
10569220
Incident
Jun 20, 2000
Mileage
18,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 9, 2011

I HAVE A GMC JIMMY THAT IS EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE DASHBOARD FAILURES. WHEN I FILL THE GAS TANK THE GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY, THEN WHEN I DRIVE A WHILE IT GOES TO FULL AND THEN BACK TO EMPTY. I NEVER HAVE A PARTIALLY FULL READING. ALSO THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES OFF AND ON. MY OIL PRESSURE GAUGE REVES UP AND DOWN LIKE I AM OUT OF OIL. I PULL OFF THE ROAD AND CHECK AND THE OIL IS FINE. I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS. I TOOK IT TO THE GM DEALER AND THEY WANT MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD JUST TO LOOK AT IT AND CAN'T GUARANTEE ANYTHING. I DID PAY $85 TO PUT IT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTER BUT THIS NEVER SHOWED UP. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID
10418301
Incident
Jul 15, 2011
Mileage
150,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 5, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC JIMMY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE HOIST THAT HELD THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO DISENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND STATED THE SPARE TIRE HOIST WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID
10410504
Incident
Jul 1, 2011
Mileage
105,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 3, 2010

ABS ACTIVATES AT OR BELOW 5MPH ON DRY ROADS/PAVEMENT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE. OCCURS OFTEN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT STOP SIGNS/LIGHTS OR PARKING AREAS POSING DANGER TO OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10346976
Incident
Jun 1, 2010
Visibility
Filed May 22, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC JIMMY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK WHEN ACTIVATED. THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED EXTREMELY LIMITED VISIBILITY AND HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE RAIN SLACKED UP BEFORE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 141,000.

NHTSA ID
10269740
Incident
May 21, 2009
Mileage
141,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Mar 9, 2009
Fire reported1 injury reported

I WAS DRIVING A 1998GMC JIMMY FROM OKLAHOMA CITY, OK TO WALTERS, OK. EVERYTHING WAS GREAT AND THE CAR WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY. I WAS ON THE HE BAILEY TURNPIKE ON HIGHWAY MARKER 30 - I COULD SEE THE SIGN AND PULL OFF FOR THE FAXON EXIT AND THE BIG SIGN FOR WALTERS. A FEW WISPS OF WHITE SMOKE APPEARED AND THEN HEAVY GREY SMOKE STARTED TO BILLOW INTO MY FACE THROUGH THE RIGHT SIDE VENT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I STARTED TO COUGH AND COULDN'T SEE SO I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AS I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, I PULLED THE HOOD RELEASE AND RAN TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLES. UNDER THE HOOD, HALF OF THE ENGINE BAY WAS ALREADY BURNED AWAY - LIKE THE BOTTLE FOR ANTI-FREEZE AND HOSES.... THE WHOLE ENGINE BAY WAS ON FIRE. THE CAR WAS GONE AT THAT POINT - THERE WAS NO WAY TO SAVE IT. I RAN TO THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT AND GRABBED A BASKET THAT HAD MY CENSUS ID AND I THREW IT AWAY FROM THE CAR. I GRABBED SOME CDS THEN TOO, BUT THEY WERE ON FIRE. THE DASH WAS ON FIRE AND WAS SPREADING INTO THE FRONT SEAT. I THREW THE CDS IN THE DIRT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. I GRABBED THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF THE BACK SEAT AND GRABBED A HAMPER WITH PRESENTS FOR MY DAUGHTER. I RAN TO THE OTHER SIDE BACK SEAT AND GRABBED THE LEGAL PAPERS OF CENSUS APPLICANTS - THEY WERE ON FIRE AND I SNUFFED OUT THE FIRE IN THE DIRT. I GRABBED MY JEAN JACKET WITH MY MILITARY ID AND DRIVER'S LICENSE - THE BACK SEAT AND FRONT SEAT WERE ON FIRE AND I RAN AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT FIREBALLED AND EXPLODED. TWO MEN FROM THE TURNPIKE MAINTENANCE SAW ME DRIVING - SMOKING POURING OUT FRONT HE VEHICLE; THEY SAW ME PULL OUT ON THE SHOULDER AND SAW ME RUNNING TO SALVAGE WHAT I COULD FROM THE BURNING VEHICLE. THEY CAME TO HELP ME AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND HIGHWAY PATROL. MINOR INJURIES I HAD SMOKE INHALATION, MINOR BURNS TO FACE - SOOT ON HANDS & FEET. UNK MILEAGE. 1ST SOLD 12/31/97 BOUGHT FROM ORG OWNER 1/19/09 THESE ARE PICS HTTP://S229.PHOTOBUCKET.COM/ALBUMS/EE16/GFERCAKS33/MOM%20CAR/. *TR

NHTSA ID
10261354
Incident
Mar 5, 2009
Airbags
Filed Sep 9, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

FRONTAL ACCIDENT TO MY 1998 JIMMY AT 35 MPH. EXTENSIVE FRONT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. NO AIR BAG CODES EVERYTHING WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. BOTH POLICE OFFICERS AGREED THAT WITH THE TYPE OF ACCIDENT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS. BECAUSE OF NO DEPLOYMENT I WAS INJURED AND HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF MY INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10241611
Incident
Aug 9, 2008
Mileage
134,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

17NA073

EQUIPMENT

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIC4696D

EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.

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
1998Viewing2382048.6
19972745260.5
19964078566.0
19954998667.4
19943344267.4
19932165370.7
19921223364.2
19911185671.2
1990111453.4
1989131458.5
1988151250.9
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.