1997 GMC Jimmy problems
Owners have filed 421 complaints about the 1997 GMC Jimmy with NHTSA. Suspension accounts for 14.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 13.8%.
Complaints421
Crashes36
Fires8
Injuries53
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Suspension 14.7% · 62
Service brakes, hydraulic 13.8% · 58
Visibility 10.9% · 46
Engine and engine cooling 10.0% · 42
Power train 9.3% · 39
Electrical system 8.1% · 34
Steering 5.2% · 22
Exterior lighting 4.5% · 19
Severity
Of those complaints, 36 describe a crash, 8 describe a fire, 53 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 11 model years of the GMC Jimmy in this data, 1997 sits 4th by complaint volume. 1995 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 7 in the last three years against 10 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 70,000 miles.
In owners' own words
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 Suspension · reported at 103,699 miles
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. Suspension
Consumer was going to the supermaket and she heard a loud pop. Got out of vehicle, and looked down at wheels, and the driver's side wheel was caved in at about 45 degree angle. She had to have vehicle towed to the dealership. Mechanic at the dealership told her that she needed ball joints. Suspension
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…