1998 GMC Jimmy problems
Owners have filed 355 complaints about the 1998 GMC Jimmy with NHTSA. Visibility accounts for 25.1% of them — the clear leader, ahead of electrical system at 12.4%.
Complaints355
Crashes26
Fires5
Injuries20
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Visibility 25.1% · 89
Electrical system 12.4% · 44
Suspension 9.0% · 32
Power train 8.5% · 30
Service brakes, hydraulic 8.2% · 29
Engine and engine cooling 7.9% · 28
Steering 4.8% · 17
Air bags 4.2% · 15
Severity
Of those complaints, 26 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire and 20 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 11 model years of the GMC Jimmy in this data, 1998 sits 5th by complaint volume. 1995 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 8 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 71,696 miles.
In owners' own words
1998 GMC Jimmy, windshield wipers stop working in the rain. Extremely dangerous. This situation has happened before, they stop working then sometimes they start up again. It is so bad I don't trust the vehicle to drive it in the rain. It is terrifying to lose them in parkway/turnpike driving of 65 mph. This defect will cause accidents. Why was the recall stopped in 1997 & the problem never corrected? Visibility · reported at 40,000 miles
The windshield wipers, front and back, stop working with no warning. They can be on and stop working all together or not work at all. I have tried the different relay speeds and they still won't come on or continue working. It is a very seriuos driving hazard especially if it is raining heavy. You are required to pull over and wait until either the rain stops or the wipers start working again. Visibility
While driving in inclement weather windshield wipers would come on and off on their own. Dealer was aware this was an intermittent problem. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the windshield wipers needed to be replaced. Consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred more than once, and the problem had not been resolved. Visibility
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…