1994 GMC Jimmy: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 334 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (74% of complaints); the 1992 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 334 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was in a accident with my 1994 gmc jimmy . It just stopped in the middle of the interstate and I am here to say that I was scared to death and I am not sure what happened but I was in the hospital for four days. So can you please advise me on what I can do about it? Accident date is march 13,2016. Thanks for your help.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2016
“94 s15 jimmy is not switching out of 3rd gear only gets up to 40-45 mph. I've tried manural gear switching no luck. Was told it could be gear oil low. Im gonna change tranny filter and fluids and hopfully some luck . If any info on this plz reply. Just bought truck and was told it just stopped changing gears. Drove it hom drives fine but no luck with it changing gears. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2010
“Dt: the consumer stated the ABS didn't activate when it was suppose to. The dealer could not find a p problem. *jb during quick stops the brakes would fail and the ABS light would illuminate intermittently. *nm”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was braking at a stop light and the car in front of me hit there brakes. I stepped on my brakes harder and the ABS kicked in for a short time. Then the brakes failed and I was not able to stop. Hitting the car in front of me. There was no damage to my car or the car I hit. I have not been able to make the truck do this again.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2004
“Egr valve continually fails (opens) , the engine looses vacume and brakes fail to function. Since 1999 the egr has been replaced seven (7) times and is currently in a failure mode. In spite of the fact that there have been service bullitens issued with regard to this problem gmc has refused to address the problem. To date over two thousand dollars has been spent replacing egr valves. When driving I am in constant fear of the egr valve failing and coversly, the brakes failing. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2004
“When applying the anti lock brakes they will lock up, causing the vehicle to have extended stopping distance. Dealer notified. *ak the consumer stated a recall repair regarding the ABS was performed in 2000. Gm evaluated the vehicle and said the crash was due to poor brakes. *jb *nm”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2003
“When attempting to brake brake pedal was extremely hard. Lost all ability to stop the vehicle when pressing on the brake pedal. This resulted in a 1-car accident. There are serious problems with the ABS brake system on this vehicle. This was part of the 1999 recall and was in for service. Last year the loss of braking was expereinced and a sensor on the ABS system was replaced. This recent accident occurred after 6500 miles on the replaced sensor.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2003
“When applying brakes, the pedal would go to the floor causing extended stopping distance. Dealer has been notified. Ph”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2002
“Tire separated going downhill ,causing damage to fender/ door and body of vehicle. Tire did continue to hold air, enabling driver to maintain control of vehicle to prevent a serious collision.*ak”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2002
“During normal braking, intermittentlyabs and brake lights would come on simultaneously and cause loss of braking. Vehicle at the dealer. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 57 of these complaints and injuries in 33 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN R&B, INC. CENTRAL MULTIPORT FUEL INJECTION (CMFI) FUEL RETURN LINES, MODELS HELP 55163, NAPA BALKAMP 700-3270, AND THE CONNECTION 2560001, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL RETURN LINE HAS A MECHANICAL BLEED VALVE WHICH WAS NOT INSTALLED AT THE PROPER TORQUE.
Remedy: R&B, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AT THE CUSTOMERS REQUEST, EITHER REPLACE THE FUEL LINE OR OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT R&B, INC. AT 215-712-5330.
THE TRAILER HITCH ATTACHING BOLTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. THIS CAN LEAD TO LOOSENING AND SUBSEQUENT BREAKAGE OF THE FASTENERS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TORQUE ALL EIGHT TRAILER HITCH BOLTS TO THE CORRECT TORQUE.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OR MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3-SENSOR ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) EBC4 UNITS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE COMPUTER PROGRAM WHICH OPERATES THE ABS UNIT ON SOME VEHICLES, OR REPLACE THE COMPUTER ON OTHERS TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ABS ON THESE SURFACES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1989 THROUGH AUGUST 1996. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE SWITCH WHICH SIGNALS THE ABS SYSTEM WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN 2-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.
How other years compare
Check your exact Jimmy by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 GMC Jimmy reliable?
NHTSA has 334 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 GMC Jimmy. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (74% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 GMC Jimmy problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 96,000 miles or less.
Does the 1994 GMC Jimmy have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.