1997 GMC Jimmy: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 274 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (15% of complaints); the 1999 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2003
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 274 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“NHTSA recall#03v117 regarding possible seatbelt failure and we notified our local gmc dealer but they have not responded.we are concerned of a possible catastrophe in the event of an accident.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 gmc jimmy. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle stalled and restarted after numerous attempts. An independent mechanic stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2014
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Bad 3 vehickle auto accident on I-96 in michigan. A white car stopped or stalled in center lane of highway and was then hit by a green car and we hit the green car "head on" in the rear.. Air bags did not deploy with a direct head on hit at 65 to 70 miles per hour. My truck was a 1997 gmc jimmy. *tt”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2011
“I was attempting to back out of my parking space at my work place parking lot and backed on to my spare tire. The spare tire cable broke due to corrosion. Luckily I was not on the highway going 70 mph and someone behind me run into it. I have owned blazers and jimmy's for the last 23 years and have never had this problem. Checking out this website I now know this is a recurring problem. I will tell everyone that I know who own these vehicles about this defect. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2010
“I own a 1997 gmc jimmy. The windshield wipers have always only worked when they wanted to. Now, they do not work at all. I have been doing some internet research and found that this is happening to alot of the same models. I see there is a recall for 1996 models. Why not the 1997 models? The exact same thing is happening to my 1997. I never knew or was notified of this. I want this repair fixed at no cost to me. What can I do? *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2009
“Fuel gauge does not indicate accurately at low fuel states. As fuel approaches empty (with 1/8 - 1/4 actual fuel remaining in tank), gauge begins to erroneously indicate progressively higher fuel quantities in the tank until a point where the gauge is indicating almost full, when in reality, the tank is almost empty. The obvious implication is that a motorist who is not paying close attention could be left stranded without fuel in the vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Feb 2008
“The head lights keep shutting off as you are driving at night time then it will switch over to the day time running lights, this occurs every time you drive at nighttime with the lights on, we do not know what to do to fix this problem so we have not brought it in. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 gmc jimmy. The contact stated that the air bag failed to deploy when he was involved in a frontal crash. The vehicle was destroyed. The driver sustained minor injuries to his arms. A police report was filed. The dealer had not inspected the vehicle and it was sent to a salvage yard. The speed was unknown and the VIN was invalid. The current and failure mileages were 135,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2007
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 23 of these complaints and injuries in 26 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINS AN ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. SUSTAINED LOADS OF SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE AND DURATION ON THE BELT IN SEVERE CRASHES COULD FULLY DEPLOY THE BUCKLE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP, INTRODUCING A TOTAL OF 10 ADDITIONAL INCHES OF WEBBING INTO THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THE FREE FALLING LATCH PLATE USED IN THIS SYSTEM MAY ALLOW WEBBING TO DYNAMICALLY DISTRIBUTE BETWEEN THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT AS THE DRIVER'S POSITION CHANGES DURING A MULTIPLE ROLLOVER EVENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WITH ONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. FAILURE OF AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY COULD OCCUR DUE TO CORROSION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
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: 1996-1997 4-WHEEL DRIVE CHEVROLET BLAZER, GMC JIMMY, AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OWNERS HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS THAT HAVE SEPARATED. GM IS PROVIDING A SPECIAL POLICY TO THESE OWNERS TO COVER UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT IF THE CUSTOMER FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE CHASSIS LUBRICATION AND THE VEHICLE STILL REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS DUE TO SEPARATION.
Remedy: GM HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. THIS SPECIAL POLICY IS FOR A PERIOD OF 8 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST, FROM THE DATE THE VHEICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED IN SERVICE, REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP. THE UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT, DUE TO SEPARATION, WILL BE MADE AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER DURING THIS PERIOD. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-862-4389, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.
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 1997 GMC Jimmy reliable?
NHTSA has 274 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 GMC Jimmy. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 GMC Jimmy problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 GMC Jimmy have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior. 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.