1998 GMC Jimmy: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 238 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (30% of complaints); the 1999 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 238 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 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.”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2011
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Visibility · May 2009
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 gmc jimmy. While driving less than 15 mph down a steep, wet road, the brakes failed and the vehicle crashed into a guardrail. The bumper and headlamps were damaged. The vehicle is currently at the body shop and will be taken to the dealer for an ABS diagnosis. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97v218000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The dealer information was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 113,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2007
“Key gets locked in the ignition and I can't remove it, the dash lights and gauges do not work and transmission doesn't start off in 1st gear. This has happened 4 other times and everytime I have had to have the ignition switch replaced and this is in a 3 year period. This has got to be the worth problem on these vehicles. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle's right rear brakeline cracked. The contact expressed they would not take the vehicle to a service dealer because the repair work would not be covered under a recall. The contact stated the fractured brakeline was visible.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 mph on the highway, the spare tire under the vehicle fell off due to a rusty cable. The dealer was informed. Updated 10/18/2006 - *nm”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2006
“Driving in heavy rains on the interstate when my wipers just stopped. I had to break heavy and get off the side of the road in heavy traffic. I waited until the rain subsided and then drove home. The next morning they worked okay and after about 20 miles stopped again. This happens constantly and I don't know if and when or how long they will work. *nm”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
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 1998 GMC Jimmy reliable?
NHTSA has 238 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 GMC Jimmy. The most complained-about area is visibility (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 GMC Jimmy problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 72,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 GMC Jimmy have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components: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.