FaultScore

1996 GMC Jimmy suspension problems

57 of the 605 complaints about the 1996 GMC Jimmy are about the suspension — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 80,000 miles.

A

57

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Control ARM 17 29.8%
Lower Ball Joint 13 22.8%
Upper Ball Joint 12 21.1%
Suspension 7 12.3%
Front 2 3.5%
Wheel Bearing 2 3.5%
Rear 1 1.8%
Shock Absorber 1 1.8%
Multiple Axle 1 1.8%
Leaf Spring Assembly 1 1.8%

Suspension across every GMC Jimmy year

1995 21 7.8%
1996 57 21.1%
1997 62 23.0%
1998 32 11.9%
1999 34 12.6%
2000 47 17.4%
2001 17 6.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 104,100 miles Weirton, WV

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT APPEARS TO BE SHATTERED. MAINTENANCE WAS ABOVE LEVEL REQUIRED BY BOOK AND SEEMS TO BE A CASTING DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10082880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Bloomingdale, IL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT BALLS JOINTS WERE WORN OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS RECALL ON THE BALL JOINTS, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WA NOT INCLUDED. *JB

NHTSA complaint #10044608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

WHILE DRIVING A CLICKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD, AND VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP, WHERE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10037641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

WHILE DRIVING A CLICKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD, AND VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP, WHERE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10037641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berlin, CT

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS STATED IN RECALLS 01I018000 LOWER BALL JOINT; RECALL 03V159000 WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, AND TRANSMISSION. RECALL NUMBER UNKNOWN. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT DUE TO A CRACKING NOISE. WHILE DRIVING THROUGH THE SNOW, THE CONSUMER WASN'T ABLE TO USE THE 4WD BECAUSE THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INTERMITTENT, A LOUD CRACKING NOISE HAD COME FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION WHICH HAD A LEAK AND THE IGNITION SWITCH. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10033964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Westwood, MA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

MY 1996 GMC JIMMY HAS HAD BALL JOINT PROBLEMS (UPPER AND LOWER REPLACED AT 40K, 79K), ABS PROBLEMS (RECALLED TO CHANGE S/W, FAILED AT 80K) AND WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEMS (INTERMITTENT FAILURES AT 80K). ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE HAD RECALLS, BUT WHEN I CONTACT GMC THEY TELL ME MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED (VIN [XXX]). WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS IF MY CAR IS FAILING WITH THE EXACT PROBLEMS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL NOTICE, THEN THE PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE MORE WIDESPREAD THEN GM IS WILLING TO ADMIT. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10019296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,918 miles Onalaska, WI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

THERE WAS A RECALL OF 96 GMC JIMMY'S FOR INDEPENDENT FRONT CONTROL ARM UPPER: BALL JOINTS. WE WERE ADVISED THAT OURS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AT 53918 MILES ON JAN. 8 2002. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH 2 FRONT TIRES THAT WERE WORN AND VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF THE BALL JOINT PROBLEM. ALSO REPLACED WERE: THE BELT TENSIONER, OIL COOLER LINES, WATER AND BELT - AT 54,000 MILES. WE RECEIVED A 168.98 REIMBURSEMENT FROM PONTIAC GMC AS A "GOODWILL ADJUSTMENT"(HALF OF THE BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT CHARGE). THEY NEVER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. PLEASE INCLUDE THIS COMPLAINT ON THIS VEHICLE FOR PROBLEMS WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN A RECALL. DOCUMENTATION OF REPAIRS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THANK YOU. *TS *NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS**761991

NHTSA complaint #10009209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,149 miles Uniondale, NY

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT WAS DAMAGED, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO LEAN INWARD.

NHTSA complaint #10010036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brimley, MI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER STATE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND MAKE SOME NOISE, CAUSING BY THE LOWER BALL JOINT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA complaint #8022220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Middleboro, MA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT TIRES WERE WEARING OUT DUE TO LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT COULDN'T FIND CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8018148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Annapolis, MD

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

THIS IS LISTED SPECIFICALLY ON NHTSA AS A SAFETY RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE (4WD 1996 GMC JIMMY). I WAS TOLD ON A RECENT SAFETY INSPECTION THAT THESE BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED AND THAT A CRASH CAN RESULT. HOWEVER, THE DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT APPLICABLE TO MY VEHICLE AND THAT GMC WILL NOT PAY FOR IT. THE NHTSA NOTICE MAKES NO MENTION OF MANUFACTURER'S DATES OR PARTICULAR VINS, SO IT SEEMS ODD THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS CLASS OF VEHICLE AND YET SOMEHOW IT IS NOT APPLICABLE TO MINE.

NHTSA complaint #766729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairhaven, MA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

THE LOWER BALL JOINTS MOVE EXCESSIVELY (APPROX 1-1.5 INCHES) AND ARE WITHIN 1 MONTH OF BREAKING AND CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT RISKING MY LIFE.

NHTSA complaint #764727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairhaven, MI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

CONSUMER STATES AFTER FINDING OUT THAT HE COULD NOT GET HIS TRUCK ALIGNED, HE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT HIS LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE MOVING APPROX 1-1 1/2 IN. CONSUMER ALSO SAYS THAT WHEN HE SHIFTS HIS TRUCK FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE HE HEARS A KNOCK WHICH ALSO INDICATES THIS BALL JOINT PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8014799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Verona, WI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

THE CONSUMER WAS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR UPPER BALL JOINTS THAT WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL (01V-200). *YH WHEN THE CONSUMER HAD THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACE, THEY WERE NOT REPLACED WITH GM PARTS. UPDATED

NHTSA complaint #566257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hubbardston, MA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO A DEFECT IN IDLER ARM / LOWER BALL JOINTS. CONTACTED DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #8013398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA

SUSPENSION

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING BROKE, CAUSING DAMAGES TO THE TIRE AND RIM. *JB THE BEARINGS FOR BOTH SIDES REQUIRE FIXING. THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS BROKE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AND CUT THE RIM RUINING THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS, THE WHEEL AND THE TIRE.

NHTSA complaint #8010396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chesapeake, VA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL (01V2) ON THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND HE PAID TO HAVE THEM REPLACED, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL ONLY APPLIED TO CERTAIN STATES IN WHICH HIS WAS NOT INCLUDED.

NHTSA complaint #564181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Roselle, IL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER IS NOT SATISIFIED WITH REIMBURSEMENT RECEIVED FOR WORK DONE ON VEHICLE PRIOR TO SAFETY RECALL G01048S TO REPLACE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS, DEALER STATED THAT LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL BUT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL, CONSUMER REQUESTING FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES.

NHTSA complaint #564188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Roselle, IL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER IS NOT SATISIFIED WITH REIMBURSEMENT RECEIVED FOR WORK DONE ON VEHICLE PRIOR TO SAFETY RECALL G01048S TO REPLACE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS, DEALER STATED THAT LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL BUT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL, CONSUMER REQUESTING FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES.

NHTSA complaint #564188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kingsland, GA

SUSPENSION

CONSUMER STATES THE THE VEHCLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING, ALSO THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #785760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clinton Township, MI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVED CORRORED. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON UPPER BALL JOINTS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8009125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Roselle, IL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER IS NOT SATISIFIED WITH REIMBURSEMENT RECEIVED FOR WORK DONE ON VEHICLE PRIOR TO SAFETY RECALL G01048S TO REPLACE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS, DEALER STATED THAT LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL BUT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL, CONSUMER REQUESTING FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES.

NHTSA complaint #564188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Roselle, IL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER IS NOT SATISIFIED WITH REIMBURSEMENT RECEIVED FOR WORK DONE ON VEHICLE PRIOR TO SAFETY RECALL G01048S TO REPLACE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS, DEALER STATED THAT LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL BUT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL, CONSUMER REQUESTING FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES.

NHTSA complaint #564188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chesapeake, VA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL (01V2) ON THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND HE PAID TO HAVE THEM REPLACED, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL ONLY APPLIED TO CERTAIN STATES IN WHICH HIS WAS NOT INCLUDED.

NHTSA complaint #564181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jefferson Hills, PA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

ORIGINAL LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 41 MONTHS, 20,696 MILEAGE BY GMC DEALER WITH GMC PARTS. THE REPLACEMENT BALL JOINTS AGAIN HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER 2 YEARS, AT 35,710 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN OFF ROAD AND SERVICED REGULARLY. THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE GM BALL JOINTS.

NHTSA complaint #757454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lincolnshire, IL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 BALL JOINTS ND ACCORDING TO SHOP THAT FIXED IT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH JIMMYS LIKE MINE. DEALER SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MINE BUT I CHECKED ON LINE MYSELF AND OTHER 1996 JIMMYS HAD BEEN RECALLED BUT THEY DIDN'T INCLUDE MY VIN #. WHEN TRYING TO GET INFORMATION FROM GMC AS TO WHY THEY SAID IT COULD BE DUE TO WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS MADE OR THAT THE BALL JOINTS USED COULD BE FROM A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURE. THEY REFUSED TO GIVE OUT THAT INFO. SAYING IT WAS CONFIDENTIAL. I TRIED GOING THROUGHT THE BBB AND WHEN GMC GOT THE COMPLAINT A LADY CALLED AND SAID BBB WOULD NOT HELP ME AND THAT THERE ISN'T A COURT IN THE COUNTRY THAT COULD GET THE INFO. ON WHERE VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED OR WHAT BALL JOINTS WERE USED ON MINE. SINCE MINE IS DRIVEN BY MY WIFE, HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD OR ABUSED, THAT THE BALL JOINTS WORE OUT BEFORE THE TIRES, AND THAT GMC HAS RECALLED SIMILAR VEHICLES LEADS ME TO BELIEVE MINE WERE DEFECTIVE ALSO! I HAVE ALL THE CORRESPONDANCE VIA EMAIL WITH GMC IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY. THANKS AND PLEASE ADVISE HOW TO PROCEED. BEN SHOWN FEELLING HELPLESS AGAINST GMC.

NHTSA complaint #754727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Valparaiso, IN

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 15 MPH BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #899384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ANN Harbour, MI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING EXACT PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL# 98V150000 FOR THE BALL JOINTS, DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #899330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kingsland, GA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEEL SQUEAKS, DEALER REPACKED THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND LUBED THE WHEEL STOPS.

NHTSA complaint #785760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kingsland, GA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEEL SQUEAKS, DEALER REPACKED THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND LUBED THE WHEEL STOPS.

NHTSA complaint #785760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 GMC Jimmy problems

← Full 1996 GMC Jimmy report