62 of the
421 complaints about the 1997 GMC Jimmy are about the
suspension — 15% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
75,000 miles.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10621744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesBelle, WV
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1997 GMC JIMMY BATTERY DRAIN. AFTER VEHICLE SITS FOR A COUPLE HOURS IT WILL NOT START. HAS NEW (NOT REBUILT) ALTERNATOR, STARTER, BATTERY. STILL WON'T START MOST OF THE TIME. BATTERY DRAINS COMPLETELY IF VEHICLE SITS OVERNIGHT. AS SOON AS I JUMP THE VEHICLE, IT STARTS IMMEDIATELY. NOTHING I DO WILL HELP.VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS FOR8YEARS AND I CAN'T FIX IT SO I DON'T EVEN PUT LICENSE IT ANYMORE. I CAN'T SELL IT BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS A BROKE DOWN CAR. IT STILL LOOKS AND DRIVES GREAT. I WOULD LIKE GM TO FIX IT. THERE ARE ALSO OTHER THINGS THAT APPEAR TO BE FACTORY DEFAULTS LIKE FRONT SUSPENSION AND MORE I WON'T GO INTO NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10269780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,402 milesMiddle Neck, NYCrash
SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC JIMMY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER ON ITS PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V200000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE SIMILAR. THE MANUFACTURER FURTHER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,402.
NHTSA complaint #10246126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wayland, MI
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
97 GMC JIMMY UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY, REPAIRED AND INSPECTED OTHER UPPER BALL JOINT FOUND IT WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT . 2001 GMC JIMMY UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY, WHILE ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL BUT WAS ABLE TO KEEP VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10170799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,528 milesWarminster, PA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE PLAY WITH THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10167226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesEuclid, OH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
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 -
NHTSA complaint #10166244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesKingspoint, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES BROKE WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE BALL JOINTS AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSORS WERE REPLACED. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THERE WERE NHTSA RECALLS 01I018000 AND 01V200000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS DUE TO VIN. IN ADDITION, THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS AS WELL. THE LEFT DOOR BROKE OFF WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE MALE JOINT OF THE DOOR BROKE WHEN SHUTTING THE DOOR. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION AND ANTI LOCK BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #10141716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesKingspoint, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES BROKE WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE BALL JOINTS AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSORS WERE REPLACED. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THERE WERE NHTSA RECALLS 01I018000 AND 01V200000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS DUE TO VIN. IN ADDITION, THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS AS WELL. THE LEFT DOOR BROKE OFF WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE MALE JOINT OF THE DOOR BROKE WHEN SHUTTING THE DOOR. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION AND ANTI LOCK BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #10141716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesPrior Lake, MN
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
TRANSMISSION FAILURE / REPLACED TRANSMISSION - UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE / REPLACED UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS - REAR WINDOW WIPER FAILURE / INOPERABLE AT THIS POINT - EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENTS WITH NO OLD PARTS AVAILABLE AT THIS POINT. EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE I CAN ONLY ATTRIBUTE TO SEVERELY POOR MANUFACTURING OF PRODUCTS, THERE WAS NO OPERATING MISUSE OR ABUSE. ALSO OTHER PARTS THAT HAVE FAILED AND HAVE SINCE BEEN REPLACED ARE THE: ALTERNATOR, FUEL PUMP, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #10135766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesPrior Lake, MN
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
TRANSMISSION FAILURE / REPLACED TRANSMISSION - UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE / REPLACED UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS - REAR WINDOW WIPER FAILURE / INOPERABLE AT THIS POINT - EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENTS WITH NO OLD PARTS AVAILABLE AT THIS POINT. EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE I CAN ONLY ATTRIBUTE TO SEVERELY POOR MANUFACTURING OF PRODUCTS, THERE WAS NO OPERATING MISUSE OR ABUSE. ALSO OTHER PARTS THAT HAVE FAILED AND HAVE SINCE BEEN REPLACED ARE THE: ALTERNATOR, FUEL PUMP, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #10135766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anchorage, AK
SUSPENSION
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S BALL JOINTS. MR THE CONSUMER HEARD A SOUND COMING FROMT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AREA. THE RADIATOR, POWER STEERING PUMP, OIL COOLER LINES AND ENGINE ALL LEAKED.
NHTSA complaint #10015183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING TO THE LEFT UPPER BALL JOINTS BROKE, AND THE WHEEL FELL OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10061492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesORD, NE
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10056120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesORD, NE
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10056120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Peters, MO
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10054090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockford, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINT SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING HAD TO REPLACE BOTH ALONG WITH IDLER ARM PITMAN ARM & TIE ROD ENDS , HAD RECEIVED NOTICE ABOUT POSSIBLE FAILURE ON THESE WHEN I CALLED GMC THEY REPORTED MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS POSSIBLE RECALL. COST OF 1500.00 ALSO FUEL PUMP FAILED COST OF 700.00 NOW DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS DEFECTED WILL NOT CLOSE , PROBEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LOCKS ,WINDOWS, LIGHTS INTERIOR & EXTERIOR,WIPERS WILL ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY, FUEL GAUGE STICKS.
NHTSA complaint #10052763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockford, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINT SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING HAD TO REPLACE BOTH ALONG WITH IDLER ARM PITMAN ARM & TIE ROD ENDS , HAD RECEIVED NOTICE ABOUT POSSIBLE FAILURE ON THESE WHEN I CALLED GMC THEY REPORTED MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS POSSIBLE RECALL. COST OF 1500.00 ALSO FUEL PUMP FAILED COST OF 700.00 NOW DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS DEFECTED WILL NOT CLOSE , PROBEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LOCKS ,WINDOWS, LIGHTS INTERIOR & EXTERIOR,WIPERS WILL ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY, FUEL GAUGE STICKS.
NHTSA complaint #10052763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,123 milesAbington, PACrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM AND UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE AT 45 MILES A HOUR
NHTSA complaint #10051371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,123 milesAbington, PACrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM AND UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE AT 45 MILES A HOUR
NHTSA complaint #10051371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBrazil, IN
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE INSPECTED, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WEARING PREMATURELY, AND REPLACED THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10046634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesNEW Wilmington, PA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
A YEAR AFTER RECALL O1I018000 REPAIRS FOR UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION WAS PERFORMED, THE DEFECT RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10042636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesAshland, OR
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
BALL JOINTS HAVE REPEATEDLY WORN OUT - ONCE AT 40000 MILES AGAIN AT 100000 MILES. THIS IS AFTER RELIGIOUS LUBE JOBS, ETC. CALLED GMC AND MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS BUILT AND REGISTERED IN MICHIGAN, WHERE JIMMY'S WERE RECALLED FOR CORROSION.
NHTSA complaint #10038948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesBrockway, PA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH THE UPPER BALL JOINT AS STATED IN RECALL 01 I 018 000, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10032234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND PITMAN ARM. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE IS DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WITH THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATING AND THE PITMAN ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT HER VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED.
NHTSA complaint #10031784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesGalesburg, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 1 UPPER BALL JOINT AND TWO LOWER ONES , I WAS TOLD MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH FOR THE RECALL LISTED ON YOUR SITE. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BOTH OF MY OIL COOLING LINES THAT STARTED LEAKING BADLY, THIS IS PART OF THE TOWING PACKAGE OFFERED BY GMC. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesMarlborough, CT
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT REGARDING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS AS STATED IN RECALL 01 I 018 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB PH
NHTSA complaint #10019855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,699 milesSAN Luis Obispo, CACrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
EXPERIENCED LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION (FAILURE) WHILE MOVING RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL, DAMAGE, DISABLEMENT. FAILURE IS IDENTICAL TO THAT DESCRIBED IN NHTSA RECALL # 01V200000, AND, ALSO GM BULLETIN 01048A. HOWEVER, VEHICLE VIN # IS NOT WITHIN THE BREAKPOINTS SPECIFIED BY 01048A BULLETIN AND MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO CORRECT. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Springs, COCrash1 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE DEALER KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECTS TO THIS VEHICLE AND REFUSED TO FIX THEM AFTER RECEIVING 3 SEPARATE ESTIMATES. 2 DAYS AFTER I REPEATEDLY WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THESE SAFETY HAZARDS THE DEALER CONTINUED TO REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS AND I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. THE DEALER COMPLIANCE BOARD HAS A CURRENT CASE AGAINST THE DEALER AND HE HAS ONLY AGREED TO TAKE HIS VEHICLE BACK. THE DEALER HAS REQUESTED THE DAMAGE FROM THE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT NOT BE FIXED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DAMAGE PRIOR TO THE SALE WAS SO EXTENSIVE FROM WATER OR FLOOD DAMAGE THAT THE ENGINE IS COMPLETELY RUINED. IT WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS. MY FEAR IS THAT THE NEXT UNSUSPECTING CONSUMER WILL BE DECEIVED BY THIS DEALER AND THIS VEHICLE AND I BELIEVE THE NEXT PERSON WILL NOT BE AS LUCKY. I SHOULD BE DEAD RIGHT NOW. THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD HAVE, WHICH MAY ALSO INDICATE THAT THEIR IS ALSO SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THERE MAY NOT EVEN BE AN AIR BAG IN THIS VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT STATES THERE IS ONE. THIS DEALER WILL GET THIS VEHICLE BACK AND I AM SURE THAT INSTEAD OF SELLING IT AS A SALVAGE VEHICLE HE WILL AGAIN SLAP A PRICE TAG ON IT AND RE-SELL IT IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT FIXING IT. DT
NHTSA complaint #770359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hull, MA1 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
THE VEHICLE HAD A BALL JOINT FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN ACCIDENT AND INJURY TO THE CONSUMER. THE BALL JOINTS WERE ON RECALL BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED, 01I018. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #566276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hull, MA1 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. DRIVER SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES. HOWEVER DEALER REFUSED FOR THE LAST 44 DAYS TO PERFORM REPAIRS UNLESS CONSUMER SIGNS A WAIVER RELEASING GM OF ANY LIABILITIES AND PREVENTING THE AFFECTED PARTIES FROM DISCUSSING THE MATTER WITH ANYONE. CONSUMER STATES SHE WILL NOT SIGN THE FORM DUE TO THE GAG ORDER CLAUSE FROM THE AGREEMENT. CONSUMER IS AWARE THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN NOTICE 01V200000 INVOLVING REPLACEMENT OF THE BALL JOINTS. *TT
NHTSA complaint #566241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.