Model year record

1998 GMC Jimmy recalls & problems

The 1998 GMC Jimmy has 2 safety recalls and 238 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is visibility (89 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints238filed by owners

Crashes · fires18 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths15 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionMar 9, 1998

Front › Control arm › Lower arm

Recall 98V05300072 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.

Service brakes, hydraulicNov 24, 1997

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 97V21800019,716 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1998 GMC Jimmy 4-DR. 4x4

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Jimmy 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Jimmy 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Jimmy 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Jimmy 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Jimmy AWD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Windshield wiper/washer › Motor	89	1	0	0	70,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Ignition	44	0	1	1	60,027 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Wheel bearing	32	0	0	0	68,600 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	30	1	0	0	60,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module	29	3	0	0	100,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	28	1	2	1	—
SteeringGear box (other than rack and pinion); Linkages	17	1	0	1	—
Air bagsFrontal	15	15	1	14	100,000 mi
Exterior lightingTurn signal; Headlights	11	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	11	1	0	1	—
Unknown or other	9	0	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Recreational vehicle/trailer	6	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Suspension
AFTER GETTING AN OIL CHANGE I WAS INFORMED OF A LEAK IN MY OIL PAN, AS I GOT HOME THE NEXT MORNING I NOTICED THAT MY CAR LEAKED OUT ALL THE OIL IN THE CAR RESULTING FROM A FAULT O-RING SEAL, ALSO NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION AS MY IDLER ARM IS ABOUT TO SNAP AT ANY MOMENT RESULTING IN THE LOSE OF STEERING FOR THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC BEFORE I PURCHASED IT AND ONLY ONE BUSHING WAS REPLACED INSTEAD OF ALL OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME, ALSO THE MECHANIC IMPROPERLY REPLACED THE FRONT SHOCKS AS INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE GREASE BEARINGS THE MECHANIC USED BOLTS TO ASSEMBLE AND HOLD THEM IN PLACE RESULTING IN AN ANNOYING SQEAK IN THE FRONT END OF THE CAR SINCE THE SHOCKS CANT…
Mar 28, 2016 · 10 miles
Electrical system
THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE PARKING LOT, STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, PROCEEDED INTO THE ROADWAY AND ENGINE DIED. EVERYTHING WENT OFF - ALL POWER ALL ELECTRICAL. I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE SECOND HAND AND THE OWNER TOLD ME LATER THAT SHE HAD BATTERY PROBLEMS, BUT SHE PUT IN A NEW BATTERY. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIX IT. MY HUSBAND FIGURED IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. I KEPT THE CAR FOR TWELVE YEARS AND HAD TO CHANGE IT TWICE, PLUS THE INITIAL REPAIR WAS WARRANTIED. WHEN IT FIRST OCCURRED IN 2000 I LOOKED FOR A RECALL, BUT THERE WAS NONE. I REMEMBER THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD A VERY LARGE KEYCHAIN, AND WE DID FIGURE OUT ON OUR OWN TO CARRY A SINGLE KEY, BUT AFTER…
Jun 20, 2000 · 18,000 miles
Electrical system
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
Jul 15, 2011 · 150,000 miles
Tires
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.
Jul 1, 2011 · 105,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
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
Jun 1, 2010
Visibility › Rear window wiper/washer
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.
May 21, 2009 · 141,000 miles
Fuel system, gasolineFire1 injury
I WAS DRIVING A 1998GMC JIMMY FROM OKLAHOMA CITY, OK TO WALTERS, OK. EVERYTHING WAS GREAT AND THE CAR WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY. I WAS ON THE HE BAILEY TURNPIKE ON HIGHWAY MARKER 30 - I COULD SEE THE SIGN AND PULL OFF FOR THE FAXON EXIT AND THE BIG SIGN FOR WALTERS. A FEW WISPS OF WHITE SMOKE APPEARED AND THEN HEAVY GREY SMOKE STARTED TO BILLOW INTO MY FACE THROUGH THE RIGHT SIDE VENT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I STARTED TO COUGH AND COULDN'T SEE SO I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AS I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, I PULLED THE HOOD RELEASE AND RAN TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLES. UNDER THE HOOD, HALF OF THE ENGINE BAY WAS ALREADY BURNED AWAY - LIKE THE BOTTLE FOR ANTI-FREEZE AND HOSES.... THE WHOLE…
Mar 5, 2009
Air bags › FrontalCrash1 injury
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
Aug 9, 2008 · 134,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.