Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 1.9× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
274Complaints
5Recalls
23Crashes
5Fires
26Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (13.9% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 1.9× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
38 · 13.9%
not available
—
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint
29 · 10.6%
Recalled
Recall 01V200000 · Recall 01I018000
Power Train:automatic Transmission
22 · 8%
not available
—
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
19 · 6.9%
Recalled
Recall 03V093000
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
12 · 4.4%
Recalled
Recall 03V093000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
11 · 4%
not available
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 274 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
THIS CAN RESULT IN IMPAIRED STEERING OR STEERING LOSS, OR A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP FULLY DEPLOYS IN A SEVERE MULTIPLE ROLLOVER CRASH, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A BELTED DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE PARTIAL OR EVEN COMPLETE EJECTION FROM THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“ACCIDENT ON ABS FAILURE ABOUT $2800. $850 OUT OF MY POCKET FOR ABS REPAIR. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES THEY DONT. MENTIONED WINDSHIELD WIPER…”NHTSA complaint 751343 — filed 08/29/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP ON WET PAVEMENT ABS BRAKES FAIL TO RELEASE, RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION.”NHTSA complaint 892672 — filed 07/12/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“INTERMITTENTLY BRAKES RELEASE, RESULTING IN EXENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.”NHTSA complaint 884269 — filed 03/27/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 GMC Jimmy?
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 38 of 274 NHTSA complaints (13.9%), followed by suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint (29), power train:automatic transmission (22), visibility:windshield wiper/washer (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1997 GMC Jimmy have?
274 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 23 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 26 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 1997 GMC Jimmy have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 01V200000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 GMC Jimmy's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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