CarModelProblems.com

1997 GMC Jimmy Problems & Recalls

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 categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip38 · 13.9%not available
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint29 · 10.6%RecalledRecall 01V200000 · Recall 01I018000
Power Train:automatic Transmission22 · 8%not available
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer19 · 6.9%RecalledRecall 03V093000
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor12 · 4.4%RecalledRecall 03V093000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline11 · 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.

Complaints by component

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER19 · 6.9%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR12 · 4.4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE11 · 4%
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT11 · 4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10 · 3.6%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL9 · 3.3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM9 · 3.3%

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.

Recalls — 5 campaigns

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

NHTSA campaign 01V200000 · 2001 · reported 06/28/2001

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

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

NHTSA campaign 01I018000 · 2001 · reported 12/04/2001

THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

NHTSA campaign 03V117000 · 2003 · reported 03/31/2003

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

Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

NHTSA campaign 03V093000 · 2003 · reported 03/07/2003

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

Seat Belts

NHTSA campaign 97V096001 · 1997 · reported 06/12/1997

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 it Park 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

411999435720015854200361312005612007442009222011412017

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.