Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 GMC Jimmy owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
10 days ago my 1995 GMC Jimmy did not stop, it skidded. I have, on many occasions, called GMC regarding the ABS braking system, it did not work all the time and when it didn't it would make a grinding noise and take a longer time to stop. GMC had assured me and my husband that there were no recalls on the system. On July 15 we were traveling on a local road and the car in front of us stopped short. We were going 20-25 MPH and hit the brakes, but the brakes again failed, although we had sufficient time to stop, we skidded into the car in front of us and there was property damage and I hurt my neck and back. On the day after the accident we called GMC again regarding the failure of the brakes and were told there was no recall, and they couldn't do anything. Today, July 26, we received a copy of the recall from a friend who owns a auto repair station. …
When originally purchased, the car would not pass inspection r/t brakes and emissions. The dealership got the vehicle to pass inspection, but I took the vehicle in on 2-3 different occasions for problems with the brakes failing to stop the car properly along with the vehicle speeding up. They replaced a part that caused the speeding up, but claimed the brakes were OK. After that the vehicle was brought back 3 more times for the intermittent brake faillure/slow response, nearly causing several major accidents, along with an ungodly noise when the ABS system failed and locked up. ABS light went on and a pump was replaced, but then the original problem of brake failure and speeding up occurred causing accident. Personal injuries occurred. This vehicle has nearly killed me on 4 different occasions because of this problem and nearly seriously hurt my daughter on the day of the accident. …
Brakes on my 1995 GMC Jimmy fail periodically. The last time I rear ended a women and destroyed the front of my car. Everything has been checked over twice by mechanics who have come to the conclusion it is the module in the ABS. GM has said it is not their problem. If I am driving along at 25 miles an hour, I shouldn't have to wonder if and when my brakes will fail again. The brakes were put to the floor and nothing happened, I continued at the same rate of speed. The first time I almost got broad sided at a stop sign. I am scared to drive my car and GM won't take responsibility for the failing component.
Vehicle plagued with a wide range of faulty components first failing within the 36,000 mile manufacturer warranty period: 070396 (see 033199)-leaking central port injector replaced @ dealer; subsequent problems noted 091897, 042098, 112198, 022399. 091897 (see 030998): smoke & flames from driver's side under hood-connection @ junction box repaired @ dealer. Slow start also noted (see 033199). 030998 (see 091897): wires under hood smoked-ignition switch shorted out & replaced @ independent repair facility. Also noted wipers not working (see 112198). 042098: pinion seal leaking/replaced @ independent facility/check engine light on-rough start (see 033199). 060198: heat/smoke @ dash & alarm malfunctioning-short in driver side seat lumbar support switch wiring repaired @ independent facility. …
1995 GMC Jimmy sls 4 door 4wd Vortec 4.3 l v6. We have had this thing for 7 years and nothing I have ever owned has taught me more about being a "shadetree" mechanic! The list is as follows, break booster replaced 2 times. EGR valve replaced 3 times. Front brakes replaced at least 12 times (they fail every 1500 to 1800 miles!) back hatch wont open. Both set of wipers, front and back do not work( safety issue!) engine overheats. Water pump replaced 2 times. Thermostat replaced 3 times. Lights flicker as if the altenator is going bad,(resulting in police asking me to check into this.) battery replaced 4 times (average life of new battery, 4 years!) transmission shifts very hard when engine is cool/ hot! Starting to see rust in trans, dipstick. Sometimes cant shift from 2 wd to 4 wd and when able, transfer case makes clicking sound. This is not a phony complaint! …
On two occasions, I believe that the anti lock brakes malfunctioned, causing an increase in stopping distance and resulting in a crash. The first occurred in about 1996 when a car in front of me suddenly stopped. I applied the brakes, but was unable to stop in time. The roadway was wet at the time. I had the damage repaired at a body shop chosen by the insurance company and asked them to check the brakes also. They reported that the brakes were fine. The vehicle was owned at the time by my employer. I later purchased the vehicle from my employer and took it to a GM dealer for inspection. They reported no problems. On 8/17/99, on I-10 near phoenix, the vehicle in front of me suddenly braked and hit the vehicle in front of it. I braked hard and began to steer around, as it felt like I would not stop in time. …
Tl contact owns a 1995 GMC Jimmy. The contact was experiencing issues with the ABS on her vehicle and the brakes failed. The brake fluid was nearly obsolete. She placed more fluid in the vehicle and it appeared to quickly evaporate. She took the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that the failure was with the ABS. The contact advised her to call the dealer. She took the vehicle to a dealer and they explained the issue. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id numbers 99i006000 and 99V193000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). Another dealer confirmed that that VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer stated that they could not assist. The current mileage was approximately 130,000 and failure mileage was approximately 129,700.
This ABS failure is the subject of an alleged GM "special policy" and not a formal recall. We contact GM and they said that unless they were forced to fix the problem with a recall, they weren't going to do it. They basically thumbed their corporate nose at the NHTSA and said that you can only force them to correct the problem through a recall and that without a recall they were not going to do anything about it. The NHTSA campaign id number for this problem is 99i006000.
Recall 99V193000/ABS: while traveling on the street at 40 MPH; brakes were applied to slow vehicle down. Because of vehicle in front, more pressure was needed to be applied on the pedal. This caused brake pedal to go to the floor, and extended stopping distance occurred which resulted in a collision. Vehicle towed to dealer's shop. However, recall notice received after the accident.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle experienced extended stopping distances when the ABS was activated on rough road conditions. The brakes grinded when they were applied on rough roads but worked fine on smooth pavements. There was a NHTSA recall, # 99i006000, regarding the service brakes, hydraulic: antilock. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Vehicle description: certain 4-wheel drive pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS (antilock braking system) manufactured from September 1989 through August 1996. Under certain driving conditions the switch which signals the ABS system whether the vehicle is in 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive can malfunction causing…
Remedy: Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
The brake pedal pivot bolt was started in the weld nut, but was not torqued correctly causing the bolt to disengage from the weld nut.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for hand-started brake pedal bolts and torque them to correct specifications.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of power assist braking
Consumers allege a partial loss of braking ability
ABS braking system
This investigation resulted in a safety recall, 99v-193, and a service campaign, 99i-006.
Loss of power assist
There is no summary currently available
Brake complaints in other Jimmy years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1995 GMC Jimmy?
NHTSA has 243 complaints about the brakes of the 1995 GMC Jimmy, 49% of the model year's 499 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (188 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 GMC Jimmy brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-193 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Jul 19, 1999); NHTSA recall 94V-242 (pedals and linkages, Dec 12, 1994). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 GMC Jimmy brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 45 crashes, 1 fire and 32 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.