Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
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. …
EGR valve keeps getting clogged with debris from catalytic converter causing truck to run rough and stall. When valve is stuck open brakes also fail. This has been an ongoing problem since I purchased the used vehicle in 5/00. It only had 68,000 mi. I received a recall notice but it had limit of 75,000 mi and I had 78,000 when I received it and the dealer would only fix it if I paid for it. I know there is a replacement kit because they told me there was. They said that some kind of screen needs to be fitted to keep pieces of carbon buildup from being sucked into to EGR valve from the converter. This seems like an easy and simple fix. Everyone I talk to who has the same engine has the same problem. I am appalled that manufactures can put a mileage limit on their recalls! Especially when brakes are involved. …
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! …
Transmission failed at 67,000 miles. Rust on dipstick. Transmission fluid burned. Bought goodwrench transmission and had it installed. This cost $1450. Now this transmission has failed with only 40,000 on it. Same problem as before, rust on dipstick and fluid burned. When I contacted general motors they said there was nothing they could do. I'm asking for help. I've read several other complaints about rust on dipstick and in transmission. I'm afraid to spend more money on this thinking it might happen again. Pleas look into this. Thank you.
After replacing the water pump and thermostat at 117000 miles, the engine overheats when the A/C is used for long periods of time. Afraid to travel due to overheating. Bubbling from under the dash also. When not running a?c it runs OK. Fluids all well changed and maintained regularly.
At 60+ MPH my high pressure oil line crimped fitting let go. When this happened I lost 5qts. Of oil all over my front brakes, marking it very difficult to come to a stop. These fittings should never fail, but last the life of the vehicle. It is not a part that wears out from use and if so, 61,000 I think would be to soon? I have over the past two weeks tried to get GMC to respond to this as a serious problem, to no avail. I also explained to them that at 60 MPH I could have lost both my power steering and brakes if the motor had seized do to lack of lost oil. No response. I also explained that the shop where I have my work done has had 4-5 of these failures in just the last 2 months and told them to contact my tech. To find out more, again no response. …
I purchased a 1995 GMC Jimmy with 37,000 miles in 1997. I started having problems with it shifting around 50,000 miles. I had never towed anything with it. I had the transmission fluid and filter changed to see if it would help. The dipstick was rusted very badly and the fluid was milky and burned. I had a transmission shop check it that told me it needed an electronic shift control module. I had it replaced but it didn't help. At 67,000 miles the transmission failed completely. I purchased a goodwrench transmission from a dealership in my town thinking this would be the best thing to do because it had a 3 year 50,000 mile warranty. The transmission cost $1350 and the installation cost $100. This was a reputable transmission shop. I also removed the radiator and had it completely rodded out and the transmission cooler replaced to make sure everything was OK. …
I have done a lot of research on this problem, and the faulty design of the EGR valve system on this motor, leads to senseless frequent need to be removed and cleaned due to carbon chunks causing the valve to stick open (about every 500 miles). When this occurs (without warning)the brake system almost completely fails, (albeit at low speeds), and we have the added danger of having to frequently repair this problem on the side of the road, (amidst traffic), or be subject to monthly towing and repair bills. This is a rediculous problem, and I beleive that a fix for this problem should be devised by GM, and applied to all GM vehicles that have the Vortec 4.3 v6 engine, and electronic EGR valve.
Original engine failed at 104,616 miles (approx 1000 miles from home), taken to dealership and was told replacement engine would be installed within 2 days. Waited 24 days for completion of job (during this period was told the new engine was installed, and to come retreive the car. Upon arrival, car was not done). On July 2 returned to dealership to pick up car, the car made it approximately 70 miles before it started with loud knocking noises and a severe decrease in power. Car is now at another dealership (900 miles from home) who states "you need a new engine."
Numerous problems have arisen since the purchase of the car. The EGR valve was replaced at 34000 miles, the o2 sensor was replaced at 35000 miles, the windshield wipers failed before the recall, presently the car can only intermittantly be switched between 4 hi, 4 lo and 2 hi, the air condiitoner went out at 35000 miles, the seat was off track right after purchase, the hydraulic arms for the rear glass get stuck in the up position if left open for more than 5 minutes. The car only has 42000 miles on it and has had a high number of nuisance problems.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
Fan blade rivet breakage can occur causing the fan blade to separate from the spider.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace, if necessary, the fan with a newer fan having thicker-headed rivets.
Engine complaints in other Jimmy years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1995 GMC Jimmy?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1995 GMC Jimmy, 15% of the model year's 499 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › gas recirculation valve (egr valve) (34 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 GMC Jimmy engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 95V-180 (fan, Sep 22, 1995). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 GMC Jimmy engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 4 injuries to engine & cooling 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.