Most common 1997 GMC Jimmy problems
Share of the 274 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Jimmy complaints by model year
Best Jimmy years: 2001, 1999, 2000. Years to avoid: 1995, 1996. Compare all years →
1997 GMC Jimmy recalls (4)
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Certain sport utility vehicles were built with a driver's seat belt buckle assembly that contains an energy-absorbing loop. Sustained loads of sufficient magnitude and duration on the belt in severe crashes could fully deploy the buckle energy-absorbing loop, introducing a total of 10 additional inches of webbing into the seat…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the energy-absorbing seat belt assemblies with one that does not have the energy-absorbing loop. Owner notification began on August 8, 2003.
Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior
Certain sport utility vehicles, Mini vans, and pickup trucks May develop a short circuit in the electric outside rearview mirror switch.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused jumper harness to the electric outside rearview mirror switch. Owner notification began on April 24, 2003.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
On certain sport utility vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the…
Remedy: Dealers will replace both upper ball joints. Owner notification began September 4, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Seat belts
Vehicle description: extended cab pickup trucks equipped with 60/40 front bench seats and extended cab pickup trucks and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with manual locking recliner bucket seats. The outboard safety belt webbing on the driver's and/or passenger's seat can separate during a frontal impact.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1997 GMC Jimmy:
Seat belt webbing separation
NHTSA's new car assessment program (ncap) tested a 1997 Chevrolet s-10 extended cab pickup equipped with a driver-side air bag.the front passenger seat belt was completely cut during the test.
ABS braking system
This investigation resulted in a safety recall, 99v-193, and a service campaign, 99i-006.
What 1997 GMC Jimmy owners say
Brakes all 54 →
I was involved in a crash in June. A vehicle stopped in front of me and I struck the rear of that vehicle. The road was wet from rain. My brakes, all four wheels, locked up and I slid into that vehicle. No injuries. Property damage probably $4,000. Total brake lockup. Had anti lock brakes worked properly I believe I would have plenty of room to stop and avoid crash.
The dealer knew about the defects to this vehicle and refused to fix them after receiving 3 separate estimates. 2 days after I repeatedly went back to the dealership to report these safety hazards the dealer continued to refuse to fix the problems and I had a car accident due to the defective vehicle. The dealer compliance board has a current case against the dealer and he has only agreed to take his vehicle back. The dealer has requested the damage from the motor vehicle accident not be fixed by the insurance company. The damage prior to the sale was so extensive from water or flood damage that the engine is completely ruined. It will not pass emissions. My fear is that the next unsuspecting consumer will be deceived by this dealer and this vehicle and I believe the next person will not be as lucky. I should be dead right now. …
Suspension all 54 →
Tl contact owns a 1997 GMC Jimmy. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle flipped over on its passenger side. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the upper and lower ball joints failed, which caused other damage to the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 01V200000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint), although the failures were similar. The manufacturer further stated that they were not liable for the repairs. The failure mileage was 51,402.
Experienced left upper ball joint separation (failure) while moving resulting in loss of control, damage, disablement. Failure is identical to that described in NHTSA recall # 01V200000, and, also GM bulletin 01048a. However, vehicle VIN # is not within the breakpoints specified by 01048a bulletin and manufacturer refuses to correct.
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 43 →
Windshield wipers are now dependably non-functional, especially when they're needed the most (like when it's raining). They are inoperable about 90% of the time, nothing seems able to coax the wiper system back into operation under these conditions, and the vehicle's operator is simple left soaking wet and wholly irritated for his efforts. If the vehicle is in operation when these failures occur, the driver must negotiate traffic like some jedi knight using "the force" before he can even get safely pulled over. And on an interstate highway, that's no small trick! This is a dangerous problem, and general motors' seemingly cavalier attitude about addressing it is unacceptable! …
Windshield wipers function intermittently at best; have been this way for almost two years now, but have been getting steadily less reliable. Wipers failed recently on I-35s in waco, tx during rain shower; anyone who's driven this stretch of road doesn't have to be told how dangerous a situation that was. Windshield washers are only partially effective (passenger side nozzle is almost totally inoperative); this has been the case for approximately 8 years now. Have tried blowing out line/nozzle without successful remedy; obviously problem lies with system design and/or fluid pump. This problem is an obvious safety hazard, and the "bean counters" at GM need to start realizing that a recall is less costly than a class-action lawsuit. I understand (from perusing this site) that there are numerous complaints against the windshield wiper system. …
1997 GMC Jimmy engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 GMC Jimmy a good car?
Based on 274 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Jimmy rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Jimmy at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 GMC Jimmy?
The brakes — 54 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the suspension (54) and windows, wipers & sunroof (43).
How many recalls does the 1997 GMC Jimmy have?
There are 4 recalls for the 1997 GMC Jimmy, the most recent from March 31, 2003 (buckle assembly). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Jimmy?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001, 1999 and 2000. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995 and 1996. See the full GMC Jimmy years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 GMC Jimmy problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 12% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.