Most common 1998 GMC Jimmy problems
Share of the 238 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 →
1998 GMC Jimmy recalls (2)
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicle equipped with 4-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive. One or both of the attaching nuts for the right-hand lower control arm are under torqued. This can allow the attachment bolt to loosen and subsequent break resulting in separation of the lower control arm from the frame.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and retighten the right-hand lower control arm nuts to the proper torque specification.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. A fatigue fracture of the rear axle right-hand brake pipe can occur causing a slow brake fluid leak resulting in a soft brake pedal.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pipe.
What 1998 GMC Jimmy owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 77 →
Dt: the front and rear windshield wipers began to intermittently work. This was over a period of three months and later stopped working all together. Consumer did not take the vehicle to a dealer for any repairs because it was no longer under warranty. The transmission did not shift properly after acceleration for a period of about thirty seconds, and then it shifted into gear. The ABS was delayed when applying brake pressure. The brakes locked, and then the vehicle slid. The brakes pads were replaced every three months, this has been ongoing for the last two years. The steering wheel pulled to the right continuously, an alignment was performed a year ago but it did not correct the problem. In January 2004 the vehicle was involved in an accident, it struck a parked car at a speed of about 30 MPH and the air bags did not deploy. This was front impact. …
I own a 1998 GMC Jimmy, VIN no. [redacted]. The windshield wipers do not work most of the time, occasionally work intermittently, and the few times they do work, will stop in mid-cycle blocking view through the windshield. GMC has recalled all jimmys from 1993-1997 with the same problem. However, they have not included the 1998 in the same recall. I checked the certificate on my door - my car was manufactured in 02/1998. This problem is creating a safety concern for my daughter and I while in the car. I live in florida where it rains daily during the summer. I called GMC on 5/12/03 to check into the recall on the 1993-1997 Jimmy's. I spoke to two customer service representatives. …
Electrical system all 33 →
The first time it happened, I started the vehicle and left the parking lot, stopped at a stop sign, proceeded into the roadway and engine died. Everything went off - all power all electrical. I had just purchased the vehicle second hand and the owner told me later that she had battery problems, but she put in a new battery. The dealer could not fix it. My husband figured it was the ignition switch. I kept the car for twelve years and had to change it twice, plus the initial repair was warrantied. When it first occurred in 2000 I looked for a recall, but there was none. I remember the previous owner had a very large keychain, and we did figure out on our own to carry a single key, but after about 5-6 years you still need to change the ignition, you can tell cause the electronics start going wacky in the vehicle. Then it won't start, like you think its the battery. …
Drive an 1998 GMC Jimmy with around 172,000 miles on it (I know this is a lot of miles). Had the local GM dealer work on my rear defroster (one of the clips fell off). After receiving the vehicle back from the dealer I turned my defroster on about two weeks later. The back window exploded like a shotgun after about 15-20 seconds. Dealer says rear defroster voltage regulator must have went bad. I argued that a fuse should had blown before an explosion took place. GM complaint department also disagrees, saying that the vehicle is old and things like this happen. Luckily, no one was standing by the rear window when it exploded because it probably would have killed them. If I'm wrong tell me I'm wrong but I believe GM is responsible for no only replacing the window but fixing the rear defroster voltage regulator. …
Brakes all 31 →
Dt: the front and rear windshield wipers began to intermittently work. This was over a period of three months and later stopped working all together. Consumer did not take the vehicle to a dealer for any repairs because it was no longer under warranty. The transmission did not shift properly after acceleration for a period of about thirty seconds, and then it shifted into gear. The ABS was delayed when applying brake pressure. The brakes locked, and then the vehicle slid. The brakes pads were replaced every three months, this has been ongoing for the last two years. The steering wheel pulled to the right continuously, an alignment was performed a year ago but it did not correct the problem. In January 2004 the vehicle was involved in an accident, it struck a parked car at a speed of about 30 MPH and the air bags did not deploy. This was front impact. …
Tl contact owns a 1998 GMC Jimmy. While driving less than 15 MPH down a steep, wet road, the brakes failed and the vehicle crashed into a guardrail. The bumper and headlamps were damaged. The vehicle is currently at the body shop and will be taken to the dealer for an ABS diagnosis. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97V218000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The dealer information was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 113,000.
1998 GMC Jimmy engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 GMC Jimmy a good car?
Based on 238 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Jimmy rates average: about 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 1998 GMC Jimmy?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 77 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about windshield wiper/washer. Next are the electrical system (33) and brakes (31).
How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Jimmy have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1998 GMC Jimmy, the most recent from March 9, 1998 (lower arm). 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 1998 GMC Jimmy problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 72,000 miles; 19% 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.