Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 GMC Jimmy owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
The transmission on my vehicle has been slipping-for lack of a better word-when it gets warm. It began at 50000 miles and the transmission had to be rebuilt-with GM parts at 85000 miles. It has begun to slip again. I understand from reviewing a site called complaint station that this is not an isolated problem.
Transmission slipped and lost power while towing 4200 pound rv, a unit well under the towing capacity of the GMC Jimmy. Transmission got hot and slipped with noticable loss of power. Odd odor came from engine compartment, also. "service engine soon" light came on during fuel stop. We thought it was due to fuel cap or gasoline used. Contacted dealer upon return from trip and had item scheduled for check on mon 6/7/1998. Had transmission oil and filter changed and mechanic noted oil excessively black. Check engine light monitor indicated tranmisssion had overheated twice. Recommendation was to drive slower, change oil and filter more often, get a wind resistance deflector for towing vehicle. Vehicle has towing package with extra transmission oil coller rated at over 10,000 pounds towing capacity. …
Transmission makes loud roaring noise usually when starting from a stop (5-10 MPH) and won't shift into next gear - have to decelerate and try again and sometimes takes 3-5 attempts before will shift - had to pull to side of road on several occasions during rush hour. Almost in accident on one occasion due to this problem. Occasionally transmission has roared when traveling 50 MPH and had to decelerate. No transmission light warning me of problem illuminates. Had serviced twice and still same problem and dealership fixed oil leak on first service (vehicle had to be towed to dealership) and replaced part 2nd service and still is a problem, last occuring on 7/15/99, following 2nd service. I am going to request a 3rd service. Dealership has not had a transmission service/repair man on staff the last 3 attempts to get repair. …
Failure was intermittent. Gauges would fail,and all dash gauge lamps would light up. Stopped at dealer and asked if they knew of the problem. I was told its a known problem but if it wasn't fixed at any time it could go,and I would be stuck. Would not be able to shift the transmission, it would fail to start and all the gauges would fail. The problem is with a bad ground in the electrical asm behind the keylock and it would cost around $500 to fix. I think this should be a call back.I was told the part was hard to come by because they had to purge inventory of the old part.if the new upgraded part is so hard to get I would suspect that the problem is larger than is being let on.at this point I have a rental, waiting for the car to be fixed.this is similar to the Ford recall with the ignition switches that caused fires only they say this problem won't cause a fire. …
Transmission would not shift out of park when vehicle was parked in driveway. Vehicle was towed to dealership. Dealer says that some sticky substance was spilled in the console by the automatic transmission shifter and caused the transmission shift assy to lock up. The only thing that was spilled in that area was a covered cup filled with sweet tea that tipped over the cup holder. I don't know how the liquid could've leaked underneath the console and cause my transmission to freeze up. People drink in cars all the time, and this should not happen. This is a default with the transmission console. Because it locked up my transmission, my vehicle was inoperable and could have put me in a serious risk while I was driving on the road or parked in an unsafe area. Fortunately the incident occurred at my parents house and there were no incidents.
Windshield wipers fail to actuate on an intermittent basis with no discernable pattern. Frequency of failure is increasing. When the wipers do fail sometimes they will activate after 15-20 attempts to turn them on. At times only stopping and turning off the ignition swithch and restarting the vehicle will get the wipers to activate. Transmission fbegan failing with occassional but noticable late and hard shifts from first to second gear . Engine light code scan indicated a failure of the valve body. Replacement of the valve body fixed the problem , but the addtional torque put on the drivetrain from the hard shifts most probably caused the failure of the rear u-joint as well.
Dealer repair center states that there were several clutches that were burnt and that a broken band was found as well as having the housing scalded. Said that an aftermarket transmission filter was found in the unit and that a subpar fluid was used to refill it. This car was picked up brand new off of the lot and the transmission was never serviced by anyone since we have owned it. All repairs and maintenance have been done at this same dealer as we had a warranty on this unit until 4 months ago when we hit 36,000 miles.
1998 GMC s15 Jimmy truck, defective encoder motor. On 3 separate occasions during snow storms the consumer had to rely on the 2-wheel drive to navigate on the roads covered in snow and ice without the benefit of the added traction of 4-wheel drive. Once the consumer was unable to shift from 4-wheel drive back to 2-wheel drive. This past winter, the consumer lost traction and skidded out of control. The dealer replaced the wheel cover.
Ignition switch failed three times, causing vehicle to automatically shut off. Consumer states that engine soon light illuminates, driver?s window motor failed and window will not go up or down, all dash lights and gauges will stop working, muffler has hole in it and makes loud noise, muffler and pipe exhaust system replaced, and when crank sometimes backfires and shifts hard, servo making bang shift, installed servo and 2 synolids.
Transmission complaints in other Jimmy years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1998 GMC Jimmy?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 GMC Jimmy, 13% of the model year's 238 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 GMC Jimmy transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1998 GMC Jimmy, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 GMC Jimmy transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.