Most common 1999 GMC Jimmy problems
Share of the 137 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 →
What 1999 GMC Jimmy owners say
Suspension all 26 →
My vehicle is a 1999 GMC Jimmy. It has 65000 miles and I am the original owner and primary driver. The front hubs/bearings have both been replaced in the last 9 months, one at 50,600 miles, and nowone at 65,000 miles. The problem was not fixed by replacing the hub/bearings units. I was told yesterday that both of the front lower ball joints and an idler arm need to be replaced in addition to the hub/bearing. The shop working on the vehicle indicated that this was not normal at 65,000 miles, and that the condition of the ball joints made the vehicle unsafe to drive. I called GM and got absolutely no support from the district service representative since all of my repairs were not done at a GM dealership. The reason I stopped going to GM dealerships was poor service, inflated prices and recommendations for work to be done that wasn't necessary.
I was just getting ready to leave the car wash. I pressed the brake padal to put the truck in gear, a second later the padal went to the floor, thought it was air in the line. Tried a few more times then got out of the truck to look for the leak, found (steel line) drivers side rusted. Had truck towed to shop, as I could not drive it. They found heavy rust on all brake lines in the front, the control arms also have heavy rust. Thank god I was not in traffic as I am sure I would have crashed. The shop is replacing all front brake lines and are going to inspect all other lines ie: all brake lines to back, all fuel lines. Parking brake failed as well. How did this truck pass nys inspection? Truck was purchased 3/30/2006 from dealer facility #7096646 a&a used car sales inc. 969 sunrise hwy,brightwaters,ny 11706 nys inspected by station 7099758
Transmission & drivetrain all 23 →
The transmission slips from 2nd to 4th gear and yet the 3 automotive shops can not locate a problem! Each one has replaced a part or 2 but they all say it is not the transmission nor the computer but none of them can fix it. I just keep getting passed down to another shop so they can get their $200.00 to $300.00 from me. The dealership I purchased it from will not even call me back to discuss the problem and I had paid an extra $1800.00 for an additional warranty on the vehicle. I will never buy another GMC again!
I bought my 1999 GMC Jimmy when I was 16, I loved it 4x4 but the transfer case locked up and the engine light came on causing the thing not to read how much gas I have and not allowing it to pass inspection. Yes its old but it shouldn't of made the e-vap system do that and the problem is when it dose do this your wasting gas like crazy causing you to run out of gas in danger spots while driving. Recall the 1999 GMC Jimmy for the e-vap system. Cost to repair by owner used $499.00 new $699.00 with out labor.
Brakes all 20 →
I replaced my front pads and rotors. Been fine for a week till yesterday I stopped at a light brakes felt slightly spongy, not long after maybe ten minutes three cars ahead of me had stopped as I hit the brake my foot went straight to the floor and I smacked the vehicle in front of me doing appx. 35-40 MPH. It was a four car pileup I took heavy front end damage more or less totaled the vehicle but the airbags had failed to deploy causing me to hit my head on the steering wheel and suffering a concussion. The seatbelt didn't lock as it should have either therefore causing my whiplash to be severe.
I was just getting ready to leave the car wash. I pressed the brake padal to put the truck in gear, a second later the padal went to the floor, thought it was air in the line. Tried a few more times then got out of the truck to look for the leak, found (steel line) drivers side rusted. Had truck towed to shop, as I could not drive it. They found heavy rust on all brake lines in the front, the control arms also have heavy rust. Thank god I was not in traffic as I am sure I would have crashed. The shop is replacing all front brake lines and are going to inspect all other lines ie: all brake lines to back, all fuel lines. Parking brake failed as well. How did this truck pass nys inspection? Truck was purchased 3/30/2006 from dealer facility #7096646 a&a used car sales inc. 969 sunrise hwy,brightwaters,ny 11706 nys inspected by station 7099758
1999 GMC Jimmy engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 16 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 GMC Jimmy a good car?
Based on 137 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Jimmy rates better than average: 51% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Jimmy at the same age. It is one of the best Jimmy years by this measure. 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 1999 GMC Jimmy?
The suspension — 26 complaints, 19% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front › wheel bearing. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (23) and brakes (20).
How many recalls does the 1999 GMC Jimmy have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1999 GMC Jimmy. You can still confirm with your VIN using our 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 1999 GMC Jimmy problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 81,000 miles; 29% 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.