Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On highway during heavy rain, vehicle left roadway along slight curve by failing to turn front wheels and hydroplaned straight off pavement. Vehicle then left the ground flying downhill, smashed front passenger side bumper into and through 10+ inch tree, spun 90 degrees clockwise before side impacting two 25+ inch trees against driver side door and rear wheel, before coming to a stop (on steep hill held by the trees), totaling the Jimmy. Top of vehicle had to be cut off to free driver. Police originally thought accident was fatality. Vehicle had previously experienced failure to turn after braking lightly, like before entering driveways or parking spaces. Steering would lock in straight position and car had to be shifted to park and restarted before wheel could be turned again. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 GMC Jimmy. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning and caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle, crashing into a garage. The contact sustained injuries to the back and neck. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. The manufacturer was contacted and was scheduled to further inspect the vehicle. The failure and current mileage was 149,000.
I am concerned because I am the third person I know of with GMC Jimmy 99 or newer who had to have upper ball joints, tierod(s) and the right wheel bearing replaced when vehicle was at or just over 3 yrs old. The fact that 2 of the 3 had the problems paid for by GMC dealer, even though vehicle was out of warranty, makes me think GM knew this problem was occurring & chose to address it on an "as needed basis, instead of a recall. My costs were said to be a "GM customer loyalty adjustment". I am confused that my dealer at first said I was to pay for parts only, no labor. Then changed it to labor only, not parts. I noticed afterward that my invoice for the work shows wording that lifetime warranty applies to only customer paid parts. Does that mean since I did not pay for the parts, there is no warranty? …
Many problems with this 2000 Jimmy. Bought it used from carmax at 18K miles on jan 2003, got ext. Warranty, but soon after, front brakes need to be replaced, replaced by carmax for free, but 6 mos later brakes needed replaced. Was advised that rear rotors and brakes were almost at end of life. 9 mos later, replaced rear brakes and rotors, not covered under warranty due to wear and tear, spent $450 as well as replacing serpentine belt and flushing break fluid, total cost $650. Problems with sunroof started in apr 2003, it finally stopped working and was replaced at 43K miles under ext warranty, had to get new battery, noise in under carriage on drivers side, determined to be problems with hub bearings and idle arm, inner tie rod, all replaced under ext warranty, total cost would have been $750.
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.
Vehicle was purchased in 02/01 with 32,195 miles. Within 7000 miles right side upper/lower ball joints and idler arm failed and were replaced. Approximately 2 months later, dealer had to replace the left upper/lower ball joints/ right lower ball joints, and the idler arm again due to being prematurely worn. Within an additional 11000 miles, dealer had to replace the lower ball joints on both the right and left sides and the idler arm again.
The steering wheel abruptly pulled to the right. When I tried to steer the vehicle back on the road, the steering did not respond well. The steering was out of control. This caused my vehicle to do a 180 and go off the road. The vehicle subsequently flipped 4 or 5 times. Also the airbags did not deploy even though there was front end damage.
The engine continually misfires. There is a TSB bulletin #00-06-04-003b. Deposit buildup on popped valve ball &/or seat, causing it to stick. There is a recall because of this but only in california. I live in alaska. I got an estimate of $1200 bucks to fix this problem. Because of this, I only get 5-7 mpg, and have little power. Also, my ABS light turns on and the ABS activates at low speeds on dry ground. My electrical system is totally messed up. My right clicker just the sound not light) goes off when driving. It is completely erratic and unpredictable. My speakers turn off and on sporadically. My driver side seat adjuster broke off with little pressure. My steering wheel continuously pulls to the right. This many problems in a vehicle is ridiculous. What a lemon. Especially since I have seen the same exact complaints all over this sight about this specific vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Jimmy years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (18), 1998 (16), 1999 (11), 1995 (10) and 2000 (9) model years. Steering complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for GMC Jimmy steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for any GMC Jimmy model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do GMC Jimmy steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the linkages › arm › idler and attachment (15 mentions), followed by the gear box (other than rack and pinion) (8).
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.