Window & Wiper complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Problems with my 2001 GMC Jimmy have been numerous including ignition switch, wheel bearings, clanking noise, roaring noise, windshield wiper failure, windshield wiper hose failure, battery, A/C, and so on. Currently, my vehicle clanks approximately 15 minutes after turning off the engine and my A/C does not work properly at all times. Dealership consistently says "there's nothing wrong" however I have had the vehicle for 2+ years and I know my car.
While driving in inclement weather the windshield wipers would come on and off on their own. Driver brought vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced.
When the outside temperature falls much (more than ~5 degrees f) below freezing, the windshield wipers fail to operate properly. It appears that they tend to keep a curved shape from resetting against the bottom of the windshield when not in use and do not clear the area directly in front of the driver causing poor visibility. This effect worsens as the temperature falls. A new set of wiper blades (winter blades, made for low temperature) failed to alleviate the problem. The most severe happened on March 4, 2003 the preceding car sprayed a salt/water mixture on the windshield that had to be removed by hand after stopping on the side of the road due to zero visibility.
I was driving at night and my headlights (which are automatic type using a light sensor) went out for a few seconds without me doing anything. After a few seconds they came back on. They did it a 2nd time for a shorter time period on the same drive and have flashed off for a few seconds temporarily on a few nights since then. The interior dash/switch lighting inside the car does not go out, just the headlamps.
There are several recalls out on my model of vehicle in which my vehicle has the same symptoms but when I run a check on the year VIN it comes back with no recalls. How can I make sure that my repairs should be covered under the recalls.
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. …
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! …
Related recalls (3)
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor May fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on June 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
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.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper
During this preliminary evaluation, over 400 additional complaints were furnished by GM.in addition GM reported over 3000 wiper system warranty repairs on the subject vehicles.
Windshield wiper failure
There is no summary currently available
Windshield wiper failure
As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, GM has expanded the population of safety recall 98v-150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Jimmy years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (77), 1995 (73), 1996 (67), 1997 (43) and 2000 (8) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 32% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for GMC Jimmy window & wiper problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 03V-159 (windshield wiper/washer, Apr 28, 2003); 03V-093 (exterior, Mar 7, 2003); 98V150001 (windshield wiper/washer, Jul 1, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Jimmy window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles; 25% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield wiper/washer (119 mentions), followed by the windshield wiper/washer › motor (104).
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.