Vehicles / GMC / Jimmy / 1998

1998 GMC Jimmy

238 federal complaints (355 component records) · 2 recall campaigns on file · 74 service bulletins · 2 Canadian recalls
See all 22 model years of the GMC Jimmy →
Engine
4.3L 6-cyl
Fuel
Regular
Drive
RWD
EPA economy
14 city / 20 hwy
Federal complaints
238
Recall campaigns
2
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Glass & wipers
89
Electrical system
44
Suspension
32
Power train
30
Brakes
30
Engine & cooling
28
Steering
17
Air bags
15
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Glass & wipers

89 complaint records1 crash report
"WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD IN THE RAIN. WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse glass & wipers parts in the directory →

Electrical system

44 complaint records1 fire report
"INSTURMENT PANEL NOT WORKING,ENGINE LIGHT ON, TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING, KEYS STUCK IN IGNITION. PARTS FAILING THROUGHOUT THIS SUV..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →

Suspension

32 complaint records
"FRONT SUSPENSION CONSTANTLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT, DEALER ADJUSTED CASTER WHICH IMPROVED BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PULLING. NLM..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse suspension parts in the directory →

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
98V053000SuspensionVEHICLE 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.Normally free
97V218000Service Brakes, HydraulicVEHICLE 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.Normally free

Transport Canada recalls

Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2001263
2001-11-01
Electrical63,484Certain vehicles: Light duty trucks. passenger vehicles and sport utility vehicles. Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of C.M.V.S.S. NO.
1997217
1997-11-28
Brakes404Certain vehicles may exhibit a fatigue fracture of the rear axle, right-hand brake pipe. Should the pipe crack a slow brake fluid leak would result causing a soft pedal and an eventual decrease in rear braking capability.

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
17-NA-073
Feb 2023
EquipmentThis warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
PIP4723F
Jan 2022
Service BrakesThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving...
PIP4723D
Jan 2020
Electrical SystemThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving...
PIC4696E
Nov 2019
EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code.
17NA073
Sep 2019
EquipmentThis warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
PIC4696D
Sep 2019
EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code.
17NA073
Feb 2019
EquipmentThis warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
PIC4696C
May 2018
EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code.
PIP4723C
Sep 2017
Fuel SystemThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving...
17-NA-073
Mar 2017
EquipmentThis warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy.
PIP4723B
Feb 2017
Electrical SystemThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving...
16NA260
Aug 2016
EquipmentTHIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO REPROGRAM THE MEDIA DISC PLAYER WITH THE LATEST CALIBRATIONS TO CORRECT A CONDITION OF THE REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM NOT OPERATING AS INTENDED IN COLDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AREAS DUE TO CALIBRATION CONCERNS.
PIT3046G
Feb 2016
Fuel SystemThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an inaccurate fuel gauge. Technician should drive the vehicle to duplicate the concern.
PIP5340A
Feb 2016
Power TrainTHIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN ABOUT VEHICLE THAT AFTER A TRANSMISSION OR TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE A HARSH 1-2 UPSHIFT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR SERVICE ENGINE SOON INDICATOR IS ILLUMINATED.
PIC4696B
Dec 2015
EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code.
PIC4696A
Oct 2015
EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code.
Recalls
Jun 2014
EquipmentVehicle Recalls
05-06-04-035D
May 2014
Fuel SystemThis informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85 vehicle.
130089009
Sep 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingExpanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
PI0969
May 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingThis preliminary informational bulletin provides information on High Oil Pressure on Startup After Engine Replacement Concern.
SB-06-02-32-013B
Aug 2009
SteeringSAAB/HUMMER/GM: DIAGNOSTIC TIPS/RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACEMENT IS NECESSARY. ANALYSIS OF RETURNED POWER STEERING (PS) PUMPS THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED FOR NOISE, NO POWER ASSIST, NO OR LOW PRESSURE AND LEAKING CONDITIONS HAS INDICATED A HIGH NUMBER OF NO...
PIT-3046E
Aug 2008
Fuel SystemGMC: FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATION IN PARK OR NEUTRAL, CAUSING THE LOW FUEL LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. *PE
08-089
Jun 2008
EquipmentBUICK CADILLAC CHEVROLET GMC HUMMER OLDSMOBILE PONTIAC SAAB SATURN SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT-ANALOG ONSTAR DEACTIVATION.
020525006
Jan 2006
Service BrakesANTILOCK BRAKE (ABS) ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS. *TT
020730024A
Aug 2005
Power TrainDIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT
020526001B
Jan 2005
Service BrakesREAR PARKING BRAKE SHOE RETAINING SPRING CLIP SERVICE KIT FOR DRUM-IN-HAT (DIH) EQUIPPED VEHICLES. *TT UPDATE. *TT
040850017
Sep 2004
SeatsPOWER SEAT INOPERATIVE FORE/AFT AFTER BEING MOVED ALL THE WAY REARWARD. *TT
030601024A
Mar 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingRATTLE NOISE IN ENGINE. *TT
02015
Jan 2004
SuspensionPOP SNAP NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BRAKING. *MR
01599
Jan 2004
Power Train4L60E, 4L65E FORWARD AND LOW REVERSE WAVED STEEL CLUTCH PLATE APPEARANCE CHANGE. *TT

Showing 30 of 74 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Run the wipers and washers, and test every window.Slow or stuck regulators, streaking wipers, and windshield cracks are this vehicle's visibility complaints.
  2. Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
  3. Find the roughest road nearby.Clunks over bumps, a droning hum that changes when the car leans, or a corner that sits low are this vehicle's suspension complaints. Wheel bearings and control arm bushings lead the parts list.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 2 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this GMC Jimmy →