1992 GMC Jimmy Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year are dominated by antilock brake behavior: owners describe a pedal that travels to the floor, brakes that seem to release or fail to hold during a stop, and an ABS warning light that stays lit. Most reports come in at higher mileage, and many owners link the symptom to the ABS/4-wheel-drive switch recall covering these trucks. Outside the brakes, reports are scattered across door hardware, dash wiring, and seat belts.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS pedal goes to the floor, longer stopping distance

   Mentioned in 20 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe pressing the brake pedal and having it sink to the floor, with the vehicle continuing to roll several feet past the intended stop or the ABS engaging and then dropping out mid-stop. Many say the problem appears intermittently, often in wet, slick, or gravel conditions, and that dealers either could not duplicate it, bled the system, or replaced ABS sensors, the brake pressure modulator valve, or the booster without a lasting fix. Some owners connect the symptom to recall 99V193000 and report the remedy had not been performed on their truck. Reported across a wide range of mileage and vehicle age, frequently on wet or slick pavement and during sudden or low-speed stops.

   Recall 99V193000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 99V193000 was completed and keep the paperwork; test the brakes on a wet or loose surface and watch for a pedal that sinks or an ABS light that stays on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Abs brake problems; intermittently, when applying the brakes, especially on wet pavement, the pedal would travel to the floor and the brakes would not hold, causing vehicle to go several feet beyond the point of stop. The brake warning light came on in september of 97. Technician stated that a bpmv was faulty, which was replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #817775, filed 1997-10

   “99v 193000/ABS: while applying brakes in wet conditions at 35-40 MPH and during a sudden stop/emergency situation, ABS brakes engage briefly and cut off. This causes the brake pedal to go to the floor, and vehicle would continue without brakes. Dealer/manufacturer contacted. Feel free to provide further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #864461, filed 2000-06
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS warning light on, brakes lock or drag

   • 37 complaints (30%)
   • typically at 6.1 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2001

   These complaints center on the ABS warning light staying illuminated while the brakes behave abnormally: wheels locking and sliding, the pedal stiffening or locking up, or the ABS engaging on its own while driving. Dealers are described as replacing actuators, valves, and sensors, sometimes advising the owner to simply disconnect the ABS, and several owners say the condition returned. Reported mostly on trucks well into their service life, in normal driving as well as on wet roads.

   Recall 99V193000

   What to check: Check that the ABS light comes on at start-up and then goes out; ask for service records showing what ABS parts, if any, were replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Catastrophic ABS failure at freeway speeds. When brakes are applied lightly to adjust speed in traffic, ABS pump activiates, locking brake pedal in the up position while not slowing vehicle. Abs system continues pedal lockout until vehicle rolls to a complete stop. Dealer indicates ABS failure, recommends disconnecting ABS.”

   NHTSA complaint #701694, filed 1998-12

   “While driving vehicle can't go fast because it makes a roaring noise. The only way to get it to stop is to almost come to a complete stop before the noise will stop. Consumer thinks it's the brakes. Abs light stays on.”

   NHTSA complaint #863756, filed 2000-06
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Underhood smoke, wiring, and dash light faults

   • 8 complaints (7%)
   • median 127,941 mi at 14.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2005

   Owners describe dashboard lights flickering followed by smoke and a burning-wire smell from the passenger side of the dash, a digital instrument cluster that goes dark on one side, and an air conditioning switch that smoked and was replaced twice. Others report fuel and oil leaking around the engine, and a fuel hose cracking from exhaust manifold heat. Reported on older, higher-mileage trucks, sometimes near or above 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect under the dash and in the engine bay for chafed or heat-damaged wiring and cracked rubber fuel lines, and check that all instrument cluster lighting works.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dt: the contact stated while stopping at a toll booth the vehicle started smoking from underneath the hood. He pulled over to the side of the road and called for a tow truck. The vehicle was towed to a certified repair shop. Upon inspection the mechanic determined the head gasket was blown. The contact had just purchased this vehicle and did not make it home before the break down occurred. Updated 1/11/2006 -”

   NHTSA complaint #10145448, filed 2005-12, 127,941 miles

   “While driving dashboard light started to flicker, then, smoke came from passenger dashboard and smelled like some wires were burning, which may have caused a fire. Cause unknown. Gmc not willing to assist consumer. Please provide further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #874340, filed 2000-11

Buying note. On this model year the antilock brake system is the item to scrutinize: confirm whether recall 99V193000 was performed and test braking on a wet or loose surface before buying. Otherwise, check door handles, wiring under the dash, and idle behavior, and expect general upkeep on a vehicle of this age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.