1993 GMC Jimmy Problems
- Complaints
- 216filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 99,426miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 GMC Jimmy (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year report brake problems far more than anything else: the most common description is an ABS-equipped vehicle whose pedal sinks to the floor and stopping distance grows, sometimes ending in a collision. Complaints span wet, dry and cold conditions and continue over many years of ownership, and some owners say dealers could not reproduce the symptom or said their vehicle was not covered by the ABS recall. Other reports are scattered, covering fuel leaks and stalls, alternator fires and stalling when warm.
- Brakes
ABS pedal to the floor, long stopping distance
- 90 complaints (42%)
- median 99,426 mi at 22.6 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 21 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2015
Owners describe pressing the brake pedal, in normal driving or a sudden stop, and feeling it travel to the floorboard while the vehicle keeps rolling. Some report the pedal feels hard or spongy, and some mention a grinding or groaning noise with the ABS light staying on. Several say the dealer could not duplicate the problem, bled the brakes or replaced speed sensors, and a number of owners were told their vehicle was not included in the ABS recall or that repair would not be free. Reported across a wide mileage range, from low-mileage vehicles to well over 100,000 miles, and in wet, cold and dry conditions.
What to check: Ask whether the ABS recall work was ever performed and get it in writing; on a test drive brake firmly on a wet or loose surface and note whether the pedal stays firm. Have the ABS system scanned and the brake lines checked for air before buying.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“This is my wifes car and this ABS drake problem was suppose to be fixed at the time of recall,but I was driving it dec. 9 2000 when I had to slam on the brakes .at frist the drakes locked up when the pedal pulsed and then went to the floor and I had no barkes at all. I would like for the people from Gmc to put there wife and kids in this car and let them drive it for a week or two.”
NHTSA complaint #737900, filed 2000-12“When approaching a stop light on dry pavement my braking system failed. The brake pedal went to the floor and I hit an acura integra. Luckily I had slowed down to 15mph before the braked failed. This makes the 3 time I have reported this problem to the NHTSA and the second time to Gmc. It also makes about the 8 time brake failure has occurred. Luckily I have never been hurt. I wish the recall on my car could take care of this problem but I haven't received my notice yet.”
NHTSA complaint #718759, filed 2000-02 - Brakes
Lockup, skidding and vibration under braking
- 61 complaints (28%)
- median 56,713 mi at 17.3 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
- 17 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2015
A second group of complaints describes the opposite behavior: the brakes grab and lock, the vehicle skids, and the pedal pulses or vibrates before stopping power is lost. Some link it to bumps in the road or wet weather, and a few mention brakes that work oddly at low speed, with the pedal going halfway down and the truck swerving. Dealers in these reports often inspected or adjusted the brakes without finding a definite cause. Mostly described during braking at low to moderate speeds, often on wet, bumpy or downhill surfaces.
What to check: During a test drive brake on a bumpy or wet stretch and watch for wheel lockup, pulsing or a grinding noise; ask whether the ABS sensors and the master cylinder have been serviced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“1) engine- vehicle would not decelerate from hwy speed, even though operator was not touching the gas pedal. I had to put in neutral,then shut off engine to stop vehicle. This was after I was forced to go through a red traffic light. 2) brakes- in the same situation, the brakes suffered a complete failure, with no power-assist, forcing the vehicle through a red traffic light.”
NHTSA complaint #745131, filed 2001-05“Abs: when applied brakes make loud grinding noise followed by extneded stopping distance; intermittent problem, mostly in wet weather conditions/bumpy road & driving down. Inc,line,brakes repaired or replaced by dealer, owner not certain which/both, vehucle available for inspection.”
NHTSA complaint #817634, filed 1997-10 - Fuel system
Fuel smell, leak or fire risk at the tank
Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints
Owners describe a strong gasoline smell, often noticed the morning after refueling or in a garage, traced to a rusted seam on the fuel tank leaking fuel. One report describes flames at the rear of the vehicle near the tank, said to start from fuel contacting the exhaust. Other complaints in this group concern fuel wiring and delivery: a shorted fuel-pump wire blowing a fuse, and a fuel pump or filter replaced while the vehicle kept stalling. Reported from roughly 160,000 to over 200,000 miles, and in one case on a vehicle parked overnight after refueling.
What to check: Look at the top and rear seams of the fuel tank for rust or damp patches and smell for fuel after filling up; ask whether the tank, pump and pump wiring have been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Problem was noticed the moring after the Jimmy was refueled. Upon inspection the rear seam of the fuel tank was rusted to the point of leaking fuel all over my garage, causing a strong gas smell. The cause appears to be that the two metal ( tank and frame) parts are to close allowing dirt and road residue to set in an impossible to clean area causing rust. With the gas dripping this could be a fire hazzard with the license plate wireing running close to the gas.”
NHTSA complaint #713233, filed 1999-10“Wire from the fuse box to fuel pump crosses over the top of the transmission/ rubbing of wire on transmission, caused removal of insulation on wire/bare contact between wire and metal on transmission, resulted in loss of engine fuel.”
NHTSA complaint #801851, filed 1996-09 - Engine cooling
Stalling and rough running when warm
- 10 complaints (5%)
- median 205,000 mi at 15.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- filed 1997–2008
Complaints describe the engine running rough, idling poorly and dying at low speed, sometimes only after the engine warms up. Owners report replacing the EGR valve, in one case more than once, and the dealer not being able to guarantee the fault would stay fixed. One owner had already replaced the fuel pump, filter, coil pack and ignition module and still had stalling. Described at low speed and after warm-up; reported at very high mileage in one case and at unstated mileage in others.
What to check: Drive the truck until fully warm, then let it idle and creep at low speed to see whether it stumbles or dies; ask for service records on the EGR valve and ignition parts.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“When driving at low speed the vehicle will stall/idle and dies out. The engine is running rough. Consumer had the EGR valve replaced, and the dealer state's the problem is within the exhaust EGR valve.”
NHTSA complaint #833416, filed 1999-01“Egr valve failed 3 times, causing other related problems. Dealer could not determine the cause of failure, and could not guarantee that it will not fail again.”
NHTSA complaint #858240, filed 2000-03
Buying note. Brake behavior is the main thing to verify on this model year: confirm in writing whether ABS recall work was done, and test the brakes firmly in wet and bumpy conditions. A used example is also worth checking for fuel smells around the tank and for stalling once the engine is warm.
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.
NHTSA recorded 216 consumer complaints for the 1993 GMC Jimmy. 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 99,426 miles. Of all complaints, 42 involved a crash, 9 a fire, 17 an injury, 2 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes169 78%
- Engine cooling14 6.5%
- Fuel system14 6.5%
- Electrical system12 5.6%
- Vehicle speed control10 4.6%
- Suspension4 1.8%
- Other or unknown2 0.9%
- Seat belts2 0.9%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “Dt: when driving the vehicle and pressing on the brake it felt as though they didn't work. Vehicle was taken to the repair center, and was told to unhook the anti-lock brakes because it was expensive to fix them , and that was what most people did.”
NHTSA complaint #10124843, filed 2005-06, 14,000 milesEngine cooling: “I would like to know why I have to change the EGR valve every six months, and I only receive a one month warranty on it when purchased? We are not sure if our ABS has ever been serviced since the recall. I would like to know how we can get information about it, and if it has not, is it too late to be serviced without us paying for it?”
NHTSA complaint #10010431, filed 2003-03Fuel system: “Vehicle started idling very roughly after it had warmed up or when turning a corner, it would almost cut off. Consumer could smeel fumes, took to mechanic, and it was a fuel injector leak. Fuel injector and EGR valve, and engine gasket had to be replaced. Consumer stated this problem could have started a fire or caused a bad accident.”
NHTSA complaint #878006, filed 2001-01Electrical system: “While driving the battery indicator started flashing. The consumer pulled into a service station, opened the hood and say flames coming from the alternator. The fire was extinguished and a new alternator was installed.”
NHTSA complaint #10031678, filed 2003-07, 76,097 milesMileage when problems were reported
20% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 76,097 and 163,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1993 GMC Jimmy. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy · sedan | not rated | 3 / 2 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1993 GMC Jimmy version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Jimmy 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Jimmy 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 16 | $5,150 |
| Jimmy 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 99V193000Jul 19, 1999Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipCovers: GMC Jimmy 1991–1996, Chevrolet Blazer 1991–1996, GMC Sonoma 1991–1996 +1 more
Vehicle description: certain 4-wheel drive pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with abs (antilock braking system) manufactured from september 1989 through august 1996. Under certain driving conditions the switch which signals the abs system…
- 94V093000May 16, 1994Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: GMC Jimmy 1993, Chevrolet Blazer 1993, GMC Sonoma 1993 +1 more
Significant wear can develop on the low and reverse clutch preventing the park pawl from engaging. This can prevent a "no park" condition to occur while the engine is running, causing unintentional movement of the vehicle without operator action. (the "no…
Recall details for the 1993 GMC Jimmy → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1993 GMC Jimmy.
Other model years of the GMC Jimmy
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 100 | 60,000 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 211 | 68,750 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 137 | 80,520 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 238 | 71,696 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 274 | 75,000 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 407 | 99,750 | 6 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 499 | 118,365 | 6 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 334 | 94,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 216 | 99,426 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 122 | 107,470 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 118 | — | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 11 | 72,000 | 0 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 13 | — | 0 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 15 | 137,422 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 6 | 200,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 6 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 5 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All GMC Jimmy model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1993 GMC Jimmy?
Owners of this model year report brake problems far more than anything else: the most common description is an ABS-equipped vehicle whose pedal sinks to the floor and stopping distance grows, sometimes ending in a collision. The issues reported most often: ABS pedal to the floor, long stopping distance; Lockup, skidding and vibration under braking; Fuel smell, leak or fire risk at the tank.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1993 GMC Jimmy have?
NHTSA recorded 216 consumer complaints for the 1993 GMC Jimmy as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 GMC Jimmy is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 169 complaints (78% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 14.
Has the 1993 GMC Jimmy been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1993 GMC Jimmy get?
The EPA rates the 1993 GMC Jimmy (Jimmy 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1993 GMC Jimmy reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 99,426 miles and the middle half falls between 76,097 and 163,000 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.