1995 GMC Jimmy Problems

What owners report

Owner complaints on this model year center overwhelmingly on the antilock brake system: pedals that sink to the floor, extended stopping distances, and intermittent ABS releases, often on rough, wet, or mixed surfaces. Many owners also report hard or lost power assist traced to engine vacuum and EGR valve problems, plus rusted transmission dipsticks with burned fluid. Reports span a wide mileage range, from very low-mileage vehicles to ones past 200,000 miles.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS pedal to the floor, long stopping distance

   • 206 complaints (41%)
   • median 116,408 mi at 9.8 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 46 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2010

   Owners describe pressing the brake pedal and having it travel to the floor, with grinding or clicking noises and much longer stopping distances than expected. Several say the ABS engaged or released when it should not have, particularly over bumps, dirt, or uneven and wet surfaces. Some report the dealer found nothing wrong, attributed the behavior to how the brakes were used, or pointed to the ABS module or computer; others were told their vehicle was not covered by the ABS campaign. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 22,000 miles to past 170,000, on both wet and dry pavement and on rough or mixed surfaces.

   Recall 99V193000

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS campaign 99V193000 was performed and whether the ABS module has been replaced or diagnosed. Test the brakes on a rough or wet surface at low speed and note any pedal drop, grinding, or unusually long stopping distance.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “10 days ago my 1995 Gmc Jimmy did not stop, it skidded. I have, on many occasions, called Gmc regarding the ABS braking system, it did not work all the time and when it didn't it would make a grinding noise and take a longer time to stop. Gmc had assured me and my husband that there were no recalls on the system. On july 15 we were traveling on a local road and the car in front of us stopped short. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10082704, filed 2004-07, 116,408 miles

   “Brakes on my 1995 Gmc Jimmy fail periodically. The last time I rear ended a women and destroyed the front of my car. Everything has been checked over twice by mechanics who have come to the conclusion it is the module in the ABS. Gm has said it is not their problem. If I am driving along at 25 miles an hour, I shouldn't have to wonder if and when my brakes will fail again. The brakes were put to the floor and nothing happened, I continued at the same rate of speed. The first time I almost got broad sided at a stop sign. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10095603, filed 2004-10, 137,800 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Hard brake pedal and stalling from EGR valve

   • 42 complaints (8%)
   • median 42,500 mi at 8.5 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2006

   Owners link a sticking or clogged EGR valve to rough running, stalling, and a hard brake pedal that takes extra effort to stop the vehicle. Some describe the engine running erratically just before the brake assist faded, and mechanics replaced the EGR valve to resolve it. Others say the valve clogged repeatedly with debris and that repair coverage was limited by mileage. Typically reported between roughly 68,000 and 120,000 miles, often during low-speed driving or braking.

   What to check: Ask whether the EGR valve has been replaced or cleaned and whether any vacuum-related brake assist work was done. During a test drive, note any rough idle, hesitation, or a brake pedal that feels unusually firm.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Egr valve keeps getting clogged with debris from catalytic converter causing truck to run rough and stall. When valve is stuck open brakes also fail. This has been an ongoing problem since I purchased the used vehicle in 5/00. It only had 68,000 mi. I received a recall notice but it had limit of 75,000 mi and I had 78,000 when I received it and the dealer would only fix it if I paid for it. I know there is a replacement kit because they told me there was. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10023422, filed 2003-06, 78,000 miles

   “I was pulling into my driveway, when the engine started running eratically. When I started to slow down I noticed the brake pedal was hard and it was very difficult to stop. Fortunetly I was going slow or I would have literally gone through my garage. I was able to get the car to a mechanic who replaced the EGR valve.”

   NHTSA complaint #722418, filed 2000-05
3. 3
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Intermittent windshield wipers

   • 64 complaints (13%)
   • median 43,500 mi at 10.7 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2010

   Complaints describe wipers that stop working or operate only intermittently, sometimes traced to a failed circuit board or cracked solder joints near the wiring connector. Some owners say the dealer or manufacturer declined recall coverage because their vehicle identification number was not included, even when the symptom matched the described condition. Defroster performance in snow and sleet is also mentioned in a few reports. Reported from low mileage up through higher-mileage vehicles, and often noticed in rain, snow, or sleet.

   Recall 98V150001

   What to check: Run the wipers through all speeds and the delay setting, including in wet conditions, and ask whether recall 98V150001 was completed for this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1995 Gmc Jimmy sls 4 door 4wd vortec 4.3 l v6. We have had this thing for 7 years and nothing I have ever owned has taught me more about being a shadetree mechanic! The list is as follows, break booster replaced 2 times. Egr valve replaced 3 times. Front brakes replaced at least 12 times (they fail every 1500 to 1800 miles!) back hatch wont open. Both set of wipers, front and back do not work( safety issue!) engine overheats. Water pump replaced 2 times. Thermostat replaced 3 times. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10010501, filed 2003-03, 7,000 miles

   “Intermittant windshield wiper operation. Thought this was covered under NHTSA recall 98v150001 which describes same condition and repair. Dealer and Gmc refused to honor recall because VIN # did not fit into recall, even though problem diagnoised as the same. Part repalced, would like to be reimbursed.”

   NHTSA complaint #765049, filed 2002-08
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Rusted transmission dipstick and burned fluid

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report finding the transmission dipstick heavily rusted, with rust particles in the fluid and fluid that looked milky or burned. Some describe harsh 1-2 shifts, slipping, or jumping and jerking under acceleration before the transmission failed. In several cases the transmission was replaced and the same rust and burned-fluid pattern returned on the replacement unit. Most often reported between about 50,000 and 95,000 miles, with failures noted around 67,000 miles in some cases.

   What to check: Pull the transmission dipstick and inspect it for rust and the fluid for a burned smell or dark color. Ask about transmission service history and any prior replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a 1995 Gmc Jimmy with 37,000 miles in 1997. I started having problems with it shifting around 50,000 miles. I had never towed anything with it. I had the transmission fluid and filter changed to see if it would help. The dipstick was rusted very badly and the fluid was milky and burned. I had a transmission shop check it that told me it needed an electronic shift control module. I had it replaced but it didn't help. At 67,000 miles the transmission failed completely. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10069926, filed 2004-01, 67,000 miles

   “Transmission failed at 67,000 miles. Rust on dipstick. Transmission fluid burned. Bought goodwrench transmission and had it installed. This cost $1450. Now this transmission has failed with only 40,000 on it. Same problem as before, rust on dipstick and fluid burned. When I contacted general motors they said there was nothing they could do. I'm asking for help. I've read several other complaints about rust on dipstick and in transmission. I'm afraid to spend more money on this thinking it might happen again. Pleas look into this. Thank you. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10023077, filed 2003-06, 67,000 miles

Buying note. Have any candidate vehicle inspected with attention to the ABS system, brake assist and EGR function, wiper operation, and transmission fluid condition, and confirm which open recalls or campaigns have been completed for that specific vehicle.

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.