1997 GMC Jimmy Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 10%of 274 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 GMC Jimmy, 10% of the 274 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1997 Gmc Jimmy battery drain. After vehicle sits for a couple hours it will not start. Has new (not rebuilt) alternator, starter, battery. Still won't start most of the time. Battery drains completely if vehicle sits overnight. As soon as I jump the vehicle, it starts immediately. Nothing I do will help.vehicle has done this for8years and I can't fix it so I don't even put license it anymore. I can't sell it because nobody wants a broke down car. It still looks and drives great. I would like GM to fix it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10269780, filed 2009-05, 75,000 miles“I lost power while driving my 1997 Gmc Jimmy on the highway. It just stopped running. I pushed it to the side of the road and called for a tow truck. When we got to the dealer, the vehicle started.”
NHTSA complaint #10013672, filed 2003-03, 43,567 miles“Shortly after adjusting the front passenger power seat control I noted a trail of smoke from beneath the seat and the smell of burning plastic. I immediately opened the fuse panel and attempted to remove the main fuse. The upper main buss that controls the power seat motors, power doors, and anti-theft system was so hot that I could not touch it without burning my fingers. I had to use a pen knife to remove it. No other fuses were affected. Following removal of the fuse my turn signals, emergency flashers, and rear stop lights are all inoperative. …”
NHTSA complaint #10021194, filed 2003-06, 122,000 miles“Power accessory circuit breaker (20) gets extremely hot after power windows and power seat fails to operate. At same time, when hit a bump in road, interior lights flicker. Burned fingers trying to remove breaker before fire may have started. Dealer guessed and replaced driver seat electric switch, but still gets hot and fails.”
NHTSA complaint #10014165, filed 2003-04, 77,000 miles“Transmission failure / replaced transmission - upper & lower ball joint failure / replaced upper & lower ball joints - rear window wiper failure / inoperable at this point - extremely expensive replacements with no old parts available at this point. Events leading up to failure I can only attribute to severely poor manufacturing of products, there was no operating misuse or abuse. Also other parts that have failed and have since been replaced are the: alternator, fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator and cooling system failures.”
NHTSA complaint #10135766, filed 2005-09, 70,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10171318Jan 31, 2020This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10113443Feb 22, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 16 | 16% |
| 2000 | 20 | 9% |
| 1999 | 12 | 9% |
| 1998 | 33 | 14% |
| 1997 | 28 | 10% |
| 1996 | 25 | 6% |
| 1995 | 27 | 5% |
| 1994 | 8 | 2% |
| 1993 | 12 | 6% |
| 1992 | 6 | 5% |
| 1991 | 7 | 6% |
| 1990 | 1 | 9% |
| 1989 | 2 | 15% |
| 1988 | 1 | 7% |
| 1987 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1997 GMC Jimmy
54 complaintsSuspension
54 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
44 complaintsEngine cooling
38 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
33 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsSteering
18 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsEquipment
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 GMC Jimmy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology