1997 GMC Jimmy Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 14%of 274 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 GMC Jimmy, 14% of the 274 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have had to replace 1 upper ball joint and two lower ones , I was told my VIN number did not match for the recall listed on your site. I have also had to replace both of my oil cooling lines that started leaking badly, this is part of the towing package offered by Gmc.”
NHTSA complaint #10023025, filed 2003-06, 75,000 miles“The coolant temperature gauge would rise and fall quickly in an erratic manner. Upon inspection the radiator was found to be full of a thick reddish substance. The mechanic said that this is a know issue related to the dex cool coolant. He also said that there is a TSB that instructs the mechanic to flush and replace the fluid. My complaint is with the oem for not informing me of the problem with the coolant. If I would have known of the problem, then I would have had the service performed before damaging my coolant system. …”
NHTSA complaint #10010593, filed 2003-03, 52,000 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 miles“Heater started to fail at about 50,000 miles, no heat at all by about 80,000 miles. Have been told the heater core needs to be replaced; also have been informed that this is a common problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10043141, filed 2003-10, 50,000 miles“Reddish liquid leaking from under engine and engine appeared to be overheating, temperature needle going all the way up, then down, bad smell. Mechanic told me he has seen this problem with these vehicles before due to dex-cool used which gunks up the cooling system. Water pump had to be replaced due to the damage from this stuff. I was very disappointed in the response I received from the people from Gmc who apparantly know about this problem and are doing nothing about for their customers.”
NHTSA complaint #10003003, filed 2003-01Related service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10139019May 3, 2013This preliminary informational bulletin provides information on High Oil Pressure on Startup After Engine Replacement Concern.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 10 | 10% |
| 2000 | 25 | 12% |
| 1999 | 12 | 9% |
| 1998 | 20 | 8% |
| 1997 | 38 | 14% |
| 1996 | 53 | 13% |
| 1995 | 76 | 15% |
| 1994 | 28 | 8% |
| 1993 | 14 | 6% |
| 1992 | 4 | 3% |
| 1991 | 2 | 2% |
| 1990 | 1 | 9% |
| 1987 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1997 GMC Jimmy
54 complaintsSuspension
54 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
33 complaintsElectrical system
28 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 27, 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