1997 GMC Jimmy Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 54about this part
- Share
- 20%of 274 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 54 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 GMC Jimmy, 20% of the 274 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,500 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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 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“Experienced left upper ball joint separation (failure) while moving resulting in loss of control, damage, disablement. Failure is identical to that described in NHTSA recall # 01v200000, and, also GM bulletin 01048a. However, vehicle VIN # is not within the breakpoints specified by 01048a bulletin and manufacturer refuses to correct.”
NHTSA complaint #10018430, filed 2003-05, 103,699 miles“Ball joints have repeatedly worn out - once at 40000 miles again at 100000 miles. This is after religious lube jobs, etc. Called Gmc and my VIN number is not part of the recall, even though it was built and registered in michigan, where Jimmy's were recalled for corrosion.”
NHTSA complaint #10038948, filed 2003-09, 40,000 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 recalls
- 01V200000Jun 28, 2001On certain sport utility vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland…Covers: GMC Jimmy 1996–1997, Chevrolet Blazer 1996–1997, Oldsmobile Bravada 1996–1997
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 14 | 14% |
| 2000 | 39 | 18% |
| 1999 | 26 | 19% |
| 1998 | 25 | 11% |
| 1997 | 54 | 20% |
| 1996 | 49 | 12% |
| 1995 | 19 | 4% |
| 1994 | 5 | 2% |
| 1993 | 4 | 2% |
| 1992 | 4 | 3% |
| 1991 | 3 | 3% |
| 1989 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1997 GMC Jimmy
54 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
44 complaintsEngine cooling
38 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 30, 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