15th Mar 2008, 20:58

I bought a 2000 GMC Jimmy (4x4) back in July of 2006 with 73k miles (one prior owner, with most service records intact... very well taken care of... heck, it still looks beautiful!). In addition, I bought a warranty (against my better judgment, or so I thought) from AUL through the dealer. The same day I took delivery, the fuel pump died (AUL covered it for $700). Eight days later, while driving south through a rough section of Chicago (and pulling a UHaul trailer), the alternator quit (AUL covered it for $280). Needless to say, I'm lad now I bought the policy... it's paid for itself at this point, and I've got 4K miles left to go before it expires.

In late 2006 I started getting even crappier gas mileage than normal, and after replacing the fuel pressure regulator, still had the problem. Dropped the gas tank and it turns out the return line going to the fuel pump had been pinched nearly shut. When & how this happened, I don't know... the tank hadn't been touched since I had the fuel pump replaced. Got a replacement return line from a junk yard and the problem went away.

The rear windshield washer doesn't spray anymore... upon further investigation, the plastic feed-line that runs under the cargo area carpet had separated from a junction connector. After the first several rounds of hitting the washer fluid button with no result, a wet spot the size of a CD appeared in the cargo area... the junction is right under it. Would have to remove the star bolts that hold the tie-down points to roll the carpet up and push the supply line back on the junction, and I don't have the right size star head with which to back the bolts out... irritating!!!

Had the passenger side seat lever just break off in my wife's hand... (too expensive to try to replace that... the shaft coming out of the mechanism sheared off (it looks like pot metal... probably some parts contractor saving money)... the handle itself is fine). That was irritating. Shortly thereafter the driver's side front caliper seized up and had to be replaced.

More recently, the 4x4 has been making a horrible chattering noise whenever I engage it (fortunately, I don't have to do that often). Yesterday, one of the front wheels (think its the driver's side one) started making this horrible clunk-grind noise quite loudly. My best guess is the wheel bearing has gone.

Then yesterday afternoon (about 25 miles from home), the Jimmy started just randomly cutting out (glad I'm not on the highway). I would wait 3-5 minutes and then it would restart just fine and run for another 5 minutes... then with no warning it would cut out again. I repeated this all the way home... I discovered that if I accelerated very gradually coming off of starts and then didn't make any sudden changes in acceleration while driving, then it wouldn't cut out as often. I've purchased a new fuel filter and will install that myself tomorrow. I hope that will solve the issue, but from what I've read on this series of posts, I'm concerned it won't...

I've been fond of my Jimmy for the past couple years I've owned it, but lately I've been starting to wonder. I'm still upside-down on the loan (about $1600 left before I catch up with Blue Book value), and I'm starting to wish I could sell it now... Oh well, we shall see.

Oh, and one other thing that has bothered me since I bought it... the lights (especially noticeable inside, but the headlights do it too) will all flicker... with no apparent relation to anything I'm doing at the time. Talk about an irritation! I've read postings elsewhere that mention this, but I haven't yet found a solution. Oy Vey!!!

27th Mar 2008, 20:24

We bought 2000 Jimmy SLE in 2003 at 31K miles. This has been nothing more than a money pit for us.

4x4 stuck in low; had to clean the connector to the controller in the passer kick panel. Noticed PCB corrosion in the TCM.

Fuel Gauge goes crazy at anything less than 1/2 tank.

Vanity Mirror broke.

Rear Wiper motor makes noise during rain/snow.

Roof panel makes squeaky noise. I had to give it a whack to make the noise stop for...5 minutes.

Beginning to notice a drag.

Deep winters cause the springs to squeak on the driver side.

4th Jun 2008, 19:22

It is so sad that GM has not reacted to the competition.

Their motors are being built better, but the rest of the vehicle is behind the times. As an owner of a 2000 GMC, the only thing that I may have done wrong to it was keeping it to clean.

I have owned GM all my life, and I am mechanically inclined thank goodness, or else I would have torched it.

Yes I have had all the problems listed above, but I will give credit to the 4.3 vortec engine; I leave sight of any other V-6 truck or SUV in my rear view!!!

25th Jul 2008, 14:46

I have a 2001 jimmy. Today I have had to replace 2 front wheel bearings at a cost of $900.00. I have also had to replace ball joints and the heat did stop working once but a rad flush seemed to solve the problem. The engine light is on because we have to also replace the air injection pump but at $700.00 I can wait. Other than that it has worked fine and the mechanic which is a family friend said it was in excellent condition. I think anything you own will have its problems.

4th Aug 2008, 03:55

I guess that I've been fairly lucky. I've got a 2000 Jimmy SLT that I bought used in 2003. Thankfully it's paid for, as I fear I'm in for some large bills to come. I've had the fuel gauge problem for about 2 years now, get some pretty terrible gas mileage some times and the rear windows sprayer has never worked, but I've only had to do a water pump, alternator, idler pulley, brakes, and tires.

Unfortunately thanks to Dex-crap, I think I'm due to some heating / ac problems, and I think I've blown my first wheel hub/bearing in the front drivers. All said and done, I guess I've been lucky, I love this truck but I couldn't have afforded it if it was any worse!!

12th Sep 2008, 07:23

I bought my 2000 Jimmy XLE in 2005 with 40,000 miles on it. It had a very slight vibration, but they assured me it was a low tire and minor alignment problem. When I test drove it before I took delivery, it seemed the vibration was gone. Since then, it got worse, and I have had the tie rod ends, ball joints, shocks, and tires (2 sets) replaced. No change on the vibration, it's really bad around 65 mph, then it goes away around 70 mph. I've also had the alternator replaced. From reading these posts, it sounds like I may have gotten very lucky that I have not had more numerous issues, and I will be trading this vehicle very soon, as it has 86,000 miles and I am no longer upside down on it. I love the V6 vortec 4.3L motor pulling my boat, but this vehicle really is a piece of crap. Never again. I am looking for a Honda Pilot.