19th Jan 2007, 12:09
I have a 99 GMC Jimmy that only has 77K on it. It seems like it's in the shop every other month. Battery, door pin hinges, broken off seat recliner handle, belts, AC, stuck key, computer failure, problems with the emissions system, I've had problems with the air just blowing on the floor, and that's just to mention what I can remember off the top of my head and of course that doesn't include regular maintenance. My dash board is cracking. I just got back from the mechanics and now it needs a new water pump. I thought it was just me. My car sits in the garage and mostly just gets driven back and forth to work daily (about 6 miles). I will never buy another GMC again!
25th Jan 2007, 19:19
I bought my 1999 Jimmy new in December of 1998. It didn't get "full time use" until 2000. It sat for months at a time because I was living over seas until 2000.
I have had the same standard Jimmy failures... ball joints and bearings, water pump, intake manifold gasket, alternator, and tension pulley. I have 87,000 on it know, and I have just replaced the 4WD controller module. It seems water gets into the module location (passenger side kick panel).
Has anyone had a problem with the tailgate hinges rusting?
I was thinking of trading it in on a Tahoe, but I think I'm going to keep it for the long haul... its paid for, and runs great.
Compare thoughts? justme60657@hotmail.com.
28th Feb 2007, 18:36
I bought my 1999 Jimmy SLT last month. It had 126,000 miles on it. It looks fantastic and is completely loaded -I LOVE the heated leather seats and sunroof! I drove it off the lot feeling like I got a great deal and a complimentary full tank of gas to boot...20 minutes after I drove it off the lot it stalled - actually ran out of gas - turns out that the sensor in the gas tank was broken and I did not have a full tank of gas... truck started to run rough after that. The dealer fixed the sensor and replaced the fuel pump free of charge, but total charges would have been $750.00.
Last week, exactly one month and 3,500 miles later, truck went into "limp mode" (stuck in second gear) with service engine light on. I took it to a mechanic who told me I was low on transmission fluid; $147.00 for diagnostic and "labor". Seemed to be fixed. Next day, same problem and code, so I took it to a GM dealership... they said I needed a new ignition switch; $322.00. Seemed to be fixed. Next day, same problem and code, GM said I needed a new shift solenoid; $266.00 (they didn't charge me for labor). Three days later, transmission is fine, but car started stalling and hesitating badly. Towed to the GM dealership. Problem? They said I had two corroded wires that were not connecting with the ignition coil...$300.00. I drove the car home from the dealer tonight - still not running right - feels a little rough and it's still hesitating a bit; have a sneaking suspicion that I will be back at the GM shop very soon.
At the present time, the only other thing I'm noticing are the doors sagging a bit, and wondering if I'm going to have to replace the hinges??? Luckily, the ball joints were replaced before I bought it.
I really like this truck for its looks and the way it handles, but I'm feeling a little skeptical about our future relationship... especially after reading all of the similar problems with other owners. I just want to go skiing this weekend!!! For what it's worth, I bought a brand new Nissan Altima back in 2002...the first time my Altima and I needed a tow truck it had 3,000 miles on it, and gave me a lot of grief with its MANY quirks until I got rid of it... to get my JIMMY!!!
13th Mar 2007, 20:09
I bought my 1999 Jimmy 7 months ago. It has 107800 miles. Everything needs to be lubricated frequently (doors, hood pop, rear wipers, tailgate.) I already had it in the shop because of electrical problems. Now the thing won't start. I just filled the tank up and then it wouldn't turn on at the gas station. I'm thinking fuel filter or fuel pump are shot. I'm going to fix it, drive it for another year and sell it before things really start to go down hill.
19th Mar 2007, 09:16
Wow. I'm reading these comments and see that things haven't improved much since I bought my 97 Jimmy brand new. I have had the same problems mentioned here (fuel gauge, 2 ignition switches, radiator leaks, water pump failures, replaced numerous alternators and batteries, etc..) GM just can't get anything right can they. However, the body and paint still looks brand new.
BTW - The stuck key problem means the ignition switch is bad. I've had 2 replaced already. It finally started to loose power when driving and triggered a check engine light.
Has anybody had a battery last more than 3 years? It seems to eat batteries for some reason.
21st Mar 2007, 14:42
I bought my 2000 GMC Jimmy SLE in April of 2004, then it has 64k and now it has 124k. I have had all of the same problems that are mentioned beforehand. Oil Lines, brakes, all ball joints, both front wheel bearings, the fuel gauge is broken, my door hinges just went, the rear window wiper is broken, the heater doesn't work, and the 4WD grinds sometimes. Other than that no major probelms. These are just annoyances rather than problems.
26th May 2007, 12:00
Love our Little 1999 GMC Jimmy! Bought it in 2000 from the dealer used. Yes it's had many of the same problems the other posts have mentioned. We have fixed many of the items ourselves to keep the costs down. Even though it's had its share of problems it's a great little SUV. Most the problems are age/mileage related and even though we take great care of our vehicles these things just happen. Not too much different with our 95 Yukon or 2000 Honda. Every vehicle has it weaknesses - learning what they are before we buy can help. It's always new car payment vs repairs - That's why my VW Van had to go after 12 years - loved it, but repairs were too high even though the veh was in excellent condition.
5th Jun 2007, 15:52
1996+ GMC Jimmy owners start checking you hard tube brake lines regularly for rusting. Especially pay close attention to anywhere the tubes are running along the frame rails and are attached by plastic clips. One particular area of extreme rust is directly above the drivers side rear tire on top of the frame rail. You can clearly see this spot perfectly if you either pull the plastic shield out a little and peek behind it, or pop out the 6 plastic retainer clips along the frame and remove the plastic shield all together. If you see three badly rusted tubes in the area of the clip take your vehicle in ASAP and have the rusted section cut out and a replacement section installed. The brake fluid tube is going to be the one closest to the back of the tire. One day the line will split or crack thru and your brake will go to the floor. Depending on your speed and traffic conditions you may have enough time to stop...once. Every press of the brake there after that will be spraying fluid out, increasing your stopping distance.
3rd Jan 2007, 11:36
I have a 2000 JIMMY with about 118k miles on it, Had to replace the fuel pump Twice last year. Just got it back. Cost me 1500, 750 for the fuel pump and 750 for the fuel injectors. Now makes a noise I never heard before when I go to 40-45 mph. I am going to sell it soon, before it breaks down again.