16th Jan 2006, 18:42

1999 JIMMY GMC = LEMON.

I have a 1999 GMC Jimmy. I bought it for the fact that my family was growing. This was in August of 2000, a Friday night. The Jimmy had 5,600 miles.

I took the car home and gave the keys to my wife. The two of us went for a drive. While riding in the passenger seat, I noticed that the brakes squealed. As we drove further I noticed that they actually began to grind. When the Jimmy warmed up, all of these problems began to happen!

The next day I called the dealership. My salesman (we will call him Chip) had the day off so I figured I would call him on Monday. On Monday morning I called and they said Chip was at the auction. Monday afternoon my wife called me at the office and said that the car was smoking from the engine. I went home and took it for a drive. To make a long story short, the Jimmy needed a new radiator, brakes and wheel bearings.

I took the car back to the dealership on Tuesday. Chip said that he would take the Jimmy to the shop and call me on Wednesday. He gave me a Dodge van. Wednesday afternoon Chip called me and said that he would fix all of the problems. I went down to the dealership on Friday. I asked for my old car back. Chip said that they messed up and sold it at the auction, but he would make the Jimmy right. Being a nice guy I bit my lip.

Six weeks go by and I have not heard from Chip. I called him and he said me Jimmy would be ready in the morning. Two months later both front seat recliner handles broke off. A week or so later both electric mirrors stopped working. Three months later I was in a "bad" area with my two year old and my wife, who was six months pregnant - the radiator was clogged up due to the wrong coolant, which was added by the dealership. I had to run the heater on high in July to make it home. Eventually the radiator had to be replaced.

A week later the engine blew a rod through the block. I had to put in a new engine. I have also replaced both wheel bearings.

Today, while driving to a gas station, the front left tire made this loud noise. I thought I had a flat tire. Nope, the tire is at a 45 degree angle.

The weather strip on right door is falling off.

The rear wiper does not work.

The gas gauge says the car is on E when it is half full.

The glove box will not open.

The exhaust pipe shakes when the car is in reverse.

The front drivers side door is also falling off.

And to top it all off, the brakes which are less than a year old (under 10,000 miles) are squeaking again!

This is the worst car I have ever owned! I would not buy any GMC product again!

NOTE: I take care of my cars. These problems are not my fault.

23rd Feb 2006, 15:40

I have had my Jimmy for 76,263 miles and the only thing that needed changed was a decal on the front bumper because I'm picky. If that happened to your car then it was your fault from driving. I think it is incredible how you did that and if your willing to spend that much money it is your own fault.

2nd Nov 2006, 20:38

Excellently written review.

Wonderfully well kept records - I would HATE to come up against you in a court!!!

Why do some other people blame your driving ability for the cars many faults??

Especially as most of the problems have NOTHING to do with anyones driving styles.

In my 30 years of servicing electronic equipment, if it keeps breaking or faulting, there is something wrong with it.

It is NOT the customers fault. Do not blame the victim.

Why would they break their own asset???

If the car breaks often, it is a bad car, that is all.

If the same fault occurs on other cars of the same model, it is a bad design.

The sooner that design stops being bought/sold, the better for everyone.

Better luck next time with another car.

My suggestion, don't throw away good money after bad. Eventually, you will have no good money left!!!

10th Nov 2006, 20:41

I have a 1999 gmc jimmy what a bunch of crap, replaced front hubs twice (4x4) not cheap, door hinge pin bushing replaced once would you know it door sagging again. Replaced brakes I couldn't even count the number of time I did that job, weather stripping on drivers door wants to pop off when window it rolling up, valve tappets make noise when engine fist start up on very cold mornings with a vehicle with only 75,000 miles on it, I should not bee seeing all these problems. They call it professional grade? Next time I'll buy a SUV where the company takes pride in what they build Toyota, Honda or a Nissan..

14th Jan 2007, 18:05

I bought a used 1998 GMC JIMMY SLT, with 58,00 miles on it. Within a month, the fuel pump went out. No big deal right? The repair shop charged me almost $1000 to repair it. A few weeks later the alternator went out. I called the repair shop, they said $350 I said " Forget it!!" I got a rebuilt alternator on E-Bay for $85 saving close to $300. I just replaced the power sideview mirror, for $70. I now have to replace the driver's side door hinge pins, who knows how much that will cost. This car is a "gas hog". The very best mileage I ever got was 16 mpg. Pitiful! In my opinion, GMC products are highly inferior.

9th Feb 2007, 10:49

My Jimmy is turning out to be a bad habit. I truly love and take care of it. But the love is not returned. I have had similar problems-- and just today-a cracked intake manifold.

I think it is about time to give it it's walking papers. It is an expensive habit to keep up.

5th Mar 2007, 21:27

Our 98 GMC Jimmy SLS has been very dependable. We bought it in 03 with 52,000 moles on it, from a GM dealer. It now has 103,000 miles on it. The only problems we have had we had to replace the alternator at 82,000 and had compressor cycle switch replaced on the air conditioner, as well as the r-134 refrigerant. We need to replace the drivers side pins and bushings in the door, and the tires are now showing some wear (the were new when we bought it).We used the Jimmy to tow a medium size trailer with no problems. We get decent gas mileage for what it is, it does have a large engine for its class. We get about 16mpg city and 21mpg hwy I get 19mpg driving to work. Bottom line I would buy another, we love it.