MYRModel Year Report

1997 GMC Jimmy

◆ Worse than typical
1997 GMC Jimmy
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
274
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

23% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1985 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 6 complaints 1988: 15 complaints 1988 1989: 13 complaints 1990: 11 complaints 1991: 118 complaints 1991 1992: 124 complaints 1993: 218 complaints 1994: 339 complaints 1994 1995: 503 complaints 1996: 407 complaints 1997: 274 complaints 1997 274 1998: 238 complaints 1999: 137 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 100 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2003: 1 complaint 2003 2004: 2 complaints
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 6 complaints 1988: 15 complaints 1988 1989: 13 complaints 1990: 11 complaints 1990 1991: 118 complaints 1992: 124 complaints 1992 1993: 218 complaints 1994: 339 complaints 1994 1995: 503 complaints 1996: 407 complaints 1997: 274 complaints 1997 274 1998: 238 complaints 1999: 137 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 100 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 1 complaint 2004: 2 complaints 2004
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 6 complaints 1985 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 6 complaints 1987 1988: 15 complaints 1988 1989: 13 complaints 1989 1990: 11 complaints 1990 1991: 118 complaints 1991 1992: 124 complaints 1992 1993: 218 complaints 1993 1994: 339 complaints 1994 1995: 503 complaints 1995 1996: 407 complaints 1996 1997: 274 complaints 1997 274 1998: 238 complaints 1998 1999: 137 complaints 1999 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 100 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 1 complaint 2003 2004: 2 complaints 2004

1997: 274 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19821
19831
19845
19856
19863
19876
198815
198913
199011
1991118
1992124
1993218
1994339
1995503
1996407
1997274
1998238
1999137
2000211
2001100
20020
20031
20042

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

23% · 62 reports

Most commonly citing upper ball joint and lower ball joint.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 GMC Jimmy. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the front suspension. The steering was difficult to maneuver when turning the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-08-12

Also filed under Structure

Service brakes

22% · 61 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Visibility

17% · 46 reports

Most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and motor.

CRASH

Engine and engine cooling

15% · 41 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The dealer knew about the defects to this vehicle and refused to fix them after receiving 3 separate estimates.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-03

Also filed under Steering

Power train

14% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

FIREINJURY

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1994-10-31Engineering analysisClosed 2000-02-28 ABS braking system
  2. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 274 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. I
    1997-02-28Engineering analysisClosed 1997-08-05 Seat belt webbing separation
  4. R
    1997-09-22Seat belts97V096001 Vehicle description: extended cab pickup trucks equipped with 60/40 front bench seats and extended cab pickup trucks and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with manual locking recliner bucket seats.…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2001-09-04Suspension01V200000 On certain sport utility vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace both upper ball joints. Owner notification began September 4, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2001-12-04Suspension01I018000 This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: 1996-1997 4-wheel drive Chevrolet blazer…

    Remedy: GM has decided to conduct a customer satisfaction campaign to replace the upper ball joints on affected vehicles. This special policy is for a period of 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2003-04-24Visibility03V093000 Certain sport utility vehicles, mini vans, and pickup trucks may develop a short circuit in the electric outside rearview mirror switch.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a fused jumper harness to the electric outside rearview mirror switch. Owner notification began on April 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2003-08-08Seat belts03V117000 Certain sport utility vehicles were built with a driver's seat belt buckle assembly that contains an energy-absorbing loop. Sustained loads of sufficient magnitude and duration on the belt in…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the energy-absorbing seat belt assemblies with one that does not have the energy-absorbing loop. Owner notification began on August 8, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 GMC Jimmy — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 62 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 61 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 46 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V096001 · Seat belts
  • Recall 01V200000 · Suspension
  • Recall 01I018000 · Suspension
  • Recall 03V093000 · Visibility
  • Recall 03V117000 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 GMC Jimmy reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 GMC Jimmy is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 GMC Jimmy?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 GMC Jimmy have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.