1994 GMC Jimmy SLE review from North America
"If there was a list of worst vehicles ever made, GMC Jimmy would be listed which in the top five."
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Serpentine belt and belt tensioner at 162,000 miles, cost of $50. Central Port Fuel Injection assembly replaced at 163,000 miles, cost of $500. Spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor, air filter, fuel filter, PCV Valve replaced at 163,500 miles, cost of $100. Air Conditioning vacuumed down and recharged at 163,500 miles. CPFI assembly, along with IDLE Air Control Valve, Fuel Pump, and Fuel Pulsator replaced at 164,000 miles, cost of $500. Catalytic Converter replaced at 164,500 miles. Headliner beginning to fall down at the windshield. Driver seat beginning to tear up.
The muffler is still needing replacement, along with it still has a rough idle, surging, rattling noise from the motor, along with a belt squeal.
Have had 2 oil changes down, one at the same time of the rest of the tune-up, and one when I first bought the vehicle 2 months ago. Entire fuel system has been cleaned. One dealer, 2 private shops, 4 mechanics who work on their own, along with myself and my dad who know quite a bit about vehicles have yet to be able to find whats wrong with it now.
General comments?
The vehicle is extremely slow for a 4.3L Vortec motor. It has been unreliable in the 2 months I have owned it. There are more things that have gone with it, but just don't even have the room or time to go through everything. The 4.3L Throttle Body Injection motor is fairly good, but the 4.3L Vortec motor on 1995 and older vehicles have proven to be nothing, but trouble. I have owned mulitple types of cars, and General Motor vehicles have proven to be nothing, but trouble. I will never own another GM again. I feel GM needs to take some hints from foreign car manufactures on how to build a vehicle. Unless you want a vehicle that is expensive to buy and more expensive to keep on the road, I would not recommend buying it. I am scared to death of driving it for fear of it leaving me stranded again. I have owned this vehicle for 2 months and am already looking to sell it, even though I paid 2000 for it and have $2500 in repairs. Been in the shop more times than I can count. I have only had one other vehicle as bad as this one. I am done with GM vehicles, and probably wouldn't take one if you were to give it to me. I do regular maintenance myself, and this vehicle was bought off of a individual who bought it brand new (one owner vehicle) and had full maintenance and repair receipts and he did take care of it per manufacture recommendations. He even had about $5,000 worth of repairs he had done. GMC when making this vehicle decided to make a vehicle to leave people stranded once a month. No wonder why every mechanic I have had it to, including dealer have said they have a 1991-1995 GMC Jimmy and Chevy Blazer with the 4.3L Vortec Motor in at least one a week, if not several. It's definitely a mechanic's favorite vehicle as they can make a living off of repairing them only!
Recommended Reviews:
![]() ![]() | An expensive to own nice all around vehicle |
![]() ![]() | Great by for someone when I trade it in |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model Year | 1994 |
| First year of ownership | 2005 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 4.3 Liter Vortec Automatic |
| Performance marks | 2/10 |
| Reliability marks | 2/10 |
| Comfort marks | 8/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 0/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 9/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 162000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 165000 miles |
| Previous car | Isuzu Trooper |
| Date of Entry | 1st August, 2005 |

