2000 GMC Jimmy SLE from North America - Comments

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!!!

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.

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!!!

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.

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!!

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.

Purchased my 2000 GMC Jimmy SLE in 2004 with 40000 miles on it. I have had to replace the wheal bearings, alternator, most of the front end too. All of this was about 2,000.00.

The ABS light has always been on because one of the calipers froze. I ended up having to replace the rotors and brake pads. I have had to replace the alternator, and at about 90,000 miles the tranny went out. That was another 2700.00 total.

Now the gas gage and temperature gage are not working properly.

I have the ABS light that needs to be replaced, and the 4x4 buttons on the dash do not work right.

At times the key will not release from the steering column. I will probably have to spend another grand to get those problems fixed.

The problems just keep popping up. The only bright side is that it does have a decent amount of storage space, and the powerful 4.3 Vortec engine will never die.

The vehicle is expensive, it guzzles gas, and everything on it is garbage except the 4.3.

Well I bought my 2000 Jimmy in Feb of 07, The gas gage never worked but I use my mileage to keep the tank gassed up. I have a hesitation when I take off like the truck will not want to speed up and it will do the same when I try to pass someone. NO POWER!! That is unheard of in the motor. I am now about to replace the drivers front wheel bearing. The brake lights on the rear sides have gone out but the top strip still works. I bought the truck used for 3000. It's a nice ride but now I am very scared after reading the blogs. Best of luck to all of us!

I have had the same problems as everyone else, thus the reason I found the site lol. I am now looking to replace the rear wheel bearings and seals (hopefully not an axle too).

Problems:

1) Key not releasing

Solution: Clean the button on the front of the shifter. It gets stuck and will not allow the relay to trigger to release your keys.

2) Front Bearings

I have replaced them every 40-50k miles.

3) Fuel Pump

All one piece for the fuel gauge too. Cannot be replaced separately. Compression ring was rusted also, and very hard to get on and off undamaged.

4) TCCM (Transfer Case Control Module)

It is behind the passenger kick plate and for some reason, commonly, has corroded connectors and board. It is about $700 to do. I replaced the pins myself and cleaned the connectors on the board. Works for now but the 4x4 still errors often.

5) Starting

Still working on this. The vehicle takes many attempts to start at times. After it is warmed up for the day, it starts easily.

6) Catalytic converter

Started breaking down. Loss of power due to restriction and rattling in the muffler from the junk blowing back into it. Change or fix permanently.

7) Rear bearings and seals.

Doing this today. Hopefully the axles are not scored. If so, I am junking this heap and buying my first foreign car.

Hope this has been helpful. email stryker777 at gmail dot com if you need any clarification of how I did some of the repairs.

I have a 1999 GMC Jimmy 4 door, 4wd. I purchased with a blown motor and replaced it myself. Since then I have put about 35,000 miles on it, replacing a lot of the above noted things.

I have yet to do wheel hubs/bearing, but am beginning to wonder if the current problem I have is due to that. If I drive my car 10mph or above, it makes a loud moaning sound from the passenger front footwell, although when selecting 4wd the noise seems to go away or become to faint to hear. When reselecting 2wd the noise comes back soon as the change has been made.

This problem started 2 days after replacing the heater core, although I can't see them to be related. The dash panel seems to function properly and no lights have been triggered. I NEED HEP ASAP!!! HELP ME!!

It is mind boggling to me how many people are having the same issues we are. We bought our 2000 GMC Jimmy SLE almost two years ago at a sub-prime "buy here, pay here lot". When we left the lot, these are things we noticed:

a) It made a rattling noise on the drivers side underside - turned out to be a bad catalytic converter/muffler (had both replaced)

b) Both battery and alternator replaced

c) Both front hub assembly replaced

d) Right front half shaft replaced

e) U joint and knuckles replaced

f) Heater core leaking somewhere (have not replaced as of yet as heat still works but steams/fogs up windows. Sounds like gurgling water when accelerating)

g) On dash 4x4 won't go into auto 4x4 (haven't tackled as we don't really use 4wd very often)

h) Rear wiper fluid has never worked

i) Passenger side seat recliner handle snapped off (easy fix thanks to eBay and aftermarket products)

j) Doors do not seat (shut) properly as the mechanism in the mounting hardware has rusted out.

K) Weatherstripping and door seals do not properly seal (maybe the cause of the door hardware rusting???)

Man, I'm thinking the little buy here pay here lots really are on to something. Most of the cars on their lot when we picked ours out were GMC vehicles. You think they knew something a lot of us didn't?? I'm thinking so. And on top of it all, I just missed the deadline for the dex-cool class action suit darn it. Oh well, I guess we are all to blame for not doing more research.

I have a 2000 GMC Jimmy, a 2-door with 100,000 miles. I bought it new. The similarities in issues are really odd. A year ago, the front-left ball joint failed while I was driving, instantly stopping the car, and shredding the tire like an onion. I also suffered a minor shoulder injury caused by the seatbelt (and I was only going 20 mph). I'm afraid of what could have happened if I were going 40 or 60 mph. Those 2 doors roll easily.

Other things replaced since:

Heater block

Fuel pump

Alternator

And oddly enough my passenger side seat handle broke off too, many years ago, as well as the vanity mirror covers.

Now, I was just told today the front wheel bearings are in danger of failing (hence how I found this place by googling front wheel assembly and Jimmy together).

I hate this car, and they wonder why GM and Ford are failing; this is why.

2000 Jimmy SLS, 174,000km.

Have just purchased it from dealer who had to do all of the above mentioned front end work, catalytic convertor, steel brake lines, front brakes/rotors to safety.

I have owned 4 wheel drives since 1985, and now expect the front end, U-joint, and all 4X4 issues mentioned. This is part of owning a 4X4, especially with a short wheel base.

The more torque the engine has, also increases the wear & tear on drivetrain components. Electrical issues with push button 4X4 are also common due to corrosion.

I know this doesn't help you folks that own these already, but to those who are looking at any small 4X4, be aware they have there own special maintenance issues.

I have a 2000 GMC Jimmy and it is a piece of crap.

So far I had to replace: tranny, battery, water pump, thermostat, radiator, ball joints, O2 sensors, head gasket, fuel pump, fuel injectors, shocks and much more.

Now I have to fix the 4x4 since it won't engage, it won't start when it's cold out, driver side window get stuck going up and down, 12 miles to the gallon and much more.

When I got it, it only had 45k miles on it and everything was working just fine. Then one day it was one thing after another, fix one thing and then the next thing goes.

GMC made a crappy truck. All these problems are happening from just normal driving? I think I just need to drive it down to the swamp and just let it rot.

I suppose if you drive like my grandma, you won't have any issues.

Her 2000 Bravada (same as a Jimmy) has been flawless since new until now at 89,000 miles when the 4x4 computer went out.

My grandparents make frequent trips to the beach, and the computer gave out while they were putting around in the sand.

They maintain it well, and it's been good to them.