Comments: 1-15, 16-25
Front seats had to be replaced at 1,200 miles.
Loose shock mounting bolts at 1,200.
Right side electric mirror replaced at 1,667.
Replaced weather strip on right door 1,667.
Exhaust Leak due to missing nut from Exhaust stud at manifold at 3,461.
Front headlight assembly replaced at 4,002.
All stripes replaced at 4,002.
Right side electric mirror replaced 4,002.
Stripes replaced again at 20,000.
Replaced faulty right rear speakers at 20,976.
Replaced drivers seat recliner mechanism 20,976.
Replaced both outside rear view mirrors badly fading at 20,976.
Replaced both doors outer glass seal 20,976.
New battery positive post broken 22,001.
Replaced passenger seat recliner handle due to shaft broken 22,001.
Replaced all decal stripes again 22,001.
Repaired broken ground wire to cigarette lighter housing 22,001.
Replacement of lower cooler line at transmission at 37,621.
Replaced pinion seal for the front axle at 39,092.
Replaced both inner CV boots for the front axles at 52,204.
Replaced the both side hub and bearing and seal at 52,204.
Replaced 2 rear support struts for rear hatch window at 56,003.
Reprogrammed computer with updated calibrations at 56,003.
Replaced left outer CV boot at 56,003.
Replaced both lower and left upper ball joints at 56,003.
Replaced pressure cycling switch at 68,078.
Replaced cracked intake gaskets at 68,078.
Replaced outer CV boot at 68,078.
Replaced Front axle at 68,078.
Replaced right front wheel hub at 78,487.
Replacing as I write this the front axle seal 80,011.
Those were only some of the things I have taken it in for, its on it 4th set of brakes, and a lot of things the dealerships say its normal for the jimmy and is not fixable, As you see its spent more time in the shop than I have had it. It is a very costly vehicle, both in buying and repairing.
I experienced most of your problems.
I am going Thru it now and the truck is still under warranty, but the warranty already put about six grand into the truck within the last two years and they don't want to put anymore money into it so now they are trying to blame me for not getting properly scheduled oil changes.
I have had many of the same problems. I would not ever buy another Jimmy.
I have had no problems with my 99 Jimmy and if those things happened at that low of miles maybe you should learn how to drive. I've got 200,000 miles on mine and only had ball joints replaced which is normal, all else runs like a charm like when it was new.
I bought mine Brand new in 1998, I have 150,000Kms (yes I'm from Canada) aside from routine maintenance (oil, plugs, fluids, etc.) I have done the brakes twice, and the right front wheel bearing. Ever considered Driver's Ed?
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.
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.
Have a 1999 gmc jimmy already had breaks rotors all round both front wheel bearing, starter,alternator, fuel pump, front seat replaced just the seat 640.00 just about everything you can think of has been done.
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!!!
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..
I am currently driving a 1999 GMC Jimmy SLS. This is a nice riding car and has always been reliable. HOWEVER, I too have had my fair share of woes that I would like to add to the mix.
I bought the vehicle in 2003 with 32,000 miles on it from the dealership who sold it to the individual brand new. The car was traded in late 2002 by the same owner for a new Envoy and was in immaculate condition. The dealership was very fair and let me contact the prior owner for his comments. I was impressed with the truck and with the dealership so I bought the truck for $9,900. At the time a bought the truck my uncle who sells after market auto warranties talked me into buying 48 month/48,000 warranty…and THANK GOD I LISTENED.
In a little less than two years I have replaced;
-four calipers.
-countless brake pads/rotors (and misc other parts incl brake lines)
-a fuel pump.
-a serpentine belt.
-a broken driver side seat.
-broken passenger recliner knob.
-4 ball joints (both upper and lower)
-a leaky intake manifold.
- and I have an appointment with a dealership in three days to look into this grinding “clunk” that I am hearing (and feeling) in the floor (front axel) whenever I turn right; Waaaaaaaaaay too many problems for a truck that has been treated like a creampuff by two meticulous owners.
The only problem I am not having is with the engine and transmission. (I use 10W-30 Mobil 1 full synthetic with 20% Lucas oil stabilizer additive and a Mobil 1 oil filter changed religiously every 4,000 miles.) The truck runs and drives smooth, but is the worst handling, gutless, “gas hog” I have ever owned. If this is an example of what an American car has become we are in serious trouble in the global market place.
It has been my suspicion that the American auto makers are intentionally selling autos that they know have cheap parts to compete with the imports price point and to employ their unions while they make their real profits on new car repairs. This truck has confirmed my suspicion.
At the same time I bought this truck my friend bought a Toyota RAV4. He has spent zero in repairs over the same time period. Not only will this be the last GMC Jimmy I will ever own, but the last American Car I will ever own. Detroit had better start putting their quality first and their union’s pay and benefits second or face Oldsmobile’s fate.
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.
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.
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.
I have a 1999 GMC Jimmy SLS (4x4) and I bought it in April 2002 with 33k miles.
The only problems I have encountered are: brake pads changed about 3 times, bolt joints and drive arm pit, power window motor in driver side (did this in December 2006), frontal wheel bearings (this was changed in January 2007) (about $850), after this, then fuel pump broke in February and was replaced (about $900).
Yesterday (March 22) I changed both frontal rotors and brake pads (spent $391)... today March 23, a weird sound in the front wheels... I took it to the shop and they told me that the front differential has to be replaced (and this is costly)... the mechanic told me that I can still run my truck with this problem, but ignore the humming sound... it really bothering me... I will replace it soon... the door hinges (driver side) need to be replaced, the driver power window motor is broke again.. and last thing!... well the gbs signal started to go on and off in dashboard.
Update: 03/28/2007 The front differential has to be replaced and will be replaced today at a price of $1,215 including labor and transmision fluids. OUCH!!!!
This will be the last american car I will ever own.