GMC Jimmy Visibility Problems
Owners have filed 285 complaints with NHTSA about visibility problems on the GMC Jimmy across 7 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (81). The words owners use most often: “windshield wipers” (55% of reports).
- 285visibility complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 63%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Windshield wipers: mentioned in 158 of 285 complaints (55%)
- Wiper motor: mentioned in 39 of 285 complaints (14%)
- Work intermittently: mentioned in 15 of 285 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do visibility problems happen?
Based on 59 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 285 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
GMC Jimmy visibility complaints by model year
| Model year | Visibility complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 Jimmy | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2000 Jimmy | 7 | 3% | 53,250 |
| 1999 Jimmy | 3 | 2% | 94,000 |
| 1998 Jimmy | 81 | 34% | 74,000 |
| 1997 Jimmy | 44 | 16% | 68,000 |
| 1996 Jimmy | 70 | 17% | 62,955 |
| 1995 Jimmy | 77 | 15% | 65,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Model years: 1996
Problem: On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
Risk: If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on june 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior
Model years: 1997
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles, mini vans, and pickup trucks may develop a short circuit in the electric outside rearview mirror switch.
Risk: If this were to happen, it could result in an inoperative switch, heat damage to the driver's door, and/or ignition of components in the driver's door and a subsequent vehicle fire without prior warning.
Fix: 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 an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Model years: 1995, 1996
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
Risk: This condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I own a 1997 gmc jimmy. The windshield wipers have always only worked when they wanted to. Now, they do not work at all. I have been doing some internet research and found that this is happening to alot of the same models. I see there is a recall for 1996 models. Why not the 1997 models? The exact…
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 gmc jimmy. While driving approximately 75 mph in rainy weather conditions, the front and rear windshield wipers would not work when activated. The driver experienced extremely limited visibility and had to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road. He had to wait…
Drive an 1998 gmc jimmy with around 172,000 miles on it (i know this is a lot of miles). Had the local gm dealer work on my rear defroster (one of the clips fell off). After receiving the vehicle back from the dealer i turned my defroster on about two weeks later. The back window exploded like a…
Windshield wipers are now dependably non-functional, especially when they're needed the most (like when it's raining). They are inoperable about 90% of the time, nothing seems able to coax the wiper system back into operation under these conditions, and the vehicle's operator is simple left soaking…
Windshield wipers function intermittently at best; have been this way for almost two years now, but have been getting steadily less reliable. Wipers failed recently on i-35s in waco, tx during rain shower; anyone who's driven this stretch of road doesn't have to be told how dangerous a situation…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Jimmys have visibility problems?
No. NHTSA has 285 owner complaints about visibility for the GMC Jimmy. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the GMC Jimmy visibility?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list visibility. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about visibility problems on the GMC Jimmy?
The most frequent phrase is “windshield wipers”, in 158 of 285 complaints, followed by “wiper motor” (39).
Other GMC Jimmy problems
See all GMC Jimmy problems.