RecallMyCar

1997 GMC Jimmy Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 1997 GMC Jimmy, and owners have filed 274 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

4
safety recalls
274
owner complaints to NHTSA
23 / 5
complaints citing a crash / fire
16–19
MPG combined (EPA)

4 safety recalls for the 1997 GMC Jimmy

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Buckle assembly (seat belts)

    NHTSA 03V117000 Reported 312,715 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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 severe crashes could fully deploy the buckle energy-absorbing loop, introducing a total of 10 additional inches of webbing into the seat belt…

    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 to an authorized dealer…

  2. Exterior (visibility)

    NHTSA 03V093000 Reported 507,171 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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 an agreed upon service…

  3. Suspension: upper ball joint

    NHTSA 01V200000 Reported 48,600 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the district of…

    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 the free remedy within a…

  4. Seat belts

    NHTSA 97V096001 Reported 586,058 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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. The outboard safety belt webbing on the driver's and/or passenger's seat can separate during a frontal impact.

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

274 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1997 GMC Jimmy have filed 274 complaints with NHTSA; 23 describe a crash and 5 describe a fire. Reports cite 26 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 85,028 miles. Complaints peaked in 2003 with 48 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“NHTSA recall#03v117 regarding possible seatbelt failure and we notified our local GMC dealer but they have not responded.we are concerned of a possible catastrophe in the event of an accident.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 26, 2017 · Seat belts

“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”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 12, 2014 · Suspension

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1997 GMC Jimmy (Jimmy 2WD, Jimmy 4WD, Jimmy AWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined16–19 mpg
City / Highway15–16 / 20–23
FuelRegular
EPA classSpecial Purpose Vehicles
Engine6 cyl, 4.3 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare GMC Jimmy model years

Recall and complaint counts for every GMC Jimmy model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1970 GMC Jimmy10
1971 GMC Jimmy10
1981 GMC Jimmy10
1982 GMC Jimmy11
1983 GMC Jimmy11
1984 GMC Jimmy05
1985 GMC Jimmy06
1986 GMC Jimmy03
1987 GMC Jimmy06
1988 GMC Jimmy015
1989 GMC Jimmy013
1990 GMC Jimmy011
1991 GMC Jimmy4118
1992 GMC Jimmy1122
1993 GMC Jimmy2216
1994 GMC Jimmy2334
1995 GMC Jimmy6499
1996 GMC Jimmy6407
1997 GMC Jimmy4274
1998 GMC Jimmy2238
1999 GMC Jimmy0137
2000 GMC Jimmy4211
2001 GMC Jimmy3100
2003 GMC Jimmy11
2004 GMC Jimmy12

Checking a specific 1997 GMC Jimmy

How do I know if my 1997 GMC Jimmy has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 1997 GMC Jimmy; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised GMC dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 01V200000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other GMC models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.