Tl*the contact owns a 1997 gmc jimmy. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle flipped over on its passenger side. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the upper and lower ball joints failed, which caused other damage to the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 01v200000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint), although the failures were similar. The manufacturer further stated that they were not liable for the repairs. The failure mileage was 51,402.
1997 GMC Jimmy: ball joint or control arm failure
50 of the 273 complaints about the 1997 GMC Jimmy describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 50
- of this car's complaints
- 18%
- typical mileage
- 75,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 3 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
97 gmc jimmy upper ball joint broke unexpectedly, repaired and inspected other upper ball joint found it was bad and replaced it . 2001 gmc jimmy upper ball joint broke unexpectedly, while on highway at 65 MPH could have been fatal but was able to keep vehicle under control.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, there was excessive play with the steering. The vehicle was inspected by an independent repair shop who replaced the front upper ball joints which corrected the problem. The manufacturer was alerted.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, there was a squeaking noise from the front suspension and upon turning any direction the steering wheel was difficult to steer. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. There was a the federal safety agency recall, #01v200000, regarding the suspension. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 9/13/2006 -
Dt:the contact stated the upper and lower ball joints on both sides broke while driving in a parking lot. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership, where the ball joints and the anti lock brake sensors were replaced. Contacted the manufacturer, there were the federal safety agency recalls 01i018000 and 01v200000, but this vehicle was not included in the recalls due to VIN. In addition, this vehicle experienced several other problems as well. The left door broke off while in the driveway, the male joint of the door broke when shutting the door. Also, the transmission and anti lock brakes were replaced. The anti lock brake sensor was replaced twice.
Transmission failure / replaced transmission - upper & lower ball joint failure / replaced upper & lower ball joints - rear window wiper failure / inoperable at this point - extremely expensive replacements with no old parts available at this point. Events leading up to failure I can only attribute to severely poor manufacturing of products, there was no operating misuse or abuse. Also other parts that have failed and have since been replaced are the: alternator, fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator and cooling system failures.
The truck I have is 1997 gmc jimmy 4x4 slt model I purchased the truck in 2000 knowing it was a pre owned vehicle for the first two years the vehicle was nice but the next two years I have have had nothing but troubles so far with this vehicle I have replaced 1) ignition switch that costed 700.oo 2) pulley 3) alternator 4) heater core 5) compressor for A/C is gone havent replaced 6) fuel pump is gone havent replaced 7)winshield wipers work when they want to usual on clear days but when its storming they dont work which has resulted in me getting drenched 8) tailgate doenst want to go up I have had two years of problems with my truck and still contine to do so I purchased my truck with 21,252 mi and I now have 70,329 mi I need ball joints which I have not replaced in my opinion this is the worst vehicle I have ever ownmed and I believe ever made.
Windshield wipers do not work all the time. I was in a bad rainstorm last night and had to pull off the road because we couldn't see anything. Scary - this is a potential big law suit for gmc if anyone dies in an accident due to this common complaint. My gmc mechanic revealed that this happens on almost all gmc jimmy's, yet there is no recall to replace the defective part to date. Transmission - slipped badly. I paid to have it replaced and sometimes it still slips. This transmission repair shop said that this is common with the jimmy, as well as a faulty gas gauge, faulty ball joints and oxygen sensors. I did have to replace the oxygen sensor, but I consider that normal repairs.
While driving at any speed the vehicle would pull to the right. The vehicle was taken to an independent shop, and the mechanic determined that ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak *sc
While driving and turning to the left upper ball joints broke, and the wheel fell off. Dealer notified.
Vehicle was taken to dealer for a routine inspection, and mechanic noticed that upper ball joints failed and needed to be replaced.
Upper & lower ball joint snapped while driving had to replace both along with idler arm pitman arm & tie rod ends , had received notice about possible failure on these when I called gmc they reported my car was not included in this possible recall. Cost of 1500.00 also fuel pump failed cost of 700.00 now driver side door is defected will not close , probems with electrical system locks ,windows, lights interior & exterior,wipers will only work occasionally, fuel gauge sticks.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint
- What is wrong
- 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 columbia. Failure of an upper control arm ball joint assembly could occur due to corrosion.
- Risk
- This can result in impaired steering or steering loss, or a partial or complete collapse of the front suspension, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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 reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 01V200000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1997 GMC Jimmy ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 1997 GMC Jimmy?
50 of 273 owner complaints about the 1997 GMC Jimmy (18%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 1997.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 GMC Jimmy?
There is 1 recall and 3 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 GMC Jimmy
Wipers 40ABS 20No deployment 12Brake failure 12Fuel gauge 10Stalling 9Fire or smoke 7Fuel pump 6Overheating 6Grinding brakes 5Power steering loss 5Pulling 5
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