Upper ball joint separated and the wheel was cut through causing the tire to go flat. The vehicle has been well maintained and the front end had been checked a few months earlier by a competent mechanic when new shocks were installed. Two weeks later a friend alerted me to "gm product safety campaign" # 01048. This was an alert to upper ball joints separating without warning on some '96-'97 jimmys, bravadas and blazers. I inquired at my dealer to see if my vehicle qualified and was told "no, there are no open recalls on your VIN.". I called the gmc customer assistance center at 1-800-gmc-8782 and spoke with "lisa" who assigned me reference number 056 42 894. Gm confirmed they "can do nothing for me, as there are no open recalls on your truck." "it was built at a different plant and a different supplier provided the ball joints than the ones in the recall." sounds like a load of crap to me. If I sound overly angered by a ball joint failure it might be because I have had nothing but grief with this vehicle and am tired of being a victim. The transmission was pulled under warranty at 28000 miles, yet I had to have it pulled again at my expense ($1474) at 52500miles. Two of the four o2 sensors have failed, the radiator was full of the infamous "missisippi mud" dex-cool sludge, the service engine light comes on at least once a month, the serpentine tensioner fell apart at 37k miles and had to be replaced again at 58k, the wipers frequently won't turn on unless you hit the mist lever as you hit a bump (common according to the edmunds.com site), and last week my ABS went out from what the trouble code diagnosed as a bad left front speed sensor. I'll have to drive it with the sensor unplugged for now because I've already put over $2000 in repairs into this thing during calendar year 2001 alone, and I'm tapped out. Same with the wiper condition.
1997 GMC Jimmy suspension complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 54 of 54, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving the lower ball joint separated without warning, vehicle was towed to a sevice station and consumer was informed that both ball joints were defective and needed to be replaced, however on september 5,2001 consumer received a recall notification for the failure he experienced, consumer was then informed that he would not be able to receive reimbursement because the service station confirmed that they did not use gm parts.
Consumer had recall 01v20000 repairs done on september 18, 2001 dealer only replaced upper control arm, consumer had to pay for defective lower control arm.*ak gmc customer service infomred consumer she would not be reimbursed due to age and mileage of vehicle.
Upper and lower ball joints callapsed while driving due to corrosion. A recall has been issued on vehicle's make and model, however a remedy or owner notification has not been issued. Please provide further information.
While turning at 15-20 MPH driver's side of vehicle dropped. Towed to dealer, upper ball joint had broken.
The front brakes failed twice, the consumer believes this component should not have failed so quickly, the rear brakes had to be adjusted. Nlm
Consumer was going to the supermaket and she heard a loud pop. Got out of vehicle, and looked down at wheels, and the driver's side wheel was caved in at about 45 degree angle. She had to have vehicle towed to the dealership. Mechanic at the dealership told her that she needed ball joints.
When brakes were applied pedal became hard, resulting in extended stopping distance which caused a collision. Dealer has inspected vehicle.
Front brakes, rotors and wheel bearings failed.
Rear axle failed causing both rear wheels to fall out of axle. Nlm
When driving it feels like there is a flat tire because the vehicle wanders all over the road. Dealer says the upper and lower ball joints need to be replaced.
Pan gasket failed causing transmission to leak. Mjs
Tires pulling. Michelin 23570r15
Torsion bar set higher on one side, adjustment necessary.
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