While driving consumer automatic transmission gears do not engage properly, it also stalls on an intermittent basis. Dealer has been notified of this problem. Please provide further details.
1997 GMC Jimmy transmission complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 33 of 33, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving, transmission malfunctions and will not go into reverse or overdrive. Also, transmission fluid became thick. *ak *tt consumer states now she is experiencing problems with the radiator losing coolant.
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.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
This vehicle has been a nightmare...unfortunately it was a spur of the moment purchase. Although used, with only 39,000 miles, I thought I would be ok since it had an extended warranty till 72,000. I have replaced both upper and lower ball joints, idler arm, alternator, belt tensioner, ignition switch, 4wd sensors, gas gauge sensor, left rear axle shaft and both rear axle bearings. At least these were all covered under the warranty, but not the rental cars for all the time the truck spent in the shop. Now the vehicle has 90,000 miles and the dealership is telling me that the recall for the ball joints does not pertain to my truck (the VIN # is not included), the transmission dipstick is rusted (I've seen several complaints but no recall), my accelerator pedal sticks severely (also numerous complaints), and I've already replaced (out of pocket cost of $1700) a complete rear end. I owe more than this vehicle is worth...but will need to get rid of it soon because I do not feel safe driving my son around in it. Many of these problems could have caused a serious accident...
Please make gm take care of transmission problem. I am not alone in my complaint. Code 1870. When will this end when my 5 year old and I are stranded on the highway for hours? I want a recall on this problem. I will not give in on this. Gm must pay for these repairs. The consumer should not be responsible.
Transmission has a history of "shifting hard" between 1st and 2nd, especially when warm. During a routine oil change, mechanic noticed a "rusted trans dip stick". Though protested by gm as a defect, extended warenty covered. I had to go elsewhere for trans flush, dealer did not have equipment. Problem persists through 2000. Trasmission overheated on hwy causing overflow and slipage. Dealer found "rust in radiator" and "debrise in trans". Had to replace radiator/flush engine and trans. At my expense 1/2001. Now, with warmer weather, trans. Oil is "varnished" and shift hard between 1 & 2nd again just 5000 miles later. Engine lite on. Found multible simular complaints at http://www.thecomplaintstation.com/g/gm_toc.htm. Gm is not recognizing what appears to be an expensive, chronic problem with transmission and associated cooling components. I am not prepared to spend another $1-$2k on a $30k that has been well cared for when gm knows about these problems. I called gm customer relations and sent letters to gm directors and got no intellect or sympathy assigned to my case. Please read the web site, there are many cases of 1995-1997 jimmy/s10/blazers with the exact symptoms.
Transmission would shift hard and slow, and was hard to pull. Dealership aware of problem. There was a lot of play and slippage in transmission.*ak the transmission was defective accordig to the consumer, but the manufacturer did not admit it.
Transmission slips r-3-4, hard shifting 1-2, soft shifting 3-4, leaks. Dealer is unresponsive at this time!!
Vehicle described in this complaint appears to have a flaw in the design of transmission. In addition to what is included in this report, I also had a problem at 28,000 miles where they "repaired" the transmission while it was under warranty. In both cases the vehicle would not go in reverse, the 4x4 would not work, and certain gears failed. I would also like to note that this appears to be a wide spread problem. I would support this notion by the countless tranmission complaints (for the exact same year and make or other vehicles that most likely use the same transmission ie the blazer) noted on the tod complaint web site for general motors, which is where I found a link to this site.
The transmission intermittently slips into, but not fully, 4wd when the vehicle is put in reverse. There is a very noticable noise that sounds like the transmission is not fully engaged. The only way to eliminate the noise is to shift the vehicle into 4wd and then back into 2wd. The vehicle has been brought back to the dealer on at least 4 occasions with this complaint. They have not been able to duplicate the problem and therefore have not done any research. On december 19th, 2000 the symptom reappeared after backing my car out of the driveway and I immediately brought it to the dealer. The service manager then test drove the vehicle and noted that the problem I described previously does exist and scheduled me to bring in the truck on thursday, december 28, 2000. When I brought the vehicle in the manager who had test drove the vehicle just one week ago did not seem to recall the condition and said they would check it out. I have a problem with the way the whole thing is being handled. I can't believe that my vehicle is the only one that has this problem in the entire country. I would think that gmc should have some information regarding this in their database. At this point I am not convinced that the proper diagnostic methods are being taken to locate the problem and remedy it. I don't know where else to turn and I am looking to you for any guidance that you can provide.
The mileage reported for each incident is approximate, the failed components could have existed at time of vehicle purchase, the vehicle had 33310 miles. That's well under the manufacturer's warranty coverage, however the problems weren't discovered until the vehicle passed the warranty mileage. The opinion of the mechanic who repaired the items stated the rear axle seal usually lasts for the life of a vehicle however, he said gmc jimmy's are known to have this problem. The rear axle seal broke which caused axle oil to leak on the rear brakes which cause the vehicle to have increased stopping distance or appear as though it was not going to stop, depending on the traveling speed when trying to stop the vehicle tended to pull to one side before the problem was identified. The problem with the transmission dip stick was identified when I took the vehicle into get the oil changed at express oil change in marietta ga. When the mechanic put in the VIN # a service bulletin appeared indicating the problem with the transmission dip stick. The mechanic inspected my transmission dip stick and it was rusted just as the service bulletin indicated could happen. I called a gmc dealer about the service bulletin and was informed that I could replace the part at my expense approximately $375 - $ 500 parts & labor. Then I was told I could call the gmc customer satisfaction line for further assistance. The individual at the gmc customer service line also stated that since I had purchased the vehicle used, and I had an extended warranty, other than the gmc extended warranty plan that gmc would not repair the faulty dip stick. However, the individual indicated that if I didn't have an extended warranty gmc would inspect and possibly repair the faulty part free. My complaint the part has been identified as faulty, why should I have to pay for repairs? When the tsb was released the vehicle was within the mileage.
Transfer will not engage/disengage all of the time. Two gm dealerships have looked at the vehicle and neither can find the cause, suggested that I start replacing parts and hope I get the right one. The first incident occured on snow slickened roads, the transfer case would not engage four wheel drive rendering the vehicle rwd only . Second incident occured while driving down a steep mountain road in low range when I got to hard paved road the transfer case would not disengage.
Ea94-038, under any braking and upon depressing brake pedal ABS system kicked in, causing extended stopping distance and poor braking ability. Consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer has yet to replace parts. Also, transmission has been replaced three times. Please provide any further details.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
4-wheel drive motor failed, and shorted out the 4-wheel drive relay causing entire system to not operate at all.
Transmission failed on interstate and the emergency flashers failed, transmission has been replaced on two occasions, the electrical system experiences continual malfunctions (emergency flashers, brake lights, warning buzzer).
Front drivers seat has been replaced twice because a sharp object within the seat keeps poking a hole in the seat. Nlm
Carpet--hole. Automatic transmission--leak at pump, replaced.
While driving axle separated from rear of vehicle. Manufacturer has been notified.
While driving 70 MPH speedometer was stuck, and did not show the speed that vehicle was traveling, especially when passing through a school zone.
Transmission failed.
Torsion bar set higher on one side, adjustment necessary.
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