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 same thing is happening to my 1997. I never knew or was notified of this. I want this repair fixed at no cost to me. What can I do?
1997 GMC Jimmy: windshield wiper failure
40 of the 273 complaints about the 1997 GMC Jimmy describe windshield wiper failure.
- owner complaints
- 40
- of this car's complaints
- 15%
- typical mileage
- 67,200
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 3 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Windshield wiper failure by model year
What owners say
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 wet and wholly irritated for his efforts. If the vehicle is in operation when these failures occur, the driver must negotiate traffic like some jedi knight using "the force" before he can even get safely pulled over. And on an interstate highway, that's no small trick! This is a dangerous problem, and general motors' seemingly cavalier attitude about addressing it is unacceptable! They have already acknowledged this exact problem with previous model year vehicles and corrected the problem, and there are numerous complaints against the 1997 models; why won't they issue the same badly-needed recall on these vehicles? Are they waiting for the inevitable traffic fatalities and subsequent class-action lawsuit...? What will get these people to own up to faulty safety equipment on their vehicles and correct it...? If gm thinks examples of this sort of customer service and vehicle reliability is going to make people flock to their dealerships to buy their products, they're in for a very rude awakening...! Big mystery why they're losing money...!
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 that was. Windshield washers are only partially effective (passenger side nozzle is almost totally inoperative); this has been the case for approximately 8 years now. Have tried blowing out line/nozzle without successful remedy; obviously problem lies with system design and/or fluid pump. This problem is an obvious safety hazard, and the "bean counters" at gm need to start realizing that a recall is less costly than a class-action lawsuit. I understand (from perusing this site) that there are numerous complaints against the windshield wiper system. There have already been recalls issued which apply to previous model-year vehicles for this same problem; obviously the recall needs to be extended to include the 1997 models as well. Please pressure gm to do so before someone loses their life because their windshield wipers fail at a critical moment.
Apparently there is a short in the windshield wipers. I was driving my car, and in the middle of a hail storm, suddenly the wipers stopped working. I had to pull over to a covered area, and jiggle the wires to get it going again. Now it doesn't work at all. I took it to my mechanic, and he said that many jimmy's and blazers have had to have the wiper module replaced. I haven't been able to repair it yet, b/c apparently the part alone costs over $150. If so many of these SUV's are having this problem and it's a very dangerous problem, I was just wondering why there hasn't been a recall for this.
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.
Dt: the vehicle is a 1997 gmc jimmy. Consumer received notice g02054 from the manufacturer, which told him that there was a problem with the windshield wiper motor. There was a cracked solder joint on the controller circuit board. This would cause the windshield wipers to work intermittently or not all. The letter stated that if consumer did not have this problem or did not believe he had this problem not to bring vehicle to the dealer for repairs. Consumer did not have this problem at that time. He received the letter in 2-2003. The problem started before he received the letter, and he did not know why. Consumer stated that when he got the letter the problem stopped. So he did not have it fixed. It was fine up until the past year or so. Consumer had stuck the letter in glove box with owners manual. When he found the letter he called gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782. They told him there was nothing they could do because the notice had expired on 2-2004. The dealership that he purchased vehicle from was no longer in business.*ak
1997 gmc jimmy developed a problems with the windshield wiper motor. *mr
Dt: on 5/24/05 caller was driving at 40 MPH on level ground on the highway and the spare tire fell out from underneath the vehicle. The cable that holds the spare onto the vehicle broke and allowed spare to break away and fell onto the highway. *ak the windshield wipers have caused many problems in the past as well. The wipers would start and stop unannounced and had to be repaired and the blinkers would come on and go off on their own. The consumer believed there was a general problem with the electrical system. The car was regularly maintained. Each time the consumer filled the vehicle with gas, the inside of the vehicle would smell like gas and for a couple of days, the gas gauge did not work. *sc
When owner switches the windshield wipers on they fail to engage, not operating at all. This causes the driver not to have visibility. Owner states the problem straightens after the weather is dry. Owner contacted gmc, and was told that gmc has taken the recall out of the parameter, establishing a time limit. Specific recall not found. *ak.....consumer enclosed recall of faulty windshield wipers issued on 05/02/2003.
The windshield wipers will intermittently not work, I know other gmc models have been recalled, can we add this one?
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.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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 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.
Recall number 03V093000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1997 GMC Jimmy wipers
Is windshield wiper failure a common problem on the 1997 GMC Jimmy?
40 of 273 owner complaints about the 1997 GMC Jimmy (15%) mention windshield wiper failure. The model year with the most reports is 1998.
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
Ball joint 50ABS 20No deployment 12Brake failure 12Fuel gauge 10Stalling 9Fire or smoke 7Fuel pump 6Overheating 6Grinding brakes 5Power steering loss 5Pulling 5
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