While driving my 2000 gmc jimmy my left side upper ball joint broke. Luckily I had just came out of a sharp corner and my speed was only about 25 MPH. A car had just passed in the other direction when my vehicle swerved to the left, halfway into the other lane before I was able to get control of it. Upon inspection, the tire was leaning inward and my brake line was severed. I had to use my emergency brake to stop.
GMC Jimmy ball joint problems
147 of the 2,668 owner complaints about the GMC Jimmy describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 147
- worst model year
- 1997
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 68,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Wipers 12Pulling 5Fuel gauge 5Grinding brakes 4ABS 4Transmission failure 3Harsh shifting 3Fuel pump 3
What owners say
Started out with a wobble on the tire then my ball joints upper and lower left and right front along with my tie rods inner and outer left and right my left ball barring hub was replaced on the left side front also I still have to replace the stabilizing front bar which I will be purchasing this week of sept 1st. This all happened just these past two weeks and now I am forced to purchase 4 tires that I cannot afford after spending all that money to fix the front end. Please help me. I did not have any accidents that is just from driving to work and for pleasure.
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.
I was just getting ready to leave the car wash. I pressed the brake padal to put the truck in gear, a second later the padal went to the floor, thought it was air in the line. Tried a few more times then got out of the truck to look for the leak, found (steel line) drivers side rusted. Had truck towed to shop, as I could not drive it. They found heavy rust on all brake lines in the front, the control arms also have heavy rust. Thank god I was not in traffic as I am sure I would have crashed. The shop is replacing all front brake lines and are going to inspect all other lines ie: all brake lines to back, all fuel lines. Parking brake failed as well. How did this truck pass nys inspection? Truck was purchased 3/30/2006 from dealer facility #7096646 a&a used car sales inc. 969 sunrise hwy,brightwaters,ny 11706 nys inspected by station 7099758
First the transmission went out and I had to have it rebuilt...then, I had to replace a ball joint...now the other one has to be replaced. The mechanic says it is too dangerous to drive. These repairs are not cheap and premature! Prior to having the transmission rebuilt I had it put on the machine and it sent out several different codes that had to be corrected...nevertheless, we still had to replace the transmission...also, the four wheel drive gets stuck periodically.
Dt*: the contact stated there was a loud popping noise, when the vehicle was at a stop or while traveling 5 MPH. The manufacturer informed the contact the vehicle was not included in the recall # 01i018000 or # 01v2000000, for the suspension: front control arm, upper ball joint due to the VIN. Both ball joints on both sides were badly rusted and one of the upper ball joints was fractured.
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 -
Had 2 sets of ball joints go bad. Lots of squeaking when go over bumps. Also hear "bang" sound when turn corners to the right going slowly.
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
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicle equipped with 4-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive. One or both of the attaching nuts for the right-hand lower control arm are under torqued. This can allow the attachment bolt to loosen and subsequent break resulting in separation of the lower control arm from the frame.
- Risk
- This condition can result in a loss of vehicle control.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and retighten the right-hand lower control arm nuts to the proper torque specification.
Recall number 98V053000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint
- What is wrong
- The upper ball joint nuts were under-torqued resulting in improper seating in the steering knuckle.
- Risk
- This condition can cause the ball joint stud to loosen, and fracture resulting in a loss of steering control.
- Remedy
- Dealers will retorque the upper ball joint nut on both sides of the vehicle to the correct torque values.
Recall number 95V080000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Jimmy ball joint
Which GMC Jimmy years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (50 complaints), 1996 (38 complaints) and 2000 (22 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix ball joint or control arm failure on the GMC Jimmy?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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