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GMC Jimmy brake failure problems

314 of the 2,668 owner complaints about the GMC Jimmy describe brake failure, most of them for the 1994 model year.

owner complaints
314
worst model year
1994
typical mileage
113,875
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Mar 28, 2017 · Airbags, Brakes · 100,000 miles · WI · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 gmc jimmy. While driving 65 MPH, the brakes failed to respond without warning and the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the entire front end was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 06/02/2017

Filed Dec 2, 2015 · Brakes · 144,000 miles · WI

Brake failure while driving, vehicle was in motion. Brake line corrosion caused front brakes to fail on 11/30/2015 no accident resulted from the failure.

Filed Sep 11, 2014 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · NH

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 gmc jimmy. The contact stated that the rear brakes failed and the ABS warning light was continuously illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the rear cylinders need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the remedy failed to repair the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Nov 8, 2011 · Brakes · 160,000 miles · WV

Upon inspection of 2000 gmc jimmy 4dr / 4wd brake line drivers side over frame next to fuel tank held down by a clip leading to rear brakes ruptured due to corrosion around the clip area that holds the line to frame causing total loss rear brakes and proper braking when brake pedal went to the floor while returning home to park vehicle at our residence,.. Luckily at time of incident we were on our own rural property in driveway which is (approximately 2/10 mile long) and not the busy main highway which was traveled at 55 MPH. The terrain was used in our driveway to bring the vehicle to a safe stop. Thankfully no injury's to occupants (including a 3 year old child) or damage to vehicle occurred with this incident.

Filed May 25, 2010 · Brakes · 113,875 miles · NY

1999 and 2000 gmc jimmy's. Consumer states left steel brake line was corroded/cracked which caused loss of brake fluid in the 2000 and numerous gas lines leaking, corrosion on the 1999 gmc jimmy.

Filed Jan 6, 2009 · Brakes · 129,700 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 1995 gmc jimmy. The contact was experiencing issues with the ABS on her vehicle and the brakes failed. The brake fluid was nearly obsolete. She placed more fluid in the vehicle and it appeared to quickly evaporate. She took the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that the failure was with the ABS. The contact advised her to call the dealer. She took the vehicle to a dealer and they explained the issue. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id numbers 99i006000 and 99v193000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). Another dealer confirmed that that VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer stated that they could not assist. The current mileage was approximately 130,000 and failure mileage was approximately 129,700.

Filed Dec 6, 2007 · Brakes · 113,000 miles · PA · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 gmc jimmy. While driving less than 15 MPH down a steep, wet road, the brakes failed and the vehicle crashed into a guardrail. The bumper and headlamps were damaged. The vehicle is currently at the body shop and will be taken to the dealer for an ABS diagnosis. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 97v218000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The dealer information was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 113,000.

Filed Nov 19, 2006 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · DE

Abs brake failure. Abs LED lit on dashboard, brakes failed approaching red light. Dealership stated brakes were fine when taken in to be inspected.. But LED remained lit. Did not drive vehicle for a month because LED remained on. Started driving it again to get to work-short distances only. Led is on most of the time.

Filed Oct 25, 2006 · Brakes, Suspension · 73,000 miles · NY

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

Filed Oct 17, 2005 · Brakes · 135,000 miles · MI

I was driving in mexico last nov 18th 2004 -jan 1st 2005 I was driving on bumpy roads and high usage of brakes on poor roads . Abs failed and when I hit paved roads the brakes came back to like new system, then in july of this year I was driving down dirt road and went around a corner and it was like I had no brakes again I want the ABS removed from all of my cars now it is a bad system . I am a trained driver I have sub contracted to kelly haze as a ABS recorder for new vehicle.

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipReported August 11, 1999 · 3,947 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: s -trucks equipped with 2 wheel drive. These vehicles may have had the right-hand antilock brake system (ABS) module feed pipe and/or brake crossover pipe tube nuts tightened without seating the pipe-flared-ends enough to withstand normal assembly and vehicle inputs without partially unseating. This does not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic service brake normal, emergency, and park braking performance."
Risk
If this occurred, the seating seal could be broken during vehicle assembly, or from early road inputs or brake fluid cycling, and a leak could occur increasing the brake stopping distance.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the brake pipe union for signs of brake fluid, and if necessary, install a new brake pipe union.

Recall number 99V220000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipReported July 19, 1999 · 1,125,749 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: certain 4-wheel drive pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS (antilock braking system) manufactured from september 1989 through august 1996. Under certain driving conditions the switch which signals the ABS system whether the vehicle is in 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive can malfunction causing increased stopping distances during ABS stops while in the two-wheel drive mode.
Risk
If this occurred at a time when minimum stopping distance was required, a vehicle crash could occur without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.

Recall number 99V193000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported November 24, 1997 · 19,716 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. A fatigue fracture of the rear axle right-hand brake pipe can occur causing a slow brake fluid leak resulting in a soft brake pedal. If the brake pipe breaks, the driver would experience a sudden drop in the brake pedal, the instrument panel brake light would illuminate, and there would be a loss of rear brake performance.
Risk
Partial loss of braking at a time when minimum stopping distance was required could result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pipe.

Recall number 97V218000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkagesReported December 12, 1994 · 262 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The brake pedal pivot bolt was started in the weld nut, but was not torqued correctly causing the bolt to disengage from the weld nut.
Risk
This condition can result in a total loss of brakingcapability.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect for hand-started brake pedal bolts and torque them to correct specifications.

Recall number 94V242000 · Recall details

Questions about the GMC Jimmy brake failure

Which GMC Jimmy years have brake failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1994 (78 complaints), 1995 (66 complaints) and 1993 (52 complaints).

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