While driving on interstate smoke started coming out from the steering wheel and I smelled something burning, I pulled over to make sure the vehicle was not going to start on fire, and found the bottom brake lights were not working but the top center brake light was working. After getting home I researched and found that my gmc VIN# had been included in a recall. But what was replaced and when it was replaced I do not know. It only stated that my VIN # was included, and that no other recalls were in affect at this time. So according to gmc web site there were 2 different recalls for this issue and 3 different parts could be the problem. 1- the brake switch, 2- the multifunction switch and 3- the flasher switch, and to determine which part is the faulty one you have to take it to a mechanic then pay him in this instance between 300.00 to 400.00 (which I have not done yet do to I can not afford it) for the new part and his time to replace it. So how can a car manufacturer only have to be responsible for fixing the issue only 1 time when apparently the replacement parts are not any better or redesigned to be better than the original part? I feel that gm or any other car manufacturer should have to replace for free any recalled part for the life of the vehicle. If they would fix the problem the first time it would only have to be fixed 1 time, and would never be an issue again.(and I would not be using my time to file this safety complaint). Better yet how about better engineering and quality control and testing to eliminate recalls all together.
GMC Jimmy fire or smoke problems
43 of the 2,668 owner complaints about the GMC Jimmy describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 43
- worst model year
- 1996
- typical mileage
- 102,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 2Wipers 1Loss of power 1Fuel leak 1Brake failure 1Adaptive cruise 1ABS 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 gmc jimmy. While examining the vehicle, she noticed that the rear brake lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated that the multi-function switch needed to be replaced. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 135,000. Updated 05/12/10 *bf the consumer stated there was smoke coming from the steering column and the turn signals were inoperative. Updated 05/17/10.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 gmc jimmy. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact detected smoke coming from the steering column. Suddenly, the rear brake light system activated without the brakes being applied. The brake lights remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The failure occurred intermittently and the dealer was notified of the malfunctions. The vehicle was previously repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign id number 08v231000 (exterior lighting:brake lights;switch); however, the remedy has not corrected the issue. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 102,000. Updated 10/06/09 *bf the consumer stated he purchased the parts and had the dealer replace the combination and ignition switch. Updated 10/08/09
I was driving a 1998gmc jimmy from oklahoma city, ok to walters, ok. Everything was great and the car was driving perfectly. I was on the he bailey turnpike on highway marker 30 - I could see the sign and pull off for the faxon exit and the big sign for walters. A few wisps of white smoke appeared and then heavy grey smoke started to billow into my face through the right side vent of the driver's seat. I started to cough and couldn't see so I pulled over to the shoulder of the road. As I got out of the car, I pulled the hood release and ran to the front of the vehicles. Under the hood, half of the engine bay was already burned away - like the bottle for anti-freeze and hoses.... The whole engine bay was on fire. The car was gone at that point - there was no way to save it. I ran to the passenger front seat and grabbed a basket that had my census id and I threw it away from the car. I grabbed some cds then too, but they were on fire. The dash was on fire and was spreading into the front seat. I threw the cds in the dirt to extinguish the fire. I grabbed the passenger side door of the back seat and grabbed a hamper with presents for my daughter. I ran to the other side back seat and grabbed the legal papers of census applicants - they were on fire and I snuffed out the fire in the dirt. I grabbed my jean jacket with my military id and driver's license - the back seat and front seat were on fire and I ran away from the vehicle and it fireballed and exploded. Two men from the turnpike maintenance saw me driving - smoking pouring out front he vehicle; they saw me pull out on the shoulder and saw me running to salvage what I could from the burning vehicle. They came to help me and called the fire department and highway patrol. Minor injuries I had smoke inhalation, minor burns to face - soot on hands & feet. Unk mileage. 1st sold 12/31/97 bought from org owner 1/19/09 these are pics http://s229.photobucket.com/albums/ee16/gfercaks33/mom%20car/.
2000 gmc jimmy caught fire underneath by the rear axle. *kb the fire occurred inside rear axle and differential. Ohio traffic crash report# 10-91-0790.
1999 gmc jimmy caught fire under the hood. No one was injured but the vehicle was destroyed in the fire. *kb (ohio traffic crash report)
I was driving down I-65 going to work, 70 MPH. I looked in my rear view mirror and notice a large amount of smoke coming from my 1995, gmc jimmy, 104000 miles. I looked at my gauges and saw that I had no oil pressure and the check engine light was on. Fortunately I was right at an exit. I got off the interstate and stop at a gas station. All of these events happen in less than 5 minutes. When I go out I noticed engine oil on the outside of my vehicle, driver's side. I open the hood and checked the oil. No oil on the dip stick. Look under the vehicle and notice a large puddle of oil on the parking lot. I call a wrecker and had my truck towed to my mechanic's shop $85. Mechanic told me that one of the oil lines running to the filter and cooler had failed where the fitting is crimped to the line and that my engine was almost depleted of oil. My mechanic replaced the line and fill the vehicle back up with oil. He said it took over five minutes for the valves to quit rattling. The repair cost $212. We debated on whether to change the other set of lines. We decided to wait a few weeks to see if any damage to the vehicle shows up. I am out almost $300 to date, with another $250 repair waiting or a engine trashed from the first event. My after the fact web queries indicate that this is a common failure mode occurring in almost all jimmies and blazers. Why hasn't there been a recall on this problem? Coated the highway and a parking lot with engine oil. Had I not seen the smoke I was headed for a catastrophic failure at 70 MPH. I consider myself extremely lucky to have survived this incident. I' was very upset knowing that there many vehicles on the road every day that will have this problem sometime in the vehicle's life cycle.
While driving along the pennsylvania turnpike I had my 1997 gmc jimmy in cruise control. I taped to brake to turn off the cruise control. After resuming the cruise control the vehicle began picking up speed much to fast. I again tapped the brake and shut off the cruise control. I then heard what seemed like a flat tire, I began pulling off of the road. As I looked in the passenger side mirror I could see flames coming from the passenger side rear of the vehicle. After stopping the vehicle I said to my mother the passenger "the vehicle is on fire get out" after she opened the door the flames tornadoed and came inside the vehicle and started everything on fire. I then pulled my mother over the console and dragged her away to safety, the vehicle in less than 20 seconds was engulfed in flames.
While stopping at a light consumer's vehicle was rear ended, and the standing vehicle was pushed into a vehicle head on. The air bag deployed, and caught on fire. Driver sustained severe burns to both of her arms.
My jimmy caught on fire. The fire department stated that it was a defect in the fuse box system. It was a total loss. I am saddened to think that this happened. Just because the vehicle was 10 years old, doesn't mean that it should catch on fire. I had been christmas shopping and lost it all.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the GMC Jimmy fire or smoke
Which GMC Jimmy years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (8 complaints), 1993 (7 complaints) and 1997 (7 complaints).
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