Complaints
355
Crashes
26
Fires
5
Injuries
20
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 GMC Jimmy Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#131 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Avg mileage:79,936 mi
Crash-related:1
#225 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
Avg mileage:76,273 mi
#317 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:70,000 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 GMC Jimmy.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 31 | 1 | — | 79,936 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 25 | — | — | 76,273 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 17 | 1 | — | 70,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 15 | 1 | — | 83,833 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 11 | 11 | 1 | 134,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 11 | — | — | 76,000 mi | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 11 | 1 | — | 107,242 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 10 | — | 1 | 65,013 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 9 | 1 | 2 | 129,485 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | 9 | — | — | 47,465 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 7 | — | — | 78,080 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 | — | — | 61,800 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 7 | — | — | 85,000 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 6 | — | — | 99,305 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 6 | — | — | 67,800 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 6 | — | — | 77,500 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | — | — | 65,000 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 5 | 1 | — | 117,500 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 5 | — | — | 73,050 mi | |
| Airbags | 4 | 4 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 3 | — | — | — |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
31
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
79,936
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
25
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,273
Automatic Transmission
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,833
Air Bags:Frontal
11
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
1
Avg Miles
134,000
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,000
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
107,242
Electrical Faults
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
65,013
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
129,485
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
47,465
Electrical System:Ignition
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,080
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
61,800
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,000
Suspension:Front
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
99,305
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,800
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,500
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,000
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
117,500
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,050
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 GMC Jimmy. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other GMC Jimmy Years
1998 GMC Jimmy — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 GMC Jimmy reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 1998 GMC Jimmy has 355 NHTSA complaints, 26 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer with 31 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 GMC Jimmy?
Top reported problems: Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer (31 complaints, avg 79,936 mi); Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor (25 complaints, avg 76,273 mi); Automatic Transmission (17 complaints, avg 70,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 GMC Jimmy?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 83,084 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 GMC Jimmy?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 GMC Jimmy include 26 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 20 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 GMC Jimmy have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 GMC Jimmy as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 GMC Jimmy?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (visibility:windshield wiper/washer) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full GMC Jimmy reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 GMC Jimmy
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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