1999 GMC Jimmy Consumer Reviews

It's a love/hate thing with this Jimmy

Written by: IowaBreeze on 12/05/2007

Vehicle

1999 GMC Jimmy 2 Dr SLS Sport 4WD Utility

Review

In 5 years and 130K miles I have replaced both front hub assemblies, two fuel pumps, heater core, whole AC system, tie rod ends,radiator, alternator, many sets of brake pads, and none of it is cheap!! Also, the seat back handle broke, the lights on the steering wheel and doors failed, the visor mirror lights quit, I have no floor heat, and my 4WD won't engage. $7000+ in repairs over 5 years! It is comfortable to drive and the engine is a runner, but the other components are pure junk. What a disappointment. 19 MPG is not too great at $3.00 per gallon. Never again!

Favorite Features

Appearance is OK and it is fun to drive when it's not in the shop, which is about every 90 days. Easy to shift in and out of 4WD and it is great in the snow. Easy to corner and park. Lots of room in the back for cargo. Lots of cubbyholes for storage of small stuff.

Suggested Improvements

Quality of product! Too many trips to the shop causes people to buy Toyotas next time...like I will!

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Works with engine light on?

Written by: astrocastro on 11/02/2007

Vehicle

1999 GMC Jimmy 4 Dr SLT Wagon

Review

Bought used with 42K miles on it, got smart and bought used car warranty. The warranty paid for itself with warranty repair at ~60K miles. Every year the check engine light comes on every spring and stays on till autumn and then extinquishes with the cooler temperatures. Found out it was related to some (again) transmission related problem....still works with light on. Like so many others also had to replace front wheel bearings (sealed, designed for zero maintenance?) and replace the cheap seat reclining mechanism passenger side. Of course the electrical stuff in the drivers door is always a problem, but probably due to mechanical (dirt etc.) I hear the motors.

Favorite Features

Except for the transmission failure and possibly impending same failure, have not been shouldered except once when I did not recognize impending battery failure (none since and unexplained?)

Suggested Improvements

This vehicle has been replaced with a newer model. GMC I have found this experience one of my poorest for your vehicles. (5th GM purchased..1st used GM)

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Adrianne's Jimmy

Written by: Adrianne on 11/02/2007

Vehicle

1999 GMC Jimmy 4 Dr SLT 4WD Wagon

Review

This is the worst car I have ever owned. I have replaced the radiator, the fuel pump, wheel bearings (twice), control arm bushings. Both visors have fallen apart, rear defrost doesn't work, ABS light won't go off. I have put about $3500 worth of work in the 3 years I have had this vehicle. I would not recommend it to anyone.

Favorite Features

NONE

Suggested Improvements

BUILD A BETTER CAR!

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Beast of an SUV

Written by: Klesel on 06/30/2007

Vehicle

1999 GMC Jimmy 4 Dr SLT Wagon

Review

I've had my Jimmy for quite a while now and I'm extremely pleased. I'm a 17 year old kid, and I can honestly say I've put my SUV through things that no vehicle should live through. Off roading, highway speeding, mudding, drag races, you name it, I've beat on this truck for over a year and nothing has gone out yet! Very safe and reliable. Only problem is horrible gas mileage!

Favorite Features

4wd, rides higher than most suv's, powerful stereo, very roomy, leather interior. 4.3 engine, has a lot of towing power but will fly all the same

Suggested Improvements

Wish it was a standard, or way better on gas. Don't like the way the radio/AC controls are set up, pointed exaggeratively toward the driver

7 out 9 people found this review helpful

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What a great value, used Jimmys.

Written by: jimmysurecanjump on 01/25/2007

Vehicle

1999 GMC Jimmy 4 Dr SLT 4WD Wagon

Review

I have owned this vehicle for a year. I bought it with 87,000 miles. I just put new tires on it. Other than that the only expense has been oil changes and wipers. I love the storage space and good clean looks of the vehicle. Even with the deluxe SLT package the interior is a little plain to todays standards. It does have nice leather heated seats. I previously owned a 98 blazer that I bought new and only did oil, tires and front pads in 100K miles. These vehicles hold up and last. One can pick up a used 30k sticker vehicle for 4-6 K what a deal! Very realible and great utilty vehicle. I have found that cops tend to ignore this vehicle on speed traps too.

Favorite Features

Nice comfortable ride, storage space and reasonable size.

Suggested Improvements

Typical boring GM interior. Little plastic knobs and thing break with time. It could also use cup holders that really hold a cup.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Don't buy one of these

Written by: sponzo on 12/16/2006

Vehicle

1999 GMC Jimmy 4 Dr SLE Wagon

Review

I have owned this car for four years and have had numerous electrical problems that were never solved, even by certified GMC dealer service shops. The transmission went at 72,000 miles, ending up in pieces in the oil pan. It has run rough after the 100K mile mark, a few times spewing transmission fluid all over the engine and causing it to smoke. The last time I took it for a drive, the engine spontaneously caught fire while I was driving. I pulled over and watched the entire SUV be overtaken in flames, including the interior and all personal belongings inside. Nothing was salvagable. The car had only 125K miles.

Favorite Features

I did like the comfortable front seats, but they were definately not flame retardant.

Suggested Improvements

Construct a vehicle that does not catch fire while driving down the road. If I had my children in the backseat they would have burned to death. The entire SUV was consumed in a matter of less than five minutes.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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What else could go wrong

Written by: done with GM on 09/05/2006

Vehicle

1999 GMC Jimmy 4 Dr SLE 4WD Wagon

Review

We bought the Jimmy so my wife could have a low cost 4wd vehicle. It's probably my fault for buying it used, but it certainly isn't low cost. After replacing the heater core ($750) ball joints twice ($200 each time) and fuel pump ($300) I can say I'm nothing but disappointed in this vehicle. And as I'm writing this my Jimmy is sitting idle in the garage with the fuel pump out again and the 4wd solenoid ($550) out. Having only put 15,000 miles on the car I'm nothing but dissatisfied

Favorite Features

Layout of controls, and interior styling

Suggested Improvements

Send out a posse to round up all the Jimmys, Blazers, Bravadas, S-10s and Sonomas and send them to the scrap heap where they can't plague the American consumer.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Never Again!

Written by: PRM on 08/29/2006

Vehicle

1999 GMC Jimmy 4 Dr SLT 4WD Wagon

Review

Quite nice to drive, when it works. I've never had a car with more issues. 36K warranty not nearly enough. Ignition module replaced three times (once under warranty. 35K, 65K, 98K). Smoke from the steering column as your electrical fails is not fun. New engine at 70K (radiator failed, overheated and took out the head and engine). Catalytic converter replaced at 106. Passenger recline lever snapped off in passengers hand and can't be fixed (the shaft broke). The AC stopped at about 100K. I haven't investigated yet. Other than that, no issues to speak of!

Favorite Features

Full-time all wheel drive. Nice size (not too big)

Suggested Improvements

Electrical reliability. Gas mileage is not good for a small SUV. Dextron should be changed much more often than the 50K originally claimed.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Money Pit!

Written by: EGOLDEN on 08/15/2006

Vehicle

1999 GMC Jimmy 4 Dr SLT 4WD Wagon

Review

I had my Jimmy for 2 years and spent over $3,000 in various repair costs in the 2 years I had it and I only put 22,000 miles on it during those 2 years. That said, I did buy it used, but with low mileage on it. The vehicle should not have broken down as much as it did. I planned on having the vehicle for 3 more years, but at this point I need to cut my losses. It makes sense that this vehicle is phased out now.

Favorite Features

Nice leather interior on the SLT. Decent looking vehicle overall.

Suggested Improvements

Get rid of yours before it becomes the albatross mine did.

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I love this thing!

Written by: Kirk Galt on 04/16/2006

Vehicle

1999 GMC Jimmy 4 Dr SLT Wagon

Review

I really love this vehicle; It's comfortable, drives well, and looks great. I had to do all of your basic maintenance, as well as some other stuff, but it's well worth it. I've had the problem with the door hinges, the temperature control actuator failed, and I've also had the dif rebuilt. Considering that I bought it used, and that it's almost seven years old and has over a 100k on it, I think that's pretty good. The motor is strong and runs great, the transmission is good and it's a great drive!

Favorite Features

The looks, the feels, the grace.

Suggested Improvements

None.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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