AI Damage1989 GMC Jimmy: common problems
Owners of the 1989 GMC Jimmy filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 31% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 23% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 8% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 8% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (31% of all).
- Seat belts: 3 complaints (23% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (15% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 4.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 5.7 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 6.2 L · diesel · 8 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: AWD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 13 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The seat belt shoulder harness gave out in an accident which caused her to hit head on the steering wheel. Consumer states driver side seat belt did not hold when braking at 20-25 mph allowing driver to steering wheel consumer stated she was advised by contractor for gm that is how the seat belt is designed.
Loss of steering while driving, in for repair 6 times, impact 11:00 position speed 5 mph. Tt
Causing malfunction of driver seat belt. Tt the driver states that getting the belt released when the vehicle rolled over was very difficult.
While traveling from gravel to smooth road, and after brakes are applied, they would lock up & rear brakes would not activate. Abs braking problem getting worse as vehicle gets older. Will be taking to mechanic to check out problem.
If it weren't for our 11-year old daughter noticing she could see smoke in the back window, all seven (7) of us would not have survived this fire. We had time to stop (thanks to her), crawl out and run. There was transmission oil on the road for about 60 feet leading up to where the vehicle stopped.
When needed the windshield wipers do not work. It happens every rainy day. Has not caontacted dealer.
Driving at approx 15-20 mph stepped on brakes, vehicle will begin to slide. Has to put the vehicle in neutral in slush or wet condition. ,will not stop. Dealer replaced ball joints/pads. Has all new tires. Defect is occurring.
Vehicle's braking system is experienceing premature wear and tear on pads and rotors, for first 3 years changed every year and now every 2 years.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,843 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Jimmy has 119 complaints (23 years in the data). This year has 13, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
- Jimmy 19845 sources
- Jimmy 19856 sources
- Jimmy 19863 sources
- Jimmy 19876 sources
- Jimmy 198815 sources
- Jimmy 199011 sources
- Jimmy 1991118 sources
- Jimmy 1992122 sources
- Jimmy 1993216 sources
- Jimmy 1994334 sources
- Jimmy 1995499 sources
- Jimmy 1996407 sources
- Jimmy 1997274 sources
- Jimmy 1998238 sources
- Jimmy 1999137 sources
- Jimmy 2000211 sources
- Jimmy 2001100 sources
- Jimmy 99997 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1989 GMC Jimmy?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, seat belts, electrical system. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (23%), rust, corrosion (8%), smoke, burning smell, fire (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 GMC Jimmy?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1989 GMC Jimmy from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1989 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.