AI Damage1993 GMC Jimmy: common problems
Owners of the 1993 GMC Jimmy filed 216 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 216
- involving a crash
- 42
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 78% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 6% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 3% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 2% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 2% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 169 complaints (78% of all), 37 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 14 complaints (6% of all).
- Fuel system: 14 complaints (6% of all).
- Electrical system: 12 complaints (6% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 10 complaints (5% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 216 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 | 169 | 37 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 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.
"there was a presence of polishing and bluing on the rubber carcass of the tire [which indicated] overheating of the tire. . . . If evidence of overheating is observed around the entire circumference of the tire, flexing of the tire due to overloading or under-inflation is indicated.
Abs brakes failed to stop vehicle which resulted in a crash. Consumer conducted recall search, and contacted dealership regarding this. Dealership informed consumer that this vehicle was initially not included in any recall, however later stated that his vehicle was included in recalls 99v193000 and 99i006000.
While traveling 40-50 mph and applying the brakes to make a stop, abs light came on. Vehicle continued to travel, causing consumer to run into another vehicle. Please provide further information.
The brake pedal went to the floor and I hit an acura integra. Luckily I had slowed down to 15mph before the braked failed. This makes the 3 time I have reported this problem to the nhtsa and the second time to gmc. It also makes about the 8 time brake failure has occurred. Luckily I have never been hurt.
As a result of a rear end collision front seat collapsed to a reclining position and couldn't be brought back upright.consumer contacted dealer.
While driving at 40 mph another vehicle turned into the path of the consumer, consumer avoided hitting the other vehicle and run into an enbankment.
The consumer was in an accident and the shoulder belt didn't catch, causing head injuries. Please describe.
Brake pedal goes beyond throttle pedal thus allowing side of foot to press on throttle when making long down hill stops.
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 1,878 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 5% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Jimmy has 119 complaints (23 years in the data). This year has 216, above average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
- Jimmy 19845 sources
- Jimmy 19856 sources
- Jimmy 19863 sources
- Jimmy 19876 sources
- Jimmy 198815 sources
- Jimmy 198913 sources
- Jimmy 199011 sources
- Jimmy 1991118 sources
- Jimmy 1992122 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 1993 GMC Jimmy?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, engine and cooling, fuel system. Total complaints: 216. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: brake failure (19%), smoke, burning smell, fire (6%), unintended acceleration (3%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1993 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 1993 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 1993 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.