1998 GMC Jimmy
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 87 of 238 complaints (37%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (14) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 274 in 1997 to 238 in 1998.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,450–3,900 | 3,300–3,900 | 3,450–3,900 | 3,650–4,450 | 3,450–4,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 16–18 | 16–19 | 16–18 | 14–17 | 15–18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–16 / 20–22 | 15–16 / 20–23 | 14–16 / 19–21 | 13–15 / 16–21 | 13–15 / 16–21 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494–555 | 468–555 | 494–555 | 523–635 | 494–592 | |
| Complaints filed | 407 | 274 | 238 | 137 | 211 | |
| Recalls issued | 8 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 54 | 23 | 18 | 15 | 15 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 | |
| Injuries reported | 31 | 26 | 15 | 8 | 9 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Jimmy have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 GMC Jimmy?
Visibility & Lighting: 87 of 238 NHTSA complaints (37%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 GMC Jimmy get?
EPA rates it 16–18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 GMC Jimmy?
EPA estimates $3,450–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | 14 mpg (low) | 20 mpg | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 4.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | 16 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 4.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 20 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 34 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 31 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 32 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 16 | 15 | 1 | 14 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 18 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 87 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · Campaign 98V053000 · Mar 19, 1998
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE OR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE. ONE OR BOTH OF THE ATTACHING NUTS FOR THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM ARE UNDER TORQUED. THIS CAN ALLOW THE ATTACHMENT BOLT TO LOOSEN AND SUBSEQUENT BREAK RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 97V218000 · Dec 3, 1997
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Consequence: PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.