Front Suspension Control Arm Problems of GMC Jimmy

I was just getting ready to leave the car wash. I pressed the brake padal to put the truck in gear, a second later the padal went to the floor, thought it was air in the line. Tried a few more times then got out of the truck to look for the leak, found (steel line) drivers side rusted. Had truck towed to shop, as I could not drive it. They found heavy rust on all brake lines in the front, the control arms also have heavy rust. Thank god I was not in traffic as I am sure I would have crashed. The shop is replacing all front brake lines and are going to inspect all other lines all brake lines to back, all fuel lines. Parking brake failed as well. How did this truck pass nys inspection? truck was purchased 3/30/2006 from dealer facility #7096646 a&a used car sales inc. 969 sunrise hwy,brightwaters,NY 11706 nys inspected by station 7099758.

See all problems of the 1999 GMC Jimmy 🔎.

: the contact stated while driving various speeds, there was a squeaking noise from the front suspension and upon turning any direction the steering wheel was difficult to steer. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. There was a NHTSA recall, #01v200000, regarding the suspension. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 9/13/2006 -.

See all problems of the 1997 GMC Jimmy 🔎.

I purchased a used 1998 GMC Jimmy with no warranty from fort wayne Nissan/Infiniti on January 4, 2005 for my 17 year old daughter. I had surgury on my right hand and could not drive it for about 5 weeks afterward. When I did drive the car,I told her it needed a front end alignment and to get the oil changed. Of course, mom (me) ended up taking it into monroe muffler and brakes, where we always get are cars routine maintenence taken care of. They called me about an hour later and asked who I bought this car off of. I told them. They said they could not believe they sold me this death trap. 3 of the 4 balljoints holding the front up where broken and the pin cracked. Plus he thought there was a recall on them. I checked with GMC and they stated there was no recall on the ball joints for this vehicle. The mechanic said these ball joints were way to small to support this kind of vehicle. I took the ball joints and have thenm now as proof. My daughter, son or I could have been hurt or worse-which was very possible probability in the shape the under body of that car was in. We were very luck we did not have a major accident. I called the Nissan company and talked to bruce bright. He sounded very concerned and would call right back after checking into it. He never called and it has been a week. I called today and left a message. Still no call. My question and complaint to you, is it legal for a car company(a major named company) to sell a car that is very unsafe to a person? I am a woman who doesn't know about cars, and my daughter doesn't. My ex-husband came to help, but he doesn't know either. That is the reason I did not go with some off the wall company. Do I have any protection from this? thank you.

See all problems of the 1998 GMC Jimmy 🔎.

I have had to replace 1 upper ball joint and two lower ones , I was told my VIN number did not match for the recall listed on your site. I have also had to replace both of my oil cooling lines that started leaking badly, this is part of the towing package offered by GMC.

My 1996 GMC Jimmy has had ball joint problems (upper and lower replaced at 40k, 79k), abs problems (recalled to change s/w, failed at 80k) and windshield wiper problems (intermittent failures at 80k). All of these problems have had recalls, but when I contact GMC they tell me my vehicle is not included (VIN 1gkdt13w5t2577070). What I don't understand is if my car is failing with the exact problems mentioned in the recall notice, then the problems seem to be more widespread then gm is willing to admit.

See all problems of the 1996 GMC Jimmy 🔎.

Consumer states after finding out that he could not get his truck aligned, he took it to the mechanic and found out that his lower ball joints are moving approx 1-1 1/2 in. Consumer also says that when he shifts his truck from drive to reverse he hears a knock which also indicates this ball joint problem.

Consumer states that the front ball joints need to be replaced due to excessive wear and lack of lubrication. The dealer replaced the joints with grease fitting. Feel free to provide any further information.

See all problems of the 2000 GMC Jimmy 🔎.

I didn't bring the vehicle to the dealership because they told me it was out of warranty. Figures. . . It went out of warranty in may 2001. I don't think that a vehicle should need new ball joints at 28,916 miles. It is my understanding that the ball joints are being replaced on other gm Jimmy's that are older than mine. I aslo, included the emergency brake which I was told was frozen in place. This emergency/parking brake was not used. How would it be frozen in place????.

While driving upper/ lower ball joints came off, and consumer lost control of vehicle. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further details.

Vehicle was experiencing exact problem as stated in recall# 98v150000 for the ball joints, dealer was contacted, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not included due to VIN. Please provide further details.

Had to replace all 4 ball joints nd according to shop that fixed it this is a common problem with Jimmys like mine. Dealer said there were no recalls on mine but I checked on line myself and other 1996 Jimmys had been recalled but they didn't include my VIN #. When trying to get information from GMC as to why they said it could be due to where the vehicle was made or that the ball joints used could be from a different manufacture. They refused to give out that info. Saying it was confidential. I tried going throught the bbb and when GMC got the complaint a lady called and said bbb would not help me and that there isn't a court in the country that could get the info. On where vehicle was produced or what ball joints were used on mine. Since mine is driven by my wife, has never been off road or abused, that the ball joints wore out before the tires, and that GMC has recalled similar vehicles leads me to believe mine were defective also! I have all the correspondance via email with GMC if you would like a copy. Thanks and please advise how to proceed. Ben shown feelling helpless against GMC.

At approximately 50,000 miles we had to replace both lower ball joints due to excessive wear. Gm is recalling lower and upper ball joints on 1997 GMC Jimmys, but they claim that my vehicle is not part of this recall.

Upper and lower ball joints callapsed while driving due to corrosion. A recall has been issued on vehicle's make and model, however a remedy or owner notification has not been issued. Please provide further information.

Upper and lower ball joints very noisy and clunking. Dealer reported very loose and dangerous. Replaced immediately.

This is listed specifically on NHTSA as a safety recall for my vehicle (4wd 1996 GMC Jimmy). I was told on a recent safety inspection that these ball joints have failed and that a crash can result. However, the dealer says it is not applicable to my vehicle and that GMC will not pay for it. The NHTSA notice makes no mention of manufacturer's dates or particular vins, so it seems odd that there is a known problem with this class of vehicle and yet somehow it is not applicable to mine.

Took in for an routine inspection, and dealer told consumer that ball joints were worn. Consumer states other dealers stated that they have a long list of people complaining about ball joints.

Do not understand why the ball joints wore out so fast . . . 20,000 miles.

The ball joint broke on the front left side. Nlm.

I was on the highway going at the speed of 45mph when the ball joint on the front passanger tire broke, causing me to go through 3 lanes without warning and almost flipping my car over. This is not the first time where I have almost lost my life due to manufacturer defects. Last year while driving on the highway, the wipers went out on me in the middle of a thunderstorm. The wipers died out on me a total of 6 times in the last 2 years with over 10 visits to dealers for repairs. The ball joint cracking caused the cv boot to be damaged, the stabilizer lines were damaged, the line cover was damaged, and the dealer found that all 4 ball joints were severly bad - not because fo driving but manufacturer defect. The car is only four years old how could so many things be bad on a car that isn't even 4 years old. The warrantly CO. And manufacturer refuse to be responsible for damage caused to other components because of the broken ball joint. The engine cooler line is also bad, including the clamp which has been replaced already by outside source. The wipers have shut down more than once and it took over 10 visits to get them fixed - including paying out of pocket expense of $433. 00. The car has almost cost me my life more than 6 times on the highway at high speeds. Sorry to say - this car has been nothing but a death trap from day one.

Consumer was going to the supermaket and she heard a loud pop. Got out of vehicle, and looked down at wheels, and the driver's side wheel was caved in at about 45 degree angle. She had to have vehicle towed to the dealership. Mechanic at the dealership told her that she needed ball joints.

While driving the left upper ball joint broke and pulled from the socket, all ball joints required replacement, all showing excessive wear.

This is the third set of balljoints I will be putting in. Its crazy !.

While taking a turn the left front balljoint snapped off. Making control of the vehicle impossible. Left tire collasped and the vehicle was unmovable. Had to flatbed the vehicle to a garage. 2nd problem-the transmission feels as it is shifting into reverse approximately every 4th time the vehicle is started.

During normal operation of vehicle at any speed it is difficult to maintain control of vehicle because of a "floating" sensation. Dealership has examined vehicle numerous times, and replaced various components, including steering box/ ball joints/ idler arm, and tires. Please provide any additional information / documentation.

On 12-21-99 as I was driving on the southern tier expressway in western NY, the right upper ball joint broke, causing me to lose control of my 1996 GMC Jimmy. Thankfully I was slowing down to prepare to exit from the 65 mph speed limit at this time. At the time of the malfunction, I estimated my speed to be 45 mph. I had my vehicle towed to the closest repair garage and on 12-22-99 the head mechanic told me that all of the ball joints (upper and lower) would need to be replaced on my vehicle. The cost of these repairs were $499. 60. My vehicle is only 3+ years old with only 38,985 miles on the odometer. I also noticed that there were two other defect investigations on GMC ball joints on the 96 GMC Jimmy. I filed this report because I could have been severely injured or killed as a result of these defects in the ball joints.

While the driving 30-35 mph inner tie rod and ball joint on the front axle broke, causing the front end of the vehicle to fall. The condition was reported to GMC. The vehicle will be repaired at owner's expense.

The front driver-side wheel assembly, as vehicle was moving, eventually sheared off . The ball joint broke away from the wheel. The vehicle has been regularly serviced, oil change/lube etc. All receipts retained. Probably would've been a very serious accident if I was on the highway. I feel this is a major defect in the vehicle, and people should be notified. The vehicle has never been off road and there are no "hard" miles on it.

Lower ball joints haved corrored. A recall has been issued on upper ball joints. Manufacturer has been notified. Please provide further information.

While making a turn at 15 mph ball joint broke, cause unknown. Please give any further details.

When driving it feels like there is a flat tire because the vehicle wanders all over the road. Dealer says the upper and lower ball joints need to be replaced.

While driving left ball joint broke, cause unknown. Please give any further details.