Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint Problems of GMC Jimmy - part 1

Dt:the contact stated the upper and lower ball joints on both sides broke while driving in a parking lot. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership, where the ball joints and the anti lock brake sensors were replaced. Contacted the manufacturer, there were NHTSA recalls 01i018000 and 01v200000, but this vehicle was not included in the recalls due to VIN. In addition, this vehicle experienced several other problems as well. The left door broke off while in the driveway, the male joint of the door broke when shutting the door. Also, the transmission and anti lock brakes were replaced. The anti lock brake sensor was replaced twice.

See all problems of the 1997 GMC Jimmy 🔎.

: the contact stated while driving in normal conditions, the vehicle pulls to the left or right. The vehicle was taken to the local independent repair shop for alignment. The repair personnel discovered the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced on the front of the vehicle. Both the upper and lower ball joints were replaced after the first incident. The problem returned two additional times, but only the lower ball joints were replaced during these incidents. Updated 3/9/2006 -.

See all problems of the 1998 GMC Jimmy 🔎.

I have a 200 GMC Jimmy purchased in October of 2003. At that time it had 32,000 miles on it. At 42,000 miles I had to replace the lower ball joints. It currently has 80,000 miles on it and the lower ball joints had to be replaced again. I learned from the dealership when seeking a solution to this problem that the lower ball joints had also been replaced at 23,000 miles. I contacted gm and asked them to replace the ball joints fully but was given a 50/50 split. So what am I supposed to do in about 30,00 miles?.

See all problems of the 2000 GMC Jimmy 🔎.

Without warning, ball joint failed resulting in front tire coming partially off vehicle. Repaired at dealer who claimed it was "not unusual" to have the ball joints fail.

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.

I was driving when the front end started making a weird noise. I thought it was my breaks so I continued for about 500 feet. I noticed my vehicle was not driving properly as I turned a corner. I got out a saw that the front left tire had fallen off and was leaning against the frame. I had the vehicle towed to my mechanic. He said the upper and lower ball joints had disintegrated. He also noted that the same thing was happening on the other side. As a result, he replaced both sides and fixed some damage to the axle that resulted from the tire falling off. He said the parts had been maintained properly (adequate grease) and that they were probably bad from the factory.

See all problems of the 1999 GMC Jimmy 🔎.

Transmission failure / replaced transmission - upper & lower ball joint failure / replaced upper & lower ball joints - rear window wiper failure / inoperable at this point - extremely expensive replacements with no old parts available at this point. Events leading up to failure I can only attribute to severely poor manufacturing of products, there was no operating misuse or abuse. Also other parts that have failed and have since been replaced are the: alternator, fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator and cooling system failures.

While pulling out of the garage right wheel separated from the axle. Mechanic indicated that upper and lower ball joints broke previous to the accident, consumer heard a grinding noise, and he thought it was the brakes.

Right lower ball joint appears to be shattered. Maintenance was above level required by book and seems to be a casting defect.

See all problems of the 1996 GMC Jimmy 🔎.

While driving 60 mph front end vibrated violently. Dealer stated the upper and lower ball joints failed.

Took car in for inspection was told lower ball joint was worn and needed to be replaced by gm dealer car only has 23,330 miles on it and was purchased 9/03. Did notice when driving the car would make a loud "popping" noise when it was turning in either direction since I purchased car. Thought everything was cheaked out by dealer.

While driving at any speed the vehicle would pull to the right. The vehicle was taken to an independent shop, and the mechanic determined that ball joints needed to be replaced.

Wheel bearings failed at 35000 miles. Almost killed on interstate. Garage stated that they see this all the time and gm refuses to admit any liability.

Ball joints upper and lower. I had them repaired once, and now not even six months later they need repair again.

Lower ball joints wear out prematurely.

While driving a clicking noise could be heard, and vehicle would shake. Vehicle was taken to an independent auto repair shop, where mechanic determined the front upper and lower ball joints had to be replaced.

My vehicle is a 1999 GMC Jimmy. It has 65000 miles and I am the original owner and primary driver. The front hubs/bearings have both been replaced in the last 9 months, one at 50,600 miles, and nowone at 65,000 miles. The problem was not fixed by replacing the hub/bearings units. I was told yesterday that both of the front lower ball joints and an idler arm need to be replaced in addition to the hub/bearing. The shop working on the vehicle indicated that this was not normal at 65,000 miles, and that the condition of the ball joints made the vehicle unsafe to drive. I called gm and got absolutely no support from the district service representative since all of my repairs were not done at a gm dealership. The reason I stopped going to gm dealerships was poor service, inflated prices and recommendations for work to be done that wasn't necessary.

Consumer states that van is giving her problems. When she drives the vehicle sometimes she hears a loud noise. Then the light comes on, the dashboard with says "security. " also, brake failure. She took vehicle to dealer, and was told that the ball joints had no grease on them, and had a lots of play, if she hit a hole in the street, she could have an accident because of the alignment and the ball joints. She took vehicle back to the dealer, and he wanted to sell her another van, and she has no money. Please help.

Front suspension on GMC Jimmy. Wheel bearings,upper and lower ball joints,spo drive shaft all within 1 months time, and still not right continual repairs since puchase in 2001. . . Cruise control,multi function switch,brake rotors,abs problems. . . . Nickel and dimed me to death.

The consumers vehicle experienced the same problems as stated in recalls 01i018000 lower ball joint; recall 03v159000 windshield wiper motor, and transmission. Recall number unknown. Dealer will not repair because VIN was not included. The dealer replaced the left lower ball joint due to a cracking noise. While driving through the snow, the consumer wasn't able to use the 4wd because the transfer case needed to be replaced. The windshield wipers were intermittent, a loud cracking noise had come from the right side of the vehicle when turning the steering wheel. The service dealer stated that the only problem was the transmission which had a leak and the ignition switch.

I have a 2000 slt Jimmy which has been a pain. I've had lower ball joints replaced, upper ball joints replaced, major problems with the brakes, u joints replaced, hub and wheel bearing problems, altenator failure, a/c blower motor replaced, broken blend door which caused encoder motor and module failure, rear wiper moter replaced, back window lock replaced. Too many things have gone wrong with this vehicle. GMC should consider some sort of recall because I've read many complaints regarding some of the same issues.

Consumer states that right upper ball joint and lower ball joint separated from the wheel. Dealer notified.

Purchased new tires and went to have the front alligned, and they advised they could not align due to the needed replacement of the lower ball joints. The vehile had around 64000 miles and I returned it to the dealer who said it did not nned the repair only allignment. Prior to allignment the vehicle always drifted to the right side of the raod if the steering was released, it always seemed to be a strugle from drifting or pulling even with both hands of wheel to the right. The dealer alignment took care of the problem for about a month or two , but the problem has returned. Now I am wondering if the front end ball joints and arms are worn. This is a 1998 GMC Jimmy 4wd 2 door sport utility it now has 77,000 miles has there been similar complaints?.

Front upper ball joints breakage causing front wheel to come off and improper aligment-steering, battery problems, front passenger seat recliner handle breakage.

Consumer states while driving the ball joint came off causing the front right wheel to collapse. Please provide any additional information. Ts.

Consumer state that the vehicle would vibrate and make some noise, causing by the lower ball joint. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information. Ts.

The lower ball joints move excessively (approx 1-1. 5 inches) and are within 1 month of breaking and causing a major accident risking my life.

Vehicle failed inspection due to a defect in idler arm / lower ball joints. Contacted dealer.

While traveling on highway and without prior warning consumer lost control of vehicle due to ball joint failure. Also, there was noise coming from underneath the vehicle.

Upper & lower ball joint snapped while driving had to replace both along with idler arm pitman arm & tie rod ends , had received notice about possible failure on these when I called GMC they reported my car was not included in this possible recall. Cost of 1500. 00 also fuel pump failed cost of 700. 00 now driver side door is defected will not close , probems with electrical system locks ,windows, lights interior & exterior,wipers will only work occasionally, fuel gauge sticks.

I purchased a 1999 GMC Jimmy for my daughter. All through the warranty period, there have been problems that still have not been fixed. The brakes have never worked properly, parts inside the vehicle have fallen off, the antenna has fallen off,the electrical system (heating and cooling) has not worked properly,the outside mirrors and windows have not worked properly,the electrical system has buzzed when the radio is on, there has always been a banging noise underneath the vehicle. The left front hub assembly was replaced-didn't correct the probelm-had it replaced again 2 weeks ago-same condition still exists. They finally found the lower and upper ball joints on the passenger side were coming apart-replaced them-but noise (loud sometimes) is still there. Have been taking this vehicle in for repairs since I bought it-have been without the vehicle over 30 days in the warranty perioid. Now-after breaking down twice again in the last 2 months (a condition I've been trying to have them fix since 11/01) due to no power when I press on the gas-it's going in again. It is 2 hours one-way to the dealer (silviera, healdsburg, CA) for me. I believe they have been trying-but I think this vehicle is really now, and has always been a lemon. The vehicle has only 50,000 miles on it, and it is not dependable (never has been). After all these times in for service-taking a day off work every time to get it to them, I've had it. My daughter (college student) who I bought the vehicle for (I wanted her to have something reliable for college), now uses my car-so she won't get stuck all the time. I am ready to put the lemon law into effect with this vehicle.

During yearly inspection mechanic noticed both front lower ball joints were broken. Consumer failed state inspection due to this. Consumer states that the front right pitman arm was gone when he went back for inspection on the second time, consumer is requesting reimbursement.

Ball joint snapped while driving on ramp to get on highway, replace two upper and two lower ball joints anti lock sensor shield, and weakened wall inside tire, resulting in lost of steering.

Consumer stated that there is a recall (01v2) on the lower ball joints and he paid to have them replaced, however consumer was informed that the recall only applied to certain states in which his was not included.

Consumer stated that there is a recall (01v2) on the lower ball joints and he paid to have them replaced, however consumer was informed that the recall only applied to certain states in which his was not included.