1994 GMC Jimmy problems & reliability
334 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1994 GMC Jimmy. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
20 complaints report injuries (33 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 255 | 76% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 28 | 8% |
| Power Train | 11 | 3% |
| Seat Belts | 11 | 3% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 10 | 3% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 | 3% |
| Electrical System | 8 | 2% |
| Visibility | 8 | 2% |
| Service Brakes, Air | 7 | 2% |
| Suspension | 5 | 1% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“I was in a accident with my 1994 gmc jimmy . It just stopped in the middle of the interstate and I am here to say that I was scared to death and I am not sure what happened but I was in the hospital for four days. So can you please advise me on what I can do about it? Accident date is march 13,2016. Thanks for your…”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed Sep 20, 2018
“94 s15 jimmy is not switching out of 3rd gear only gets up to 40-45 mph. I've tried manural gear switching no luck. Was told it could be gear oil low. Im gonna change tranny filter and fluids and hopfully some luck . If any info on this plz reply. Just bought truck and was told it just stopped changing gears. Drove it…”
Power Train · filed Apr 6, 2010
“Dt: the consumer stated the abs didn't activate when it was suppose to. The dealer could not find a p problem. *jb during quick stops the brakes would fail and the abs light would illuminate intermittently. *nm”
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · filed Jul 25, 2005
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- ABS BRAKING SYSTEM
Engineering Analysis EA94038 · opened Oct 31, 1994 · closed Feb 28, 2000 · led to recall 99V193000
- ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS
Preliminary Evaluation PE94046 · opened Jun 17, 1994 · closed Oct 31, 1994
Technical service bulletins
23 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1994 GMC Jimmy. The 10 most recent:
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to…
PIC4696E · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 22, 2019
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to…
PIC4696D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 5, 2019
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to…
PIC4696C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 31, 2018
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
130089009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2013
Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case. *tt 2006 and prior cars and light duty trucks. *tt
020730024A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 1, 2005
Pop snap noise in the front suspension when braking. *mr
02015 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Subject regarding abs 3-sensor ebc4 - special policy. *tt
240699 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 24, 1999
Special policy adjustment - linear exhaust gas recirculation system. *tw
96067A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 1997
Intermittent hestiations, low power, and rough running engine in cold temperatures (replace pcm). *tw
676537 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 1997
Engine hard to start (replace fuel pump pulsator). *tw
666309 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 1997
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1994 GMC Jimmy in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1994 GMC Jimmy?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.