Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 163 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 GMC Jimmy, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 18 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 16 | 10% |
| Suspension | 16 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 7% |
| Seats | 9 | 6% |
| Air bags | 8 | 5% |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 5% |
| Structure | 6 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 4% |
| Equipment | 6 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I HAD A HEAD ON A ACCIDENT WHICH BENT THE BODY FRAME BUT AIR BAGS DIDN'T COME OUT
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC JIMMY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN INSPECTION, THE INSPECTOR NOTICED THAT THE MAIN FRAME FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHI
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC JIMMY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO DISPLAY THE PROPER FUEL LEVEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
WHEN UNDER ONE QUARTER (1/4) OF A TANK OF FUEL THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DECELERATING (READ: HARD BRAKING, BRAKING BEFORE A TURN) WITHOUT WARNING, DISABLING ALL POWERED CONTROLS INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRA
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC JIMMY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHIC
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC JIMMY. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHENEVER THE FUEL TANK WAS LESS THAN ONE QUARTER FULL. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE ELECTRIC
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
LIVING NEAR A SALT MINE OHIO USES SALT LIKE CRAZY I'M FORTUNATE THAT I DO ALL THE WORK MYSELF ROTTEN BRAKE LINES FUEL LINES THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS IN THE SNOW BELT ROT MY JIMMY IS MECHANICALLY SOUND WITH 190000 MILES DRIVE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I REPLACED MY FRONT PADS AND ROTORS. BEEN FINE FOR A WEEK TILL YESTERDAY I STOPPED AT A LIGHT BRAKES FELT SLIGHTLY SPONGY, NOT LONG AFTER MAYBE TEN MINUTES THREE CARS AHEAD OF ME HAD STOPPED AS I HIT THE BRAKE MY FOOT WE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 71 | good |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 163 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 18 of them (11%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.