VehicleVerdict

1990 GMC Jimmy problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 15 complaints on file for the 1990 GMC Jimmy — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

15

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

4

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other Jimmy years?

Jimmy NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted713 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 5 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 3 complaints1987: 6 complaints1988: 15 complaints1989: 17 complaints1990: 15 complaints1991: 139 complaints1992: 134 complaints1993: 263 complaints1994: 424 complaints1995: 713 complaints1996: 605 complaints1997: 421 complaints1998: 355 complaints1999: 202 complaints2000: 307 complaints2001: 141 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 1 complaints2004: 3 complaints
Jimmy NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Jimmy years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 GMC Jimmy problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes640%
Body & Structure213%
Seats213%
Fuel System17%
Other17%
Electrical System17%
Steering17%
Engine17%

Does the 1990 GMC Jimmy have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“BRAKES: DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN AREA, AND APPLIED THE BRAKES, COULDN'T GET ENOUGH BRAKING POWER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AN RAN INTO A HILLSIDE BEFORE GETTING IT TO STOP. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 12, 1995 · crash

“REPLACED HEATER CORE (A/C) DOOR HANDLES ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR SEPARATED FROM INSIDE DOOR PANEL. HESITATION ON START, AND THROUGHOUT DRIVING RANGE, SEEMS INDICATIVE OF FUEL LINE, CARB, OR SOMETHING INTERNAL. IN THE DEALERS SHOP AS I TYPE. WOULD TURN OVER, BUT WOULD NOT START, AGAIN SEEMS LIKE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 15, 2002

“CONSUMER WAS REARENDED AND THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER FELL BACKWARD AND THE ASHTRAY CAME APART AND HIT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IN THE FACE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · August 7, 1996

“WHILE DRIVING SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER STOPPING AND OPENING THE HOOD OWNER DISCOVERED ENGINE FIRE. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

“REPLACED HEATER CORE (A/C) DOOR HANDLES ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR SEPARATED FROM INSIDE DOOR PANEL. HESITATION ON START, AND THROUGHOUT DRIVING RANGE, SEEMS INDICATIVE OF FUEL LINE, CARB, OR SOMETHING INTERNAL. IN THE DEALERS SHOP AS I TYPE. WOULD TURN OVER, BUT WOULD NOT START, AGAIN SEEMS LIKE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 15, 2002

1990 GMC Jimmy — common questions

Is the 1990 GMC Jimmy reliable?

The record is thin — 15 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1990 Jimmy problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (6 complaints), body & structure (2 complaints), seats (2 complaints).

Does the 1990 GMC Jimmy have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1990 GMC Jimmy. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1990 GMC Jimmy under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Jimmy years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Jimmy years to avoid are 1995, 1996, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 1993, 1999, 2001, 1991, 1992. The cleanest record among Jimmy years belongs to 2002.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.