Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||||
| 990602012D | 04/01/2002 | 990602012C | 634218 | Subject regarding rust in cooling system, heater inoperative, blows cold air, engine overheats (flush cooling system). nlm | 09/28/2002 |
| 990602012C | 06/01/2001 | 990602012B | 623086 | Some customers may comment that the heater is inoperative, blows cold air, engine may exhibit an overheat condition or the coolant reservoir has rust in it. *tt | 10/26/2001 |
| 990602012B | 02/01/2000 | 990602012A | 611277 | Some customers may comment that the heater is inoperative, blows cold air, engine may exhibit an overheat condition or the coolant reservoir has rust in it. *tt | 05/31/2000 |
| 990602012A | 01/01/2000 | 990602012 | 609717 | Some customers may comment that the heater is inoperative, blows cold air, engine may exhibit an overheat condition or the coolant reservoir has rust in it. *tt | 04/07/2000 |
| 990602012 | 06/01/1999 | 606523 | Conditions with heater inoperative, blows cold air, engine overheats, and rust in the coolant system. *tt | 08/26/1999 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||||
| 030601024 | 08/01/2003 | 10004371 | Rattle noise in engine. *tt | 12/04/2003 | |
| 030601024A | 03/01/2004 | 030601024B | 10004301 | Rattle noise in engine. *tt | 12/01/2003 |
| 676114A | 03/01/1997 | 52601 | Engine noise (install valve stem oil seal). *tw | 08/21/1997 | |
| 96C08 | 10/01/1995 | 46331 | 1996 jimmys equipped with 4.3l engines(rpo l35, vin code 'w') may have been built with the the camshaft sprocket attaching bolts inadequately tightened. when the camshaft sprocket bolts are inadequately tightened, an engine failure is like | 04/25/1996 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||||
| 311001 | 10/31/2001 | 628070 | Some vehicles may exhibit an exhaust noise, rattle noise at 550 rpm. *tt | 03/05/2002 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL | |||||
| 776512 | 04/01/1997 | 52347 | Engine rough, miss, and oxygen sensor dtc's (replace oxygen sensor jumper harness). *tw | 07/24/1997 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 05/05/2007 | 104805 | 1 | 01/27/2006 |
| I was driving down i-65 going to work, 70 mph. i looked in my rear view mirror and notice a large amount of smoke coming from my 1995, gmc jimmy, 104000 miles. i looked at my gauges and saw that i had no oil pressure and the check engine light was on. fortunately i was right at an exit. i got off the interstate and stop at a gas station. all of these events happen in less than 5 minutes. when i go out i noticed engine oil on the outside of my vehicle, driver's side. i open the hood and checked the oil. no oil on the dip stick. look under the vehicle and notice a large puddle of oil on the parking lot. i call a wrecker and had my truck towed to my mechanic's shop $85. mechanic told me that one of the oil lines running to the filter and cooler had failed where the fitting is crimped to the line and that my engine was almost depleted of oil. my mechanic replaced the line and fill the vehicle back up with oil. he said it took over five minutes for the valves to quit rattling. the repair cost $212. we debated on whether to change the other set of lines. we decided to wait a few weeks to see if any damage to the vehicle shows up. i am out almost $300 to date, with another $250 repair waiting or a engine trashed from the first event. my after the fact web queries indicate that this is a common failure mode occurring in almost all jimmies and blazers. why hasn't there been a recall on this problem? coated the highway and a parking lot with engine oil. had i not seen the smoke i was headed for a catastrophic failure at 70 mph. i consider myself extremely lucky to have survived this incident. i' was very upset knowing that there many vehicles on the road every day that will have this problem sometime in the vehicle's life cycle.*ak | |||
| 09/20/2003 | 120000 | 1 | 04/26/2002 |
| While driving, fire started in engine area - total loss. *la | |||
| 01/08/2002 | 53918 | 1 | 03/01/1998 |
| There was a recall of 96 gmc jimmy's for independent front control arm upper: ball joints. we were advised that ours was not included in the recall. we experienced this problem at 53918 miles on jan. 8 2002. the lower ball joints were replaced along with 2 front tires that were worn and very dangerous because of the ball joint problem. also replaced were: the belt tensioner, oil cooler lines, water and belt - at 54,000 miles. we received a 168.98 reimbursement from pontiac gmc as a goodwill adjustment(half of the ball joint replacement charge). they never acknowledge that this vehicle should have been included in the recall. please include this complaint on this vehicle for problems which should have been included in a recall. documentation of repairs available if needed. thank you. *ts *nlm *dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut-over to artemis**761991 | |||
| 01/17/2003 | 98902 | 07/17/1997 | |
| Faulty heater core that is plugged by dexacool antifreeze | |||
| 08/08/2001 | 1 | 11/01/1996 | |
| Consumer stated the gauge light comes on intermittently.*jb | |||
| 11/22/2000 | 1 | 01/09/1999 | |
| Consumer complains of erratice operation of the temperature gauge. *tt | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||
| 07/18/2003 | 2 | ||
| My 1996 gmc jimmy began blowing cold air last winter. we had the radiator flushed and refilled with dexcool. the company told us the dexcool had turned to a sludge and damaged the thermostat. the thermostat was replaced as well. six months later we have had to have the radiator flushed again because of overheating in the summer. again the fluid had turned to sludge and we have to get the thermostat replaced again. it appears from what i have been reading that the entire system will have to be replaced soon because of these dexcool issues.*ak | |||
| 01/28/2003 | 78000 | 0 | 10/11/1999 |
| Coolant problems with 96 gmc jimmy. sludge in system. plugged heater core. coolant evaporation. | |||
| 01/30/2003 | 60000 | 3 | 06/01/1999 |
| Engine and engine cooling:cooling system. engine coolant has broken down at 60,000 miles 10/1/2001, 70,000 miles 6/1/2002, 79,000 1/30/2003 and has became sludge. owner's manual states 100,000 mile maintenance. dealer (gmc)wants to replace thermostat, radiator, heater core at my expense. system has been super flushed, cleaned and new dex-cool coolant per dealer recommendations. dealer even states coolant is bad. gmc states iit is my fault. | |||
| 09/12/2002 | 1 | ||
| The antifreeze gummed up and the cooling system had to be replaced. gm is not taking responsibility for it. mr | |||
| 11/01/2095 | |||
| The gmc antifreeze keeps breaking down forming sludge so bad i had to replace the radiator . 6months later it happened again the dealer says that some one put the wrong antifreeze in the system my mechanic says that he has seen antifreeze mixed it it doesn't look like what keeps happening in my cooling system is any one else reporting this problem? my radiator has been repaired by the dealer once replaced by my mechanic once and system flushed. i with in the month had to replace the water pump the dealer did that repair and power flushed the system. it makes me wonder if this isn't a gmc problem like the time they filled the faulty cadilac engine blocks with stop leak to be able to sell them.gmc claims that this anti freeze is supposed to be god for 100000 miles what gives. *ak | |||
| 09/25/1995 | 2 | 09/01/1995 | |
| Gmc/gm filled my jimmy at the factory with dexcool. dexcool is invasive and destructive to the vechicle i paid over 35 k for gmc/gm has sent service sheets to their dealerships with instructions to be followed exactly to purge the contamination from the cooling system. gmc/gm has hidden this problem because of the number of vechicles involved. gmc/gm has used the consumer as their scapegoat. blammed the consumer for the 100,000 mile plus coolant they have used. go to the internet explorer type in dexcool in search. cooling system is the subject.www.scuderiaciriani. com is the location. go to antifreeze then scroll to date:sun 2 apr 2000 23:42:41-0500 the applications engineer is very specfic about the affect. ford had transmissions,firestone had tires. will it take someone or someone's wife and children to become at a disadvantage due to the cooling system and be injured attacked or killed for this factory issue to be addressed? the first time i reached my wife the problem was a covered up $700.00 repair. there is a damm good posibility that their have been injuries because this problem hasn't been addressed and the people you are supposed to be saving have no clue the problem could have been avoided if they only knew!*ak | |||
| 06/01/2000 | |||
| Vehicle overheats, then stalls at any speed/ any time. dealer has flushed cooling system, did not remedy problem. please add further details.*ak | |||
| 07/07/2000 | 12 | 01/09/1999 | |
| Consumer states that the coolant looks like mud, cooling system was flushed, coolant leaking into right front floor, radiator and thermostat replaced, engine light illuminated, engine is noisy, tension belt and tensioner belt replaced, vehicle was overheating. *tt | |||
| 08/26/2000 | 5 | 03/01/1998 | |
| When towing my 3000lb travel trailer the engine will make pre-ignition noises and the check engine light comes on. light will stay on for days afterward, then go off. coolant was changed when i purchased it used because it was black. within 25,000 miles it's black again. | |||
| 02/01/1999 | |||
| I noticed heater was not heating to full potential. checked coolant and saw that the dextron orange coolant was a sludge type substance. i went to a shop to have radiator flushed and replenished with proper coolant. i was informed that the coolant inside radiator could not be replaced by the establishment and that it had turned into something that was not good for the engine. the establishment said they had turned away two other customers due to the same reason. dextron orange could only be replaced by the dealership and that at 40000 miles left before replacement it should not look that way. i have talked to other gmc jimmy and chevy blazer owners and they have had the same complaint. this seems to be a repeating complaint among these owners in my region. i request you investigate the dextron orange coolant that needs to be changed every 5 years or 100000 miles.*ak | |||
| 05/03/1996 | 2 | ||
| The dealership had done all the service work since i owned the vehicle,at 47,000 miles the anti-freeze had the consistency of syrup and was clogging up.after much complaining the dealer pulled the radiator had it flushed and refilled.approx. 30,000 miles later the same thing.they flushed and filled again.it's doing the same thing again in less then a year.they refuse to correct the problem.they informed me i had to pay for it myself.it was never corrected to begin with. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN | |||
| 07/31/2002 | 1 | 11/01/2096 | |
| Fan clutch separated at hub. two bolts were sheared off and two others had almost completely backed out. the clutch pulley had loosened and the serpentine belt had come off. complete lose of power steering, cooling, alternator etc. without power steer. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - HOSE | |||
| 10/01/1998 | 1 | 06/01/1998 | |
| Engine oil cooling lines leaking. found several others like it all newer cars. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | |||
| 10/08/2006 | 99500 | 2 | 06/01/2003 |
| Radiator sludge/corrosion. flushed radiator and replaced thermostat. sludge reappeared and corroded thermostat again. replaced radiator and over flow tank plus all hoses. sludge and corrosion reappearing again. *jb | |||
| 06/04/2004 | 2 | ||
| Overheating at 100,00 miles. open radiator cap to find thick, rusty orange-colored sludge. replace lower heater hose which had no visible, or detectable hole. flush radiator, refill w/ dex-cool. overheats again, mechanic said rusty sludge is clogging radiator. flush again and refill w/ dex-cool. still smell antifreeze upon exit of warm car.*ak | |||
| 09/01/1999 | 2 | ||
| Consumer is having problems with the radiator fluid. the radiator fluid is rusting the radiator. dealer was contacted and stated that there is some type of fluid that is contaminating the radiator. ph | |||
| 11/01/2095 | |||
| The gmc antifreeze keeps breaking down forming sludge so bad i had to replace the radiator . 6months later it happened again the dealer says that some one put the wrong antifreeze in the system my mechanic says that he has seen antifreeze mixed it it doesn't look like what keeps happening in my cooling system is any one else reporting this problem? my radiator has been repaired by the dealer once replaced by my mechanic once and system flushed. i with in the month had to replace the water pump the dealer did that repair and power flushed the system. it makes me wonder if this isn't a gmc problem like the time they filled the faulty cadilac engine blocks with stop leak to be able to sell them.gmc claims that this anti freeze is supposed to be god for 100000 miles what gives. *ak | |||
| 08/08/2001 | 1 | 11/01/1996 | |
| Consumer stated corrosion had built up in the cooling system, there was a tsb published concerning a problem with the factory installed antifreeze called dexcool, also the serpentine belt and tensioner were replaced.*jb | |||
| Vehicle was overheating because cooling system is not working properly. dealer indicated rust was in radiator. contacted dealer.*ak | |||
| 07/08/2001 | 0 | ||
| Engine check light illuminated on dashboard, and vehicle overheated. consumer opened radiator cap and noticed thick muddy rusty liquid inside. consumer has yet to contact a dealer. please provide any further details.*ak | |||
| 07/01/2000 | |||
| Radiator went bad and fluid was turning into slush. contacted dealer, and dealer put texa cooling into radiator, but it made situation worse.*ak | |||
| 09/05/1998 | 3 | 09/01/1995 | |
| Radiator anti freeze torns to a brown sludge that has to be cleaned out of the radiator core at a cost of $335.00 per cleaning. based on this defect i am seriourly thinking of purchasing another make of vehicle in 2001. *ak | |||
| 06/29/2000 | 09/01/1996 | ||
| Radiator has been experiencing coolant problems. coolant used by the dealer was causing sludge. radiator must be sent out to have it cleaned. dealer/ manufacturer were not contacted at this time. *ak *ml | |||
| 05/03/1996 | 2 | ||
| The dealership had done all the service work since i owned the vehicle,at 47,000 miles the anti-freeze had the consistency of syrup and was clogging up.after much complaining the dealer pulled the radiator had it flushed and refilled.approx. 30,000 miles later the same thing.they flushed and filled again.it's doing the same thing again in less then a year.they refuse to correct the problem.they informed me i had to pay for it myself.it was never corrected to begin with. *ak | |||
| 1 | 11/10/1995 | ||
| Radiator failed causing leakage due to incorrect installation. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 07/11/2003 | 87000 | 1 | 04/16/1998 |
| We own a 1996 gmc jimmy 4x4.the connecting rod in the engine broke causing extreme damage to the engine making it inoperabletthis vehicle has always been serviced on time or before needed which is every 3000 to 3500 mile.this vehicle was purchased as a gm buy back or as a lemon vehicle in 1998 with almost 15000 miles on it when we purchased it.the salesman recommended that i purchase an extended warranty which i did for an additional 72 months or 75000 miles for $905.00.i was told,along with my wife,that the vehicle would be covered till 90000 miles or until 2004. when the problems started to arise that were going to be costly we were told that it was out of warranty as the extended warranty went back to the first in service date-1996.we have had constant problems that seem to nickel dime us however we have had it in for leaky oil lines,leaky transmisson,new intake manifold gasket,heater problems,air conditioner problems which have been very costly.this engine,the 4.3 v-6 which according to many mechanics under nomal care and driving,should last 150000 miles.this vehicle now has 87000 miles.we,my wife and i don't feel that we should have to also pay this repair of nearly $1880.00.we are in our 50s and are very safe,cautious drivers.my wife is the the driver of this vehicle and certainly does not over work this suv.it was a cold shoulder i recieved when i asked for assistance with this cost.it seems that gm would take care of there long time loyal customers but this is not the case here however.*ak | |||
| 08/22/2000 | 1 | 09/01/1995 | |
| Pulley mount broke completely off and caused engine failure. dealer notified and made repairs. *ak the cast aluminium arm and pulley assembly breaking caused power steering and water pump falures. *yh | |||
| 12/01/1998 | 2 | 09/01/1996 | |
| Have had many smaller problems, took in for alternator they replace battery cost to me $70 month or so later need new alternator . and had gauges checked gas gauge not reading true, next week or so window wipers start acting up and stopping mid- window and wiper fluid wont spray. *ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| Intake gasket leaking coolant causing engine temperature gauge to perform erratically and the engine to overheat. | |||
| 01/22/1998 | 1 | 09/21/1995 | |
| Oil pump failed, causing leakiage. | |||
| 01/22/1998 | 1 | 09/21/1995 | |
| Gasket failed. | |||
| 12/12/1996 | 1 | 01/02/1996 | |
| Idler pulley failed. | |||
| 01/01/1996 | 1 | 01/19/1996 | |
| Vehicle wnaders off road/steering feels spongy/sluggish and stuck engine valve, causing engine to clatter. *ak | |||
| 12/04/1995 | |||
| High consumption of motor oil caused by poor engine oil seals. tt | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||
| 12/02/2002 | 1 | 08/01/2096 | |
| Problem started under 100,000 miles. dt | |||
| 1 | 01/09/1999 | ||
| Vehicle exhibiting engine noise at highway speed, engine idling too fast, engine misfire, no start condition resulting in a jump, spark knock, customer also stated that on several occasions the service engine soon light illuminates, the tension belt and tensioner had to be replaced. *tt | |||
| 02/20/1998 | 1 | 06/24/1997 | |
| During a repair of a main seal leak, mechanic removed the transfer case and did not put all the parts back together, a short while later, consumer noticed a strong fuel smell and after examination found that an unsecured fuel line had vibrated against the protruding edge of a body support brace causing it to sever and leak, dealer found 2 support brackets missing and 2 large steel rods missing that are designed to assist in preventing the transfer from cracking during extreme 4-wheel conditions, if mechanic would have put all parts together this incident would not have occurred, consumer is requesting reimbursement for rental car costs and costs of repairs. vehicle also experienced a power steering leak. *slc | |||
| 08/26/2000 | 5 | 03/01/1998 | |
| When towing my 3000lb travel trailer the engine will make pre-ignition noises and the check engine light comes on. light will stay on for days afterward, then go off. coolant was changed when i purchased it used because it was black. within 25,000 miles it's black again. | |||
| 12/01/1998 | 3 | 04/01/1996 | |
| No summary provided by consumer | |||
| Metal chafing sound coming from engine, causing the vehicle to stall. dealer has replaced injector /fuel pump/oxygen sensor, and purge valve, defect is still occurring. *ak | |||
| 11/08/1998 | 1 | 05/01/1996 | |
| Throttle linkage stuck and gas paddle stuck to floor. dealer says there is not problem with the vechile. regard odi is #515346 | |||
| 2 | 02/06/1919 | ||
| Engine burns in excess of two quarts of oil per 1000 miles. no leaks found. | |||
| 09/03/1998 | 3 | ||
| While drving vehicle about 50 mph windshield wipers stopped working without a reason. happened three times. also engine went out while driving vehicle about 45 mph. *ak | |||
| 07/31/1996 | 3 | 07/11/1996 | |
| Oil leaks continuously from the engine compartment. | |||
| 1 | 11/10/1995 | ||
| Engine seals failed causing excessive oil consumption. | |||
| 04/15/1996 | 04/15/1996 | ||
| Excessive oil usage. | |||
| 10/27/1997 | |||
| While driving the vehicle stalls out and dies. the dealer has replaced the starter, the starter solenoid/the electronic brain in the dash/ the fuel filter and the fuel pump. the vehicle continues to stall out. *ak | |||
| 07/01/1997 | 2 | 11/01/1996 | |
| While driving the truck loses all power and that results in no steering in the truck. this had happened twice, and the consumer thinks that this is a very bad problem while on the road. the truck just stopped in front of another vehicle. *ak *slc | |||
| 07/31/1996 | 1 | 07/11/1996 | |
| Drain plug and oil pan bolts were leaking. | |||
| 02/01/1996 | 1 | ||
| Engine surged, causiing accident. *dsh | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | |||
| 9 | |||
| I have replaced the serpentine belt on 7/25/97,10/23/98, 8/2/99, 10/25,99, 10/19/00, and 9/14/01 have replaced the belt tensioner on 10/23/98, 8/2/99, 9/14/01. why do these two items have to be replaced so often? is there some other problem causing this?*ak | |||
| 08/08/2001 | 1 | 11/01/1996 | |
| Consumer stated corrosion had built up in the cooling system, there was a tsb published concerning a problem with the factory installed antifreeze called dexcool, also the serpentine belt and tensioner were replaced.*jb | |||
| 1 | 07/11/1996 | ||
| Engine noise due to belt failure. | |||
| 1 | 07/11/1996 | ||
| Engine belt failed, causing noise from engine. | |||
| 1 | |||
| Serpentine belt broke, causing a complete loss of power steering. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||
| 05/22/1997 | 1 | 05/18/1996 | |
| Broken vaccum hose causing service engine light to illuminate. mjs | |||
| 09/16/1998 | 1 | 05/18/1996 | |
| Crankcase ventilation filter assumbly failed causing transmission to miss. mjs | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL | |||
| 02/16/1998 | 1 | 01/09/1999 | |
| Engine light illuminated, dealer replaced the oxygen sensor. consumer states teh vehicle idles too fast, throttle position sensor replaced. *tt | |||
| 03/01/2000 | |||
| Motor for the rear winshield wipers has failed, causing poor visibility, also, oxygen sensor has failed , tsb has been issued. *ak | |||
| Metal chafing sound coming from engine, causing the vehicle to stall. dealer has replaced injector /fuel pump/oxygen sensor, and purge valve, defect is still occurring. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) | |||
| Metal chafing sound coming from engine, causing the vehicle to stall. dealer has replaced injector /fuel pump/oxygen sensor, and purge valve, defect is still occurring. *ak | |||
| 1 | 04/29/1996 | ||
| The egr valve failed. | |||