Model year guide

1988 GMC Jimmy

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 GMC Jimmy is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1988 GMC Jimmy at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints15

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1988 GMC Jimmy recalls 1

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1988 GMC Jimmy common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

CRUISE CONTROL Closed

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NHTSA #PE89097 · Equipment · opened Mar 1989 · closed Jun 1989

STEERING DAMPER SEPARATION Closed

NHTSA #PE89024 · Steering · opened Dec 1988 · closed Feb 1989

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 3

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

POP SNAP NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BRAKING. *MR

Bulletin 02015 · Suspension · Jan 2004

WATER LEAK AT THE A/C RECIRCULATION DOOR (INSTALL NEW HOOD HINGE SEAL). *TW

Bulletin GM561204 · Structure · Apr 1995

END GATE LATCH RATTLE (INSTALL REVISED STRIKER). *TW

Bulletin GM161514 · Latches/locks/linkages · Apr 1995

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the JIMMY. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the GMC Jimmy

The Chevrolet (S-10) Blazer and its rebadged GMC (S-15) Jimmy counterpart are compact/mid-size SUVs manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet and GMC from the 1983 through 2005 model years, over two generations – until the early 1990s alongside these brands' full-size SUVs with near identical nameplates, but lacking removable hardtops. From the 1992 model year, GMC's full-size Jimmy had become the "Yukon", and so, the S-15 prefix was dropped on the smaller GMC Jimmy. Starting with the 1995 second generation, the large Blazer was rebranded as the Chevrolet Tahoe, and these mid-size SUVs were simply launched as the "all-new Chevrolet Blazer".

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1988 GMC Jimmy vehicles on record

1988 GMC Jimmy1GKCT18R8J0517789

Other GMC Jimmy model years

2001 2000 1998 1997 1996 1995 1991 1990 1989

1988 GMC Jimmy — frequently asked questions

Does the 1988 GMC Jimmy have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1988 GMC Jimmy. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1988 GMC Jimmy?

Across all 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are seat belts, seats, vehicle speed control.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.