While driving along the Pennsylvania turnpike I had my 1997 GMC Jimmy in cruise control. I taped to brake to turn off the cruise control. After resuming the cruise control the vehicle began picking up speed much to fast. I again tapped the brake and shut off the cruise control. I then heard what seemed like a flat tire, I began pulling off of the road. As I looked in the passenger side mirror I could see flames coming from the passenger side rear of the vehicle. After stopping the vehicle I said to my mother the passenger "the vehicle is on fire get out" after she opened the door the flames tornadoed and came inside the vehicle and started everything on fire. I then pulled my mother over the console and dragged her away to safety, the vehicle in less than 20 seconds was engulfed in flames.

- Glenshaw, PA, USA

The contact stated the upper and lower ball joints on both sides broke while driving in a parking lot. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership, where the ball joints and the anti lock brake sensors were replaced. Contacted the manufacturer, there were NHTSA recalls 01I018000 and 01V200000, but this vehicle was not included in the recalls due to VIN. In addition, this vehicle experienced several other problems as well. The left door broke off while in the driveway, the male joint of the door broke when shutting the door. Also, the transmission and anti lock brakes were replaced. The anti lock brake sensor was replaced twice.

- Kingspoint , NY, USA

Transmission failure / replaced transmission - upper & lower ball joint failure / replaced upper & lower ball joints - rear window wiper failure / inoperable at this point - extremely expensive replacements with no old parts available at this point. Events leading up to failure I can only attribute to severely poor manufacturing of products, there was no operating misuse or abuse. Also other parts that have failed and have since been replaced are the: Alternator, fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator and cooling system failures.

- Prior Lake, MN, USA

Windshield wipers do not work all the time. I was in a bad rainstorm last night and had to pull off the road because we couldn't see anything. Scary - this is a potential big law suit for GMC if anyone dies in an accident due to this common complaint. My GMC mechanic revealed that this happens on almost all GMC Jimmy's, yet there is no recall to replace the defective part to date. Transmission - slipped badly. I paid to have it replaced and sometimes it still slips. This transmission repair shop said that this is common with the Jimmy, as well as a faulty gas gauge, faulty ball joints and oxygen sensors. I did have to replace the oxygen sensor, but I consider that normal repairs.

- Marietta, GA, USA

Ignition switch has failed and been replaced twice in past 4 years (10/2000 & 8/2003). When it fails, the transmission fails to shift properly and the vehicle loses power and/or stalls. This creates a very dangerous situation, especially if you are in heavy traffic with your entire family. I have been told by GM technicians that this is a common problem due to poor design, engineering and mfg quality.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

Transmission slipping again...shift with gas pedal...let off on gas & let rpms drop to allow trans to shift. Dealership told me that they no longer service transmissions, too much hassle - will sell me a new one for $2500 plus labor @ another $900 to $1200...limited to only 6 months of coverage! I know of at least 10 other blazaer and Jimmy owners at fort bliss that have had same tramsmission problems. An investigation should be opened to recall this transmission. I can be reached anytime at 915-593-5144 to further clarify my concerns...cpt burgess.

- El Paso, TX, USA

Vehicle unable to shift into reverse because water got into transmission while parked in garage. Manufacturer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Hemet, CA, USA

Automatic transmission gears do not engage properly while driving. Dealer has been contacted.

- Holland, MI, USA

Vehicle suddenly accelerated when idiling. Dealer has been contacted, and has replaced fuel injectors. The heating system malfunctioned due to heating core failure. The A/C was not blowing warm air. There was a clicking noise from the engine area because the power steering pump was leaking fluid. The vehicle leans to the left due to torsion bar out of adjustment. Front left and right axle seals were leaking. Transmission was leaking. Back window had air leak. The rear wiper sticks due to wiper motor failure. Front end makes clunking noise due to ball joint failure. There was clunk noise when shifting into gear due to rear D-shaft and U-joint failures. The intake gasket was leaking and was replaced. The throttle sticks. The serpentine belt failed and was replaced.

- Holland, MI, USA

While driving consumer automatic transmission gears do not engage properly, it also stalls on an intermittent basis. Dealer has been notified of this problem.

- Holland, MI, USA

While driving, transmission malfunctions and will not go into reverse or overdrive. Also, transmission fluid became thick. Consumer states now she is experiencing problems with the radiator losing coolant.

- Portage, MI, USA

Upper ball joint separated and the wheel was cut through causing the tire to go flat. The vehicle has been well maintained and the front end had been checked a few months earlier by a competent mechanic when new shocks were installed. Two weeks later a friend alerted me to "GM product safety campaign" # 01048. This was an alert to upper ball joints separating without warning on some '96-'97 Jimmys, Bravada and Blazer. I inquired at my dealer to see if my vehicle qualified and was told "no, there are no open recalls on your VIN.". I called the GMC customer assistance center at 1-800-GMC-8782 and spoke with "lisa" who assigned me reference number 056 42 894. GM confirmed they "can do nothing for me, as there are no open recalls on your truck." "it was built at a different plant and a different supplier provided the ball joints than the ones in the recall." Sounds like a load of crap to me. If I sound overly angered by a ball joint failure it might be because I have had nothing but grief with this vehicle and am tired of being a victim. The transmission was pulled under warranty at 28000 miles, yet I had to have it pulled again at my expense ($1474) at 52500miles. Two of the four O2 sensors have failed, the radiator was full of the infamous "missisippi mud" dex-cool sludge, the service engine light comes on at least once a month, the serpentine tensioner fell apart at 37K miles and had to be replaced again at 58K, the wipers frequently won't turn on unless you hit the mist lever as you hit a bump (common according to the edmunds.com site), and last week my ABS went out from what the trouble code diagnosed as a bad left front speed sensor. I'll have to drive it with the sensor unplugged for now because I've already put over $2000 in repairs into this thing during calendar year 2001 alone, and I'm tapped out. Same with the wiper condition.

- Kenosha, WI, USA

Please make GM take care of transmission problem. I am not alone in my complaint. Code 1870. When will this end when my 5 year old and I are stranded on the highway for hours? I want a recall on this problem. I will not give in on this. GM must pay for these repairs. The consumer should not be responsible.

- Rockton, IL, USA

Transmission has a history of "shifting hard" between 1st and 2nd, especially when warm. During a routine oil change, mechanic noticed a "rusted trans dip stick". though protested by GM as a defect, extended warenty covered. I had to go elsewhere for trans flush, dealer did not have equipment. Problem persists through 2000. Trasmission overheated on hwy causing overflow and slipage. Dealer found "rust in radiator" and "debrise in trans". had to replace radiator/flush engine and trans. At my expense 1/2001. Now, with warmer weather, trans. Oil is "varnished" and shift hard between 1 & 2nd again just 5000 miles later. Engine lite on. Found multible simular complaints at www.thecomplaintstation.com/G/gm_toc.htm. GM is not recognizing what appears to be an expensive, chronic problem with transmission and associated cooling components. I am not prepared to spend another $1-$2K on a $30K that has been well cared for when GM knows about these problems. I called GM customer relations and sent letters to GM directors and got no intellect or sympathy assigned to my case. Please read the web site, there are many cases of 1995-1997 Jimmy/S10/Blazer with the exact symptoms.

- Benson, NC, USA

Vehicle described in this complaint appears to have a flaw in the design of transmission. In addition to what is included in this report, I also had a problem at 28,000 miles where they "repaired" the transmission while it was under warranty. In both cases the vehicle would not go in reverse, the 4X4 would not work, and certain gears failed. I would also like to note that this appears to be a wide spread problem. I would support this notion by the countless tranmission complaints (for the exact same year and make or other vehicles that most likely use the same transmission ie the Blazer) noted on the tod complaint web site for General Motors, which is where I found a link to this site.

- Canal Winchester, OH, USA

The transmission intermittently slips into, but not fully, 4WD when the vehicle is put in reverse. There is a very noticable noise that sounds like the transmission is not fully engaged. The only way to eliminate the noise is to shift the vehicle into 4WD and then back into 2wd. The vehicle has been brought back to the dealer on at least 4 occasions with this complaint. They have not been able to duplicate the problem and therefore have not done any research. On December 19th, 2000 the symptom reappeared after backing my car out of the driveway and I immediately brought it to the dealer. The service manager then test drove the vehicle and noted that the problem I described previously does exist and scheduled me to bring in the truck on Thursday, December 28, 2000. When I brought the vehicle in the manager who had test drove the vehicle just one week ago did not seem to recall the condition and said they would check it out. I have a problem with the way the whole thing is being handled. I can't believe that my vehicle is the only one that has this problem in the entire country. I would think that GMC should have some information regarding this in their database. At this point I am not convinced that the proper diagnostic methods are being taken to locate the problem and remedy it. I don't know where else to turn and I am looking to you for any guidance that you can provide.

- Bergenfield, NJ, USA

Transmission slips R-3-4, hard shifting 1-2, soft shifting 3-4, leaks. Dealer is unresponsive at this time!!

- Aptos, CA, USA

Transmission would shift hard and slow, and was hard to pull. Dealership aware of problem. There was a lot of play and slippage in transmission. The transmission was defective accordig to the consumer, but the manufacturer did not admit it.

- Aptos, CA, USA

EA94-038, under any braking and upon depressing brake pedal ABS system kicked in, causing extended stopping distance and poor braking ability. Consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer has yet to replace parts. Also, transmission has been replaced three times.

- Cranston, RI, USA

Transmission failed on interstate and the emergency flashers failed, transmission has been replaced on two occasions, the electrical system experiences continual malfunctions (emergency flashers, brake lights, warning buzzer).

- Fargo, ND, USA