GMC TruckJimmy 4WD1989Overview/gmc-truck/jimmy-4wd/1989/base/

1989 GMC Truck Jimmy 4WD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1989 Jimmy 4WD.

The 1989 GMC Truck Jimmy 4WD specified a 4-quart fill of 5W-30 API engine oil and enters the historical record with just 13 owner complaints—dominated by Service Brakes, Hydraulic issues—and a single recall. This positions the model year immediately before the 1990–2004 complaint window that would later peak at 620 grievances for the 1995 model year. With a complaint volume significantly below that later high and sitting far closer to the series minimum documented in 2003, the 1989 model represents a relatively quiet entry in the nameplate’s reliability history prior to the documented surge in subsequent years.

Model year20052000198919841983

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 25160561. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter25160561
Engine air filter08996118 alt 06484235
Fuel filter25171792 discontinued · alt 25011765
Spark plug19302741
Front wiper blades15184702 alt 12363297
Serpentine belt09433734 alt 09433732
Thermostat14077122 alt 12551591

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity14.0 qt
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity10.0 qt
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi.

At 5,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 7,500 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate)
Every 10,000 miAir Intake System (inspect) · Radiator Fan Assembly (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Underbody Splash Shield (inspect)
Every 15,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miClutch Cross Shaft (lubricate) · Clutch Release Lever Pivot Points (lubricate) · EGR System (inspect) · Early Fuel Evaporation System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Crankcase Depression Regulator Valve (inspect) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Exhaust Pressure Regulator (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1989 GMC Truck Jimmy 4WD lead in one area — the service brakes, hydraulic, 3 of 13 reports (23%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 1 recall campaigns target the service brakes, hydraulic, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 3 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the service brakes, hydraulic pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
3
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
13
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 13 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Seat Belts3
Electrical System2
Power Train1
Visibility1
Suspension,Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Steering1
Fuel System, Gasoline1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E026000Exterior LightingReported 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… 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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 3 of 3 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
020152004-01-01SuspensionPOP SNAP NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BRAKING. *MR
GM5612041995-04-01StructureWATER LEAK AT THE A/C RECIRCULATION DOOR (INSTALL NEW HOOD HINGE SEAL). *TW
GM1615141995-04-01Latches/Locks/LinkagesEND GATE LATCH RATTLE (INSTALL REVISED STRIKER). *TW

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Jimmy 4WD. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1989 Jimmy 4WD take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1989 Jimmy 4WD have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.