1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 72 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (42% of complaints); the 1995 and 1996 and 1999 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2003
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Brakes failed, inspection revealed completely rusted out brake lines, frame, suspension components, steering components, and crossmembers. Vehicle is not repairable and is no longer usable. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet pickup quad cab. The contact stated that the window wiper motor would fail intermittently. The dealer and the manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 03v159000 (visibility: windshield wiper/washer). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 128,397.”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet c/k pickup. The contact stated when driving approximately 5 mph in rainy weather conditions the windshied wipers would not operate normally. He would had to drive onto the emergency lane and wait until the rain stopped. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised him that the circuit board to the wiper motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised him that he was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03v159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 02/09/12*lj updated 02/13/12”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet k 1500. While driving with the windshield wipers activated, the wipers worked intermittently. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03v159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer). The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The wipers have yet to be repaired. The speed was unknown. The failure mileage was 79,000 and current mileage was 80,000. Updated 01-11-08. *kb updated 12/12/07 *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2007
“Anti lock brakes engage at slow speeds (less than 5 mph) on dry pavement. Vehicle stopping distance was increased causing low speed collision. No injuries but minor property damage. This problem still exists. Co-worker has a 98 with same problem. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to apply brake pressure at various speeds the brakes failed. This occurred without warning during normal braking on normal roads. The dealership turned the rotors, packed the wheel bearings, replaced the cylinders, sealed in rear axles, replaced the brakes and pads however the problem still exists. The manufacturer has been alerted. Updated 6/19/2006 - *nm”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated while the wipers are engaged in rainy weather, they work intermittently or not at all. The dealer was alerted, but the vehicle was not inspected. There is a NHTSA recall, # 03v159000, regarding the windshield wiper/washer. The VIN was not included in the recall. Updated 05/10/06. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated the windshield wipers work intermittently. There is a NHTSA recall, # 03v159000, regarding the windshield wipers; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2006
“I went to my local dealership to fix a recall on my chevorlet truck that I saw on your website and they will not fix it for free. They will not fix it because they have no knowledge of any recalls about it. I have an issue with the wipers not working all the time and it is causing a hazard when I drive in the rain. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated the wipers fail intermittently without warning. There is a NHTSA recall, # 03v159000, regarding the windshield wiper/washer. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. No repairs have been made.”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
How other years compare
Check your exact C/K Pickups by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups reliable?
NHTSA has 72 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups. The most complained-about area is visibility (42% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning visibility:windshield wiper/washer. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.