1997 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 48 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I have a 1997 chevy tahoe that has had all of the required tune-ups and services. I recently lost my transmissions. I have never pulled anything with this truck. I searched the internet and found that almost 95 out of a 100 buyers have had this same problem. Why should the chevy corp. Be able to sell you something and months later that trans go out and all they have to say is it common. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet z71. The contact stated that the interior driver side door handle detached when he exited the vehicle. This failure has occurred three times. He had to roll down the window and open the door from the outside to exit the vehicle. He has not notified the dealer because the vehicle was purchased from a private owner. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 191,500 and failure mileage was 191,000. Updated 09/18/07 *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2007
“Anti lock brakes apply on dry roads with no reason. The brakes shake when being applied. I have reviewed information on your database which have this exact same complaint. I believe there are not more since the vehicles are over 5 years old and people believe it to be normal wear and tare. It is not normal. The anti locks are over sensitive. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2005
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“The electrical harness to the fuel pump was corroded and burnt, consumer replaced the fuel pump, according to the mechanic it was burnt two inches into the top of the fuel tank. Nlm”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2000
“Dt: the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet pickup. A recall was being issued on gm 1999 -2002 corrosion anti lock brake sensors. The 1997 chevrolet pickups were not included in this recall. Vehicle was experiencing the same anti lock brake corrosion as the 1999-2002 recalled vehicles. Took the vehicle to the dealership, and was told that it would be $1500 to fix this problem. When stopping at less than 3 mph had to put both feet on the brakes as hard as one could to get it to stop. The contact was backing out the garage door when the anti locks brakes failed , and vehicle hit the garage door.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2000
“Sending unit in fuel pump had faulty wiring and fried, had to replace pump and sending unit 575.00 repair man said it could have caused a fire as unit is inside gas tank. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2000
“Steering feels loose, and you can be driving down the road and all of the sudden the steering wheel will just pull to the left. It has not caused an accident yet, but it could . I know of two 1997 chevrolet trucks that the steering box has been replaced at a cost of about $500.00 per part, not counting labor. I think general motors should stand behind this and have to fix the problem. It is like someone is trying to jerk the steering wheel out of your hands when it happens. I could see how this could cause some serious injuries if it gets bad enough. My truck is just starting to do it. But will only get worse is what I've been told. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Nov 1999
“We were traveling on i80 (ohio tpk.) when the right rear wheel came off causing the van to loose control. We hit the highway's concrete center divider causing injury to my sons, my wife and aunt. Upon further inspection of the damaged vehicle I observed that all of the wheel lugs were sheared at the hub assembly. Please, if there is any defect on the material strength used to make these lugs, they should be immediately addressed as many lives depend on these vehicles. We were lucky to get away with just injuries, it could have been fatal. Thanks.”Owner report · Wheels · Sep 1999
“Problem occurs when making right hand turn only. The steering has no force, for a split second, causing you to oversteer. The steering normally has a normal amount of force which the driver has to overcome to turn the steering wheel. This condition causes the force to cease, like steering is disconnected for a split second.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 1999
“Thesteering wheel seems tojerk or momentary oversteers at moderate speeds causing the truck to move towards other lane also does it when the wheel is held turned like on an on ramp or exit ramp of highways. The antilock brakes lock in wet weather when first starting out with vehicle.. A reply would be appreciated....”Owner report · Service Brakes, Air · Sep 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT 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.
Remedy: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.
How other years compare
Check your exact Chevrolet Truck 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 Chevrolet Truck reliable?
NHTSA has 48 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1997 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck. The most complained-about area is steering (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,500 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. 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.