1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 555 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 555 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the corner of the front seat fell through the floor structure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was stated that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated that the original frame to repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 75,000.”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2023
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet silverado 1500. While driving at unknown speeds, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle did not slow down or stop. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 351,000. The VIN was unknown.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet silverado 1500. While driving 25 mph, the air bags deployed without warning or impact. There were no injuries. The contact stated that the passenger side air bags were deactivated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 258,669.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“When driving and entering a curve the power steering jerks to the direction of steer. This is said to be a problem with the steering position sensor causing the variable assist steering to over-compensate and causing the vehicle to veer dangerously. The forums are full of people with this problem that has plagued this system.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2016
“Main brake line that feeds the rear brakes failed on my truck while I was at a gm dealer parking lot. The brake line rotted away. Had the brake line broke a few minutes earlier I could have been killed while getting off of the interstate and not being able to stop! When this brake line burst I lost all stopping ability. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2014
“I have same problem as the rest , only thing is ,there all at the same time, which is right now !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2014
“Passenger side air bag key switched in off position. The passenger side bag deployed, the steering wheel one did not. There was no accident, no road conditions, and the weather was fair. We were not injured but shocked us. I quickly stopped the truck to air out the contents of the air bag in the cab. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2013
“Noticed the brake light on the dash was on and flickering at times. Checked the fluid and notice it was very low. Topped off the fluid and notice spots under the truck. Checked closer and saw that fluid was leaking near the ABS controller further investigation showed that the brake lines all had moderate to sever rust on them and this was causing the loss of fluid.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2013
“There was and has been no accident or crash the driver's seat is loose just from day to day use. We bought this vehicle brand new and are the only owners it has ever had, and we need it repaired as it is a safety hazard to drive with the loose seat. *tr”Owner report · Seats · Aug 2013
“I removed bed off my truck to replace fuel pump and noticed sections of my rear frame missing or just paper thin due to rot/corrosion and it is unsafe to drive. It's sad I've owned this truck for 8years and take very good care of it still has all of its original body panels in rust/rot free and floors are mint just the frame is junk. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 30 of these complaints and injuries in 26 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
How other years compare
Check your exact Silverado 1500 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 Silverado 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 555 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The most complained-about area is steering (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 89,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. 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.