1997 Chevrolet Suburban: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 431 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (22% of complaints); the 1998 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 431 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The previous owner said the brakes wore quickly but we didn't realize how quickly until we had issues and got the repair information. New brakes about every 4 months are needed. Once they start wearing the pads and rotors are gone within a day. This time I nearly ran into someone they deteriorated so fast. I've read this seems to be a problem with many more of the same vehicles”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2020
“I stopped to get gas anc cut my truck off. I got back in it and cut it on an drove about 30 yards I noticed a smell like burning wires. So I cut it off got out checked the outside the smell is only on the inside. Then I popped the hood an smelled the same smell. I pushed it and parked it. My clicker is not working to unlock or lock it, the lights will not go off and it makes the ringing sound as if the driver door is open even when it's not. I took the battery out to see if it was that but its fully charged.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2019
“Pep boys definity dakota h/t size lt245/75/r16 load rating e tire manufactured in the 38th week of 2009 experienced complete 360 degree separation of the tread at 65mph resulting in significant damage to the body and tailpipe of the vehicle. The tire continued to hold pressure after tread separation but steel belts were visible. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“MY 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN C-2500 IS LEAKING OIL FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE AND MAKING ENGINE VERY "HOT". THIS HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.I TOUCH THE ENGINE HOOD AND FEEL THAT IT'S VERY, VERY HOT. I JUST WENT HOME TO PREVENT ANY FIRE OR ACCIDENT. MY MECHANIC SAID IT'S NOT ORDINARY FOR THIS HEAVY DUTY TRUCK TO LEAK OIL WITH ONLY 77,000 MILES. I NEED YOU TO INVESTIGATE MY PROBLEM AND CONTACT GM. YOU CAN EMAIL ME AT [XXX] FOR AN UPDATES REGARDING THIS PROBLEMS. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON. THANKS. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2014
“December 2009, replaced ruptured brake lines above the rear differential. Severely rusted. July 15, 2012, ruptured brake line by the driver side floor board and fire wall. Severely rusted. Fuel lines under the vehicle is also severely rusted. Leak can cause fire. Brake failure occurred during driving on road. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that the windshield wipers and washers failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contact and confirmed that remedy repairs were performed under NHTSA campaign id number:03v159000(visibility:windshield wiper/washer) prior to the failure. The vheicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 99,000 and the current mileage was 99,200.”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet suburban 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, he heard a loud noise coming from the engine and the vehicle began to vibrate. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed burned wires near the fuel pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 197,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2011
“Erratic power steering assist while driving resulting in erratic control at highway speeds. Started in 2006 and ended in 2009. Vehicle was taken to dealer numerous times to no avail. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2009
“1997 suburban - fuel gauge pegs at past full. Fuel pump fails. I am not sure of the reason for these things to happen abut it keep recurring and I do not have the cash to be going to a mechanic every 2 to 3 months. I have looked this problem up on the net many times and the list of people with this and similar problems appears to be growing. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2009
“The car was parked in the driveway. In the middle of the night it burst into flames. Our dogs woke us up. The fire started in the front passenger compartment. By the time the fire department arrived 7 minutes later there was nothing left to the interior of the car. The engine and underside of the car were undamaged by the fire. A tree near the car also caught fire. Chevrolet said there were no recalls on our car. They do not seem interested in examining the car since we settled with our insurance company. Neither the fire department nor the police suspect arson. It would appear to be electrical. If the car had been parked in our garage we would have lost our house. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 22 of these complaints and injuries in 16 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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).
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 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 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
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 Suburban 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 Suburban reliable?
NHTSA has 431 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban. The most complained-about area is steering (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Suburban problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 105,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. 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.