1997 GMC Sierra 2500: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 14 owner complaints on record; most reports concern service brakes, hydraulic.
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 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 gmc c2500 pickup equipped with cooper mastercraft tires, size p265/75/r16. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the tread separated from the tires and caused damage to the vehicle. The contact was able to safely drive the vehicle to a local body shop. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage on the tires was 31,000 the failure and current mileages on the vehicle was 100,000.”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 gmc sierra 2500 with bf-goodrich all terrain tires, line size lt265/75/16. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle exhibited a loud abnormal noise as the contact lost control of the vehicle. The driver side rear tire tread separated causing damage to the back of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who advised that they would contact him at a later date. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN and dot numbers were unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 141,000.”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2011
“Brake line failure on 1997 gmc pickup. @ different occasions and separate areas in brake lines. Old lines discarded. Appeared to be a rust issue. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2008
Show 6 more owner reports
“While driving in rainy weather front windshield wipers failed intermittently. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2004
“When applying brakes hard they do not work. Also, when applying brakes to stop vehicle, they let go and donot hold. Vehicle is at dealership.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2000
“While raining windshield wipers will move real slow or they may stop completely. It is an intermittent reoccurring problem. Dealer claims vehicle is not under warranty. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Feb 1999
“Brakes fail to stop vehicle. Would roll 6 times or more before slowing down. Speed varies. Brake pedal goes to floor. Been to dealers 8-10 times for problem. An intermittent braking problem. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 1998
“Recall related 97v037000, seat, noticed in march 1997, dealership will not perform recall due to the time factor involved, the manufacturer states there are no parts available. *ak”Owner report · Seats · Apr 1997
“Was preparing to stop at about 30 mp in dry conditons during normal stopping operation, but brakes became inoperative, causing consumer to hit pedestrian. Dealer cannot determine problem. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. ONE OR TWO OF THE FRONT SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK ALL SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND INSTALL ANY MISSING BOLTS.
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).
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RECLINING SEATS AND THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE. THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH A PINCH POINT EXISTS IN THE RECLINER MECHANISM THAT CAN TRAP AND PINCH A PERSON'S HAND OR FINGER(S) WHEN THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE IS ACTIVATED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 2500 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 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?
NHTSA has 14 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 GMC Sierra 2500. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic.
Does the 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 have open recalls?
4 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.