1997 Chevrolet C/K PICKUPS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
69 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
77,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 48 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 69 complaints (20.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 17 | 24.6% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 14.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 4.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 14 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 10 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 9 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 14; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 10; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 9; Steering: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 3; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 21 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2000: 4; 2003: 9; 2004: 18; 2005: 19; 2006: 9; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 3; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10023715 · 2003-06-24 (June 24, 2003)
1) BURNT ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. LOCATION IS INSIDE THE GAS TANK. HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. EXPLOSION HAZARD. 2) POWER STEERING- WHEEL WOULD JERK VEHICLE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT ANYTHING BEING DONE ABOUT IT. EVEN BY THE NTSB! IS SOMEONE RECEIVING A KICKBACK ON THIS THING OR WHAT? 3) BURNT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION-CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE HVAC COOLING FAN AND THE SELECTOR SWITCH INSIDE OF DASH. 4) CLUNKING NOISE/HARD SHIF…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028471 · 2003-07-17 (July 17, 2003)
FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST. FAILS AND IS COMMON PROBLEM ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT BY MAKING VEHICLE PULL TO THE SIDE UNEXPECTEDLY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028471 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106178 · 2005-01-12 (January 12, 2005)
THE POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT BROKE WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY 97 CHEVROLET K1500 FWD PICKUP. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STREER THE TRUCK AND HAD TO CALL ME TO COME GET IT. A LOCALE MECHANIC AND I REMOVED THE SERPENTINE BELT AND PULLED THE PUMP SHAFT AND PULLY RIGHT OUT OF THE PUMP. THE SHAFT WAS BROKE IN HALF IN SIDE THE PUMP. I THINK THIS WAS A PRETTY SERIOUS FAILURE AS MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE TRUCK OR BRAKE. I HAD THE MECHANIC REPLACE THE PUMP FOR ME. THE MAIN REASON I MENTION THIS IS BECAUSE A CO WORKER OF MINE HAS A 2001 YUKON THAT HAD TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10106178 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10119419 · 2005-05-03 (May 3, 2005)
I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO TRUCK. OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING RANDOM FAILURE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, THEY ENGAGE IN SITUATIONS WHERE THERE IS NO REASON TO. RECENTLY I VIEWED A REPORT THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION IS INVESTIGATING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 1999 - 2002 MODELS, BUT THE PROBLEM IN THAT INVESTIGATION EXACTLY DESCRIBES MY PROBLEM. SINCE THE PROBLEM IS RANDOM, YOU CANNOT BE PREPARED WHEN YOU DON'T QUITE STOP AS FAST AS EXPECTED. MY TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND I CANNOT EXPECT MY SON TO BE ABLE TO HAND…
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10119419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028721 · 2003-07-21 (July 21, 2003)
1997 CHEVROLET K1500 Z71: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE 1870. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028721 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10128502 · 2005-07-12 (July 12, 2005)
DT: ON THE 26TH OF JUNE THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON GENE SNIDER FREEWAY IN LOUISVILLE, KY WHEN THE VEHICLE QUITE RUNNING. THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THEN CONSUMER CALLED A FAMILY MEMBER TO COME HELP TOW VEHICLE TO DAUGHTER'S HOUSE. THE CONSUMER'S SON IN-LAW INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND BURNED WIRES THAT HAD FALLEN OFF AND WENT DOWN IN THE FUEL TANK. CONSUMER BOUGHT FUEL TANK MONITOR SENDER KIT AT BOB MCGUMBRYS CHEVROLET LOCATED IN LOUISVILLE, KY 40216. CONSUMER'S SON IN-LAW HAD VEHICLE PAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10128502 at NHTSA ↗