1997 Chevrolet C SERIES problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 22 complaints (31.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 18.2% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 13.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 9.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.5% |
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:Motor | 7 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 7; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors: 2; Suspension: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 14 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 | 5 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
2000: 5; 2002: 4; 2003: 1; 2004: 5; 2005: 5; 2009: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10091658 · 2004-12-03 (December 3, 2004)
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER AFTER THE VEHICLE LOST PRESSURE. CURRENTLY, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE THE MAIN CAUSE FOR ALL OF THERE PARTS TO MALFUNCTION AND BREAK DOWN, THE ABS BRAKES WERE ACTIVATING ON DRY PAVEMENT AT SLOWER SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER AND VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CLUNK AND FOUND LOOSE PITMAN ARM, THE VEHICLE WOULD SKIP AND SHAKE, AND THE CATALYTIC C…
Owner-reported narrative. 53,329 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091658 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120719 · 2005-06-10 (June 10, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ON HIS VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED THAT THE WIPERS WOULD NOT BE REPLACED UNTIL THEY FAILED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR WAS THAT IT BURNT LIKE A MOTHER BOARD FOR THE MOTOR AND IT BURNT ALL THE COPPER TIPS AND THE PLASTIC OFF OF THE WIRING. ALSO THE SEAT BELTS WOULD LOCK AND THEN WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT BELT WILL COME UNLOCKED. THE SEAT BELTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY ALSO. THE CONTACT OWNS …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10120719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068618 · 2004-05-20 (May 20, 2004)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO POWER ASSIST FAILURE. ALSO, THIS OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE VEERED IN EITHER DIRECTION. WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE POWER ASSIST FAILED MOMENTARILY. THIS FAILURE WAS DUE TO A BAD STEERING SENSOR.*AK *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 90,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8003449 · 2002-02-01 (February 1, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE STARTED STALLING, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO SHUT OFF. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT UNTIL AFTER VEHICLE HAD CUT OFF.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8003449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8005889 · 2002-03-19 (March 19, 2002)
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE MAY NOT START UP FOR 5 OR 10 MINUTES AFTER IT HAS BEEN TURNED OFF FOR A SHORT MOMENT. PROBLEM HAS TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT POSSIBLY THE WIRING HARNESS WAS TOO CLOSE TO MANIFOLD. * THE WIRING HARNESS COVER OVERHEATS AND IS STARTING TO CRACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER ALSO REPLACED A/C COMPRESSOR. FLUSHED CONDENSER. REPLACED EXPANSTION TUBE. AT ONE TIME THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED. BROKEN BOLTS ON RIGHT STEP REPLACED AND STRAIGHTENED BENT BRACKETS. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8005889 at NHTSA ↗