1997 Chevrolet PICKUP problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
55 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
84,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 55 complaints (21.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 18 | 32.7% |
| Braking behavior | 15 | 27.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 5.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 12 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 4 |
| Suspension:Front | 4 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum | 3 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 3 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 12; Steering: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 4; Suspension:Front: 4; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum: 3; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 47 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 | 18 |
| 2001 | 18 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2000: 18; 2001: 18; 2002: 6; 2003: 1; 2004: 9; 2005: 1; 2008: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 15 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 10037802 · 2003-08-27 (August 27, 2003)
STEERING SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER HAS TO REPLACE STEERING SENSOR FIVE TIMES SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037802 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054198 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME LOOSE. THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS MAKING RIGHT AND LEFT HAND TURN. THE DEALERSHIP'S MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM BUT THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 717782 · 2000-01-24 (January 24, 2000)
AT LOW SPEEDS THE REAR BRAKES WILL LOCK UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP SUDDENLY OR SKID. ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS CHECKED BY DEALER, AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITY WITH NO CAUSE IDENTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717782 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719156 · 2000-02-23 (February 23, 2000)
THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN ACTING UP FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS. WHEN I TOOK THE TRUCK TO HAVE THE BRAKES FIXED, THE MECHANIC SAID A RECALL HAS BEEN MADE ON THIS TRUCK BUT HAS NOT BEEN SENT OUT. HE CHARGED ME FOR A NEW BRAKE JOB ON THE FRONT BRAKES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TWICE AND HE WENT THROUGH EVERTHING AGAIN BUT I STILL HAVE A PROBLEM. I SAW A RECALL ON SOME '97 CHEVY VEHICLES ON THE NEWS BUT HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON THIS TRUCK? PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU. RW. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719156 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 724426 · 2000-06-23 (June 23, 2000)
WHEN ENGINE WARM, TRANSMISSION WILL HESITATE, THEN SLAM FROM FIRST TO SECOND. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR ALL THE TIME. IT HAS HAPPENED ON 4 OCCASIONS. 3 TIMES AFTER DRIVING APPROX 60 MILES AND ONCE 4 HOURS INTO A 5 HOUR TRIP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 724426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 739109 · 2001-01-10 (January 10, 2001)
THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STARTED EARLY (@3500MILES), BUT DID NOT SUFFER A COMPLETE FAILURE UNTIL 1/99 AT 53478 MILES AND AGAIN AT 110000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP LIST IT AS A BROKEN SUN GEAR SHELL. THE BATTERY BEGAN LEAKING ACID AT THE POSITIVE CABLE CONNECTION CREATING SOME KIND OF MELT DOWN THAT LOOSEN THE CONNECTOR BEYOND REPAIR AND CAUSED POWER FAILURE. THE DRIVE SHAFT HAS BEEN CLUNKING SINCE @3500 MILES, BUT EVERYTIME I TAKE IT IN THE DEALER JUST LUBES THE DRIVE SHAFT SLIP YOKE, BUT THIS DOES NOT FIX IT. THE FUEL PUMP HAD A COMPLETE FAILU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 739109 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 855422 · 2000-01-24 (January 24, 2000)
SENSOR KIT INSIDE THE GAS TANK WIRING HARNESS MELTED, CAUSING A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD WITHIN THE GAS TANK. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SENSOR KIT/FUEL PUMP AND THE FILTER. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 855422 at NHTSA ↗