1997 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
347 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
89,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 147 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 45 of 347 complaints (13.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 77 | 22.2% |
| Steering behavior | 77 | 22.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 41 | 11.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 27 | 7.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 20 | 5.8% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 3.2% |
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 | 45 |
| Steering | 35 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 29 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 28 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 24 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 23 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 21 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 9 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 45; Steering: 35; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 29; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 28; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 24; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 23; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 21; Electrical System:Wiring: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 17 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 28 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 39 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 35 |
| 150,000 and above | 22 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 28; 75,000 to 99,999: 39; 100,000 to 149,999: 35; 150,000 and above: 22
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (39). 200 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 | 72 |
| 2001 | 50 |
| 2002 | 43 |
| 2003 | 31 |
| 2004 | 42 |
| 2005 | 32 |
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2007 | 13 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2000: 72; 2001: 50; 2002: 43; 2003: 31; 2004: 42; 2005: 32; 2006: 17; 2007: 13; 2008: 8; 2009: 5; 2010: 9; 2011: 9; 2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 5; 2016: 3; 2019: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 77 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 77 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 41 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 10001182 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CONSUMER STATES' THE VEHICLES BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON CONSTANTLY. TOOK TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN TAIL LIGHT MAY HAVE A SHORT IN IT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022658 · 2003-06-27 (June 27, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE ROTORS FAILED. *AK THE CENTER PART OF THE ROTOR SEPARATED.*TS ALSO THE TRANSMISSION, FUEL PUMP AND ABS SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 127,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022658 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006764 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STRAIGHT FORWARD, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TURN TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006764 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007395 · 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)
THE DEALERSHIP MADE 3 ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE LOOSE STEERING IN THE VEHICLE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002786 · 2003-01-16 (January 16, 2003)
TRUCK WAS RUNNING FINE WITH NO INDICATION OF TROUBLE WHEN PARKED, UPON REENTRY TRUCK DID NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO START, ENGINE WOULD TURN SPIN FREELY. TOWED TO SHOP. FUEL PUMP SUPPOSEDLY FAILED ACCORDING TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND WAS REPLACED WITH 46,000 MILES ON TRUCK. TRUCK DROVE LESS THAN 500 MILES AND FAILED TO START WITH SEEMINGLY THE SAME PROBLEM. TOWED TO CHEVEROLET DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT CONNECTION INSIDE THE TANK WAS BURNED OUT. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE FOR ALL CHEVEROLET TRUCKS WITH VORT…
Owner-reported narrative. 46,102 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002786 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004713 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
THE THIRD DOOR ON THE VEHICLE DID NOT OPEN, THERE WAS A TEAR IN THE SEATS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING LATE AND HARD, THE TRANSMISSION WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED AT 56,000, CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE SECOND VEHICLE AT 126,000 MILES.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010873 · 2003-03-22 (March 22, 2003)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 1997 CHEVY K1500 PICKUP. PLANETARY SUNGEAR CARRIER BROKE. $2,000 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS MODEL AND DESIGN OF TRANSMISSION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010873 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062793 · 2004-03-22 (March 22, 2004)
I HAVE HAD A DANGEROUS SITUATION OCCUR WITH A FAILURE IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, INVOLVING THE WIRING HARNESS AND VEHICLE CONTROL MODULE (VCM) OF MY 1997 CHEVROLET K1500. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED INTO A CHEVROLET DEALER, FOR SERVICE DUE TO A CRANK BUT NO-START ISSUE ON JANUARY 29, 2004. UPON DIAGNOSIS BY THE MECHANICS, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM HAD SOMEHOW DEVELOPED A LEAK, WHICH CAUSED FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD-UP WHERE THE WIRING-HARNESS ENTERED THE UNIT. THEN, FUEL WAS FORCED AT HIGH PRESSURE BETWEEN THE WIRES AND INSULAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 124,614 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037335 · 2003-09-06 (September 6, 2003)
FUEL LINE IS LEAKING FROM FUEL INJECTION CAUSING FUEL GO THROUGHT THE WORE HARNESS AND EAT AWAY HARNESS THEN INTO THE COMPUTER. THEN THE ENGINE DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAUSING IT TO BE HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL. POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE AND STALL HAZARD.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 350,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096080 · 2004-10-20 (October 20, 2004)
INTERMITENT OPERATION OF FUEL PUMP LOCATED IN FUEL TANK. REMOVAL OF FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY REVEALED A BURNT CONNECTOR AND MELTED WIRE INSULATION, RESULTING IN POOR CONTINUITY TO FUEL PUMP. VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT ALWAYS START. VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING.
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096080 at NHTSA ↗