1997 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
88,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 42 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 23.8% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 14.3% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.8% |
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 | 6 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 4 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 6; Fuel System, Diesel: 4; Steering: 3; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 22 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 | 8 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 8; 2001: 4; 2002: 4; 2003: 6; 2004: 4; 2005: 3; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 3; 2012: 2; 2015: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10143593 · 2005-11-24 (November 24, 2005)
1997 K 2500 TRUCK PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING AND SURGING WILL STALL AT HIGH SPEEDS AND WITH HYDRO BOOST THERE ARE ONLY 10 % BRAKING POWER THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WITH EACH TIME A FAILURE OF A PMD BOX ON ENGINE THAT THE DEALER SAYS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM SINCE 1994 I HAVE HAD REPLACED 4 TIMES WITH THE RESULT THE SAME A DANGEROUSLY CLOSE CALL WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGES IN TO TRAFFIC OR THE BRAKES FAIL WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS AFTER LOOKING THE DEALER WAS PUSHED BUY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE OEM PART BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REPAIR THE RISK …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10143593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10252329 · 2008-12-20 (December 20, 2008)
MY BRAKES HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. THE DEALER HAS SAID THEY WORK PROPERLY AND ABS SYSTEMS WORK DIFFERENT THAN THE OLD SYSTEMS. IF I HAVE TO HIT THE BRAKE QUICKLY, THE PEDAL GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP. BRAKES NEED TO BE PUMPED TO STOP EFFECTIVELY BUT THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE AT TIMES, ESPECIALLY IN CITY DRIVING. I HAVE HAD MANY MANY CLOSE CALLS AND HAVE BUMPED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME ONCE AND SMASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE ONCE. MY INSURANCE RATES WERE RAISED FOR SEVERAL YEARS AS A RESULT.…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10252329 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001484 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
WHILE IN MOTION AND IN A SLOW TURN THE AMOUNT OF FORCE REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL CHANGES, RESULTING IN SUDDEN AND ABRUPT MOVEMENTS. THIS SOMETIMES RESULTS IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JG *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001484 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054468 · 2004-01-20 (January 20, 2004)
POWER STEERING PROBLEM IDENTICAL TO KNOWN DEFECTS AFFECTING GM CARS. I HAVE IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS REGARDING SUDDEN ROTATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN A LEFT TURN. THE UPCOMING RECALL OF 1996-7 CARS DOES NOT INCLUDE PICKUP TRUCKS BUILT IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. MY '97 3/4 TON CHEVROLET WAS BUILT IN SEPT OF 96, AND HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS. MY (RENO,NV) CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IT WILL COST ME APPROX $240 TO FIX IT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE TO EXPAND THE RECALL, AS I'VE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS ALREADY! *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 72,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054468 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10362951 · 2010-10-29 (October 29, 2010)
I OWN A 1997 SILVERADO 6.5 DIESEL ENGINE, W/279K MILES, TRUCK WAS RUNNING OK BUT THE LAST FEW MONTHS ENGINE STALLING AND STOP WITHOUT REASON, TOOK IT TO A REPAIR CENTER, DIAGNOSE WITH FUEL INJECTION PUMP FAILURE, DIESEL DEALER EXPLAINED THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT, FUEL INJECTION PUMP HAS AN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT (PMD) LOCATED ON THE SIDE OF THE PUMP WHEN ENGINE GETS HOT SENT FAILURE SIGNAL TO THE MAIN COMPUTER. CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TO VERIFIED THE ISSUE, ANSWERED THAT YES INDEED THEY AGREED ABOUT THE PROBLEM ALSO SAID THEY HAD 'CAMPAIG…
Owner-reported narrative. 244,537 miles reported. Look up ODI 10362951 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046855 · 2003-11-13 (November 13, 2003)
I OWN TWO 1997 CHEVY DIESEL VEHICLES. ONE IN A CK3500 AND THE OTHER IS A K2500 SUBURBAN, BOTH ARE CURRENTLY NOT RUNNING. THEY BOTH ARE DEMONSTRATING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CERTIFIED GM DEALERS ARE TELLING US THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP AND THEY ARE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM IS THEY ARE STATING THAT THE INJECTOR IS RUINED DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER. IN TURN I'M TO PAY FOR REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, FUEL TANK, ELECTRICAL FILTER HARNESS AND HAVE THE INJECTION CLEANED. ALL TOTAL $1354.84. THIS IS CURRENT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10046855 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064654 · 2004-03-22 (March 22, 2004)
WHILE STARTING UP THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTOR DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10064654 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8008741 · 2002-04-29 (April 29, 2002)
USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THEY WILL WORK FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, THEN STOP FUNCTIONING COMPLETELY, RESULTING IN A VISUAL PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY, REPLACING TIRES EVERY 30000 MILES, AND ALSO ENGINE BELT FAILED. *YD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8008741 at NHTSA ↗