1997 Chevrolet SILVERADO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
190 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
81,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 64 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 26 of 190 complaints (13.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 55 | 28.9% |
| Steering behavior | 42 | 22.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 17 | 8.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 14 | 7.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 4.2% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 2.1% |
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 | 26 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 19 |
| Steering | 17 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 15 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 8 |
| Seats | 6 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 6 |
| Tires | 6 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 26; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 19; Steering: 17; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 15; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 8; Seats: 6; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 6; Tires: 6
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 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 18 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 5
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 126 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 | 41 |
| 2001 | 32 |
| 2002 | 25 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 34 |
| 2005 | 31 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 41; 2001: 32; 2002: 25; 2003: 17; 2004: 34; 2005: 31; 2006: 3; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 55 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 42 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 17 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 10011865 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)
THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE PULLING WOULD BECOME MORE SEVERE WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE SWERVED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THE DEALER PAY FOR REPAIR. SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011865 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029404 · 2003-07-16 (July 16, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, THERE WAS A MOTOR RUNNING THAT WAS VIBRATIING THE WHOLE VEHICLE. CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND SAW ABS BURNING RED CHERRY HOT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 36,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029404 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009117 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)
INFLATER MODULE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE INFLATOR MODULE WAS DESIGNED POORLY. THE WIRES BREAK DUE TO WEAR IN THE STEERING WHEEL, PROBABLY FROM TILTING OF STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAUSES THE AIR BAG COMPUTER TO SHORT OUT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009117 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043674 · 2003-10-27 (October 27, 2003)
STARTED FROM STOP AND THE BACK OF THE DRIVER SEAT FLIPPED BACKWARDS. I WAS HOLDING ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND AS I FELL BACK MY FOOT CAME OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT SLID FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO GET UP IN TIME TO HIT BRAKE AND AVOID HITTING CAR IN FRONT. I DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURY. SEAT IS NOW BROKEN. BACK WILL NOT STAY UP AND BOTTOM WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE. CANNOT DRIVE THE TRUCK SAFELY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 71,321 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043674 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011888 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
THE FUEL PUMP WIRING HEATED UP, WHICH CAUSED THE PUMP TO FAIL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 113,007 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011888 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073344 · 2004-05-10 (May 10, 2004)
WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE FUEL PUMP AND FOUND THAT THE CONNECTOR THAT FEEDS THE FUEL TO THE PUMP WAS BURNED OUT. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE CONNECTOR WAS ACTUALLY INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK.
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073344 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019453 · 2003-05-08 (May 8, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION MADE A SOUND WHILE IN 1ST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019453 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022245 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BURNED UP AS A RESULT OF OVERDRIVE.
Owner-reported narrative. 51,572 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022245 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138535 · 2005-10-04 (October 4, 2005)
DT: THE AUTOMOBILE WOULD NOT START. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS, THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER ASSUMED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. HE DETERMINED THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT ASSEMBLY HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH MELTED THE WIRING INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FLAMES, WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WAS UNKNOWN. HE WAS UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WOULD HAVE NOT KNOWN UNLESS THE MECHANIC HAD PULLED THE FUEL PAN BED AND DISCOVERED THIS FAILURE. THE MECHANIC OFFERED NO EXPLANATION …
Owner-reported narrative. 127,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138535 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115192 · 2005-05-06 (May 6, 2005)
THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER TRIED WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. DRIVER NOTICED THAT STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES FAILED, AND WOULD NOT WORK WHEN APPLIED. THE DRIVER HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THIS IS THE THIRD PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. WHEN THE PUMP FAILED THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES, THE VEHICLE JU…
Owner-reported narrative. 130,671 miles reported. Look up ODI 10115192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115707 · 2005-03-23 (March 23, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN SERVICING IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE FUEL PUMP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10115707 at NHTSA ↗