1997 Chevrolet SUBURBAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
261 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
100,858 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 76 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 30 of 261 complaints (11.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 66 | 25.3% |
| Braking behavior | 52 | 19.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 31 | 11.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 26 | 10.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 24 | 9.2% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 4.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 30 |
| Steering | 28 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 27 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 26 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 21 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 15 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 14 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 14 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 30; Steering: 28; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 27; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 26; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 21; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 15; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 14; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 18 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 26 |
| 150,000 and above | 12 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 18; 100,000 to 149,999: 26; 150,000 and above: 12
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (26). 185 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 | 93 |
| 2001 | 33 |
| 2002 | 20 |
| 2003 | 39 |
| 2004 | 36 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2000: 93; 2001: 33; 2002: 20; 2003: 39; 2004: 36; 2005: 19; 2006: 7; 2007: 2; 2008: 5; 2009: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2016: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 66 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 52 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 31 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 10000484 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
TRANSMISSION STARTING FAILING AT 50,000 (CODED SLIPPAGE). GOING DOWN HIGHWAY AND BLEW TRANNY FLUID ALL OVER THE PLACE LEAVING US STRANDED. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. STEERING HAS MOMENTARY OVERSTEER, CAUSING THE FEELING OF SLIPPING ON ICE (SAFETY CONCERN AS NO CONTROL OVER VEHICLE), REPLACED ROTORS THREE TIMES, REPLACED FUEL SENDING AND WIRING UNIT (WIRES HAD ACTUALLY MELTED INSIDE THE GAS TANK!!). WHAT NEXT!!!! THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 73,000 ON IT. WE DO NOT PULL ANYTHING BEHIND IT, SO FEEL THAT TRANNY SHOULD NOT HAVE FA…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000484 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010999 · 2003-03-25 (March 25, 2003)
THESE TRUCKS WITH THIS STEERING PROBLEM ARE VERY DANGEROUS FOR DRIVERS, PASSENGERS & OTHER MOTORISTS AROUND THESE VEHICLES.IF NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED YET BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT GM SHOULD DO SOMETHING BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.
Owner-reported narrative. 53,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010999 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006079 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006079 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011448 · 2002-12-21 (December 21, 2002)
ABS FAILURE, ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND FRONT AND REAR BRAKE FAILURE. THIS CORRESPONDENCE IS NOT AVAILABLE VIA .I BELIEVE THE LETTER MAY HAVE BEEN MISPLACED WHILE IN TRANSITION FROM DIMMS TO ARTEMIS VIA TRAN TECH EMPLOYEES. THE POWER WINDOWS AND AIR CONDITION FAILED. THERE WAS A VIOLENT GEAR CHANGE BETWEEN 2 WHEEL DRIVE AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THE BATTERY LEAKED AND ALSO THE CABLES WERE CORRODED, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009686 · 2003-03-03 (March 3, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE.*JB *TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009686 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017785 · 2003-04-29 (April 29, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004769 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS SERVICE BY DEALER TECHNICIAN NOTICE FUEL DRIVER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004769 at NHTSA ↗