1997 Gmc C/K PICKUP problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
86,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 25 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 28.0% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 16.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.0% |
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 | 5 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 5; Steering: 4; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Electrical System: 1; Equipment: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1
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 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 9; 2005: 8; 2006: 1; 2007: 3; 2008: 1; 2011: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10082407 · 2004-07-21 (July 21, 2004)
ANTILOCK BRAKE ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS WONT STOP CANT AFFORD TO PAY 450 A SIDE TO FIX THEM I THINK THEY SHOULD RECALL THEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT, I HAD A NEAR MISS AND ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME, I UNHOOKED THE ABS UNTIL I CAN GET IT FIXED AND NOW I CAN STOP. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120917 · 2005-05-14 (May 14, 2005)
WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL DURING NORMAL STOPS, WHEN THE VEHICLE SPEED SLOWS TO UNDER TEN MILES PER HOUR, I HEAR THE ANTILOCK BRAKE MOTOR ACTIVATE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL PULSATE AND NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSH ON THE PEDAL THE TRUCK WILL NOT SLOW DOWN. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I STEP ON THE BRAKE. I HAVE ALMOST HAD MANY ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM CORRECTED YET. I HAVE DISCONNECTED THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 78,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120917 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064037 · 2004-03-28 (March 28, 2004)
FAULTY STEERING SYSTEM, THIS TRUCK IS A DEATH TRAP, IS A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, WHEN IT ACTS UP STEERING FEELS NOTCHY, YOU HAVE NO REAL CONTROL. WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY BAD TIRES, INSTALLED NEW TIRES, DID NOT HELP. THESE TRUCKS SHOULD BE RECALLED BY GM ASAP, THIS A HUGE AND REAL SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064037 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090459 · 2004-09-05 (September 5, 2004)
FRONT END STIFF AND HARD TO STEER. ALSO HANGS ON TURNS AT TIMES. POWER STEERING IS OK .ONE TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS THE STEERING BOX. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088560 · 2004-08-25 (August 25, 2004)
MY HUSBAND,JOHN, PULLED UP AND PARKED OUR 1997 GMC K1500. WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN & PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE A HORRIBLE, METAL RIPPING , GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD & THE PICKUP WOULD NOT MOVE BACKWARDS. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST WITHOUT OVER-REVING THE RPM'S. WE TOOK THE PICKUP ASAP TO A RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION SHOP IN TULSA,OK. TO REPLAVE THE TRANSMISION. AT THIS TIME WE FOUND OUT THAT THE 'DRIVE SHELL' WAS NOT UPDATED ON OUR LATE MODEL 1997 PICKUP. THE 'BOOKS' STATE THAT IN 1997 A BETTER SHELL WAS MADE T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10088560 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10383009 · 2011-02-16 (February 16, 2011)
1997 GMC PICK UP DRIVERS DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT LOCATION WAS THE ELECTRICAL MIRROR SWITCH THE TRUCK WAS UNOCCUPIED.*TR
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10383009 at NHTSA ↗