1997 Gmc SAVANA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
86,854 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 29 complaints (13.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 20.7% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 13.8% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 13.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.4% |
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 | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Fuel System, Other: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments: 2; Tires: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 23 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 | 10 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2000: 10; 2001: 5; 2002: 6; 2003: 3; 2004: 3; 2006: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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 10240448 · 2008-08-28 (August 28, 2008)
1997 GMC SAVANA ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION COMPARTMENTS CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS EARLIER IN THE DAY. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0256-89) *JB UPDATED02/24/10 *BF
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10240448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 551854 · 2000-04-13 (April 13, 2000)
THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT IT TOOK A WHILE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT SOON AFTER WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER HEARD A POP AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 565862 · 2002-05-28 (May 28, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED, THE FRONT ROTORS WERE MACHINED AND THE REAR BRAKES WERE CLEANED AND ADJUSTED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 565862 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 716900 · 2000-01-05 (January 5, 2000)
TOWING A RENTED TRAILER AND SMALL HYDRA-HOE. WEATHER CONDITIONS HAD BEEN RAINING. THE TRAILER CONTAINS A HYRDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDER THAT IS ACTIVATED FROM THE FORCE OF THE TRAILER PUSHING THE VEHICLE WHEN STOPPING. IN THIS CAUSE THE ANTI-LOCKS WOULD PROVIDE SUFFICIENT STOPPING POWER AS THEY WOULD NOT LOCK UP. THE MORE THE TRAILER PUSHED THE LESS THEY WOULD BRAKE. RIG WAS VIRTUALLY BRAKELESS INTO AN INTERSECTION. THIS WAS NOT A PANIC STOP, THE LIGHT HAD CHANGED WITH APPX 80 YARDS TO STOP SPEED APPX. 35MPH . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 716900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040566 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WHICH MADE IT HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER MANAGED TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CONTACTED A TOW COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NLM *PH *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 30,463 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040566 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064954 · 2004-03-26 (March 26, 2004)
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE MAKING A SLOW LEFT HAND TURN AFTER BEING STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. (NAR) *PH *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10064954 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 867816 · 2000-08-15 (August 15, 2000)
ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS HAVE ALL CORRODED DUE TO MOISTURE, POSSIBLY CAUSING FIRE OR ELECTRICAL FAILURES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 867816 at NHTSA ↗