1997 Gmc SIERRA 1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
66 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
82,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 38 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 66 complaints (15.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 17 | 25.8% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 21.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 7.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 10 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 6 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 3 |
Steering: 10; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 6; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 6; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 3
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 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 28 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 | 11 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 11; 2001: 2; 2002: 4; 2003: 7; 2004: 8; 2005: 7; 2006: 4; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 5; 2012: 4; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 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 10017085 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL BROKE RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL AS WELL AS BRAKING ABILITY. THE LEFT WHEEL ENDED UP DETACHING THREE FEET AWAY FROM WERE THE WHEEL IS TO BE MOUNTED TO THE TRUCK. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 59,736 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017997 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)
THE STEERING HAD PLAY IN AND WANDERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE STEERING SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *NLM *CB
Owner-reported narrative. 59,826 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017997 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10134490 · 2005-08-22 (August 22, 2005)
1997 GMC SIERRA DOES NOT DECELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.*MR BRAKING AND/OR DOWNSHIFTING ONLY INCREASED THE RPM. TRANSMISSION CAN BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL THEN BACK IN THE DESIRED GEAR AND THE VEHICLE WILL THEN SLOW DOWN SLIGHTLY. SERVICE DEALER CLAIMED NO PROBLEM FOUND. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10134490 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016949 · 2003-05-03 (May 3, 2003)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR RECENTLY, CHANGED FLUID HELPED FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS - WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WORKS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT - FUEL GAUGE HAS NOT WORKED SINCE 1999 AND OTHER PEOPLE I KNOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR GENERAL MOTOR TRUCKS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016949 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022445 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 48,865 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022445 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116190 · 2005-03-31 (March 31, 2005)
TRUCK WILL NOT START. NOT HEARING THE ELECTIC FUEL PUMP IN GAS TANK. TRUCK TOWED FOR REPAIRS. DURING FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. NOTICED THE CONNECTOR INSIDE THE GAS TANK ARCED AND BURNED WITH 2 INCHES OF INSULATION BURNED OFF THE WIRES SUPPLYING POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP. 1997 GMC TRUCK. I GUESS THIS CONNECTOR THAT MATES THROUGH THE TANK HAS HAD A HISTORY OF ARCING BURNING HERE. ALSO THE CONNECTOR DEFECT ISNT EASILY NOTICABLE TO THE TECHNICIAN. CAUSING INTERMITTENT FUEL PUMP FAILURE AS IN MY CASE. HAS THERE BEEN ANY HISTORY OF FIRE/EXPOSION WITH…
Owner-reported narrative. 144,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10274994 · 2009-06-25 (June 25, 2009)
THE TRUCK STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING,TRIED TO START THE TRUCK WITH NO LUCK. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. TRUCK RA FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND THEN GOT TO WHERE IT WOULDN'T RUN AND NOW IT WONT EVEN START. I HAD IT TOWED BACK IN AND THEY TESTED THE FUEL PUMP AND IT WAS GOOD. THE DEALERSHIP RESEARCHED THAT YEAR AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL INJECTOR STICKING CAUSING IT TO DO THAT. THERE WAS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT OUT WARNING PEOPLE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. THE PARTS ARE WELL …
Owner-reported narrative. 175,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274994 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041642 · 2003-10-11 (October 11, 2003)
I HAVE OWNED MY 1997 GMC K1500 SIERRA SINCE 1999 AND HAVE EXPERIENCED CONTINUOUS MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL DUE TO A FAILING VSS SENSOR LOCATED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL OCCURS AT ANY SPEED AND DIRECTION. I HAVE HAD THIS COMPONENT REPLACED TWICE OVER THE YEARS AND THE SENSOR STARTS TO INTERMITTENTLY FAIL WITHIN 6 MONTHS. EVERY INDIVIDUAL I HAVE TALKED TO OVER THE YEARS WHO HAS OWNED A GM 1997-1999 C/K FULL-SIZE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ONE TIME…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041642 at NHTSA ↗