1997 Gmc SIERRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
155 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
78,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 49 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 155 complaints (12.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 39 | 25.2% |
| Steering behavior | 38 | 24.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 5.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 5.2% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 3.2% |
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 | 20 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 18 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 14 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 12 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 11 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 8 |
| Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
Steering: 20; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 18; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 14; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 12; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 8; Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion): 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 5
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 106 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 | 32 |
| 2001 | 33 |
| 2002 | 27 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2005 | 17 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 32; 2001: 33; 2002: 27; 2003: 11; 2004: 22; 2005: 17; 2006: 6; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2011: 2; 2014: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 39 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 38 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 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 10022938 · 2003-06-12 (June 12, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HIT A BUMP AND CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES ,IT TOOK VEHICLE LONGER TO STOP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10092467 · 2004-09-16 (September 16, 2004)
THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED AND LEAKED FLUID. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10092467 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005970 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, INTERMITTENTLY STEERING WHEEL WILL HAVE TO MUCH PLAY IN IT AND TURN ALL THE WAY AROUND. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO STEER VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOST OF CONTROL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009620 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP WHERE THEY REPLACED A DEFECTIVE STEERING GEAR. *AK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 67,342 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10137985 · 2005-09-28 (September 28, 2005)
AFTER PARKING DURING MY WORK SHIFT, I ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE WORK AT 1530. APPLYING THE BRAKE TO SHIFT INTO "DRIVE",THE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR, AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS UNABLE TO PUMP UP THE BRAKE, AND HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED THE BRAKE LINE HAD ROTTED OUT. THE GAS TANK MUST BE REMOVED TO EFFECT REPAIR. I HAD DRIVEN THE TRUCK FROM LONG ISLAND, NY TO MAYS LANDING , NJ (ABOUT 145 MILES) WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME I COULD HAVE LOST BRAKING POWER AT ANY TIME.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10137985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 564807 · 2002-03-25 (March 25, 2002)
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK HARD WHEN TRANSMISSION WAS GOING INTO FIRST GEAR AND RETURNING TO SLOWER ARTERIALS. ALSO, FLUID WAS LEAKING AT REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND DEALER SAID IT WAS BAD TORQUE CONVERTER. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 564807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005134 · 2003-02-02 (February 2, 2003)
THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY CONTAINED WITHIN THE GAS TANK SHORTED OUT AND MELTED WIRING ASSOCIATED WITH THE ASSEMBLY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 107,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005134 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047326 · 2003-11-21 (November 21, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED 5 TIMES IN ONE MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. THE WEATHER WARMED UP OUTSIDE AND THE VEHICLE RAN AND STARTED FINE. THE NEXT EVENING THE VEHICLE STARTED FINE, I GOT 1/2 BLOCK DOWN THE ROAD IT STALLED AGAIN. I WAITED FOR A FEW MINUTES AND IT RAN FINE. THE NEXT MORNING IT STARTED FINE AND I DROVE IT FOR MILES, HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT STALLING. WE CALLED GMC TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, BECAUSE THE WIPERS WOULD WORK WHEN THEY WANTED TO WORK. NOT WHEN YOU NEEDED THEM TO WORK. THEY HAD TOLD US THAT THERE…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,066 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047326 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10205512 · 2007-10-12 (October 12, 2007)
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, I TRIED TO SELECT HIGH BEAM WITH THE STEM MOUNTED LIGHT SWITCH. I HEARD A CHATTERING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AREA AND THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED DIMLY ON AND OFF. I ALSO SMELLED ELECTRICAL SMOKE. DESELECTING HIGH RESULTED IN LOW BEAM EXTERIOR LIGHT WITH NO CHATTERING, FLICKERING OR SMOKE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 11,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10205512 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11442823 · 2021-12-06 (December 6, 2021)
1997 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED, ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PULL 6,000LB LOAD. BUT, THE VEHICLE MISFIRED, LOST SPEED, AND STALLED WHILE PULLING LESS THAN 4,000LBS. THE FAILURE OCCURED AT SPEEDS OF 55-65MPH.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11442823 at NHTSA ↗