1997 Gmc SUBURBAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
126 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
96,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 126 complaints (19.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 35 | 27.8% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 12.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 11.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 15 | 11.9% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 5.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 24 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 16 |
| Steering | 12 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 8 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 6 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 6 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 24; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 16; Steering: 12; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 8; Tires:Tread/Belt: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 6; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 6
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 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 5
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 96 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 | 38 |
| 2001 | 27 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
2000: 38; 2001: 27; 2002: 15; 2003: 12; 2004: 7; 2005: 14; 2006: 1; 2007: 4; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 35 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 16 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 10024809 · 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)
THE CONSUMER ROUTINELY INSPECTED THE BRAKES IN 11/02 AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. ON 06/03, WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. UPON INSPECTION OF BRAKES, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE LEFT AND RIGHT OUTSIDE BRAKE PADS HAD A "CHUNK" MISSING. *AK THE FRONT OUTSIDE PADS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEPARATED FROM THE METAL SHOE DUE TO RIVET HOLE WEAR, AND HAD FALLEN APART IN THE CONSUMERS HANDS AND THE PADS WERE NOT WORN OUT. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037678 · 2003-08-26 (August 26, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER AND FRIEND WERE DRIVING ON A GRAVEL ROAD WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. VEHICLE THEN CAREENED OFF OF THE FIRST TREE AND HIT ANOTHER TREE THAT TURNED VEHICLE ONTO THE TOP. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL FOR MINOR INJURIES AND STITCHES. THE SEAT BELTS WERE WORN AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. POLICE RESPONDED TO THE ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019818 · 2003-05-14 (May 14, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026759 · 2003-07-08 (July 8, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS A INVESTIGATION#PE98060 CONCERNING STEERING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039355 · 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)
MELTED WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN FUEL SYSTEM SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMP INSIDE FUEL TANK.
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039355 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042591 · 2003-11-18 (November 18, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER BROKE FROM ITS MOUNTING AND RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND OTHER COMPONENTS INCLUDING CHARGING OF THE BATTERY. THE ALTERNATOR ALSO SHORTED OUT. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY NOT LONGER COVERED THE BELT. THE BRAKES SHUTTERED WHILE BRAKING FROM 60 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND RESURFACED THE ROTORS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 46,801 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042591 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018105 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 47000 MILES (1997 GMC). *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018105 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054576 · 2004-01-21 (January 21, 2004)
1997 GMC SUBURBAN- MULTIPLE ENGINE & TRANSMISSION FAILURES. AT 60,000 MILES, VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT HARD. RETURNED TO SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS SEVERAL TIMES FOR WORK. FINALLY, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN CITY TRAFFIC, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPELETLY. REQUIRED VALVE COVER AND TRANSMISSION REBUILD @ COST OF $2,000. ON DECEMBER 27 '03, HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. ON JAN 17 '04, DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO ANTIFREEZE IN NEW RADIATOR. RETURNED TO MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE RADIATOR. SAID THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024800 · 2003-06-18 (June 18, 2003)
DAMAGED SENDING UNIT IN 1997 GMC SUBURBAN. *MR A SMALL PLASTIC PART IN THE BOTTOM OF THE GAS TANK BROKE LOOSE AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO SENDING UNIT. THE ATTACHMENT OF THE PLASTIC RUNNER TO THE BASE OF THE TANK WAS NOT SECURED ON THE ASSEMBLY. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024800 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038114 · 2003-09-03 (September 3, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED AFTER PARKING VEHICLE FUEL LEAKED FROM FUEL TANK. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED FUEL TANK RUSTED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722058 · 2000-04-28 (April 28, 2000)
ON APRIL 10, TRANSMISSION FAILED AND VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP. ON APRIL 18, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE OWNER AFTER HAVING REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, THE TRANSMISSION COOLER, AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. ON APRIL 27, 2000, THE ENGINE FAILED ON A BUSY ROAD AS SCHOOLS WERE LETTING OUT. THE ENGINE FAILURE, PUT BOTH THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE AT RISKS AND THE SCHOOLCHILDREN ALSO, AS THE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE DRIVER AVOIDED COLLISION BUT WITH NO STEERING AND LOSS OF BRAKING POWER, …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722058 at NHTSA ↗