1997 Chevrolet C/K PICKUPS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
69 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
77,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 48 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 69 complaints (20.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 17 | 24.6% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 14.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 4.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 14 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 10 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 9 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 14; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 10; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 9; Steering: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 3; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 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 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 21 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 | 4 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2000: 4; 2003: 9; 2004: 18; 2005: 19; 2006: 9; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 3; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10010952 · 2003-03-24 (March 24, 2003)
DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY CRACKED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019144 · 2003-05-22 (May 22, 2003)
THE QUICK DISCONNECT HEATER HOSE FITTING SCREWED INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF VORTEC 4.3, 5.0, 5.7 ENGINES 1996--2000. IT IS MADE OUT OF AN INEXPENSIVE POT METAL MATERIAL, IT CORRODES AND LEAKS ANTIFREEZE. IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED ON MY OWN VEHICLE (1997 K1500 4X4) AND AT LEAST ON 2 OTHERS THAT BELONG TO FRIENDS OF MINE. THE PART COSTS 15.00 AT THE DEALER, BUT UPON FAILURE, IT CAN COST 600--1000 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE. FAILURE CAUSES ENGINE OVERHEATING THAT CAN BE A HAZARD WHILE VEHICLE IS IN USE. ENGINE FAILURE CAN CAUSE A …
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023715 · 2003-06-24 (June 24, 2003)
1) BURNT ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. LOCATION IS INSIDE THE GAS TANK. HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. EXPLOSION HAZARD. 2) POWER STEERING- WHEEL WOULD JERK VEHICLE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT ANYTHING BEING DONE ABOUT IT. EVEN BY THE NTSB! IS SOMEONE RECEIVING A KICKBACK ON THIS THING OR WHAT? 3) BURNT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION-CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE HVAC COOLING FAN AND THE SELECTOR SWITCH INSIDE OF DASH. 4) CLUNKING NOISE/HARD SHIF…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028471 · 2003-07-17 (July 17, 2003)
FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST. FAILS AND IS COMMON PROBLEM ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT BY MAKING VEHICLE PULL TO THE SIDE UNEXPECTEDLY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028471 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028721 · 2003-07-21 (July 21, 2003)
1997 CHEVROLET K1500 Z71: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE 1870. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028721 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032642 · 2003-08-12 (August 12, 2003)
STEERING INTERMITTENTLY SURGES TO RIGHT - IT'A MOMENTARY CONDITION. SCAREY! COST $170 IN LABOR PLUS PART (EVO SENSOR) - BUT ONLY TOOK 30 MINUTES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037185 · 2003-09-03 (September 3, 2003)
THIS IS IN REGARD TO AN ONGOING PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH MY VEHICLE FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS, AND I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I OWN A 1997 CHEVROLET C/K PICKUP WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. ABOUT 2 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED IT, I NOTICED MY STEERING SUDDENLY GOT EXTREMELY LOOSE AND VERY SENSITIVE, CAUSING ME TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL WITH MY DRIVING. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT IN TO AN AUTHORIZED CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. ONCE COMPLETED, I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN WHAT HAD CAUSED THE PROBLEM. HE STATED THAT IT WAS THE STEERING ASSIST…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037185 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045626 · 2003-11-06 (November 6, 2003)
STEERING TAKES OFF IN EITHER DIRECTION AT ANY TIME SINCE IT WAS NEW.DEALER CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045626 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V159000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 2003-04-28 (April 28, 2003)
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
NHTSA campaign record ↗