1997 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
347 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
89,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 147 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 45 of 347 complaints (13.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 77 | 22.2% |
| Steering behavior | 77 | 22.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 41 | 11.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 27 | 7.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 20 | 5.8% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 45 |
| Steering | 35 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 29 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 28 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 24 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 23 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 21 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 9 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 45; Steering: 35; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 29; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 28; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 24; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 23; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 21; Electrical System:Wiring: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 17 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 28 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 39 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 35 |
| 150,000 and above | 22 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 28; 75,000 to 99,999: 39; 100,000 to 149,999: 35; 150,000 and above: 22
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (39). 200 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 | 72 |
| 2001 | 50 |
| 2002 | 43 |
| 2003 | 31 |
| 2004 | 42 |
| 2005 | 32 |
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2007 | 13 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2000: 72; 2001: 50; 2002: 43; 2003: 31; 2004: 42; 2005: 32; 2006: 17; 2007: 13; 2008: 8; 2009: 5; 2010: 9; 2011: 9; 2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 5; 2016: 3; 2019: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 77 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 77 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 41 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 10001182 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CONSUMER STATES' THE VEHICLES BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON CONSTANTLY. TOOK TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN TAIL LIGHT MAY HAVE A SHORT IN IT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001560 · 2002-12-27 (December 27, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING IN WET WEATHER, VEHICLES' WINDSHIELD WIPERS EITHER HESITATES TO WORK OR QUIT WORKING, OR DON'T WORK AT ALL. THIS RESULTS IN DRIVER HAVING POOR VISIBILITY, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE WIPER MODULE, AND ALSO THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001560 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002786 · 2003-01-16 (January 16, 2003)
TRUCK WAS RUNNING FINE WITH NO INDICATION OF TROUBLE WHEN PARKED, UPON REENTRY TRUCK DID NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO START, ENGINE WOULD TURN SPIN FREELY. TOWED TO SHOP. FUEL PUMP SUPPOSEDLY FAILED ACCORDING TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND WAS REPLACED WITH 46,000 MILES ON TRUCK. TRUCK DROVE LESS THAN 500 MILES AND FAILED TO START WITH SEEMINGLY THE SAME PROBLEM. TOWED TO CHEVEROLET DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT CONNECTION INSIDE THE TANK WAS BURNED OUT. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE FOR ALL CHEVEROLET TRUCKS WITH VORT…
Owner-reported narrative. 46,102 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002786 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004713 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
THE THIRD DOOR ON THE VEHICLE DID NOT OPEN, THERE WAS A TEAR IN THE SEATS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING LATE AND HARD, THE TRANSMISSION WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED AT 56,000, CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE SECOND VEHICLE AT 126,000 MILES.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006764 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STRAIGHT FORWARD, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TURN TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006764 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007395 · 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)
THE DEALERSHIP MADE 3 ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE LOOSE STEERING IN THE VEHICLE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009632 · 2003-02-28 (February 28, 2003)
THE BASE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT SEPARATED WHERE THE BOLT SCREWS INTO THE SEAT FRAME, WHICH CAUSED THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE SEAT TO BREAK FROM THE FRAME WHEN CUSTOMER SAT DOWN.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010682 · 2003-03-18 (March 18, 2003)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY, I RECEIVED A LETTER SHORTLY AFTER NOTICING THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WITH THE WIPERS AND THE LETTER STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD BE FIXED IF I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP "ONLY IF IT WAS UNDER 70,000 MILES. WELL I AM AROUND 72, AND THEY ARE JUST NOW DOING THIS. WHAT 97' VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE AROUND THAT KIND OF MILEAGE BY NOW. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND IT SHOULD STILL BE FIXED UNDER CHEVROLET. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010682 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.