1997 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
88,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 42 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 23.8% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 14.3% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.8% |
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:Motor | 6 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 4 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 6; Fuel System, Diesel: 4; Steering: 3; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2
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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 22 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 | 8 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 8; 2001: 4; 2002: 4; 2003: 6; 2004: 4; 2005: 3; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 3; 2012: 2; 2015: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10001484 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
WHILE IN MOTION AND IN A SLOW TURN THE AMOUNT OF FORCE REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL CHANGES, RESULTING IN SUDDEN AND ABRUPT MOVEMENTS. THIS SOMETIMES RESULTS IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JG *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001484 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010760 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED AT NIGHT, IN HEAVY RAIN CAUSING LOSS OF VISIBILITY. I PULLED OVER AND MANUALLY MOVED WIPER BLADE TO RESTART WIPERS. MOTOR CONTINUED TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY UNTIL IT WAS REPLACED *NLM.
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010760 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014746 · 2003-03-31 (March 31, 2003)
THE DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 122,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024910 · 2003-09-04 (September 4, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF DUE TO THE CABLE BREAKING OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE PROBLEM COULD BE THE VALVE STEM ON THE TIRE WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE CABLE TO BIND. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 158,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037651 · 2003-08-26 (August 26, 2003)
CONSUMER IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS. RECALL NUMBER UNKNOWN. DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037651 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046855 · 2003-11-13 (November 13, 2003)
I OWN TWO 1997 CHEVY DIESEL VEHICLES. ONE IN A CK3500 AND THE OTHER IS A K2500 SUBURBAN, BOTH ARE CURRENTLY NOT RUNNING. THEY BOTH ARE DEMONSTRATING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CERTIFIED GM DEALERS ARE TELLING US THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP AND THEY ARE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM IS THEY ARE STATING THAT THE INJECTOR IS RUINED DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER. IN TURN I'M TO PAY FOR REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, FUEL TANK, ELECTRICAL FILTER HARNESS AND HAVE THE INJECTION CLEANED. ALL TOTAL $1354.84. THIS IS CURRENT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10046855 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054468 · 2004-01-20 (January 20, 2004)
POWER STEERING PROBLEM IDENTICAL TO KNOWN DEFECTS AFFECTING GM CARS. I HAVE IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS REGARDING SUDDEN ROTATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN A LEFT TURN. THE UPCOMING RECALL OF 1996-7 CARS DOES NOT INCLUDE PICKUP TRUCKS BUILT IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. MY '97 3/4 TON CHEVROLET WAS BUILT IN SEPT OF 96, AND HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS. MY (RENO,NV) CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IT WILL COST ME APPROX $240 TO FIX IT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE TO EXPAND THE RECALL, AS I'VE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS ALREADY! *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 72,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054468 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061454 · 2004-03-05 (March 5, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND WENT OFF ON THEIR OWN. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10061454 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.