1997 Chevrolet SILVERADO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
190 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
81,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 64 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 26 of 190 complaints (13.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 55 | 28.9% |
| Steering behavior | 42 | 22.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 17 | 8.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 14 | 7.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 4.2% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 2.1% |
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 | 26 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 19 |
| Steering | 17 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 15 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 8 |
| Seats | 6 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 6 |
| Tires | 6 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 26; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 19; Steering: 17; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 15; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 8; Seats: 6; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 6; Tires: 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 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 18 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 5
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 126 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 | 41 |
| 2001 | 32 |
| 2002 | 25 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 34 |
| 2005 | 31 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 41; 2001: 32; 2002: 25; 2003: 17; 2004: 34; 2005: 31; 2006: 3; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 55 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 42 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 17 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 10003436 · 2003-01-26 (January 26, 2003)
GM DEX COOL PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED MY TRANISMISSION. COOLANT LEAKS ONTO THE ENGINE. SMELLS LIKE BURNING COOLANT ALL THE TIME.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003436 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009117 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)
INFLATER MODULE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE INFLATOR MODULE WAS DESIGNED POORLY. THE WIRES BREAK DUE TO WEAR IN THE STEERING WHEEL, PROBABLY FROM TILTING OF STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAUSES THE AIR BAG COMPUTER TO SHORT OUT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009117 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011865 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)
THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE PULLING WOULD BECOME MORE SEVERE WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE SWERVED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THE DEALER PAY FOR REPAIR. SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011865 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011888 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
THE FUEL PUMP WIRING HEATED UP, WHICH CAUSED THE PUMP TO FAIL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 113,007 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011888 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014257 · 2003-04-10 (April 10, 2003)
THE TURN SIGNALS ON THE VEHICLE, 1997 Z-71, SILVERADO HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING DEPENDABLY SINCE 1997. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CONNEL CHEVROLET 3 DIFFERENT TIMES TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE TURN SIGNALS STILL GO OUT SPORADICALLY. WE DID TAKE THE VEHICLE TO FORT KNOX KY WHERE THE TURN SIGNALS WERE WORKING SINCE 1999. AND NOW (APRIL 3 2003) THE TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AGAIN. ALL THE FUSES ARE FINE AND THE LIGHT BULBS ARE ALL BRAND NEW AND THE TURN SIGNAL IS STILL NOT WORKING. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014257 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019453 · 2003-05-08 (May 8, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION MADE A SOUND WHILE IN 1ST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019453 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021572 · 2003-05-27 (May 27, 2003)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES. THE TIRES ARE FIRESTONE. MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022245 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BURNED UP AS A RESULT OF OVERDRIVE.
Owner-reported narrative. 51,572 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022245 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.