1997 Gmc SIERRA 2500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 10 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 40.0% |
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 | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 2 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Tires: 2; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 2; Fuel System, Diesel: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 3 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 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 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 10047133 · 2003-11-18 (November 18, 2003)
I OWN A 97 GMC TRUCK. CURRENTLY, THE TRUCK HAS A LITTLE OVER 55,000 MILES. APPROXIMATELY, 2 YEARS AGO THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FAILED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LEHMERS IN CONCORD AND THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE TO ME... IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. LAST WEEK THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND "STARTED TO SHOW SIGNS OF THE SAME PROBLEM" ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, I DECIDED TO "SAVE A BUCK" AND FIX THE PROBLEMS MYSELF. AFTER REMOVING THE DRIVER SIDE INTE…
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047133 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083927 · 2004-07-30 (July 30, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10324677 · 2010-04-09 (April 9, 2010)
BRAKE LINE FAILURE ON 1997 GMC PICKUP. @ DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND SEPARATE AREAS IN BRAKE LINES. OLD LINES DISCARDED. APPEARED TO BE A RUST ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10324677 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10380169 · 2011-02-03 (February 3, 2011)
1997 GM 6.5 TURBO DIESEL PMD FAILURE. LOSS OF CONTROL VERY UNSAFE. WHY DOES GM FAIL TO RECALL THE PMD???? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10380169 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10413093 · 2011-07-15 (July 15, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SIERRA 2500 WITH BF-GOODRICH ALL TERRAIN TIRES, LINE SIZE LT265/75/16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AS THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBERS WERE UNAV…
Owner-reported narrative. 141,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10413093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10455585 · 2012-04-17 (April 17, 2012)
CORRODED BRAKE LINE FAILURE. LOSS OF REAR BRAKES, FRONT WORKED. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 175,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455585 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10462167 · 2012-06-18 (June 18, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC C2500 PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH COOPER MASTERCRAFT TIRES, SIZE P265/75/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES WAS 31,000 THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ON THE VEHICLE WAS 100,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10462167 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 720894 · 2000-04-02 (April 2, 2000)
FALSE ENGAGEMENT OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720894 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
97V037000 · Seats
Reported: 1997-03-07 (March 7, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RECLINING SEATS AND THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE. THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH A PINCH POINT EXISTS IN THE RECLINER MECHANISM THAT CAN TRAP AND PINCH A PERSON'S HAND OR FINGER(S) WHEN THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE IS ACTIVATED.
Consequence: THIS PINCHING CAN CUT THE HAND OR POSSIBLY SEVER THE FINGER(S) WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V176000 · Seats
Reported: 1997-10-07 (October 7, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. ONE OR TWO OF THE FRONT SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, A SEAT WITH THIS CONDITION WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK ALL SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND INSTALL ANY MISSING BOLTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗