1997 Gmc SIERRA 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
95,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 75.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 50.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 50.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum: 1; Steering: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump: 1; Structure: 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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 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 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 10010513 · 2003-03-15 (March 15, 2003)
MY BRAKES FAILED WHEN I GOT INTO A WRECK, THE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR ITS LIKE MY BRAKES WERE NOT THERE. I HAVE A 97 GMC K3500 4 DOOR LONG BED 4 WHEEL DRIVE, I FELT THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP,I ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE MY FRONT BRAKES EVERY YEAR NO MATTER WHAT KIND I BUY. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 766511 · 2002-08-31 (August 31, 2002)
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 766511 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 867390 · 2000-08-10 (August 10, 2000)
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY AT 65 MPH, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 867390 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 871983 · 2000-10-02 (October 2, 2000)
BRAKE BOOSTER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. ALSO, DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR SEATBELTS , WERE LOCKED UP, COULD NOT USE THE SEATBELT AND WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED BOTH SEATBELTS. THE REAR OF CAB WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY. DEALER HAD TO WELD THE REAR CAB TO FRONT. REAR AXLE SEAL WILL GO OUT, CAUSING OIL TO GO INTO THE BRAKE SHOES, RESULTING IN NO REAR BRAKES. THE ENGINE STALLED. HAD TO GET A REBUILT ENGINE, AND THE MANUFACTURER PUT OUT A TSB BUT HAS NO SOLUT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 871983 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.
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 ↗