1997 Gmc SIERRA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
155 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
78,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 49 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 155 complaints (12.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 39 | 25.2% |
| Steering behavior | 38 | 24.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 5.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 5.2% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 20 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 18 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 14 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 12 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 11 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 8 |
| Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
Steering: 20; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 18; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 14; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 12; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 8; Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion): 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4
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 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 5
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 106 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 | 32 |
| 2001 | 33 |
| 2002 | 27 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2005 | 17 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 32; 2001: 33; 2002: 27; 2003: 11; 2004: 22; 2005: 17; 2006: 6; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2011: 2; 2014: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 39 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 38 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 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 10001909 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER DID NOT LOCK. TS THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT FRAME WAS BROKEN WHERE THE SEAT LATCH AND SPRING MOUNTS TO THE FRAME. ALSO THE SEAT TRACK IS BROKEN. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001909 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005134 · 2003-02-02 (February 2, 2003)
THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY CONTAINED WITHIN THE GAS TANK SHORTED OUT AND MELTED WIRING ASSOCIATED WITH THE ASSEMBLY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 107,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005134 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005970 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, INTERMITTENTLY STEERING WHEEL WILL HAVE TO MUCH PLAY IN IT AND TURN ALL THE WAY AROUND. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO STEER VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOST OF CONTROL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009620 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP WHERE THEY REPLACED A DEFECTIVE STEERING GEAR. *AK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 67,342 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009769 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
STEERING PROBLEMS AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. HOWEVER, DEALER WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS AND/OR RECALLS POSSIBLY RELATED TO STEERING PROBLEMS AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE REPAIRS. CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE WITH REIMBURSEMENT. *TT *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011717 · 2003-03-14 (March 14, 2003)
THE ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 168,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019812 · 2003-05-14 (May 14, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION, AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 109,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019812 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020352 · 2003-05-22 (May 22, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020352 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.