1997 Gmc SUBURBAN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
126 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
96,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 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 24 of 126 complaints (19.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 35 | 27.8% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 12.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 11.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 15 | 11.9% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 5.6% |
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 | 24 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 16 |
| Steering | 12 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 8 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 6 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 6 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 24; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 16; Steering: 12; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 8; Tires:Tread/Belt: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 6; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 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 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 5
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 96 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 | 38 |
| 2001 | 27 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
2000: 38; 2001: 27; 2002: 15; 2003: 12; 2004: 7; 2005: 14; 2006: 1; 2007: 4; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 35 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 16 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 10018105 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 47000 MILES (1997 GMC). *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018105 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019818 · 2003-05-14 (May 14, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024800 · 2003-06-18 (June 18, 2003)
DAMAGED SENDING UNIT IN 1997 GMC SUBURBAN. *MR A SMALL PLASTIC PART IN THE BOTTOM OF THE GAS TANK BROKE LOOSE AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO SENDING UNIT. THE ATTACHMENT OF THE PLASTIC RUNNER TO THE BASE OF THE TANK WAS NOT SECURED ON THE ASSEMBLY. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024800 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024809 · 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)
THE CONSUMER ROUTINELY INSPECTED THE BRAKES IN 11/02 AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. ON 06/03, WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. UPON INSPECTION OF BRAKES, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE LEFT AND RIGHT OUTSIDE BRAKE PADS HAD A "CHUNK" MISSING. *AK THE FRONT OUTSIDE PADS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEPARATED FROM THE METAL SHOE DUE TO RIVET HOLE WEAR, AND HAD FALLEN APART IN THE CONSUMERS HANDS AND THE PADS WERE NOT WORN OUT. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026759 · 2003-07-08 (July 8, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS A INVESTIGATION#PE98060 CONCERNING STEERING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032270 · 2003-08-06 (August 6, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032270 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033590 · 2003-08-11 (August 11, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033590 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033604 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE CHIEF STATED IT WAS POSSIBLE THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033604 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.
03V093000 · Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior
Reported: 2003-03-07 (March 7, 2003)
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V159000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 2003-04-28 (April 28, 2003)
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
NHTSA campaign record ↗