Chevrolet Silverado 1500 / 1997
1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
Owners have filed 693 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 21.1% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 19.9%.
Complaints693
Crashes31
Fires16
Injuries28
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Steering 21.1% · 146
Service brakes, hydraulic 19.9% · 138
Visibility 11.1% · 77
Power train 9.2% · 64
Fuel system, gasoline 7.2% · 50
Engine and engine cooling 5.3% · 37
Suspension 5.2% · 36
Electrical system 4.5% · 31
Severity
Of those complaints, 31 describe a crash, 16 describe a fire, 28 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 29 model years of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in this data, 1997 sits 17th by complaint volume. 2014 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 16 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 90,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Steering - at times when stopped, there is no power assist; at times while moving at any speed, there will be way too much power assist causing vehicles to change lanes/run off road rapidly. (This is dangerous) --- heater blower motor makes intermitent ticking noise --- neither problem has been fixed by dealer; dealer says all like models do it; dealer says they have contacted manufacturer and there is no fix. Steering
While driving along a curve, the steering wheel will jerk and cause the vehicle to swerve. This happens with slight to moderate curves, as well as severe curves. The problem began to occur within the first couple of years after we purchased the vehicle when it was new. The problem seems to worsen during cold weather. We have tried to correct the problem in several ways, but nothing has been effective. Steering · reported at 25,000 miles
The steering of the 1997 chevy suburban gives an almost ticking, or pulsating movement as it goes through a steady wide sweeping curve. Other times it feels that the steering wheel gets locked into a position. It's turning straight and it does not matter when it happens and it has to be pulled harder in the direction desired; in addition, it gives a slight whipping motion when it breaks free. Steering · reported at 70,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years
1998 452 complaints · 29.2% service brakes, hydraulic 1999 711 complaints · 32.9% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 731 complaints · 34.2% service brakes, hydraulic 2001 627 complaints · 24.7% service brakes, hydraulic 2002 620 complaints · 29.7% service brakes 2003 960 complaints · 28.4% service brakes