Chevrolet Suburban / 1997
1997 Chevrolet Suburban problems
Owners have filed 556 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 20.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 19.8%.
Complaints556
Crashes27
Fires15
Injuries20
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Steering 20.7% · 115
Service brakes, hydraulic 19.8% · 110
Power train 10.1% · 56
Electrical system 9.7% · 54
Fuel system, gasoline 7.4% · 41
Visibility 6.7% · 37
Tires 5.0% · 28
Engine and engine cooling 4.0% · 22
Severity
Of those complaints, 27 describe a crash, 15 describe a fire and 20 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 29 model years of the Chevrolet Suburban in this data, 1997 sits 6th by complaint volume. 1994 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 5 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
The vehicle would dart to the left or right especially going around a cure. The steering would have a momentary effect of having no resistance on the steering column. This problem would occur intermitently. The vehicle would also oversteer and made it hard to keep the vehicle going straight down the road. I recently had the steering gear box replaced and everything is working fine. Steering
While driving at approx 55 mph steering lost power for about 3 seconds to 10 seconds. During this time consumer cannot control vehicle, it begins to wander from side to side, in order to gain control, needs to apply brakes. Eventually power comes back. Took vehicle to dealership 2nd time, dealer changed steering sensor. 1St time, dealer claimed could not find problem. Steering
Ea-99-011; while driving and upon attempting to make a left or a right hand turn, steering wheel locked up. Problem was more likely to occur when making a left hand turn. Also, noticed play in steering wheel ,causing vehicle to pull left and right. Consumer has contacted dealer and manufacturer, case number c00509683. Please provide any further details. Steering
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Chevrolet Suburban years
1994 1,038 complaints · 61.2% service brakes, hydraulic 1995 587 complaints · 31.3% service brakes, hydraulic 1996 531 complaints · 30.7% service brakes, hydraulic 1998 299 complaints · 24.1% service brakes, hydraulic 1999 861 complaints · 30.0% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 382 complaints · 14.9% service brakes, hydraulic