RoadVitals

1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
72
Latest Aug 19, 2013
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Apr 28, 2003
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 15 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 72 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups, most frequently naming the visibility, steering and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Visibility3036.6%
  • Steering1923.2%
  • Brakes89.8%
  • Fuel system44.9%
  • Engine44.9%
  • Interior & seats44.9%
  • Body & structure33.7%
  • Transmission33.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
03V159000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Apr 28, 2003
1,755,876 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The 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.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 03023View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA02006ClosedEngineering Analysis

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

Opened May 31, 2002
Closed Jul 23, 2003

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTORLed to recall 03V159000
PE01001ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER

Opened Jan 8, 2001
Closed May 22, 2001

ALLEGED THAT THE VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER CAN FAIL RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 72
Body & structureBrakesSteering+1 more
Filed Aug 19, 2013

BRAKES FAILED, INSPECTION REVEALED COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINES, FRAME, SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, STEERING COMPONENTS, AND CROSSMEMBERS. VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRABLE AND IS NO LONGER USABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10536109
Incident
Jun 3, 2013
Mileage
65,000 mi
Visibility
Filed May 3, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET C/K. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ID
10457418
Incident
May 4, 2005
Visibility
Filed Jan 5, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET C/K PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS THE WINDSHIED WIPERS WOULD NOT OPERATE NORMALLY. HE WOULD HAD TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAIT UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO THE WIPER MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT HE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ UPDATED 02/13/12

NHTSA ID
10442483
Incident
Dec 1, 2008
Mileage
130,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 16, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET PICKUP QUAD CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOW WIPER MOTOR WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V159000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,397.

NHTSA ID
10436091
Incident
Nov 2, 2011
Mileage
128,397 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 15, 2010

RECENTLY HAD WIPERS FAIL DURING HEAVY STORM WHILE ON FREEWAY. NEARLY CAUSED CRASH. CONDITION IS INTERMITTENT. CHECKED NHTSA WEBSITE AND FOUND RECALL (03V159000) AND DOCUMENTS SHOWED ENTIRE PRODUCTION FROM MY MODEL WAS INCLUDED. TOOK TRUCK TO PENSKE CHEV. OF CERRITOS, CA. ASKED THEM TO CHECK FOR RECALL APPLICABILITY. THEY TOLD ME "THE TRUCK WAS TOO OLD" AND MY VIN NUMBER WAS "NOT A GOOD VIN". THEY CALLED GM AND GOT THE SAME INFO, NO RECORD OF VIN. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER (NEVER RECEIVED OWNER NOTIFICATIONS) AND SHOWED THEM MONRONEY LABEL, ORIGINAL BILL OF SALE AND TITLE WITH THIS VIN. SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME THAT WITHOUT VIN, THERE WOULD BE NO REPAIR, DESPITE THE PAPERWORK PROVIDED AND GM RECALL DOCUMENT WITH AFFECTED RANGE. DEALER ACTED LIKE I WAS TRYING TO STEAL FROM THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10365824
Incident
Sep 1, 2010
Mileage
93,850 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 9, 2009

THE REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED AND BEGAN A MAJOR LEAK CAUSING MY PREGNANT WIFE TO NEARLY REAR END A CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10286947
Incident
Oct 9, 2009
Mileage
160,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 18, 2009
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10269099
Incident
May 17, 2009
Mileage
95,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 13, 2009

ANTI LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE AT SLOW SPEEDS (LESS THAN 5 MPH) ON DRY PAVEMENT. VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED CAUSING LOW SPEED COLLISION. NO INJURIES BUT MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. CO-WORKER HAS A 98 WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10254910
Incident
Jun 1, 2007
Mileage
100,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

02054

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT - WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURES. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet C/K Pickups by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002140448.9
2001240548.8
2000341653.7
1999371253.3
1998781246.2
1997Viewing721244.1
1996221243.6
1995231249.7
1994521143.1
1993120029.4
1992700—
1991600—
1990100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.