1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups Problems

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.

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

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

THE POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT BROKE WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY 97 CHEVROLET K1500 FWD PICKUP. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STREER THE TRUCK AND HAD TO CALL ME TO COME GET IT. A LOCALE MECHANIC AND I REMOVED THE SERPENTINE BELT AND PULLED THE PUMP SHAFT AND PULLY RIGHT OUT OF THE PUMP. THE SHAFT WAS BROKE IN HALF IN SIDE THE PUMP. I THINK THIS WAS A PRETTY SERIOUS FAILURE AS MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE TRUCK OR BRAKE. I HAD THE MECHANIC REPLACE THE PUMP FOR ME. THE MAIN REASON I MENTION THIS IS BECAUSE A CO WORKER OF MINE HAS A 2001 YUKON THAT HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THIS IS MORE WIDE SPREAD THAN JUST ON 2000 MODEL TRUCKS.*AK

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

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

DT: ON THE 26TH OF JUNE THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON GENE SNIDER FREEWAY IN LOUISVILLE, KY WHEN THE VEHICLE QUITE RUNNING. THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THEN CONSUMER CALLED A FAMILY MEMBER TO COME HELP TOW VEHICLE TO DAUGHTER'S HOUSE. THE CONSUMER'S SON IN-LAW INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND BURNED WIRES THAT HAD FALLEN OFF AND WENT DOWN IN THE FUEL TANK. CONSUMER BOUGHT FUEL TANK MONITOR SENDER KIT AT BOB MCGUMBRYS CHEVROLET LOCATED IN LOUISVILLE, KY 40216. CONSUMER'S SON IN-LAW HAD VEHICLE PARTS REMOVED, AND IS GOING TO REPLACE PARTS WITH NEW PARTS. THE CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. THE DEALER WHERE CONSUMER BOUGHT PART TOLD HER THAT THEY SELL A LOT OF THESE KITS, SO CONSUMER THINKS THIS MUST HAPPEN FREQUENTLY. *NM

1) BURNT ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. LOCATION IS INSIDE THE GAS TANK. HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. EXPLOSION HAZARD. 2) POWER STEERING- WHEEL WOULD JERK VEHICLE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT ANYTHING BEING DONE ABOUT IT. EVEN BY THE NTSB! IS SOMEONE RECEIVING A KICKBACK ON THIS THING OR WHAT? 3) BURNT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION-CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE HVAC COOLING FAN AND THE SELECTOR SWITCH INSIDE OF DASH. 4) CLUNKING NOISE/HARD SHIFT, FROM TRANSMISSION 4L60E-HAPPENS CONSTANTLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN VEHICLE IS WARM. *JB

THE QUICK DISCONNECT HEATER HOSE FITTING SCREWED INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF VORTEC 4.3, 5.0, 5.7 ENGINES 1996--2000. IT IS MADE OUT OF AN INEXPENSIVE POT METAL MATERIAL, IT CORRODES AND LEAKS ANTIFREEZE. IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED ON MY OWN VEHICLE (1997 K1500 4X4) AND ON MANY OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MODEL. THE PART COSTS 15.00 AT THE DEALER, BUT UPON FAILURE, IT CAN COST 600--1000 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE. FAILURE CAUSES ENGINE OVERHEATING THAT CAN BE A HAZARD WHILE VEHICLE IS IN USE. ENGINE FAILURE CAN CAUSE A CRASH. GM SHOULD INSTITUTE A RECALL TO ALL OWNERS OF VEHICLES WITH VORTEC ENGINES THAT USE THIS FITTING. *JB

ENGINE COOLANT LEAK FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AREA. GM SAYS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL ITS TRUCKS 1996-2003 AND HAS RELEASED A NEW STYLE GASKET KIT TO REPAIR THE CONCERN. *AK

KNOB THAT TURNS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS BROKE OFF. THE WAY IT IS DESIGNED, THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL HAVE TO B E TAKEN OFF TO FIX IT. ANOTHER JUNKY OEM PART. WHY?*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF AT 35,000 MILES. THESE HANDLES ARE MADE OF POT METAL, AS THE PARTS DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED CASUALLY, AND WOULD COST ABOUT $180. FOR THE DEALER TO REPLACE - ALSO STATED WITHOUT A BLINK. *AK

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

DT: THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE. IT STARTED AS BEING DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE DOOR, BUT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE OVER A PERIOD OF A COUPLE WEEKS. EVENTUALLY THE DOOR HANDLE WOULD NO LONGER OPEN THE DOOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR HANDLE. THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.*AK

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WENT TO STOP TO BACK UP AND I PLACED THE TRUCK IN REVERSE TO BACK UP I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AS IF I HAD BACKED INTO SOMEONE.(LIKE METAL TO METAL) SO I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKE AND PUT THE TRUCK IN DRIVE TO PULL UP TO SEE IF I HAD. NOTHING IN SIGHT. SO I EASED THE TRUCK UP A LITTLE, APPLIED THE BRAKE AND PUT THE TRUCK IN REVERSE AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WOULD NOT MOVE, IN FACT ALL YOU COULD HEAR WAS A CHATTERING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. SO I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE AND WENT TO PULL OFF AND YOU COULD HEAR THE TRANSMISSION WHINNING AND WOULD NO SHIFT GEARS. THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET THE TRUCK TO MOVE WAS TO PUT IT ALL THE WAY IN LOW RANGE AND MANUALLY SHIFT BACK UP TO DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION STILL DID NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY AND HAD TO BE PARKED. *NM

1997 CHEVROLET K1500 Z71: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE 1870. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. *AK

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

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE REAR SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

THE CABLES THAT HOLD MY 1997 CHEVY TAILGATE UP CONTINUES TO BREAK BECAUSE OF POOR CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL. I WAS STANDING ON THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES GAVE WAY BECAUSE OF CORRISION, THE SUDDEN DROP OF THE TAILGATE MADE ME FALL ON THE GROUND.THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH SET OF CABLES THAT I HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE FOR THIS TRUCK.

1) BURNT ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. LOCATION IS INSIDE THE GAS TANK. HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. EXPLOSION HAZARD. 2) POWER STEERING- WHEEL WOULD JERK VEHICLE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT ANYTHING BEING DONE ABOUT IT. EVEN BY THE NTSB! IS SOMEONE RECEIVING A KICKBACK ON THIS THING OR WHAT? 3) BURNT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION-CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE HVAC COOLING FAN AND THE SELECTOR SWITCH INSIDE OF DASH. 4) CLUNKING NOISE/HARD SHIFT, FROM TRANSMISSION 4L60E-HAPPENS CONSTANTLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN VEHICLE IS WARM. *JB

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

I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN WONDERFUL ABOUT FIXING THE DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM-REPLACEMENT OF RING AND PINION AND RESET DEPTH. THE ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING IS FRIGHTENING. IT IS UNPREDICTABLE. ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS IT MAY ACT UP, CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING AND FEELING LIKE THE STEERING IS LOCKING UP AND COMPLETELY FAILING. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO GM, BUT THEY SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HAD COMPLAINT, AND THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP AND CALL ME BACK. I HAVE FOUND MANY, MANY REPORTED SITUATIONS WITH STEERING FAILURE TO YOUR ORGANIZATION FOR THE 1997 CHEVROLET TRUCK. NOW I WONDER WHAT GM WILL DUE ABOUT IT. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURING FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD FUEL INJECTOR PROBLEMS, AND HAS COST ME OVER $500. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS BEEN REBUILT 4 TIMES AND NOW NEEDS IT AGAIN. ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE THE DIFFERENTIAL HOWL STARTED. THE DEALER SAID TO DRIVE IT FOR 5000 OR MORE MILES AND BRING IT IN IF IT STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. *AK

GOING 75 MPH. ON I40 30 MILES WEST OF ALBUQUERQUE NM. FELT A BUMP OR BUBBLE IN FRONT END. THREE SECONDS LATER THE FRONT TIRE( A 16" FIRESTONE ,WILDERNESS AT BLEWOUT) PUT THE SPARE ON AND LIMPED TO A TRUCK STOP. WIFE WAS MENTALLY EFFECTED. *JB