1997 Chevrolet C Series Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Chevrolet C Series, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Visibility1233.3%
- Brakes411.1%
- Fuel system411.1%
- Steering38.3%
- Suspension25.6%
- Seat belts25.6%
- Electrical25.6%
- Powertrain (other)12.8%
- Heating & air conditioning12.8%
- Driver assistance12.8%
- Engine12.8%
- Body & structure12.8%
- Tires & wheels12.8%
- Transmission12.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING WHEN THEY WANT TO. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR APPROX. 7 YEARS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 1996 MODEL BUT GM WOULD NOT COVER MY 1997 MODEL, SAID IF I PAY TO REPLACE CIRCUIT BOARD AND SEND TO THEM THEY MAY OR MAY NOT PAY BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL ALTHOUGH IS JUST AS HAZARDOUS AS YEAR EARLIER MODEL. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION AS WIPERS WILL JUST STOP IN ANY POSITION AT WILL THEN NEXT TIME I TURN THEM ON THEY MAY WORK OR NOT. *TR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL AND VEHICLE (1997 CHEVROLET PICKUP) IS NOT INCLUDED AND RECALL 03023. PARTS ARE BEING REPLACED. *NM
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ON HIS VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED THAT THE WIPERS WOULD NOT BE REPLACED UNTIL THEY FAILED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR WAS THAT IT BURNT LIKE A MOTHER BOARD FOR THE MOTOR AND IT BURNT ALL THE COPPER TIPS AND THE PLASTIC OFF OF THE WIRING. ALSO THE SEAT BELTS WOULD LOCK AND THEN WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT BELT WILL COME UNLOCKED. THE SEAT BELTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY ALSO. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVY CHEYENNE. THE CONTACT HAS HAD THREE SETS OF BRAKES AND THERE IS ONLY LIKE 67843 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *NM SEVERAL COMPONENTS RELATING TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM WERE REPLACED. THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES (GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTS) WERE THE WRONG SIZE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER AFTER THE VEHICLE LOST PRESSURE. CURRENTLY, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE THE MAIN CAUSE FOR ALL OF THERE PARTS TO MALFUNCTION AND BREAK DOWN, THE ABS BRAKES WERE ACTIVATING ON DRY PAVEMENT AT SLOWER SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER AND VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CLUNK AND FOUND LOOSE PITMAN ARM, THE VEHICLE WOULD SKIP AND SHAKE, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER GAVE INSUFFICIENT EFFICIENCY. *SC THE FUEL INJECTION WAS REPAIRED. THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR ANYTHING DEALING WITH THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS NOT YET BEEN CORRECTED. *TC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER AFTER THE VEHICLE LOST PRESSURE. CURRENTLY, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE THE MAIN CAUSE FOR ALL OF THERE PARTS TO MALFUNCTION AND BREAK DOWN, THE ABS BRAKES WERE ACTIVATING ON DRY PAVEMENT AT SLOWER SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER AND VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CLUNK AND FOUND LOOSE PITMAN ARM, THE VEHICLE WOULD SKIP AND SHAKE, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER GAVE INSUFFICIENT EFFICIENCY. *SC THE FUEL INJECTION WAS REPAIRED. THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR ANYTHING DEALING WITH THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS NOT YET BEEN CORRECTED. *TC
WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION IT WOULD NOT TURN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CHEYENNE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIGHTLY PULL TO THAT DIRECTION LONGER THAN DESIRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT HAS NOTICED THE PROBLEM SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000. UPDATED 10/21/09 *BF THE PROBLEM WAS THE EVO SENSOR. UPDATED 10/20/09*JB
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER AFTER THE VEHICLE LOST PRESSURE. CURRENTLY, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE THE MAIN CAUSE FOR ALL OF THERE PARTS TO MALFUNCTION AND BREAK DOWN, THE ABS BRAKES WERE ACTIVATING ON DRY PAVEMENT AT SLOWER SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER AND VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CLUNK AND FOUND LOOSE PITMAN ARM, THE VEHICLE WOULD SKIP AND SHAKE, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER GAVE INSUFFICIENT EFFICIENCY. *SC THE FUEL INJECTION WAS REPAIRED. THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR ANYTHING DEALING WITH THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS NOT YET BEEN CORRECTED. *TC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER AFTER THE VEHICLE LOST PRESSURE. CURRENTLY, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE THE MAIN CAUSE FOR ALL OF THERE PARTS TO MALFUNCTION AND BREAK DOWN, THE ABS BRAKES WERE ACTIVATING ON DRY PAVEMENT AT SLOWER SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER AND VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CLUNK AND FOUND LOOSE PITMAN ARM, THE VEHICLE WOULD SKIP AND SHAKE, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER GAVE INSUFFICIENT EFFICIENCY. *SC THE FUEL INJECTION WAS REPAIRED. THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR ANYTHING DEALING WITH THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS NOT YET BEEN CORRECTED. *TC
WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THERE IS A TWITCH OR JERK IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE PROBLEM IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE CARD CONTROLLING STEERING POWER ASSIST WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PARTS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. PROBLEM HAS NOT REOCCURRED SINCE. *AK *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ON HIS VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED THAT THE WIPERS WOULD NOT BE REPLACED UNTIL THEY FAILED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR WAS THAT IT BURNT LIKE A MOTHER BOARD FOR THE MOTOR AND IT BURNT ALL THE COPPER TIPS AND THE PLASTIC OFF OF THE WIRING. ALSO THE SEAT BELTS WOULD LOCK AND THEN WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT BELT WILL COME UNLOCKED. THE SEAT BELTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY ALSO. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVY CHEYENNE. THE CONTACT HAS HAD THREE SETS OF BRAKES AND THERE IS ONLY LIKE 67843 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *NM SEVERAL COMPONENTS RELATING TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM WERE REPLACED. THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES (GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTS) WERE THE WRONG SIZE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT
FRONT SEAT BELTS INTERMITTENTLY UNLOCKED FROM THE BELT BUCKLE. ALSO, FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION IT WOULD NOT TURN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE MAY NOT START UP FOR 5 OR 10 MINUTES AFTER IT HAS BEEN TURNED OFF FOR A SHORT MOMENT. PROBLEM HAS TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT POSSIBLY THE WIRING HARNESS WAS TOO CLOSE TO MANIFOLD. * THE WIRING HARNESS COVER OVERHEATS AND IS STARTING TO CRACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER ALSO REPLACED A/C COMPRESSOR. FLUSHED CONDENSER. REPLACED EXPANSTION TUBE. AT ONE TIME THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED. BROKEN BOLTS ON RIGHT STEP REPLACED AND STRAIGHTENED BENT BRACKETS. *TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER AFTER THE VEHICLE LOST PRESSURE. CURRENTLY, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE THE MAIN CAUSE FOR ALL OF THERE PARTS TO MALFUNCTION AND BREAK DOWN, THE ABS BRAKES WERE ACTIVATING ON DRY PAVEMENT AT SLOWER SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER AND VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CLUNK AND FOUND LOOSE PITMAN ARM, THE VEHICLE WOULD SKIP AND SHAKE, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER GAVE INSUFFICIENT EFFICIENCY. *SC THE FUEL INJECTION WAS REPAIRED. THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR ANYTHING DEALING WITH THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS NOT YET BEEN CORRECTED. *TC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE MAY NOT START UP FOR 5 OR 10 MINUTES AFTER IT HAS BEEN TURNED OFF FOR A SHORT MOMENT. PROBLEM HAS TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT POSSIBLY THE WIRING HARNESS WAS TOO CLOSE TO MANIFOLD. * THE WIRING HARNESS COVER OVERHEATS AND IS STARTING TO CRACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER ALSO REPLACED A/C COMPRESSOR. FLUSHED CONDENSER. REPLACED EXPANSTION TUBE. AT ONE TIME THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED. BROKEN BOLTS ON RIGHT STEP REPLACED AND STRAIGHTENED BENT BRACKETS. *TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL GUAGE GIVES FALSE READING DUE TO DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP AND SENDER. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE MAY NOT START UP FOR 5 OR 10 MINUTES AFTER IT HAS BEEN TURNED OFF FOR A SHORT MOMENT. PROBLEM HAS TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT POSSIBLY THE WIRING HARNESS WAS TOO CLOSE TO MANIFOLD. * THE WIRING HARNESS COVER OVERHEATS AND IS STARTING TO CRACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER ALSO REPLACED A/C COMPRESSOR. FLUSHED CONDENSER. REPLACED EXPANSTION TUBE. AT ONE TIME THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED. BROKEN BOLTS ON RIGHT STEP REPLACED AND STRAIGHTENED BENT BRACKETS. *TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ON HIS VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED THAT THE WIPERS WOULD NOT BE REPLACED UNTIL THEY FAILED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR WAS THAT IT BURNT LIKE A MOTHER BOARD FOR THE MOTOR AND IT BURNT ALL THE COPPER TIPS AND THE PLASTIC OFF OF THE WIRING. ALSO THE SEAT BELTS WOULD LOCK AND THEN WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT BELT WILL COME UNLOCKED. THE SEAT BELTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY ALSO. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVY CHEYENNE. THE CONTACT HAS HAD THREE SETS OF BRAKES AND THERE IS ONLY LIKE 67843 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *NM SEVERAL COMPONENTS RELATING TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM WERE REPLACED. THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES (GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTS) WERE THE WRONG SIZE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE STARTED STALLING, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO SHUT OFF. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT UNTIL AFTER VEHICLE HAD CUT OFF.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .