1997 Chevrolet Pickup 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 Pickup, 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
- Brakes2526.9%
- Steering2122.6%
- Engine66.5%
- Visibility66.5%
- Suspension55.4%
- Interior & seats44.3%
- Transmission44.3%
- Tires & wheels44.3%
- Body & structure33.2%
- Fuel system33.2%
- Electrical33.2%
- Powertrain (other)22.2%
- Seat belts22.2%
- Driver assistance22.2%
- Exterior lighting11.1%
- Airbags11.1%
- Other / unspecified11.1%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
AT SLOW SPEEDS APROXIMATLY 5-10 MPH THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM KICKS IN AND THE BRAKES FAIL TO STOP THE VEHICLE.MOSTLY COMING TO A SLOW STOP SUCH AS IN A PARKING LOT.I HEAR THE ABS MOTOR RUNNING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPS THE VEHICLE THEN FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS NOT GOING TO STOP IN TIME.THIS IS ON A GOOD TRACTION SURFACE AND THERE IS NO WHEEL LOCK UP.IT SEEMS TO ACT UP ALMOST EVERY STOP FOR DAYS AND THEN I MAY NOT HAVE IT OCCUR FOR A FEW DAYS THEN IT RETURNS.*AK
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 PICKUP. WHILE TURNING LEFT AT 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND PLACED THE GEAR INTO PARK. HE THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. HE HAD TO DO THIS TWICE BEFORE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT WANT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THEY HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS AND CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 138,000.
THE STEERING WHEEL GETS LOOSE AT LOW SPEEDS, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THUS, INCREASING THE CHANCE OF A CRASH. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE OVERSTEERS. *TC
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN THE TANK IS FULL A FOUL ODOR SEEPS THROUGH THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *AK
CONSUMER HAS EXPERIANCED PORBLEMS WITH LOSING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. CHECKED FLUIDS, AND THE FLUIDS LOOKED FINE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WILL REPLACE A PUMP IN ENGINE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEM. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENLY. CONSUMER FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THEM. *AK *SC
WHILE DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. RECALL 03V159000 WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
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
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN STEERING WHEEL WILL SUDDENLY PULL HARD TO RIGHT, ALMOST AS IF SOMEONE GRABBED WHEEL AND PULLED IT. I DO NOT REMEMBER HAVING THIS PROBLEM UNTIL I HAD BRAKE TROUBLE AT AROUND 58,000 MILES. THE FRONT PADS WERE REPLACED, ROTORS RESURFACED, AND PACKED FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. AFTER HAVING THE BRAKES FIXED, I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM OF THE STEERING PULLING TO THE RIGHT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A 1997 GMC, YUKON.*AK
SINCE FIRST PURCHASED, THIS VEHICLE HAS A TENDENCY TO PULL TO EITHER THE RIGHT OR LEFT WITHOUT CAUSE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED A STEERING SENSOR UNIT, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. SINCE THEN I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SUDDEN PULLING AT LEAST 50 TIMES. A FRIEND OF MINE ALSO BOUGHT A NEW 1997 CHEV. P.U. AND HAS HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. TODAY HE CALLED ME AND SAID THERE IS A WEB SITE DEVOTED TO THIS SAME PROBLEM. ON ICY ROADS AND FOR THE INEXPERIENCED DRIVER, THIS COULD BE A POTENTIALLY FATAL DEFECT. HOW MANY ROLLOVERS AND DEATHS HAVE ALREADY BEEN CAUSED BY THIS UNEXPLAINED STEERING PROBLEM??
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE PARKING VEHICLE, I TURNED TO LOOK BACK, UPON WHICH THE DRIVER SEAT BACK SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING COLLASPED, SPRINGING MY NECK. THE VEHICLE IS NO DRIVERABLE DUE TO THE SEAT BACK CAN NOT BE LOCKED INTO POSITION. DT
THE VEHICLE?S HOOD OPENED UP INTO THE WINDSHIELD WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED IT OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF A CORRODED HOOD LATCH. ( CONSUMER WRITING IN ON BEHALF OF HER HUSBAND) *YH
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
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATES AND BLOWS FLUID OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION VENT. THIS LEFT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD TRUCK TOWED BACK TO DEALER THAT DAY. DEALER TOLD ME THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN A TRANSMISSION GET SO HOT BEFORE , AND BURN THE FLUID BLACK. THE DEALER FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. I DON'T BELEIVE THEM FOR A SECOND! I ASKED IF THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND THEY CAN'T GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER. THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD CHECK MY FLUID ONCE A WEEK TO SEE IF THE FLUID IS TURNING BLACK, AND TO SMELL THE FLUID TO SEE IF IT'S BURNING. THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER I WANT AFTER SPENDING $27000.00 FOR A NEW TRUCK! BEFORE THIS PROBLEM AROSE I NOTICED ON HOT DAYS AFTER DRIVING DISTANCED OF UP TO 40 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY , ONCE OFF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPING AT A LIGHT OR SIGN. WHEN I BEGIN TO GO AGAIN THE TRUCK SHIFTS INTO 1,2, AND 3RD GEAR HARD, ENOUGH TO SHAKE THE TRUCK. I BELEIVE THERE IS A PROBLEM OUT WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND CHEVROLET IS TRYING TO HIDE IT, OR CAN'T FIX IT. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE THAT CAN BREAK DOWN AT ANYTIME OR ANYWERE ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE MY WIFE AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN. I AM GOING TO SETUP AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE OWNER OF TRABUCCO CHEVROLET TO SEE IF I CAN RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITH HIM. BUT I AM PREPARING MYSELF FOR THE SAME SONG AND DANCE JUST LIKE I GOT WHEN I APPROACHED ANOTHER DEALER ABOUT THE CHEVY LUMINA REAR BRAKE PROBLEMS. IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE ANOTHER CLASS ACTION SUIT TO MAKE CHEVROLET DO ANYTHING. I PURCHASED THE TRUCK WITH THE INTENSION OF KEEPING IT FOR 10 TO 12 YEARS. NOW I CAN'T WAIT TO GET RID OF IT, THIS IS A $27000.00 MISTAKE I MADE FOR TRUSTING CHEVROLET AGAIN!! BUT MORE THAN THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THESE VEHICLES BREAK DOWN DURING OPERATION ON THE HIGHWAY!! I AM JUST HAPPY THAT AFTER WAITING 40 MIN. ON THE HIGHWAY FOR A TOW TRUCK THAT NOBODY IN MY FAMILY WAS HURT. WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE GOES BY AT 65 SOMEONE COULD GET KILLED.
THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STARTED EARLY (@3500MILES), BUT DID NOT SUFFER A COMPLETE FAILURE UNTIL 1/99 AT 53478 MILES AND AGAIN AT 110000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP LIST IT AS A BROKEN SUN GEAR SHELL. THE BATTERY BEGAN LEAKING ACID AT THE POSITIVE CABLE CONNECTION CREATING SOME KIND OF MELT DOWN THAT LOOSEN THE CONNECTOR BEYOND REPAIR AND CAUSED POWER FAILURE. THE DRIVE SHAFT HAS BEEN CLUNKING SINCE @3500 MILES, BUT EVERYTIME I TAKE IT IN THE DEALER JUST LUBES THE DRIVE SHAFT SLIP YOKE, BUT THIS DOES NOT FIX IT. THE FUEL PUMP HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND JUST SHUT DOWN TOTALLY. IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED WHEN THE TRUCK STARTED OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE TOTALLY SOLVED. THE TRUCK STEERING SEEMS TO SLIP OR OVERSTEER WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE DRIVER TO RUN OFF TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT DEPENDING ON WHICH DIRECTION YOU TEND TO BE STEERING AT THAT MOMENT.. FIRST IT STARTED OCCASSIONALLY, THEN BECAME MORE FREQUENT. I HAVE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING BELT, WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE DECREASED THE FREQUENCIES, BUT HAS NOT TOTALLY CURED THE PROBLEM. ANY HELP YOU HAVE ON THIS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
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
VEHICLE'S LEFT FRONT FIRESTONE STEELTEX TIRE CAME APART WHILE DRIVING. *MR THE TIRE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. *SC *JB
TREAD THROWN FROM TIRE CAUSING FENDER DAMAGE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: DN11BIC179 TIRESIZE: LT24575R16)
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
1997 CHEVROLET PICKUP 1500. CONSUMER STATES DRIVER DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF FROM INSIDE *TGW
LOUD RATTLING NOISE AFTER ENGINE WARMUP, LOUDES AT LOWSPEED (35-45 MPH), HAVE BEEN TOLD IT WAS A SPLIT HEAT SHIEL/, MUFFLER BAFFLE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ETC.*AK
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
SENSOR KIT INSIDE THE GAS TANK WIRING HARNESS MELTED, CAUSING A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD WITHIN THE GAS TANK. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SENSOR KIT/FUEL PUMP AND THE FILTER. *AK *ML
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT PERIODICALLY COMES ON WHEN FILLING FUEL TANK. CAN SMELL FUMES AFTERWARDS ON OUTSIDE, BUT NOT INSIDE. OWNER FEELS IT'S FUEL TANK PROBLEM. *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
THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STARTED EARLY (@3500MILES), BUT DID NOT SUFFER A COMPLETE FAILURE UNTIL 1/99 AT 53478 MILES AND AGAIN AT 110000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP LIST IT AS A BROKEN SUN GEAR SHELL. THE BATTERY BEGAN LEAKING ACID AT THE POSITIVE CABLE CONNECTION CREATING SOME KIND OF MELT DOWN THAT LOOSEN THE CONNECTOR BEYOND REPAIR AND CAUSED POWER FAILURE. THE DRIVE SHAFT HAS BEEN CLUNKING SINCE @3500 MILES, BUT EVERYTIME I TAKE IT IN THE DEALER JUST LUBES THE DRIVE SHAFT SLIP YOKE, BUT THIS DOES NOT FIX IT. THE FUEL PUMP HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND JUST SHUT DOWN TOTALLY. IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED WHEN THE TRUCK STARTED OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE TOTALLY SOLVED. THE TRUCK STEERING SEEMS TO SLIP OR OVERSTEER WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE DRIVER TO RUN OFF TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT DEPENDING ON WHICH DIRECTION YOU TEND TO BE STEERING AT THAT MOMENT.. FIRST IT STARTED OCCASSIONALLY, THEN BECAME MORE FREQUENT. I HAVE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING BELT, WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE DECREASED THE FREQUENCIES, BUT HAS NOT TOTALLY CURED THE PROBLEM. ANY HELP YOU HAVE ON THIS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
CD PLAYER HAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE. NLM
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
THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STARTED EARLY (@3500MILES), BUT DID NOT SUFFER A COMPLETE FAILURE UNTIL 1/99 AT 53478 MILES AND AGAIN AT 110000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP LIST IT AS A BROKEN SUN GEAR SHELL. THE BATTERY BEGAN LEAKING ACID AT THE POSITIVE CABLE CONNECTION CREATING SOME KIND OF MELT DOWN THAT LOOSEN THE CONNECTOR BEYOND REPAIR AND CAUSED POWER FAILURE. THE DRIVE SHAFT HAS BEEN CLUNKING SINCE @3500 MILES, BUT EVERYTIME I TAKE IT IN THE DEALER JUST LUBES THE DRIVE SHAFT SLIP YOKE, BUT THIS DOES NOT FIX IT. THE FUEL PUMP HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND JUST SHUT DOWN TOTALLY. IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED WHEN THE TRUCK STARTED OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE TOTALLY SOLVED. THE TRUCK STEERING SEEMS TO SLIP OR OVERSTEER WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE DRIVER TO RUN OFF TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT DEPENDING ON WHICH DIRECTION YOU TEND TO BE STEERING AT THAT MOMENT.. FIRST IT STARTED OCCASSIONALLY, THEN BECAME MORE FREQUENT. I HAVE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING BELT, WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE DECREASED THE FREQUENCIES, BUT HAS NOT TOTALLY CURED THE PROBLEM. ANY HELP YOU HAVE ON THIS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
VEHICLE HAS A VIBRATION IN THE DRIVE SHAFT.
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
THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE RIGHT SEAT BELT DUE TO AN INTERNAL PROBLEM CAUSED THE BELT NOT TO COME OUT. *SC *JB
CD PLAYER HAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE. NLM
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
BRAKES ON DO NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE WHLE CONSUMER STILL HAS FOOT ON BRAKE. OTHER TIMES, BRAKES FEEL SOFT, AND OTHER TIMES, BRAKES KIND OF KICK BACK. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER CLAIMED THAT THEY HAVE FIXED PROBLEM ALREADY. *AK
THE ENGINE IDLES VERY HIGH WHEN STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN. ALSO THE TRUCK TAKES OFF IN A HIGH IDLING POSITION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
CD PLAYER HAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE CAME OUT UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND HIT AN OAK TREE HEAD ON . AIRBAGS ON BOTH SIDES DID NOT DEPLOY. SEATBELTS WAS WORN AT THE TIME AND DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
DUE TO THE TYPE OF RIMS ON THE VEHICLE , THE WHEEL RIMS ARE COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE CALIPERS AND SUSPENSION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *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 .