1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the corner of the front seat fell through the floor structure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was stated that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated that the original frame to repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ID

11564482

Incident

Dec 26, 2023

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 351,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11255074

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

Mileage

351,000 mi

THE WIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A STORM AND I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND I TRIED EVERYTHING I COULD TO GET THE WIPERS TO WORK I CALLED A FRIEND AND HE SAID TO TAP THE WIPER MOTOR AND IT DID GET THE WIPERS TO WORK UNTIL I GOT HOME AND THE NEXT DAY I CALLED AND GOT A NEW WIPER MOTOR AND INSTALLED IT ON MY TRUCK AND I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM SINCE. THE WIPER MOTOR WAS NOT CHEAP AND I'M ON A FIXED INCOME. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE WIPER MOTOR I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE TIME IT TOOK ME TO REPLACE IT. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN HELP ME OUT WITH THIS MATTER. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID

10918150

Incident

Jul 14, 2004

Mileage

76,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS WERE DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 258,669.

NHTSA ID

10913624

Incident

Oct 2, 2016

Mileage

258,669 mi

WHEN DRIVING AND ENTERING A CURVE THE POWER STEERING JERKS TO THE DIRECTION OF STEER. THIS IS SAID TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING POSITION SENSOR CAUSING THE VARIABLE ASSIST STEERING TO OVER-COMPENSATE AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER DANGEROUSLY. THE FORUMS ARE FULL OF PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS PLAGUED THIS SYSTEM.

NHTSA ID

10911224

Incident

Aug 8, 2016

Mileage

125,000 mi

MAIN BRAKE LINE THAT FEEDS THE REAR BRAKES FAILED ON MY TRUCK WHILE I WAS AT A GM DEALER PARKING LOT. THE BRAKE LINE ROTTED AWAY. HAD THE BRAKE LINE BROKE A FEW MINUTES EARLIER I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WHILE GETTING OFF OF THE INTERSTATE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP! WHEN THIS BRAKE LINE BURST I LOST ALL STOPPING ABILITY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10662920

Incident

Dec 5, 2014

Mileage

58,236 mi

I GOT THE TRUCK IN 2011 AND WHEN THE TITLE CAME IN THE MAIL IT HAD A NOTE THAT THE TRUCK HAD BEEN A DEALER LEMON LAW BUYBACK. MY PROBLEM NOW IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I CALLED CHEVROLET FOR SOME ASSISTANCE AND WAS TOLD TO HAVE A CHEVROLET DEALER DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE MOST OF THE CHECK ENGINE RELATED PARTS AND SENSORS AT A COST TO ME OF ABOUT $4000.00. I THINK THAT I AM BEING OVER SOLD. I PAID THE $85.00 AND HAD 2 OTHER TEST AND 2 DIFFERENT DIAGNOSE COST FROM $1500 TO CHANGE INJECTORS. ANOTHER.GM RECALL BUT MILEAGE PROBLEM. CHEVROLET DECLINED ANY HELP. I THINK IF IT WAS A LEMON THERE MUST HAVE HAD A BIG PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE TRUCK IT STILL LOOKS GOOD. ALSO THE WIPERS DON'T WORK AT TIMES THERE WAS A RECALL ON THEM BUT AGE AND MILES MAY BE A PROBLEM. I COULD USE SOME HELP. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10621202

Incident

Aug 1, 2012

Mileage

164,000 mi

I WAS STOPPED FOR NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT. SEAT BELT STOPS ARE ILLEGAL. I AM EXEMPT BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY. WATCH MY VIDEO HERE, HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=QB2VETMMZT0. *JS

NHTSA ID

10592603

Incident

Oct 19, 2006

I HAVE SAME PROBLEM AS THE REST , ONLY THING IS ,THERE ALL AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH IS RIGHT NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10578133

Incident

Apr 7, 2014

Mileage

120,000 mi

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG KEY SWITCHED IN OFF POSITION. THE PASSENGER SIDE BAG DEPLOYED, THE STEERING WHEEL ONE DID NOT. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, NO ROAD CONDITIONS, AND THE WEATHER WAS FAIR. WE WERE NOT INJURED BUT SHOCKED US. I QUICKLY STOPPED THE TRUCK TO AIR OUT THE CONTENTS OF THE AIR BAG IN THE CAB. *TR

NHTSA ID

10576020

Incident

Oct 16, 2013

Mileage

78,000 mi

NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH WAS ON AND FLICKERING AT TIMES. CHECKED THE FLUID AND NOTICE IT WAS VERY LOW. TOPPED OFF THE FLUID AND NOTICE SPOTS UNDER THE TRUCK. CHECKED CLOSER AND SAW THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING NEAR THE ABS CONTROLLER FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE BRAKE LINES ALL HAD MODERATE TO SEVER RUST ON THEM AND THIS WAS CAUSING THE LOSS OF FLUID.

NHTSA ID

10542389

Incident

Sep 2, 2013

Mileage

159,000 mi

THERE WAS AND HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT OR CRASH THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS LOOSE JUST FROM DAY TO DAY USE. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND ARE THE ONLY OWNERS IT HAS EVER HAD, AND WE NEED IT REPAIRED AS IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO DRIVE WITH THE LOOSE SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10535394

Incident

Aug 14, 2013

I REMOVED BED OFF MY TRUCK TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP AND NOTICED SECTIONS OF MY REAR FRAME MISSING OR JUST PAPER THIN DUE TO ROT/CORROSION AND IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT'S SAD I'VE OWNED THIS TRUCK FOR 8YEARS AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT STILL HAS ALL OF ITS ORIGINAL BODY PANELS IN RUST/ROT FREE AND FLOORS ARE MINT JUST THE FRAME IS JUNK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10505163

Incident

Mar 11, 2013

Mileage

122,567 mi

BRAKE FLUID LOST DUE TO HOLE IN LINE ONLY HAD EMERGENCY BREAK TO STOP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10477175

Incident

Sep 10, 2012

Mileage

58,841 mi

I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE 3 WEEKS. ON MONDAY AUGUST 6TH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON A STREET IN A COMMERCIAL AREA. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A PARKING SPACE. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND I DROVE THE VEHICLE CA. 50 YARDS BEFORE ANOTHER FAILURE, WHEN I COASTED TO A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART, AND I WAS TOWED TO MY HOME. ON WEDNESDAY AUGUS 8TH, THE VEHICLE STALLED 3X AT A DISCOUNT STORE PARKING LOT, AND FINALLY STALLED AT WORK ON THE SAME DAY. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS WAS THE PMD ON THE CHEVY 6.5L DIESEL ENGINE, AND WAS A COMMON FAILURE. THIS IS A REAL HAZARD, AS THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS RESTART, AND WERE I GOING DOWN THE HIWAY (EXPECIALLY WITH A TRAILER), I WOULD HAVE LOST ACCELLERATION POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THIS COULD EASILY COST SOMEONE THEIR LIVES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10469962

Incident

Aug 6, 2012

Mileage

111,643 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET 1500 PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF THE REAR BRAKES. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHEN HE NOTICED AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO REPAIRED THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO PROVIDED A PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 09/05/12*LJ

NHTSA ID

10469321

Incident

Aug 2, 2012

Mileage

59,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED WHENEVER HE APPLIED THE BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID

10425466

Incident

Nov 1, 2010

Mileage

50,000 mi

1997 CHEVY K1500 PICKUP, FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING, WENT TO REPLACE FUEL TANK AND FOUND THE FRAME CROSSMEMBER HAD RUSTED SO BAD THAT THE FUEL TANK ALMOST FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, (THIS CROSSMEMBER SUPPORTS THE FRONT FUEL TANK STRAP. WHILE LOOKING AROUND FOUND VERY HEAVY RUST AND PIECES OF THE FRAME MISSING. HAD TO FABRICATE NEW CROSSMEMBER TO HOLD NEW TANK. *KB

NHTSA ID

10420024

Incident

Feb 12, 2011

Mileage

155,000 mi

WINDSHIELD WIPER DEFECT: WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO OPERATE CORRECTLY, OR AT ALL, DURING ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THIS EQUIPMENT FAILURE PUTS A DRIVER AND ALL PASSENGERS AT RISK OF HARM DUE TO INHIBITED VISIBILITY. HAVE HAD TO SUDDENLY CHANGE LANES ON HIGHWAY DURING HEAVY RAIN, PULL OFF, STAND ON EDGE OF DOOR TRIM WITH TRAFFIC DRIVING BY, AND PUSH THE WIPERS MANUALLY UP AND DOWN TO GET THEM WORKING AGAIN. SOMETIMES I WILL HAVE TO OPEN THE HOOD OF THE TRUCK, PUSH THE FUSE TIGHT, PUSH THE WIPERS TO START THEM, AND THEN GO. OUR 1996 CHEVY SUBURBAN WAS RECALLED DUE TO A WINDSHIELD WIPER DEFECT, THEY HAVE WORKED FINE SINCE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER COMPONENT WAS REPLACED.. I HAVE CONTACTED OUR LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP TWICE TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER DEFECT REPAIRED ON THE 1997 C1500 TRUCK. SINCE THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT DO IT WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE VIN NUMBER ON THE TRUCK DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL ( THE SERVICE MANAGER PULLED UP THE RECALL AND CHECKED THE VIN NUMBER OF OUR TRUCK AGAINST THE NUMBERS ON THEIR LIST ON 08/06/2011 AT 12:20 P.M.), THEY WILL NOT REPLACE IT. THIS IS BECAUSE, AS IT IS NOW NOT UNDER WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED BY GM, REGARDLESS OF MY REMINDING THEM THAT NOT REPLACING IT REMAINS A SAFETY RISK TO THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEGAN IN 2001. SINCE OUR SON IS GOING TO GET HIS LICENSE, AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE TRUCK, I WOULD LIKE TO ENSURE HIS VEHICLE IS A SAFE ONE. IF I HAD KNOWN WHERE TO FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING THIS MATTER, I WOULD HAVE DONE THIS 8 YEARS AGO. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, EXCEPT REPLACE THE PART. *TR

NHTSA ID

10418422

Incident

Nov 28, 2010

Mileage

142,265 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, WATER PUMP AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE DEXCOL ANTI-FREEZE THE DEALER USED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT THERE HAD BEEN ISSUES WITH USING THE DEXCOL ANTI-FREEZE WITH THEIR VEHICLES IN THE PAST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,900.

NHTSA ID

10398658

Incident

May 21, 2008

Mileage

40,000 mi

I PURCHASED FOUR GOODYEAR TIRES @ SEARS IN 2009..EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THESE TIRES MY TRUCK HAS HAD A BOUNCE BETWEEN 35-40 MPH.....I ALSO HAD THE FRONT END ALIGNED ON THE SAME DAY.....I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE BUMPS THAT STICK OUT ON THE SIDEWALLS AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS BUT WAS TOLD THAT WAS NORMAL WHEN THE TIRES ARE MANUFACTURED....I HAVE LOOKED AT SOME OTHER TIRES AND DO NOT NOTICE THESE TYPES OF DEFECT ON THESE... I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE BACK AT LEAST FOUR TIMES TO HAVE THE BALANCE CHECKED BUT STILL THE SAME PROBLEM....AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED...I CANNOT HELP BUT THINK THAT THESE BUMPS ON THE SIDEWALL ARE CAUSING THE BOUNCING...AT THE MOMENT THESE TIRES HAVE ABOUT 8,000 MILES ON THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10390296

Incident

Mar 27, 2009

THIS TRUCK WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 1997 AND I HAVE OWNED IT AND MAINTAINED IT IN GOOD RUNNING ORDER SINCE THEN. I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT WHEN THE TRUCK SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO MY HOME AND DOING SOME TROUBLE SHOOTING I DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT WORKING. I REMOVED THE GAS TANK AND AFTER REMOVING THE FUEL PUMP DISCOVERED THE GREY WIRE TO THE PUMP HAD THE INSULATION BURNED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF INCHES. THIS DAMAGE WAS ON THE INSIDE OF THE GAS TANK. THE PLUG THAT THE WIRE GOES THROUGH WAS CHARRED AND MELTED AWAY. I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF THE ASSEMBLY AND DAMAGE AND HAVE NOTIFIED GM OF THE INCIDENT. I AM AMAZED THAT THIS DID NOT RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION OR A FIRE. THE HEAT GENERATED TO MELT THE WIRE AND PLUG IS EXTENSIVE. THE PLUG WAS MELTED TO THE POINT IT EXPOSED IT INTERNAL WIRING. I UNDERSTAND THAT MOST CARS AND TRUCKS HAVE THIS TYPE OF ASSEMBLY INSTALLED. THE ASSEMBLY THAT HOLDS THE FUEL PUMP IS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. I WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO SHARE THE PHOTOS OR THE ASSEMBLY FOR FAILURE ANALYSIS.

NHTSA ID

10381930

Incident

Feb 4, 2011

Mileage

237,000 mi

VEHICLE STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. FOUND DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. UPON REMOVAL OF PUMP FROM FUEL TANK, FOUND WIRING ON FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT BURNT WITH INSULATION MELTED BACK APPROXIMATELY TWO INCHES FROM THE SWITCH. HAD THIS EVENT OCCURRED WITH A TANK CLOSE TO EMPTY IT MAY HAVE RESULTED IN AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE.

NHTSA ID

10379156

Incident

Jan 18, 2011

Mileage

165,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT DROVER OVER BLACK ICE AND SLID OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT SIDESWIPED TWO TREES BEFORE CRASHING HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER TREE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED YET THE SEAT BELT DETACHED FROM THE LOCK AND THE ENTIRE UNIT THAT HELD THE SEATBELT IN PLACE WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE BURNS AND A BROKEN NOSE AS A RESULT. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE LOT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ID

10377172

Incident

Jan 18, 2011

Mileage

132,000 mi

ON MY 1997 CHEVROLET C1500 TRUCK ,THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT IS A SLIDER IN WHICH IT WILL SLIDE FORWARD TO ALLOW BACK SEAT ENTRY. MANY TIMES AFTER A SLIDE FORWARD IT DOESN'T RELATCH TO THE AFT LOCKED POSITION PROPERLY. SO DURING BRAKING THE SEAT FLYS FORWARD SENDING PASSENGER INTO DASHBOARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND COULD POSSIBLY INJURE A PASSENGER. BOTH SEAT RAILS ON THAT SEAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE BY THE DEALER,BUT CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM? *LN

NHTSA ID

10376870

Incident

Nov 20, 1999

Mileage

10,000 mi