RoadVitals

1997 Chevrolet Suburban Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
42
Latest Nov 29, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 414 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 42 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 42, in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Nov 29, 2019

I STOPPED TO GET GAS ANC CUT MY TRUCK OFF. I GOT BACK IN IT AND CUT IT ON AN DROVE ABOUT 30 YARDS I NOTICED A SMELL LIKE BURNING WIRES. SO I CUT IT OFF GOT OUT CHECKED THE OUTSIDE THE SMELL IS ONLY ON THE INSIDE. THEN I POPPED THE HOOD AN SMELLED THE SAME SMELL. I PUSHED IT AND PARKED IT. MY CLICKER IS NOT WORKING TO UNLOCK OR LOCK IT, THE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF AND IT MAKES THE RINGING SOUND AS IF THE DRIVER DOOR IS OPEN EVEN WHEN IT'S NOT. I TOOK THE BATTERY OUT TO SEE IF IT WAS THAT BUT ITS FULLY CHARGED.

NHTSA ID
11282816
Incident
Nov 28, 2019
Mileage
178,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 16, 2005

DT: THIS MORNING HIT THE BRAKES COMING DOWN THE HILL AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN, COULD NOT CONTROL STEERING AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK EITHER. THE ELECTRIC AND POWER FAILURE, COULDN'T DO ANYTHING WITH THE VEHICLE. IT HASN'T BE CHECKED BY DEALER YET.*AK

NHTSA ID
10125452
Incident
Jun 16, 2005
Mileage
138,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 22, 2003

MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS IN DASH INCLUDING SHORTING IN FUSE PANEL, HEADLIGHTS, HEATING CONTROLS, WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROLS, SOUND SYSTEM, AND INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS, LEADING TO ERRATIC OR FAILED OPERATION OF SUCH CONTROLS WITH VISIBLE SIGNS OF WIRING DAMAGE AND COMPLETE MELTDOWN (I.E. HEATING CONTROLS/SOUND SYSTEM). *AK

NHTSA ID
10050924
Incident
Sep 1, 2003
Electrical
Filed Aug 10, 2003

WE HAD TWO BATTERIES LEAK ACID, CAUSED SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS IN DAMAGE TO REPAIR WIRES AND HOSES THAT WERE DAMAGED BY THE LEAKING BATTERY ACID. WE WONDER IF THE DEALERSHIP IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA WAS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BATTERIES TO GENERATE REPAIR BILLS FOR THEIR BUSINESS. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10031221
Incident
May 9, 2000
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Aug 1, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT FUEL PUMP FAILED DUE TO ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS INSIDE THE GAS TANK MELTING AGAINST THE PICKUP TUBE. THE PROBLEM WAS MADE APPARENT BECAUSE OF CONSTANT FUSES BLOWING OUT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10031864
Incident
Jul 21, 2003
Electrical
Filed Jun 8, 2003

HARD TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT KEY SWITCH INTO ACCESSORY POSITION AND THEN MOVE SHIFTER INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO START VEHICLE. *TT

NHTSA ID
10021256
Incident
May 22, 2003
Mileage
130,000 mi
BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical+2 more
Filed Dec 21, 2002

ABS FAILURE, ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND FRONT AND REAR BRAKE FAILURE. THIS CORRESPONDENCE IS NOT AVAILABLE VIA .I BELIEVE THE LETTER MAY HAVE BEEN MISPLACED WHILE IN TRANSITION FROM DIMMS TO ARTEMIS VIA TRAN TECH EMPLOYEES. THE POWER WINDOWS AND AIR CONDITION FAILED. THERE WAS A VIOLENT GEAR CHANGE BETWEEN 2 WHEEL DRIVE AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THE BATTERY LEAKED AND ALSO THE CABLES WERE CORRODED, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10011448
Incident
Dec 2, 2002
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)+2 more
Filed Aug 7, 2001

I STARTED EXPERENCING PROBLEM AT APPOX. 12000 MILES WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURLLY,SOME AFTER AT APPOX. 20000 MILE I HAD UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR, ( I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY FAULT) IT WAS THE RIGHT TORSION BAR OUT OF ADJUSTMENT AND EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 27668 MILE I HAD TO PAY 1/2 THE COST APPOX $225.00 AFTER FIGHTING ALL THE WAY TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICES,THE SPEED SENSITIVE STEERING STARTED ACTTING UP AT APPOX. 40000 MILES SUDDENLY CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SLIP UNACCPECTEDLY.THIS PART WAS REPLACE N/C , I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 ALTERNATORS THE FIRST AT APPOX. 38000 MILE STANDING ME IN BUFFALO ,TX 120 MILES FROM HOME ON A SUNDAY NIGHT, THE SECOND AND THIRD HAPPEDED IN THE CITY HOWEVER I NOW CARRY A SPARE ALTENATOR AND TOOLS BECAUSE WHO KNOWS WHEN IT WILL GO OUT NEXT, I HAVE REPLACED THE POSITIVE SIDE BATTERY CABLES TWICE BECAUSE OF DESIGN THE LOOSEN AND THE ACR AND SHORT OUT, THE AUTO MATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 53939 DUE TO COOLENT GETTING INTO THE UNIT I HAD TO PAY 25% OF THIS REPAIR APPOX. $525.00 THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 69015 ONLY 15K+MILES LATER WITH THE WARRENTY CARD IN HAND I THOUGHT MAYBE THIS WAS IT ,AT 107,267 MILES THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WITH ONLY 38K+ MILE ON A UNIT THAT CARRYS A 3YR/50K WARRENTY GM REFUSES TO FIX OR REPLACE THE UNIT MY TRUCK HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE 06/15/2001 WHILE I HAVE BEEN ONCE AGAIN FIGHTING WITH GM TO NO AVAIL ,( I WAS OFFER A CUSTOMER LOYALTY CERT. FOR $500. 00 TO SETTLE THIS ISSUE THE TRANSMISSION COST $2500. TO REPLACE NOT INCLUDING THE MOTOR MOUNT THAT BROKE WHEN THE UNIT LOCKED UP AT APPOX. 35 MPH ALL THE ADVERTISING MILLION AND BILLIONS OF $$$$$ SHOULD BE SPENT MAKING SURE THAT THEN PRESISTENT PROBLEM DO NOT ACCURE, NOT WHEN YOU SPEND 35K- 45K- FOR A VEHICLE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: DON'T KNOW TIRESIZE: 245R16LT)

NHTSA ID
749987
Incident
Dec 10, 1998
Electrical
Filed May 8, 2001

I THINK CHEVROLET SHOULD PAY FOR THIS FACTORY DEFECT WHICH COST ME $160. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
745052
Incident
Apr 1, 2000
Heating & air conditioningElectricalFuel system
Filed Apr 20, 2001

TRUCK STALLS, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY DEFECT ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS WITHOUT SUCCESS. ACCIDENTS AVOIDED THUS FAR, BUT NEXT TIME, I MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. PLEASE POST THESE COMMENTS, TO WARN OTHER CONSUMERS. GMC IS DENYING RESPONSIBILITY, HAS FLATLY REFUSED TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE, AND CONTINUES TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I'M SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS THING...ME AND MY PASSENGERS(VERY OFTEN A TROOP OF GIRL SCOUTS) ARE IN DANGER, AND SO IS ANYONE WHO MIGHT BE IN FRONT OF ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HOPE THAT NO ONE DIES AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. PLEASE HELP ME.*AK

NHTSA ID
744310
Incident
Mar 9, 2001
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Mar 16, 2001

SENDING UNIT IN FUEL TANK SHORTED OUT. *AK CONSUMER STATES IGNITION SWITCH ALSO FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
883300
Incident
Mar 14, 2001
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jan 10, 2001

1. BATTERY LEAKED ACID WHILE IDLE AND ULTIMATELY FAILED. LEAK CORRODED POSITIVE POWER CABLE AND UNDERCOATING. 2. ERRATIC STEERING WHILE DRIVING - STEERING POSITION SENSOR REPLACED FIRST TIME. 3. STARTER FAILED 3 TIMES - COMPLETE LOCK-UP 4. U-JOINT FAILED TWICE - SEALED/NON-GREASABLE POOR ACCESS TO ADD GREASE FITTING

NHTSA ID
739166
Incident
Jan 10, 2001
Electrical
Filed Oct 30, 2000

COMPLAINT CONCERNS CAR BATTERIES. IN THE PAST THREE YEARS I HAVE HAD BATTERY FAILURES WITH TWO BATTERIES LESS THAN A YEAR OLD, A DELCO ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1996 CHEVROLET CAR & THE 2ND A EVERSTART WALMART REPLACEMENT BATTERY. BATTERY FAILURES IN TRAFFIC STALLED VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
735424
Incident
Sep 20, 2000
Electrical
Filed Oct 25, 2000

EA00013; BATTERY LEAKS ACID: VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED FOR THE SECOND TIME BECAUSE OF A LEAKING BATTERY. FIRST TIME WAS IN MARCH OF 1999, AT 29,000 MILES. BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED AND REPAIRED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
873841
Incident
Oct 25, 2000
ElectricalFuel systemSteering+1 more
Filed Sep 7, 2000

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID
730710
Incident
Feb 4, 2000
Electrical
Filed Sep 4, 2000

BATTERY ACID LEAK 1997 SUBURBAN

NHTSA ID
730127
Incident
Sep 3, 2000
Electrical
Filed Sep 4, 2000

BATTERY ACID LEAK FROM POS. TERMINAL RESULTING IN CORRODED WIRES AND BRAKE LINE.

NHTSA ID
730049
Incident
Sep 3, 2000
Electrical
Filed Aug 17, 2000

BATTERY ACID LEAK FROM POSTIVE POST; DAMAGE TO AC LINE, BRAKE LINES & FRAME

NHTSA ID
728245
Incident
Aug 16, 2000
Electrical
Filed Aug 15, 2000

VEHICLE STOPPED/LOST ALL POWER DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. ONCE STOPPED AND IN "PARK" COULD RESTART. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES A DAY WITH NO WARNING. UPON DEALER INVESTIGATION, BATTERY ACID LEAK WHICH DESTROYED CABLES WAS REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS IN SHOP 1 1/2 MONTHS PRIOR FOR SAME PROBLEM, ALTERNATOR DEFECT STATED AT THAT TIME. BATTERY 2 1/2 YRS OLD/ PREVIOUSLY REPLACED AT 11,000 MILES FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS.*AK

NHTSA ID
727971
Incident
Aug 11, 2000
Electrical
Filed Jul 21, 2000

POSITIVE POST OF THE BATTERY TERMINAL WAS SCREWED IN TOO FAR, AND IT DEVELOPED A SLOW LEAK INSIDE OF THE TERMINAL, TO FELL OFF.*AK

NHTSA ID
865860
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
ElectricalSteeringTransmission
Filed Jul 14, 2000

APPARENT UNREPAIRABLE DANGEROUS STEERING SITUATION, BATTERY PROBLEM, TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VEHICLE DOES NOT SEEM TO MERCHANTABLE FOR PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS OFFERED FOR SALE. *AK

NHTSA ID
725410
Electrical
Filed Jul 10, 2000

OUR SUBURBAN NOW HAS ITS 3RD BATTERY IN 3 YEARS. THE ORIGINAL BATTERY'S POST BROKE OFF LEAKING ACID, DESTROYING STARTER WIRING, CAUSING ASSOCIATED FRAME DAMAGE. THE DEALER DENIED KNOWLEDGE OF ANY PREEXISTING PROBLEMS WITH SUBURBAN VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT REFUSED TO TAKE CARE OF THE ACID DAMAGE. THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS IN THE FALL OF 1999. WE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY AT FULL COST TO US SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. TODAY JULY 10, 2000, THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO START. THE TRAY HOLDING THE BATTERY SHOWS EVIDENCE OF CORROSION. IN ADDITION, THE POSITIVE CABLE TERMINALS ARE CORRODED. *AK

NHTSA ID
725241
Incident
Jul 30, 1998
Electrical
Filed Jun 30, 2000

WHILE DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR ALTERNATOR WENT OUT TWICE. VEHICLE FAILED TO START BACK UP. THIS, IN TURN, CAUSED BATTERY TO BURN OUT AND VEHICLE DIED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. BOUGHT BATTERY FROM DEALERSHIP & IT WAS INSTALLED.*AK

NHTSA ID
864626
Electrical
Filed Jun 22, 2000

EA00 013/BATTERY LEAKS ACID: BATTERY LEAKAGE FROM POSITIVE POST RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. *AK THE BATTERY FAILED AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED BY A NEW ONE. *YH

NHTSA ID
864030
Incident
Jun 2, 2000
Electrical
Filed Jun 22, 2000

YESTERDAY I READ IN THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING GM SUV'S AND BATTERY LEAKS. I WOULD LIKE TO GO ON RECORD AS HAVING HAD THIS PROBLEM. FORTUNATELY THE LEAK WAS DETECTED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN MY GARAGE AND NO ONE WAS HURT. ALTHOUGH, THERE WAS DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE AND I HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW STARTER CABLE, AUXILIARY CABLE, PARTS AND GENERAL CLEANUP. THE SUBURBAN WAS JUST OVER 2000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. PLEASE KEEP ME POSTED. THANK YOU KAREN YOCUM. *AK

NHTSA ID
724402
Incident
Nov 1, 1999

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .