1997 GMC GMC Truck 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 GMC GMC Truck, 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
- Steering327.3%
- Brakes19.1%
- Electrical19.1%
- Engine19.1%
- Fuel system19.1%
- Interior & seats19.1%
- Powertrain (other)19.1%
- Body & structure19.1%
- Visibility19.1%
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
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
MODEL 1500. THE VEHICLE TIRE ROD IS NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH LEFT AND RIGHT INNER TIE RODS, PITMAN ARM, IDLER ARM, SERPENTINE BELT, FAULTY ALTERNATOR, STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR, AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS, EGR VLVE, AND INTAKE GASKET REPLACED. *TT
I AM PROMPTED TO REPORT TO THE NHTSA AFTER READING ABOUT YOUR INVESTIGATION MENTIONED IN A MAGAZINE NAMED SPORT TRUCK OF JANUARY 2000,VOL 13,NO.1,PAGE 19 IN WHICH 1997 TO 1999 CK PICKUPS ETC; ARE SAID TO STEER UNEXPECTEDLY INTO OTHER LANES;CAUSING 4 CRASHES.JUST TO LET YOU KNOW ,MY CANADIAN TRUCK AND MY INLAW,S TRUCK BOTH EXIBITED THIS STEERING PROBLEM.MY DEALER CHANGED OUT AFTER TESTING IT,S VOLTAGE RESISTANCE,THE EVO STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR CORRECTING THE UNNERVING SENSATION OF OVERSTEER AT HIWAY SPEED IN A TURN.THIS SENSOR IS SAID TO CHANGE HYDRAULIC ASSIST OF THE STEERING DEPENDANT ON VEHICLE SPEED AND STEERING WHEEL POSITION TO EASE FOR PARKING.A DEFECT IN THIS SENSOR COULD CAUSE AN ANWANTED OVERSTEER EFFECT WHEN STEERING INPUT EFFORT IS EXERTED TO MAKE A TURN AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR EVEN WHEN TRYING TO MAINTAIN A STRAIT AHEAD DRIVE ON A CROWNED HIWAY.WHEN I DESCRIBED THE FUNNY STEERING FEEL TO THE DEALER,I THOUGHT A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS IN ORDER,NOT KNOWING THERE WAS A SENSOR INVOLVED.THE MECHANIC WENT STRAIT VOR HIS VOLT METER AND THE SENSOR UNDER THE DASH ON THE COLUM,LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT TO THEM,THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE.ON AN EXTENDED WARRENTY THAT I PURCHASED,A $100.00 DEDUCTABLE IS INCURRED FOR THIS REPAIR.PLEASE FEEL FREE TO INFORM ME AS TO WHAT YOU FIND;I WILL FREQUENT YOUR WEB SITE AS WELL.SHOULD THIS BE A RECALL? I THINK SO. THANKS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE PADS FAILED.
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
MODEL 1500. THE VEHICLE TIRE ROD IS NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH LEFT AND RIGHT INNER TIE RODS, PITMAN ARM, IDLER ARM, SERPENTINE BELT, FAULTY ALTERNATOR, STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR, AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS, EGR VLVE, AND INTAKE GASKET REPLACED. *TT
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
MODEL 1500. THE VEHICLE TIRE ROD IS NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH LEFT AND RIGHT INNER TIE RODS, PITMAN ARM, IDLER ARM, SERPENTINE BELT, FAULTY ALTERNATOR, STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR, AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS, EGR VLVE, AND INTAKE GASKET REPLACED. *TT
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
INSIDE THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT FUEL PUMP IS MOUNTED TO FOUR CONNECTORS WHICH MELTED, CAUSING FUEL TANK TO GO BAD . CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED 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.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
MODEL 1500. THE VEHICLE TIRE ROD IS NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH LEFT AND RIGHT INNER TIE RODS, PITMAN ARM, IDLER ARM, SERPENTINE BELT, FAULTY ALTERNATOR, STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR, AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS, EGR VLVE, AND INTAKE GASKET REPLACED. *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
THE SUN SHELL IN THE PLANETARY GEAR SET HAD A PART FAILURE CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NLM
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
POWER SEAT FUNCTIONS ONLY WORK IF DOOR IS OPENED DUE TO DESIGN OF THE OVERSIZED DOORS.
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
I OWN A 1997 GMC YUKON THAT HAS ONGOING, SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THEY EITHER DO NOT WORK AT ALL OR THEY RUN CONTINUALLY IN AN ERRATIC MANNER AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. I LEARNED THAT GM ISSUED A RECALL (#03023) IN MAY, 2003 FOR 1994-1997 GM TRUCKS AND SUV'S, INCLUDING YUKONS, DUE TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE RECALL WAS TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO NORTH COUNTY GMC IN ESCONDIDO, CA, AND LEFT IT TO HAVE THIS REPAIR PERFORMED. I LATER RECEIVED A CALL STATING THAT MY CAR'S VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IN FACT, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ACTED AS THOUGH THEY KNEW NOTHING WHATSOEVER ABOUT ANY RECALL. *AK I ADVISED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE DOCUMENTS I OBTAINED ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THE RECALL WERE IN THE VEHICLE. I ASKED THEM TO REVIEW THE PAPERS AND FIND OUT WHY MY VEHICLE, AS LISTED IN THE PAPERWORK, WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECAL WHEN I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT PROMPTED THE RECALL. THE ONLY THING THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD TELL ME IS THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND IT WOULD COST SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY GM WOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR MY EXACT VEHICLE, 1997 YUKON, BECAUSE OF THE EXACT PROBLEM I WAS EXPERIENCING, AND THEN REFUSE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. WHY WOULD MY VIN NUMBER EXCLUDE ME FROM THIS RECALL? I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH GM'S RECALL POLICY AND NORTH COUNTY GMC'S ACTIONS IN THIS MATTER!L
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 .