RoadVitals

1997 GMC Pickup

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
22
Latest Jun 23, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Aug 11, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 22 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 GMC Pickup, most frequently naming the visibility, steering and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Visibility624.0%
  • Steering416.0%
  • Brakes312.0%
  • Electrical28.0%
  • Engine28.0%
  • Tires & wheels28.0%
  • Fuel system14.0%
  • Body & structure14.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
08E050000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 11, 2008
1,921 units potentially affected
The defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
K2 MOTOR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
06E040000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

May 15, 2006
1,648 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.
E SPEED RACINGView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 22
Visibility
Filed Jun 23, 2004

RECALL NOTICE REGARDING VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WIPERS.*MR THE CONSUMER MISPLACED THE RECALL LETTER RELATER TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT ANOTHER COPY BE SENT SO THAT THE RECALL CAN BE COMPLETED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10079881
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Visibility
Filed Jun 14, 2004

WHILE DRIVING FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. RECALL 03V159000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10073988
Incident
Apr 28, 2004
Mileage
107,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 23, 2004

INTERMITTENT SURGE OR BOOST IN POWER STEERING ASSITANCE. HAS OCCURRED OVER THE PAST 1+ YRS . LOOSE STEERING . *AK

NHTSA ID
10058733
Incident
Jan 1, 2003
Mileage
30,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 23, 2004

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10058731
Incident
Feb 21, 2004
Mileage
40,225 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 12, 2003

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SHUT DOWN THE FUSES TO THE ENTIRE BAG SYSTEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *TS

NHTSA ID
10034195
Mileage
4,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 23, 2003

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10017461
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Jul 22, 2002

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WIPE AFTER BRIEF RAINSTORM . ONCE THE TRUCK DRIED, THE WIPERS WOULD WORK. THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLIES FAILED WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER AND FURTHER DIAGNOSIS REVEALED AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN EACH ASSEMBLY WHICH CAUSED THE TURN SIGNAL TO FAIL TO FLASH. BULB TESTED GOOD. THE PERSONAL AT THE AUTO PARTS STORE STATED THEY HAD A LOT OF THESE ASSEMBLIES BEING REQUESTED FOR REPLACEMENT. I HAVE NEVER HAD A WRECK WITH MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BY GM SUPPLIER BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT PORTION WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK. *JB *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*764581

NHTSA ID
10007163
Incident
Jan 22, 2002
Mileage
60,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 11, 2002

CONSUMER STATES WIRES INSIDE THE GAS TANK LEADING TO THE FUEL PUMP WERE BURNED, WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP WORKING.*JB

NHTSA ID
565968
Incident
Mar 20, 2002

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

020090002

POWER TRAIN

SUBJECT REGARDING LUBRICATION OF PROPELLER SHAFT DOUBLE CARDAN CV TYPE U-JOINT CENTERING BALL AND SEAT.*NLM

3276

POWER TRAIN

4L80E OUTPUT CARRIER THRUST WASHER CHANGES. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC Pickup by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002500—
2001500—
2000120033.8
1999231043.2
1998142044.6
1997Viewing222039.0
1996192047.3
1995322049.2
1994232049.8
1993130131.1
1992100130.8
1991601—
1990800—
1989400—
1988500—
1987400—
1986300—
1985300—
1981100—
1979000—
1978100—
1977000—
1976000—
1975100—
1974000—
1973000—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.