Complaints
693
Crashes
31
Fires
16
Injuries
28
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#186 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:91,733 mi
Crash-related:14
#259 complaints
Steering Defects
Avg mileage:64,923 mi
Crash-related:1
#349 complaints
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
Avg mileage:84,500 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 86 | 14 | — | 91,733 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 59 | 1 | — | 64,923 mi | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 49 | 1 | — | 84,500 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 33 | — | 1 | 79,278 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 32 | — | — | 88,126 mi | |
| Fuel Pump | 25 | — | — | 104,507 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 24 | — | — | 84,207 mi | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 14 | 1 | — | 96,500 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 12 | 1 | 2 | 38,348 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 10 | 7 | — | 92,725 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 10 | — | 5 | — | |
| Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 9 | — | — | 76,333 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 8 | — | — | 81,537 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 8 | — | — | 122,567 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 7 | — | — | 127,000 mi | |
| Brake Master Cylinder | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 6 | — | — | 76,267 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 5 | 2 | — | 127,762 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 5 | — | — | 237,307 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 5 | — | — | 147,000 mi | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 5 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
86
complaints
Crashes
14
Fires
—
Avg Miles
91,733
Steering Defects
59
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
64,923
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
49
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,500
Automatic Transmission
33
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
79,278
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
32
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,126
Fuel Pump
25
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
104,507
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
24
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,207
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
96,500
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
38,348
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
10
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,725
Electrical System:Wiring
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,333
Hydraulic Brakes
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,537
Suspension Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
122,567
Unintended Acceleration
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
127,000
Brake Master Cylinder
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,267
Suspension:Rear
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
127,762
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
237,307
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
147,000
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Years
1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 693 NHTSA complaints, 31 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip with 86 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (86 complaints, avg 91,733 mi); Steering Defects (59 complaints, avg 64,923 mi); Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System (49 complaints, avg 84,500 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 87,897 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 include 31 crash-related reports, 16 fire reports, 28 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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