Complaints
515
Crashes
29
Fires
3
Injuries
12
Fatalities
3
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#167 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:78,929 mi
Crash-related:7
#246 complaints
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
Avg mileage:82,610 mi
Crash-related:1
#337 complaints
Steering Defects
Avg mileage:82,792 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 67 | 7 | — | 78,929 mi | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 46 | 1 | — | 82,610 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 37 | 1 | — | 82,792 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 33 | — | — | 101,539 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 21 | — | — | 100,111 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 20 | — | — | 102,017 mi | |
| Fuel Pump | 17 | — | — | 111,333 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 14 | 2 | — | 168,000 mi | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 11 | — | — | 78,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 9 | — | — | 78,260 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 8 | — | — | 78,260 mi | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 6 | — | — | 125,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 6 | — | — | 118,463 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 | 3 | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 5 | — | 1 | 107,250 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 | — | — | 170,000 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 5 | — | — | 51,000 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | 5 | — | — | 96,985 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 | 4 | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 4 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
67
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,929
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
46
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
82,610
Steering Defects
37
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
82,792
Automatic Transmission
33
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
101,539
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,111
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
102,017
Fuel Pump
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
111,333
Suspension Failures
14
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
168,000
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,260
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,260
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
125,000
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
118,463
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
6
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
107,250
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
170,000
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
51,000
Suspension:Rear
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
96,985
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Tahoe Years
1997 Chevrolet Tahoe — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe has 515 NHTSA complaints, 29 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip with 67 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (67 complaints, avg 78,929 mi); Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System (46 complaints, avg 82,610 mi); Steering Defects (37 complaints, avg 82,792 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 Tahoe?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 94,175 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 Tahoe?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe include 29 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 12 injuries, and 3 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 Tahoe have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe 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 Tahoe?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Tahoe reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
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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