Complaints
100
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#113 complaints
Steering Defects
Avg mileage:98,924 mi
#27 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:51,932 mi
#37 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 13 | — | — | 98,924 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 7 | — | — | 51,932 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 7 | — | — | 34,413 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 6 | — | — | 139,607 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 6 | — | — | 91,856 mi | |
| Fuel Pump | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Steering Defects
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
98,924
Automatic Transmission
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
51,932
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
34,413
Hydraulic Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
139,607
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
91,856
Fuel Pump
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other GMC Sierra 1500 Years
1997 GMC Sierra 1500 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 has 100 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 13 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (13 complaints, avg 98,924 mi); Automatic Transmission (7 complaints, avg 51,932 mi); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (7 complaints). 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 GMC Sierra 1500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 84,082 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
Does the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 GMC Sierra 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 GMC Sierra 1500?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full GMC Sierra 1500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 GMC Sierra 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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