Complaints
302
Crashes
6
Fires
5
Injuries
4
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 GMC Sierra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#139 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:63,387 mi
Crash-related:3
#230 complaints
Steering Defects
Avg mileage:53,900 mi
#319 complaints
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
Avg mileage:61,601 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 GMC Sierra.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 39 | 3 | — | 63,387 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 30 | — | — | 53,900 mi | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 19 | — | — | 61,601 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 18 | — | — | 73,000 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 12 | — | — | 101,648 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 8 | — | — | 70,000 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 8 | — | — | 94,794 mi | |
| Fuel Pump | 6 | — | 1 | 97,100 mi | |
| Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) | 6 | — | — | 91,171 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 5 | — | — | 54,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 3 | — | 3 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Air:Disc:Pads | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 2 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
39
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
63,387
Steering Defects
30
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
53,900
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
61,601
Automatic Transmission
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,000
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
101,648
Tire Defects
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,000
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
94,794
Fuel Pump
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
97,100
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
91,171
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,000
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Air:Disc:Pads
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 GMC Sierra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other GMC Sierra Years
1997 GMC Sierra — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 GMC Sierra reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 1997 GMC Sierra has 302 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip with 39 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 GMC Sierra?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (39 complaints, avg 63,387 mi); Steering Defects (30 complaints, avg 53,900 mi); Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System (19 complaints, avg 61,601 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 GMC Sierra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 69,611 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 GMC Sierra?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 GMC Sierra include 6 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 4 injuries, and 0 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 GMC Sierra have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 GMC Sierra 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?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full GMC Sierra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 GMC Sierra
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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