1997 Chevrolet Silverado

Above average

Owners filed 272 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the brakes. No safety recall has been issued.

Not among the Chevrolet Silverado years to avoid. Which Chevrolet Silverado years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
85,000 milesMedian miles at failure

64 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 1997 Chevrolet Silverado problems

56 of the 272 complaints (21%) are about the brakes.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes36
715
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission20
100
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor18
000
Steering18
000
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System16
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · fuel system9
010
Suspension8
000
Tires7
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer6
000
Suspension › Front6
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags1 injured
Filed Jan 17, 2015144,289 milesMI

PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WARMING UP, BAG ENGAGED. LEFT EAR HURT BY BLAST AND RINGING IN LEFT EAR. *TR

Engine
Filed Oct 23, 201489,000 milesSD

ENGINE IS A 6.5 TURBO DIESEL. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED SO HAVE NO PREVIOUS HISTORY WHETHER IT HAPPENED BEFORE I OWNED IT. VEHICLE ENGINE STARTED TO DIE WHILE DRIVING, OCCASIONALLY AT FIRST. IT WOULD RESTART IMMEDIATELY SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES IT HAD TO SIT FOR A WHILE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN YEARS PREVIOUS TO 2010 INTERMITTENTLY BUT BECAME MORE FREQUENT IN 2010- 2011. DIDN'T MATTER WHAT SPEED I WAS TRAVELING, IT WOULD QUIT ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 75 MPH OR IN DRIVEWAY GOING 5 MPH. SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND IMMEDIATELY LIKE SOMEONE TURNED THE KEY OFF. ALL POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAILED BUT FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOP IT WHEN IT HAPPENED, ONLY BECAUSE I KNEW HOW TO STEER WITH OUT POWER STEERING AND HAD THE STRENGTH TO DO IT. WITH OTHERS THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS WERE MADE OVER THE YEARS WITH A MECHANIC TO FIND THE PROBLEM WITH NO LUCK. FINALLY SOMEONE SUGGESTED REPLACING THE PMD MODULE WHICH I DID IN 2011 AND IT SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR 3 MORE YEARS. IT IS NOW HAPPENING AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THE PMD MODULE NEEDS TO BE LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAUSE IT GETS TOO HOT AND CAUSES THIS FAILURE. I BELIEVE THIS CONSTITUTES A POOR DESIGN AND A DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED. SINCE THIS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE I HAVE TALKED WITH SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE JUST IN MY AREA WHO OWN THE SAME TYPE OF ENGINE AND HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND OTHERS IN OTHER AREAS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 20, 201430,000 milesTX

APPROXIMATELY IN 2006, WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES, I NOTICED ANTIFREEZE POOLING UNDER MY 1097 SILVERADO PICKUP. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER THE SAME PROBLEM. THE RADIATOR WAS AGAIN LEAKING. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES UNTIL THE OWNER OF THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT HE WOULD NO LONGER REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND EXPLAINED THAT THE 1997 SILVERADO PICKUP WAS KNOWN FOR A CONDITION CALLED. ELECTROLYSIS. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT I REMOVE THE BATTERY CABLE AFTER EACH TIME I DROVE THE VEHICLE. I STARTED TO REMOVING THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND WITHIN 3 WEEKS THE SAME PROBLEM. I THEN CONTACTED RUDOLPH CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN EL PASO, TEXAS. THEY REFUSED TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM AND REFERRED ME TO EMMITT RADIATOR SHOP, ALSO IN EL PASO, TEXAS. THEY ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE $80.00 PER HOUR WITH A MINIMUM OF 10 TO 12 HOURS WITH NO GUARANTEE. THEY DID SUGGEST THAT I REMOVE BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLES. THIS IS WHERE THE PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLODING BATTERY COMES TO LIGHT. WHEN I WOULD TRY TO REMOVE THE BATTERY CABLES AFTER EACH TRIP, EVEN TO THE MOVIES OR OUT TO DINNER, THE BATTERY WOULD BE SO HOT THAT IT WOULD BURN MY HANDS. I ALSO KEPT REPLACING THE BATTERIES AND FINALLY ASK A SALESWOMAN AT AUTO ZONE SUPPLY HOUSE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE BATTERIES AND HE POINTED TO THE BATTERY AND SAID, "LOOK AT THE SIDES OF THE BATTERY, HOW IT IS EXTENDING OUTWARD IT COULD EXPL

Latches/Locks/LinkagesFire
Filed Aug 22, 2014187,600 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE PANEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE POWER LOCKS AND THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,600. UPDATED 9/29/14*CN UPDATED 2/26/2015 *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 28, 201390,000 milesKY

BRAKE LINE RUSTED INTO ON LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS REPAIRED, EVERY SINCE THIS HAPPENED BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY SPONGY STOPPING POWER IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE OR SHOULD BE. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED FRONT CALIPERS,ROTORS,PADS,MASTER CYLINDER,POWERBRAKE BOOSTER,REAR DRUMS, SHOES,CYLINDERS,EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE .CANNOT GET THE AIR OUT OF BRAKE SYSTEM VERY ANNOYING SITUATION AND DANGEROUS BECAUSE I CANNOT STOP TRUCK VERY QUICKLY DUE TO SPONGY BRAKES. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 18, 2009100,000 milesWI

WHEN GOING 10 MPH OR LESS, APPLYING THE BRAKES EITHER PRODUCES A VERY HARD PEDAL OR ANTI-LOCKS KICK IN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON DRY ROADS WITH LIGHT TO MODERATE PEDAL PRESSURE. WAS INSTRUCTED THAT ONLY 1999 AND NEWER SILVERADOS ARE INCLUDED IN A CAMPAIGN. *TR

Visibility
Filed Aug 19, 200889,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE WINDOW WIPERS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A CRACKED JOINT IN THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Mar 10, 2006112,000 milesGA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STANDING ON THE TAILGATE OF THE VEHICLE BROKE CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V066000 CONCERNING THE TAILGATE: HINGES: ATTACHMENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN AND THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Feb 14, 2006107,000 milesMI

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS ENGAGED WHILE STOPPING AT SPEEDS OF 10MPH OR LESS. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER.

Steering
Filed Jan 17, 2006170,000 milesNC

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. THE PULLING OCCURS SUDDENLY AND LAST FOR ONLY A SECOND. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR THE PROBLEM BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP IN 2000. THE REPAIR SHOP WAS UNABLE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PULLING. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER YESTERDAY. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE A POSSIBLE CAUSE BY PHONE AND SUGGESTED REPAIRING THE STEERING SENSOR. *NM UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Dec 8, 200562,000 milesWI

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A PARKING PLACE OR SLOWING DOWN, AND WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BRAKES WILL BECOME STIFF AND WILL PULSATE. *AK

SeatsCrash2 injured
Filed Dec 2, 2005101,000 milesMN

I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND WAS REAR ENDED BY A FORD F-150 GOING 20-40 MPH ESTIMATED. BOTH MY SON AND I WERE HURLED BACKWARDS BECAUSE THE SEATS COLLAPSED BACKWARDS. WE BOTH SUSTAINED INJURIES TO OUR NECKS AND BACKS. I BELIEVE THAT IF WE WERE NOT REAR ENDED OR THE SEATS WOULDN'T HAVE COLLAPSED WE WOULD HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INJURIES. I BELIEVE THESE SEATS HAVE A POTENTIAL OF BEING DANGEROUS AND THE COMPANY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT RIGHT AWAY BEFORE SOME ELSE GETS INJURED. *JB

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Nov 15, 2005WI

DT: CONTACT STATES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER; THEY STATED THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE OF A FAULTY SENSOR. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Nov 3, 2005MI

WIND SHIELD WIPER FAILS TO WORK WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TOO THERE IS A RECALL FOR THEM BUT MY TRUCK ISN'T ON THE LIST 1997 CHEVY NHTSA#03V159000 IT FUNNY THAT MINE IS DOING WHAT THEY RECALLED THEM FOR BUT I'M NOT COVERED JUST WONDERING WHY. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 13, 2005MA

DT: THE CONSUMER NOTICED A PROBLEM ON DECEMBER 1, 2004 WITH THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM, THERE IS A RECALL BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE ABS SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE. CAN HEAR A MOANING SOUND WHEN IT ACTIVATES. THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES NO MATTER WHAT THE ROAD CONDITIONS ARE. THERE IS NO FOREWARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPENS. WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED IT WAS INTERMITTENT, AND NOW IT DOES THIS EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 4, 2005NY

DT: 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR WHEN BRAKING. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, AND WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36, 000 MILES. HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT THERE NEEDED TO BE A RECALL ON OLDER VEHICLES REGARDING ANTI LOCK BRAKES. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel PumpFire
Filed Oct 4, 2005127,000 milesAL

DT: THE AUTOMOBILE WOULD NOT START. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS, THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER ASSUMED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. HE DETERMINED THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT ASSEMBLY HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH MELTED THE WIRING INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FLAMES, WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WAS UNKNOWN. HE WAS UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WOULD HAVE NOT KNOWN UNLESS THE MECHANIC HAD PULLED THE FUEL PAN BED AND DISCOVERED THIS FAILURE. THE MECHANIC OFFERED NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. THE PLASTIC SIMPLY MELTED, AND THE WIRING WAS BURNED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Sep 15, 200539,000 milesCT

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AS NOTED IN NHTSA RECALL 03V159000 CONCERNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE DEALERSHIP, BOTH STATED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE ON THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN IN THE PAST YEAR AND OCCURRED AT ABOUT 39,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS A 1997, CHEVROLET K1500 SILVERADO. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Sep 9, 2005OH

DT: THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY CONTACTED GM AND FILED A COMPLAINT ON JUNE 1, 2005. *AK *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Sep 8, 200555,263 milesNJ

THE REAR BRAKE LINE (STEEL) ON MY 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROADWAY RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND DIMINISHED BRAKING ABILITY. THE BRAKE LINE, WHICH WAS LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRAME RAIL ALONGSIDE THE FUEL TANK, WAS REPLACED AT A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND IS NOW IN MY POSSESSION. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE TWO (2) INSTANCES RECENTLY AT THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE SAME BRAKE LINE ON 1997 CHEVROLET PICKUPS FAILED DUE TO RUST. I NOTED THAT MY FAILED BRAKE LINE APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN RUSTED IN THE AREA OF THE FAILURE. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 30, 200570,000 milesMN

THE ISSUE THAT HAS JUST CAUSED THE 800,000 VEHICLE RECALL FOR GM, THE ISSUE WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, IS ON VEHICLES OLDER THAN THE 1999. I HAVE A 1997 SILVERADO AND WAS HAVING THE PROBLEM OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGING AT LOW SPEEDS, IT STARTED HAPPENING IN 1999 AND GOT WORSE OVER TIME. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS AND THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR THAT TRIGGERS THE ANTI- LOCK BRAKES, AT A COST OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. THEY SAID THIS SENSOR GETS DIRTY AND THEN FAILS. I AM CONCERNED AS TO WHY THE RECALL IS ONLY GOING BACK TO THE 1999 MODELS WHEN IN FACT THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING IN OLDER MODELS AS WELL, AS I SAID MINE IS A 1997 SILVERADO.*JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Aug 2, 200536,000 milesMA

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A RURAL HIGHWAY, IT BEGAN TO DOWNPOUR. I TURNED MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON, AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I BECAME FRANTIC AND TRIED TO PULL OVER, WITHOUT EVEN SEEING WHERE I WAS GOING. UPON INTERNET RESEARCH, AND THIS WEBSITE, I AM NOW AWARE OF A RECALL EFFECTING CERTAIN BATCHES OF MY MODEL. THE RECALL INFO IS AS FOLLOWS: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V159000 I'VE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHO THEN TOLD ME THEY COULD DO NOTHING FOR ME UNLESS IT WAS IN WRITING FROM GM. I CALLED GM, HOWEVER THEY CAN NOT AND WILL NOT ASSIST ME IN ANY WAY OTHER THAN TELLING ME THAT MY WIPER MOTOR FAILURE IS "COINCIDENCE" AND JUST HAPPENS TO FALL INTO THE SAME CATEGORY OF THE RECALL.*JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 2, 2005VA

ENGINE INTAKE ANTI-FREEZE LEAK IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR 1997 CHEVY TRUCKS AND SHOULD BE A FACTORY PAID FOR FIX. BUT NO THEY DON'T WANT TO DO THAT, WE AS CONSUMERS HAVE PAID AS MUCH AS 600.00 TO 700.00 TO HAVE GM DEALERS TO DO THIS. WITCH I THINK IS WRONG!!!!!!!!!*JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Aug 1, 2005AK

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 CHEVROLET, SILVERADO 3500. HE STATED THAT THERE WERE NHTSA RECALLS 03V159000 AND 03V210000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS DUE TO VIN. ON JULY 30, 2005 WHILE IN A RAIN STORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT 4 TIMES. ALSO, THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON JULY 31,2005. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jul 22, 200551,000 milesTN

MY 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO P/U HAS A PROBLUM WITH THE WIPERS THEY WORK SOME OF THE TIME AND SOME OF THE TIME THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. YOUR WEB SITE SAYS THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLUM (03V15900 YOUR RECALL #) AND WHEN I CONTACTED GM ABOUT IT I WAS TOLD BY CHRIS LAMAR THAT THERE WAS AND TO TAKE TO MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEN WAS TOLD WAS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN . CONTACTED GM ONCE AGAIN AND MR. L AMAR SAID IT DID NOT COVER MY TRUCK BUT IN THE FIRST CONVERSATION WITH HIM HE SAID THAT ALL GM FULL SIZE P/U WERE RECALLED FOR THE 97 MODEL YEAR FROM START OF PRODUCTION TO THE END OF PRODUCTION. WHEN I SPOKE TO HIS SUPERVISOR SHE SAID THAT BECAUSE THE TRUCK WAS NOT PURCHASED FROM A CHEVROLET DEALER THAT THEY WOULD NOT NOR EVER WOULD REPAIR THIS TRUCK UNDER ANY NOW OR FUTURE RECALLS. THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE TRUCK AND I AM THE SECOUND OWNER.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jun 7, 200542,000 milesMI

DT: WHILE GOING AT A SLOW SPEED THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE AND THE BRAKES DON'T WORK. HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND DO A COMPUTER CODE CHECK, BUT NOTHING SHOWED UP BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING. HAD TO DEACTIVATE THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES. *NM *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed May 26, 200571,000 milesNY

CONSUMER STATES: ABS BRAKES ACTIVATED WHILE STOPPING AT LOW SPEED AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. ABS SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *SB *NM

Service Brakes, Air › Antilock › Wheel Speed Sensor
Filed May 17, 2005WI

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL PUSHES BACK AND PULSES HEAVY. THIS HAPPENS AT EVEN SLOW SPEEDS.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 9, 2005IA

DT: THE ABS IS KICKING IN WHEN IT IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE WORKING. THE ABS ONLY KICKS ON ON LOW SPEEDS LIKE 5-15 MPH, PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT OR STOPPING AT STOP SIGNS. THE ABS IS WORSE IN COLD WEATHER. NO PRIOR WARNING TO THE FAILURE. IT STARTS MAKING A ANTI-LOCK BRAKING NOISE WHEN THE ABS KICKS ON. TOOK TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. TOOK TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION AND HE TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS THE ABS RIGHT OFF.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed May 6, 2005130,671 milesFL

THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER TRIED WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. DRIVER NOTICED THAT STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES FAILED, AND WOULD NOT WORK WHEN APPLIED. THE DRIVER HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THIS IS THE THIRD PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. WHEN THE PUMP FAILED THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES, THE VEHICLE JUST ROLLED TO A STOP. *BF *NM

Unknown or Other
Filed May 4, 200577,000 milesOH

THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MAKES A GRINDIND NOISE AND DOES NOT STOP THE TRUCK PROPERLY.I HAVE DRIVEN PAST DRIVEWAYS AND ALMOST WENT THROUGH A STOP SIGN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WORK FOR THE CITY SO GETTING TO WORK TO PLOW IS IMPORTANT, BUT I CANT TRUST THE TRUCK TO GET ME THERE SAFELY

Structure › Frame and MembersCrash3 injured
Filed May 3, 200560,000 milesNY

WOULD LIKE TO FILE COMPLAINT ON THE FRAME WORK OF 1997 1/2 TON CHEVROLET PICK-UP. HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR, CAUSING LIFE LONG DISABILITY. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Apr 9, 200577,000 milesNM

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR DOESNT WORK CORRECTLY WHEN IT IS RAINING. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Mar 30, 200570,325 milesNE

WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH,ON THE HIGHWAY LEFT FRONT SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARD THEN FORWARD. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RECLINING MECHANISM WORE OUT. *AK THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN A LITTLE OVER ONE YEAR. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT PART ONLY LASTED 8000 MILES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Mar 23, 2005FL

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN SERVICING IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE FUEL PUMP.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Switch/Wiring
Filed Mar 17, 2005116,000 milesAR

WHILE DRIVING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK INTERMITTENTLY. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A SPECIAL POLICY FOR THIS DEFECT WHICH EXPIRED IN FEBRUARY, 2004. OWNER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY, 2004. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Mar 14, 2005IL

WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY OPERATE. THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IS UNDETERMINED.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Mar 7, 2005166,000 milesMO

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR BECOME INOPERATIVE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jan 21, 200599,965 milesMA

WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE SLIDING DOOR WOULD OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY CLOSE THE DOOR. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Jan 15, 2005112,000 milesFL

TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES ON BOTH SIDES HAVE ROTTED OUT AND SNAPPED CAUSING THE TAILGATE TO NO LONGER BE ABLE TO BE IN DOWN POSITION FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. *NM

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Jan 14, 2005156,800 milesTX

CONSUMER STATED TAILGATE CABLES CORRODED. CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED THAT THEY WILL FAIL. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT BOTH TAILGATE CABLES FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. *TC

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Nov 22, 200485,125 milesMI

THE CABLES FOR THE REAR LIFTGATE BROKE ON TWO OCCASIONS. THIS TRUCK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL REPLACEMENT OF THE LIFTGATE CABLES. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS CLEANING THE PICKUP AND PUT THE TAILGATE DOWN AND THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE CABLE HAD A BULGE. THE CABLE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND ONLY THE RUBBER WAS HOLDING IT TOGETHER. *SC

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Nov 2, 200495,000 milesTX

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY WORKED INTERMITTENTLY THE CONSUMER HAS MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO THE MANUFACTURER. *JB

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Nov 2, 2004DC

CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1997, STEERING PINION GEAR SEPARATION. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE PULLED TO LEFT OR RIGHT REAL HARD AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE JUST LIKE THE CHEVROLET MALIBU HE HAD WHICH HAD A RECALL ON THE RACK AND PINION, WHICH NEVER EXHIBITED A PROBLEM. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Oct 27, 2004100,000 milesNC

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY DURING INCLEMENT CONDITIONS. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Oct 27, 2004CA

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED, CAUSING POOR DRIVER VISIBILITY. VEHICLE WASS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Oct 26, 200476,000 milesKS

CONSUMER STATED WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY.*AK

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Oct 25, 200485,000 milesIA

RECALL 03V159000 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY DURING INCLEMENT CONDITIONS. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Oct 6, 200419,700 milesCT

CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. CURRENTLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE IN ANY CONDITION. THE EDEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE EALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Sep 21, 2004100,000 milesFL

FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

Complaints 1-50 of 272, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2017125030Routine
20165200Routine
201576720Routine
20141241400Do not drive
201364320Routine
201268240Routine
201175220Routine
201062120Routine
200976031Fatalities reported
2008162251Fatalities reported
20071834101Fatalities reported
20061821075Fatalities reported
20053161470Above average
200462215103Fatalities reported
200369513112Fatalities reported
20027101551Fatalities reported
20018771553Fatalities reported
20001,30520112Fatalities reported
19991,6601760High concern
1998279052Fatalities reported
1997 — this page272060Above average
1996186030Routine
1995263000Above average
1994210041Fatalities reported
199369000Routine
199240030Routine
199117000Routine
199025000Routine

Compare every Silverado year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.