PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WARMING UP, BAG ENGAGED. LEFT EAR HURT BY BLAST AND RINGING IN LEFT EAR. *TR
1997 Chevrolet Silverado
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 →
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.
| Component | Reports | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes | 36 | 7 | 1 | 5 | |
| Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Steering | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · fuel system | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Suspension | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Tires | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Suspension › Front | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What owners reported
Newest filingsENGINE 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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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.
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
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
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL PUSHES BACK AND PULSES HEAVY. THIS HAPPENS AT EVEN SLOW SPEEDS.
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
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
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
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
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR DOESNT WORK CORRECTLY WHEN IT IS RAINING. *AK
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
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN SERVICING IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE FUEL PUMP.*AK
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
WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY OPERATE. THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IS UNDETERMINED.*AK
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.
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
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
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
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
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY WORKED INTERMITTENTLY THE CONSUMER HAS MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO THE MANUFACTURER. *JB
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
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
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
CONSUMER STATED WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY.*AK
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
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
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| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Fires | Deaths | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 125 | 0 | 3 | 0 | Routine |
| 2016 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Routine |
| 2015 | 76 | 7 | 2 | 0 | Routine |
| 2014 | 124 | 14 | 0 | 0 | Do not drive |
| 2013 | 64 | 3 | 2 | 0 | Routine |
| 2012 | 68 | 2 | 4 | 0 | Routine |
| 2011 | 75 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Routine |
| 2010 | 62 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Routine |
| 2009 | 76 | 0 | 3 | 1 | Fatalities reported |
| 2008 | 162 | 2 | 5 | 1 | Fatalities reported |
| 2007 | 183 | 4 | 10 | 1 | Fatalities reported |
| 2006 | 182 | 10 | 7 | 5 | Fatalities reported |
| 2005 | 316 | 14 | 7 | 0 | Above average |
| 2004 | 622 | 15 | 10 | 3 | Fatalities reported |
| 2003 | 695 | 13 | 11 | 2 | Fatalities reported |
| 2002 | 710 | 15 | 5 | 1 | Fatalities reported |
| 2001 | 877 | 15 | 5 | 3 | Fatalities reported |
| 2000 | 1,305 | 20 | 11 | 2 | Fatalities reported |
| 1999 | 1,660 | 17 | 6 | 0 | High concern |
| 1998 | 279 | 0 | 5 | 2 | Fatalities reported |
| 1997 — this page | 272 | 0 | 6 | 0 | Above average |
| 1996 | 186 | 0 | 3 | 0 | Routine |
| 1995 | 263 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Above average |
| 1994 | 210 | 0 | 4 | 1 | Fatalities reported |
| 1993 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Routine |
| 1992 | 40 | 0 | 3 | 0 | Routine |
| 1991 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Routine |
| 1990 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Routine |
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.