1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups problems
The 1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups has 85 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (38%) concerns wipers, windshield & visibility. After that come steering (24%) and brakes (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 85 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 38% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 30
- Typical mileage
- 72,000 miles 58 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 13 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 16 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 12 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 7 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 58 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 72,000 miles. For wipers, windshield & visibility specifically, the median reported mileage is about 92,000 miles (24 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 1 injury reported; 30 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the Chevrolet C/K Pickups with enough data (20 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
The steering wheel tilt has pulled the windshield wipers plug out of socket, causing them to stop working. Dealer has been contacted.
While driving truck on highway and turning slightly to the left, the steering wheel loses control and turns on it's on.later this happened when driving straight and the wheel suddenly without warning turned to the right as though someone turned it ....I was driving in the mountains several times and this erratic sudden movement of the steering happened...each time the dealer says they called chevrolet and asked how to repair this.then they do something like replacing the power steering sensor...once they replaced…
Dt: on the 26th of june the consumer's daughter was driving on gene snider freeway in louisville, ky when the vehicle quite running. The consumer's daughter was able to coast to the side of the road. Then consumer called a family member to come help tow vehicle to daughter's house. The consumer's son in-law inspected the vehicle and found burned wires that had fallen off and went down in the fuel tank. Consumer bought fuel tank monitor sender kit at bob mcgumbrys chevrolet located in louisville, ky 40216.
Anti lock brakes engage at slow speeds (less than 5 MPH) on dry pavement. Vehicle stopping distance was increased causing low speed collision. No injuries but minor property damage. This problem still exists. Co-worker has a 98 with same problem.