1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
The 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 693 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (22%) concerns brakes. Next are steering (21%) and wipers, windshield & visibility (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 693 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 22% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 31 and 16
- Injuries and deaths
- 28 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 90,000 miles 165 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 | 4 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 12 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 23 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 27 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 29 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 19 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 22 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 12 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 13 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 4 |
What the data shows
Of the 165 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 90,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 87,000 miles (38 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 31 complaints mention a crash; 16 complaints mention a fire; 28 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 13th most-complained-about out of 30 model years of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with enough data (387 complaints in that window).
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.
Unspecified: after being rear ended, air bags deployed, caused vehicle to swerve into other lane, hit another vehicle, resulting in fatality. (attorney for client)
The vehicle lost control for unknown reason resulting in vehicle accident, possibly driver error, no deployment of the air bags during vehicle collision resulting in injuries. (state of nevada traffic accident report provided) *mjs
The investigating officer on the scene said that all evidence (physical & witness statements) are consistent with the ball joint failing. I have photos of the scene, including close-ups of the failed ball joint. The vehicle is totaled.
Truck was running fine with no indication of trouble when parked, upon reentry truck did not even attempt to start, engine would turn spin freely. Towed to shop. Fuel pump supposedly failed according to independent repair shop and was replaced with 46,000 miles on truck. Truck drove less than 500 miles and failed to start with seemingly the same problem. Towed to cheverolet dealership for repairs. Fuel pump sending unit connection inside the tank was burned out.
1997 chevrolet 1500 extended cab pickup 2wd when turning slightly towards the right the power assist boost increases causing the truck to quickly turn towards the right. I have noticed for many years and haven't known who to report this to. It happens quickly and I have to grab the steering wheel to keep the truck under control. I noticed the recall notice on the 1996 and 1997 cars but have had this identical over assist problem on my truck.