1997 Chevrolet Silverado problems
Owners have filed 365 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 20% of complaints. Next are steering (16%) and wipers, windshield & visibility (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 365 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 20% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 25 and 15
- Injuries and deaths
- 26 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 72,000 miles 83 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 | 14 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 9 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 21 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 12 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 12 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 4 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 83 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 72,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 70,000 miles (10 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 25 complaints mention a crash; 15 complaints mention a fire; 26 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 8th most-complained-about out of 26 model years of the Chevrolet Silverado with enough data (215 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.
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.
While backing into their driving way, going approx. 5 MPH or less, vehicle continued to back through garage door while foot was still applying brakes. Two injuries waere received by passenger in back and head. Can NHTSA help in this matter; unable to take vehicle to dealer shop not knowing if somthing else may happen. Agin your help in this matter are needed.
When applying brakes pedal went down to floor, not stopping vehicle. Consumer was hit by another vehicle. Driver and passenger were injured. Please add VIN.
Front windshield wipers worked intermittently. Caused poor visibility during inclement weather, which could lead to a vehicle crash. Dealer was notified.
Consumer stated tailgate cables corroded. Consumer was very concerned that they will fail. The consumer stated that both tailgate cables failed. The vehicle has experienced brake failure and windshield wiper motor failure.