1997 Chevrolet Suburban transmission problems
Owners reported transmission problems in 43 complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban, 8% of the complaints on file.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 43 8% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 83,000 miles 10 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When transmission problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 1 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 10 transmission complaints that report mileage, the median is about 82,000 miles, and 30% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 1 fire.
What owners wrote
The torque converter clutch relay in the transmission overheated, causing excessive pressure, which caused the transmission fluid to push the dip stick up out of the dipstick tube. Then the transmission fluid escaped. Traveling down the undercarriage of the vehicle, the transmission fluid hit the exhaust manifold and ignited into a flame that burned along the undercarriage of the vehicle (including the steel plate under the gas tank) and extended two feet beyond the rear of the vehicle.
I bought a used 1997 chevrolet suburban. It was in excellent-looking shape and low miles. I have had it now for 3 years. I have repeatedly had to have it worked on. I have replaced the alternator, battery, battery cables, and starter; and have had the transmission rebuilt twice. I also had to have the heater core replaced and the radiator worked on. I do not drive that much, and I have my vehicle serviced regularly. It's always needing work. I've had it for sale for a while, but can't sell it for even a small sum.
Other problems reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
- Brakes 116 complaints
- Steering 115 complaints
- Electrical system 54 complaints
- Fuel system 50 complaints
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 37 complaints
- Tires 28 complaints
- Suspension 21 complaints
- Engine 19 complaints