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1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 23.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

48 reports with mileage · 24 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

72 reports
60,000 miles · Jul 21, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

1997 CHEVROLET K1500 Z71: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE 1870. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10028721

78,000 miles · Jul 17, 2003
Steering

FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST. FAILS AND IS COMMON PROBLEM ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT BY MAKING VEHICLE PULL TO THE SIDE UNEXPECTEDLY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10028471

55,000 miles · Jun 24, 2003
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train

1) BURNT ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. LOCATION IS INSIDE THE GAS TANK. HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. EXPLOSION HAZARD. 2) POWER STEERING- WHEEL WOULD JERK VEHICLE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT ANYTHING BEING DONE ABOUT …

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1) BURNT ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. LOCATION IS INSIDE THE GAS TANK. HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. EXPLOSION HAZARD. 2) POWER STEERING- WHEEL WOULD JERK VEHICLE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT ANYTHING BEING DONE ABOUT IT. EVEN BY THE NTSB! IS SOMEONE RECEIVING A KICKBACK ON THIS THING OR WHAT? 3) BURNT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION-CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE HVAC COOLING FAN AND THE SELECTOR SWITCH INSIDE OF DASH. 4) CLUNKING NOISE/HARD SHIFT, FROM TRANSMISSION 4L60E-HAPPENS CONSTANTLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN VEHICLE IS WARM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10023715

60,000 miles · May 22, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE QUICK DISCONNECT HEATER HOSE FITTING SCREWED INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF VORTEC 4.3, 5.0, 5.7 ENGINES 1996--2000. IT IS MADE OUT OF AN INEXPENSIVE POT METAL MATERIAL, IT CORRODES AND LEAKS ANTIFREEZE. IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED ON MY OWN VEHICLE (1997 K1500 4X4) AND AT LEAST ON 2 OTHERS THAT BELONG TO FRIEND…

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THE QUICK DISCONNECT HEATER HOSE FITTING SCREWED INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF VORTEC 4.3, 5.0, 5.7 ENGINES 1996--2000. IT IS MADE OUT OF AN INEXPENSIVE POT METAL MATERIAL, IT CORRODES AND LEAKS ANTIFREEZE. IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED ON MY OWN VEHICLE (1997 K1500 4X4) AND AT LEAST ON 2 OTHERS THAT BELONG TO FRIENDS OF MINE. THE PART COSTS 15.00 AT THE DEALER, BUT UPON FAILURE, IT CAN COST 600--1000 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE. FAILURE CAUSES ENGINE OVERHEATING THAT CAN BE A HAZARD WHILE VEHICLE IS IN USE. ENGINE FAILURE CAN CAUSE A CRASH. GM SHOULD INSTITUTE A RECALL TO ALL OWNERS OF VEHICLES WITH VORTEC ENGINES THAT USE THIS FITTING. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019144

92,000 miles · Mar 24, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY CRACKED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10010952

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL O-RING FAILURE RESULTED IN GAS LEAKAGE. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #551812

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING BRAKING PROBLEMS, DURING A HARD STOP, THE BRAKES EXTEND THE STOPPING LENGTH AND MAKE NOISES, BRAKES ARE VERY SENSITIVE WHEN STOPPING ON SMOOTH ROADS AND DURING NORMAL STOPPING, THE CONSUMER HAS HAD NEW BRAKES, ROTORS, DURMS AND A MASTER CYLINDER, BUT THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #783952

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2000
Steering

STEERING HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR 2 YEARS, BUT TAKEN TO DEALER IT WILL NOT ACT UP. IT IS COMPLETELY UNPREDICTABLE TO WHEN THE STEERING ACTS UP. THE STEERING LOCKS UP AND YOU CAN MOVE THE WHEEL EASILY. THEN IT LETS GO AND HAS LOOSE FEELING. IT IS REALLY NOTICEABLE WHILE DRIVING ON CURVY ROADS OR IN THE MOUNTAINS. I HAVE NOTICED A…

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STEERING HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR 2 YEARS, BUT TAKEN TO DEALER IT WILL NOT ACT UP. IT IS COMPLETELY UNPREDICTABLE TO WHEN THE STEERING ACTS UP. THE STEERING LOCKS UP AND YOU CAN MOVE THE WHEEL EASILY. THEN IT LETS GO AND HAS LOOSE FEELING. IT IS REALLY NOTICEABLE WHILE DRIVING ON CURVY ROADS OR IN THE MOUNTAINS. I HAVE NOTICED A GREAT OF COMPLAINTS TO YOUR ORGANIZATION ABOUT THE ERRATIC STEERING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL, GMC TRUCK AND TAHOES AS WELL. I REPORTED IT TODAY TO GM AFTER A NEAR ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY WHEEL LOCK UP AND I FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO MOVE OUT OF WAY OF AN ONCOMING TRUCK ONTO THE FREEWAY. HE WAS NOT LOOKING AND ALMOST SIDESWIPED ME. THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE. *AKRATHER HARD TO BELIEVE AT THIS POINT.

NHTSA ODI #716807

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2000
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainSteering

I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN WONDERFUL ABOUT FIXING THE DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM-REPLACEMENT OF RING AND PINION AND RESET DEPTH. THE ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING IS FRIGHTENING. IT IS UNPREDICTABLE. ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS IT MAY ACT UP, CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING AND FEELIN…

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I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN WONDERFUL ABOUT FIXING THE DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM-REPLACEMENT OF RING AND PINION AND RESET DEPTH. THE ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING IS FRIGHTENING. IT IS UNPREDICTABLE. ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS IT MAY ACT UP, CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING AND FEELING LIKE THE STEERING IS LOCKING UP AND COMPLETELY FAILING. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO GM, BUT THEY SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HAD COMPLAINT, AND THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP AND CALL ME BACK. I HAVE FOUND MANY, MANY REPORTED SITUATIONS WITH STEERING FAILURE TO YOUR ORGANIZATION FOR THE 1997 CHEVROLET TRUCK. NOW I WONDER WHAT GM WILL DUE ABOUT IT. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURING FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD FUEL INJECTOR PROBLEMS, AND HAS COST ME OVER $500. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS BEEN REBUILT 4 TIMES AND NOW NEEDS IT AGAIN. ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE THE DIFFERENTIAL HOWL STARTED. THE DEALER SAID TO DRIVE IT FOR 5000 OR MORE MILES AND BRING IT IN IF IT STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #716806

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 1999
Steering

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 …

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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 THE PUMP ASSEMBLY...ONCE THE STEERING MODULE....I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK ON 10/27/99 AFTER EXPERIENCING SEVERAL EPISODES OF THIS PHANTOM TURNING OF THE STEERING WHEEL...THEY RETURNED MY VEHICLE WITH A NOTATION ON THE ORDER THAT THEY DID NOTHING ABOUT IT AND WOULD REPAIR AT A LATER DATE...THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION ...IT HAS DONE THIS AGAIN AND AGAIN WITH NO FIX FROM THE DEALER OR CHEVROLET...THE TRUCK SOON WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY...I CANNOT RELAX DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #714018

Official recalls

1

03V159000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Apr 28, 2003

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA02006 · Windshield Wiper Failure

Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

PE01001 · Vacuum Brake Booster

Opened Jan 8, 2001 · Closed May 22, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ALLEGED THAT THE VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER CAN FAIL RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.