← New search

1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 525.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

147 reports with mileage · 408 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.

  • Steering. Review the 140 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 123 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

29 crash reports13 fire reports13 injury reports

Power Train complaints

57 reports
Clear category filter
120,000 miles · Apr 7, 2014
Power TrainService BrakesVisibility/wiper

I HAVE SAME PROBLEM AS THE REST , ONLY THING IS ,THERE ALL AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH IS RIGHT NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578133

111,643 miles · Aug 9, 2012
Fuel System, DieselPower Train

I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE 3 WEEKS. ON MONDAY AUGUST 6TH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON A STREET IN A COMMERCIAL AREA. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A PARKING SPACE. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND I DROVE THE VEHICLE CA. 50 YARDS BEFORE ANOTHER FAILURE, WHEN I COASTED TO A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART, AND I WAS TOWED TO MY HOME. ON WE…

Read full complaint

I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE 3 WEEKS. ON MONDAY AUGUST 6TH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON A STREET IN A COMMERCIAL AREA. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A PARKING SPACE. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND I DROVE THE VEHICLE CA. 50 YARDS BEFORE ANOTHER FAILURE, WHEN I COASTED TO A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART, AND I WAS TOWED TO MY HOME. ON WEDNESDAY AUGUS 8TH, THE VEHICLE STALLED 3X AT A DISCOUNT STORE PARKING LOT, AND FINALLY STALLED AT WORK ON THE SAME DAY. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS WAS THE PMD ON THE CHEVY 6.5L DIESEL ENGINE, AND WAS A COMMON FAILURE. THIS IS A REAL HAZARD, AS THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS RESTART, AND WERE I GOING DOWN THE HIWAY (EXPECIALLY WITH A TRAILER), I WOULD HAVE LOST ACCELLERATION POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THIS COULD EASILY COST SOMEONE THEIR LIVES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469962

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2010
Power TrainFire

1997 CHEVROLET CK1500, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND THE ENGINE REVVED HIGH. AS HE WAS PULLING OVER TO THE SHOULDER, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SOON AFTER, FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS RE-BUILT …

Read full complaint

1997 CHEVROLET CK1500, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND THE ENGINE REVVED HIGH. AS HE WAS PULLING OVER TO THE SHOULDER, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SOON AFTER, FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS RE-BUILT ONE WEEK PRIOR. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0553-89. *JB UPDATED 04/14/10 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10321989

175,000 miles · Dec 29, 2008
Power Train

THE SUN SHELL ON MY TRANSMISSION BROKE TAKING OUT REVERSE 2ND AND 4TH GEARS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM TRANSMISSIONS. ITS A 97 CHEVY 1500 Z71 4X4. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253048

20,000 miles · Jun 15, 2007
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED, HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 20,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10193482

71,027 miles · Mar 21, 2005
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH I BEGAN FOR AN UPCOMING STOP SIGN, TWO SCHOOL BUSES WERE ALREADY STOPPED AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDDLE WENT QUICKLY TO THE FLOOR WITH LITTLE RESULTS, I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE TRUCK IN LOW GEAR, TURNED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND WITH THE EMER. BRAKE AND WHAT LITTLE BRAKE THAT WAS LEFT I WAS ABLE TO GET…

Read full complaint

TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH I BEGAN FOR AN UPCOMING STOP SIGN, TWO SCHOOL BUSES WERE ALREADY STOPPED AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDDLE WENT QUICKLY TO THE FLOOR WITH LITTLE RESULTS, I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE TRUCK IN LOW GEAR, TURNED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND WITH THE EMER. BRAKE AND WHAT LITTLE BRAKE THAT WAS LEFT I WAS ABLE TO GET STOPPED SAFELY. I WOULD LEARN THE WELDING ON THE UPPER SHOCK BRACKET HAD FAILED ALLOWING MOVEMENT WHICH ALLOWED METAL TO RUB AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE WHICH RUNS PAST THAT AREA. THE LINE FAILED WITH THE LOSE OF FLUID AND THE BRAKES. REPAIRS INCLUDED REPLACING OF THE UPPER FRT.SUSP CONTROL ARM ASSY MISC BRACKETS AND SHELDS AND REWELDING UPPER SHOCK BRACKET. IT ALSO INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE LINE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10114387

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2004
Power Train

WHEN DRIVING WITH OVERDRIVE ON CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE OVERDRIVE SWITCHED TO DRIVE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10079897

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2004
Power Train

I HAD A TORQUE CONVERTER PUT IN MY 97 CHEVY Z71. WHILE THE REPAIRES WERE DONE, THE REPAIR SHOP BROKE MY SHIFT CABLE AND I WAS CHARGED FOR THAT. A $70 CABLE COST ME $140.00. THEY BROKE IT, NOT ME. THEY SHOULD BE RESPONDSIBLE FOR THE COST OR AT LEAST SPLIT THE BILL ON THAT CABLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10068059

Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

THE RADIATOR'S COOLANT SYSTEM FAILED, RESULTING IN FLUID ACCUMULATION IN THE TRANSMISSION ON TWO OCCASIONS. WAS FIXED TWICE, CAUSING A TOW BY THE DEALER ON THE SECOND TIME. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO SHIFT HARD FROM FIRST TO SECOND, HAD ANOTHER DEALER LOOK AT IT, SAID IT WAS "JUNK." NOTIFIED GM, THEY DID NOTHING BECAUSE THE …

Read full complaint

THE RADIATOR'S COOLANT SYSTEM FAILED, RESULTING IN FLUID ACCUMULATION IN THE TRANSMISSION ON TWO OCCASIONS. WAS FIXED TWICE, CAUSING A TOW BY THE DEALER ON THE SECOND TIME. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO SHIFT HARD FROM FIRST TO SECOND, HAD ANOTHER DEALER LOOK AT IT, SAID IT WAS "JUNK." NOTIFIED GM, THEY DID NOTHING BECAUSE THE FIRST DEALER DIDN'T REPORT THE PROBLEM. HAD TO PAY FOR A TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL AT 70,000 MILES... VERY EXPENSIVE! THE FUEL INDICATOR HAS ALSO FAILED. THE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DOOR HANDLES HAVE FALLEN OFF. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT IS OVER THE 70,000 MILE LIMIT OF REPLACEMENT. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER. HMMM... MAYBE THE DEALER WAS RIGHT ABOUT BEING JUNK WITHOUT A WARRANTY. SO SAD THAT WE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR PRODUCTS LIKE THIS. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047586

90,300 miles · Jul 21, 2003
Power Train

1997 CHEVROLET C-1500 P/U AUTO TRANS HAS HARD SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND A LARGE NUMBER OF G/M OWNERS HAVE EXPERINCED THIS DEFECT AND G/M HAS NOT OR WILL NOT RECALL OR REPAIR THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10028699

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.