Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60–25K
1725–50K
2850–75K
3975–100K
35100–150K
22150K+
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
What owners actually said
555 reports
11,500 miles · May 8, 2003
Power Train
I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 P/U WITH 115K MILES. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MAKE A LOW ROARING NOISE IN LOW GEAR AND WOULD QUIET DOWN AS IT SHIFTED TO A HIGHER GEAR. OVER TIME THE NOISE GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AND EVENTUALLY MADE A CLANGING SOUND AS I TOOK OFF FROM A STOP. THE NOISE WAS LOUDER THAN I'VE EVER HEAR…
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I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 P/U WITH 115K MILES. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MAKE A LOW ROARING NOISE IN LOW GEAR AND WOULD QUIET DOWN AS IT SHIFTED TO A HIGHER GEAR. OVER TIME THE NOISE GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AND EVENTUALLY MADE A CLANGING SOUND AS I TOOK OFF FROM A STOP. THE NOISE WAS LOUDER THAN I'VE EVER HEARD, SO I DROVE THE TRUCK BACK HOME A PARKED IT. I'VE TOLD FRIENDS THAT I NEEDED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION AND THE MORE I TOLD THE MORE I REALIZED THAT THERE WAS OF THE SAME PROBLEMS IN OTHER CHEVROLET TRUCKS. THIS MAY BE COINCIDENCE BUT IT'S TO LARGE OF A SCALE THAT'S COSTING MANY PEOPLE LOTS OF MONEY. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10018407
60,000 miles · Apr 22, 2003
Steering
AT JUST ABOUT ANY SPEED, WHEN STEERING TO LEFT OR RIGHT, STEERING JERKS. SO FAR, HASN'T CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BUT HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS. WILL NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN FEAR OF HER SAFETY AND OUR SON! PROBLEM STARTED INTERMITTENTLY ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. CAN'T COUNT THE NUMBER OF F…
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AT JUST ABOUT ANY SPEED, WHEN STEERING TO LEFT OR RIGHT, STEERING JERKS. SO FAR, HASN'T CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BUT HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS. WILL NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN FEAR OF HER SAFETY AND OUR SON! PROBLEM STARTED INTERMITTENTLY ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. CAN'T COUNT THE NUMBER OF FAILURES. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST 2-3 TIMES A DAY WHILE DRIVING. AFTER TALKING WITH MANY OTHER OWNERS, I REALIZED MY SITUATION WAS NOT UNIQUE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016305
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2003
Visibility
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO SEE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10015907
147,000 miles · Apr 11, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages
THE DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BROKE OFF. *JB DOOR COULD BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE ONLY. DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10015734
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2003
Visibility
I OWN A 1997 CHEVROLET C1500 PICKUP AND A 1998 GMC YUKON IN WHICH BOTH VEHICLES ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPER MOTORS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NEVER WORK WHEN I NEED THEM TO. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WHEN IT RAINS DUE TO NO VISIBILITY. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AN…
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I OWN A 1997 CHEVROLET C1500 PICKUP AND A 1998 GMC YUKON IN WHICH BOTH VEHICLES ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPER MOTORS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NEVER WORK WHEN I NEED THEM TO. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WHEN IT RAINS DUE TO NO VISIBILITY. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I DON'T AGREE WITH THE GM INSPECTOR WHO SAID IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS A POTENTIALLY FATAL DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT AND I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS FOR EARLIER MODEL VEHICLES, BUT MINE WERE NOT INCLUDED. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS.
NHTSA ODI #10013930
75,000 miles · Mar 22, 2003
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 1997 CHEVY K1500 PICKUP. PLANETARY SUNGEAR CARRIER BROKE. $2,000 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS MODEL AND DESIGN OF TRANSMISSION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10010873
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2003
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY, I RECEIVED A LETTER SHORTLY AFTER NOTICING THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WITH THE WIPERS AND THE LETTER STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD BE FIXED IF I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP "ONLY IF IT WAS UNDER 70,000 MILES. WELL I AM AROUND 72, AND THEY ARE JUST NOW DOING THIS. WHAT 97' …
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WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY, I RECEIVED A LETTER SHORTLY AFTER NOTICING THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WITH THE WIPERS AND THE LETTER STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD BE FIXED IF I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP "ONLY IF IT WAS UNDER 70,000 MILES. WELL I AM AROUND 72, AND THEY ARE JUST NOW DOING THIS. WHAT 97' VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE AROUND THAT KIND OF MILEAGE BY NOW. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND IT SHOULD STILL BE FIXED UNDER CHEVROLET. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10010682
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2003
Seats
THE BASE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT SEPARATED WHERE THE BOLT SCREWS INTO THE SEAT FRAME, WHICH CAUSED THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE SEAT TO BREAK FROM THE FRAME WHEN CUSTOMER SAT DOWN.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10009632
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2003
Steering
THE DEALERSHIP MADE 3 ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE LOOSE STEERING IN THE VEHICLE.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10007395
25,000 miles · Feb 7, 2003
Steering
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STRAIGHT FORWARD, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TURN TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. PH
NHTSA ODI #10006764
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.
1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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