← New search

1997 Chevrolet Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Suburban years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban are substantially higher than the model-year median of 118.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 76 of 414 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports13 fire reports13 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

42 reports
Clear category filter
178,000 miles · Nov 29, 2019
Electrical System

I STOPPED TO GET GAS ANC CUT MY TRUCK OFF. I GOT BACK IN IT AND CUT IT ON AN DROVE ABOUT 30 YARDS I NOTICED A SMELL LIKE BURNING WIRES. SO I CUT IT OFF GOT OUT CHECKED THE OUTSIDE THE SMELL IS ONLY ON THE INSIDE. THEN I POPPED THE HOOD AN SMELLED THE SAME SMELL. I PUSHED IT AND PARKED IT. MY CLICKER IS NOT WORKING TO UNLOCK OR L…

Read full complaint

I STOPPED TO GET GAS ANC CUT MY TRUCK OFF. I GOT BACK IN IT AND CUT IT ON AN DROVE ABOUT 30 YARDS I NOTICED A SMELL LIKE BURNING WIRES. SO I CUT IT OFF GOT OUT CHECKED THE OUTSIDE THE SMELL IS ONLY ON THE INSIDE. THEN I POPPED THE HOOD AN SMELLED THE SAME SMELL. I PUSHED IT AND PARKED IT. MY CLICKER IS NOT WORKING TO UNLOCK OR LOCK IT, THE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF AND IT MAKES THE RINGING SOUND AS IF THE DRIVER DOOR IS OPEN EVEN WHEN IT'S NOT. I TOOK THE BATTERY OUT TO SEE IF IT WAS THAT BUT ITS FULLY CHARGED.

NHTSA ODI #11282816

138,000 miles · Jun 16, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

DT: THIS MORNING HIT THE BRAKES COMING DOWN THE HILL AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN, COULD NOT CONTROL STEERING AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK EITHER. THE ELECTRIC AND POWER FAILURE, COULDN'T DO ANYTHING WITH THE VEHICLE. IT HASN'T BE CHECKED BY DEALER YET.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10125452

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2003
Electrical System

MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS IN DASH INCLUDING SHORTING IN FUSE PANEL, HEADLIGHTS, HEATING CONTROLS, WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROLS, SOUND SYSTEM, AND INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS, LEADING TO ERRATIC OR FAILED OPERATION OF SUCH CONTROLS WITH VISIBLE SIGNS OF WIRING DAMAGE AND COMPLETE MELTDOWN (I.E. HEATING CONTROLS/SOUND SYSTEM). …

Read full complaint

MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS IN DASH INCLUDING SHORTING IN FUSE PANEL, HEADLIGHTS, HEATING CONTROLS, WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROLS, SOUND SYSTEM, AND INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS, LEADING TO ERRATIC OR FAILED OPERATION OF SUCH CONTROLS WITH VISIBLE SIGNS OF WIRING DAMAGE AND COMPLETE MELTDOWN (I.E. HEATING CONTROLS/SOUND SYSTEM). *AK

NHTSA ODI #10050924

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2003
Electrical System

WE HAD TWO BATTERIES LEAK ACID, CAUSED SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS IN DAMAGE TO REPAIR WIRES AND HOSES THAT WERE DAMAGED BY THE LEAKING BATTERY ACID. WE WONDER IF THE DEALERSHIP IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA WAS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BATTERIES TO GENERATE REPAIR BILLS FOR THEIR BUSINESS. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10031221

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2003
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER STATES THAT FUEL PUMP FAILED DUE TO ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS INSIDE THE GAS TANK MELTING AGAINST THE PICKUP TUBE. THE PROBLEM WAS MADE APPARENT BECAUSE OF CONSTANT FUSES BLOWING OUT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10031864

130,000 miles · Jun 8, 2003
Electrical System

HARD TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT KEY SWITCH INTO ACCESSORY POSITION AND THEN MOVE SHIFTER INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO START VEHICLE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10021256

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2002
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train

ABS FAILURE, ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND FRONT AND REAR BRAKE FAILURE. THIS CORRESPONDENCE IS NOT AVAILABLE VIA .I BELIEVE THE LETTER MAY HAVE BEEN MISPLACED WHILE IN TRANSITION FROM DIMMS TO ARTEMIS VIA TRAN TECH EMPLOYEES. THE POWER WINDOWS AND AIR CONDITION FAILED. THERE WAS A VIOLENT GEAR CHANGE BETWEEN 2 WHEEL DRIVE AND 4 WHEE…

Read full complaint

ABS FAILURE, ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND FRONT AND REAR BRAKE FAILURE. THIS CORRESPONDENCE IS NOT AVAILABLE VIA .I BELIEVE THE LETTER MAY HAVE BEEN MISPLACED WHILE IN TRANSITION FROM DIMMS TO ARTEMIS VIA TRAN TECH EMPLOYEES. THE POWER WINDOWS AND AIR CONDITION FAILED. THERE WAS A VIOLENT GEAR CHANGE BETWEEN 2 WHEEL DRIVE AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THE BATTERY LEAKED AND ALSO THE CABLES WERE CORRODED, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10011448

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2001
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

I STARTED EXPERENCING PROBLEM AT APPOX. 12000 MILES WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURLLY,SOME AFTER AT APPOX. 20000 MILE I HAD UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR, ( I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY FAULT) IT WAS THE RIGHT TORSION BAR OUT OF ADJUSTMENT AND EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 27668 MILE I HAD TO PAY 1/2 THE COST APPOX $225.00 AFTER FIGHTI…

Read full complaint

I STARTED EXPERENCING PROBLEM AT APPOX. 12000 MILES WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURLLY,SOME AFTER AT APPOX. 20000 MILE I HAD UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR, ( I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY FAULT) IT WAS THE RIGHT TORSION BAR OUT OF ADJUSTMENT AND EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 27668 MILE I HAD TO PAY 1/2 THE COST APPOX $225.00 AFTER FIGHTING ALL THE WAY TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICES,THE SPEED SENSITIVE STEERING STARTED ACTTING UP AT APPOX. 40000 MILES SUDDENLY CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SLIP UNACCPECTEDLY.THIS PART WAS REPLACE N/C , I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 ALTERNATORS THE FIRST AT APPOX. 38000 MILE STANDING ME IN BUFFALO ,TX 120 MILES FROM HOME ON A SUNDAY NIGHT, THE SECOND AND THIRD HAPPEDED IN THE CITY HOWEVER I NOW CARRY A SPARE ALTENATOR AND TOOLS BECAUSE WHO KNOWS WHEN IT WILL GO OUT NEXT, I HAVE REPLACED THE POSITIVE SIDE BATTERY CABLES TWICE BECAUSE OF DESIGN THE LOOSEN AND THE ACR AND SHORT OUT, THE AUTO MATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 53939 DUE TO COOLENT GETTING INTO THE UNIT I HAD TO PAY 25% OF THIS REPAIR APPOX. $525.00 THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 69015 ONLY 15K+MILES LATER WITH THE WARRENTY CARD IN HAND I THOUGHT MAYBE THIS WAS IT ,AT 107,267 MILES THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WITH ONLY 38K+ MILE ON A UNIT THAT CARRYS A 3YR/50K WARRENTY GM REFUSES TO FIX OR REPLACE THE UNIT MY TRUCK HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE 06/15/2001 WHILE I HAVE BEEN ONCE AGAIN FIGHTING WITH GM TO NO AVAIL ,( I WAS OFFER A CUSTOMER LOYALTY CERT. FOR $500. 00 TO SETTLE THIS ISSUE THE TRANSMISSION COST $2500. TO REPLACE NOT INCLUDING THE MOTOR MOUNT THAT BROKE WHEN THE UNIT LOCKED UP AT APPOX. 35 MPH ALL THE ADVERTISING MILLION AND BILLIONS OF $$$$$ SHOULD BE SPENT MAKING SURE THAT THEN PRESISTENT PROBLEM DO NOT ACCURE, NOT WHEN YOU SPEND 35K- 45K- FOR A VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #749987

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2001
Electrical System

I THINK CHEVROLET SHOULD PAY FOR THIS FACTORY DEFECT WHICH COST ME $160. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #745052

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

TRUCK STALLS, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY DEFECT ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS WITHOUT SUCCESS. ACCIDENTS AVOIDED THUS FAR, BUT NEXT TIME, I MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. PLEASE POST THESE COMMENTS, TO WARN OTHER CONSUMERS. GMC IS DENYING RESPONSIBILITY, HAS FLATLY REFUSED TO REPURCHAS…

Read full complaint

TRUCK STALLS, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY DEFECT ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS WITHOUT SUCCESS. ACCIDENTS AVOIDED THUS FAR, BUT NEXT TIME, I MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. PLEASE POST THESE COMMENTS, TO WARN OTHER CONSUMERS. GMC IS DENYING RESPONSIBILITY, HAS FLATLY REFUSED TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE, AND CONTINUES TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I'M SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS THING...ME AND MY PASSENGERS(VERY OFTEN A TROOP OF GIRL SCOUTS) ARE IN DANGER, AND SO IS ANYONE WHO MIGHT BE IN FRONT OF ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HOPE THAT NO ONE DIES AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. PLEASE HELP ME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #744310

Official recalls

2

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.

03V093000 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

Mar 7, 2003

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 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 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

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

5

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.

EA00013 · Battery Leaks Acid

Opened May 2, 2000 · Closed Jun 28, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

DP00001 · Oem Hitch Receiver Platform Cracking

Opened Jan 31, 2000 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Equipment

THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT CRACKS IN THE HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE TRAILER AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

EA99011 · Erratic Power Steering Assist While Driv

Opened May 12, 1999 · Closed Feb 27, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS INVESTIGATED ALLEGATIONS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.FOR DETAILS AND A BASIS FOR THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUSIONS, PLEASE SEE THE CLOSING REPORT IN THE EA99-011 PUBLIC FILE.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.FUTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS SUBJECT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.THE ENGINEERING IS CLOSED.

EA95026 · Poor Brake Performance

Opened Sep 20, 1995 · Closed Sep 20, 2001

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

POOR PERFORMANCE OF ABS BRAKES