IllustrationWHILE DRIVING 5 MPH HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ANYMORE. DEALER DETERMINED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK.*JG
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Suburban years →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
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
What owners actually said
414 reportsMY STEERING JUMPS TO THE LEFT UNEXPECTILY AS IF SOMEONE GRABS THE WHEEL AND TURNS IT FAST . NLM
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT TRANSMISSION IMMEDIATELY STARTED SHIFTING EXTREMELY HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND. READ THECOMPLAINTSTATION.COM AND FOUND NUMEROUS IDENTICAL INCIDENCES WITH OTHER PEOPLE. NEXT FAILURE WAS FAILURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET RESULTING IN COOLANT LOSS.
ENGINE QUIT JUST LIKE SHUTTING OFF OF IGNITION SWITCH. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE THE FUEL PUMP. WHILE REMOVING THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY NOTED THAT THE ATTACHING PLUG FOR THE FUEL PUMP HAD ARCED DESTROYING THE PLUG, AND THE WIRE SUPPLYING THE POWER TO THE PUMP HAD ALL THE INSULATION BURNED OFF AND THE WIRE WAS PARTIALLY MELTED.…
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ENGINE QUIT JUST LIKE SHUTTING OFF OF IGNITION SWITCH. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE THE FUEL PUMP. WHILE REMOVING THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY NOTED THAT THE ATTACHING PLUG FOR THE FUEL PUMP HAD ARCED DESTROYING THE PLUG, AND THE WIRE SUPPLYING THE POWER TO THE PUMP HAD ALL THE INSULATION BURNED OFF AND THE WIRE WAS PARTIALLY MELTED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE ARCING AND MELTING OF WIRES INSIDE THE FUEL TANK COULD CAUSE AND EXPLOSION IF THE FUEL/AIR MISTURE REACHED STOICHIOMETRIC CONDITIONS.
WHILE DRIVING WOULD STEP ON THE BRAKES PEDAL TO STOP OR JUST TO REDUCE THE SPEED ON VEHICLE, BUT BRAKES WOULD NOT ACTIVATE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
WHEN CONSUMER DROPPED FUEL TANK OUT FROM UNDER VEHICLE AND STARTED CHANGING FUEL PUMP NOTICED THAT CONTACT WIRES FOR FUEL PUMP WERE CHARRED AND MELTED. DEALERSHIP HAS YET TO EXAMINE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK
SUDDEN COMPLETE FAILURE OF POWER BOOST WITH LOSS OF EASILY OBTAINABLE BRAKING BY FEMALE DRIVER. NO ACCIDENT THANK GOD. *AK
DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE THE HANDLING IS LIKE "DRIVING ON ICE." DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND REPLACED STEERING SENSOR TWICE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK
THE BRAKING SYSTEM STARTS TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE AS IF DRIVING ON COBBLESTONE ROAD THEN BRAKING SYSTEM SHAKES VIOLENTLY FROM FRONT OF CAR THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN ONLY WHEN TEMPS ARE VERY HIGH IN THE 100 DEGREE RANGE AS WE GO TO THE DESERT OFTEN. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR. THE VIBRATIONS START AS WE ARE DRIVING AND Y…
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THE BRAKING SYSTEM STARTS TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE AS IF DRIVING ON COBBLESTONE ROAD THEN BRAKING SYSTEM SHAKES VIOLENTLY FROM FRONT OF CAR THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN ONLY WHEN TEMPS ARE VERY HIGH IN THE 100 DEGREE RANGE AS WE GO TO THE DESERT OFTEN. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR. THE VIBRATIONS START AS WE ARE DRIVING AND YOU CAN FEEL THE FRONT END START TO VIBRATETHE GETS WORSE, IF THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHEN THIS IS SHAKING THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES VOILENTLYAND IS HARD TO STOP ALMOST MAKES THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL. THIS CAN GO ON FOR AS LONG AS 45 MINS TO AN HOUR AS WE DRIVE DOWNTHE ROAD OR FREEWAY. THEN IT JUSST STOPS SHAKIN AND DOES NOT AHPPEN AGAIN FOR A FEW DAYS , BUT IF WE ARE STILL IN THE HEAT IT WIL HAPPEN AGAIN. WHEN WE GET HOME AND GOTO THE DEALER THEY CANNOT FEEL THE PROBLEM SO THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM MY WIFE AND CHILDREN ARE AFFRAID TO RIDE IN THE CAR WHEN WE GO ON TRIPS NOW. THIS PROBLEM MUST BE FIXED. I LOVE THIS CAR AND IT SUITS MY NEEDS BUT THIS HAS TO BE FIXED.*AK
TREAD INTACT SEPARATED FROM SIDE WALLS & WHEEL, TIRES INSPECTED LAST MONTH DURING A ROTATION AND BRAKE JOB. *AK (DOT NUMBER: URBM053271 TIRESIZE: LT24575R16) (DOT NUMBER: URBM053271 TIRESIZE: LT24575R16)
Official recalls
203V159000 · 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
5EA02006 · 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