IllustrationDT: 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
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 reportsNHTSA COMPLAINT # 03V159000 - CHEVROLET HAS RECALLED CERTIAN VEHICLES WITH AN INTERMITTENT WINDSHIEL WIPER PROBLEM. MY 1997 2WD SUBURBAN IS NOT NCLUDED. 1996 ALL SUBURBANS ARE AND 1997 4WD SUBURBANS ARE. I HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE 1996 AND 1997 4WD.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND OCCASIONALLY FAIL. DANGEROUS DURING RAINSTORMS. THIS 1997 SUBURBAN VIN# [XXX] DOES NOT SHOW UP ON RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 03V159000. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I BOUGHT A USED SUBURBAN AND SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE STEERING. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS SUDDENLY TO THE RIGHT. I REALLY HAVE TO KEEP A TIGHT GRIP ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN ON A ROAD WITH ALOT OF TWISTS AND TURNS BECAUSE IT JERKES HARD AND …
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I BOUGHT A USED SUBURBAN AND SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE STEERING. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS SUDDENLY TO THE RIGHT. I REALLY HAVE TO KEEP A TIGHT GRIP ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN ON A ROAD WITH ALOT OF TWISTS AND TURNS BECAUSE IT JERKES HARD AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. I WORRY THAT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL JERKING IT IS GOING TO CAUSE A WRECK BECAUSE IT SOMETIMES HAS SENT ME TOWARDS THE LANE NEXT TO ME OR OFF THE ROAD COMPLETLY, THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT JUST HAPPENS EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE, IT HAPPENS EVERYTIME I AM DRIVING. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS SITE FOR THE EXACT SAME THING. I JUST WONDER IF THERE IS A RECALL OR WHAT WILL REMEDY THIS PROBLEM.
WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES TO MY 1997 CHEVY SUBURBAN, THE ABS KICKS ON AND PULSATES EXTENDING THE STOPPING DISTANCE TREMENDOUSLY. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS FOR RECENT YEAR SUBURBANS, BUT NOT AS FAR BACK AS THE 1997 MODEL.
I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN AND IT BLEW THE COUPLING ON THE HEATER HOSE WHILE DRIVING THIS PAST SATURDAY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND THE REPAIR WAS 93.00. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MOTOR THAT ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CHEVROLET DEALER SAID THAT THERE PROBABLY SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE THIS HAP…
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I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN AND IT BLEW THE COUPLING ON THE HEATER HOSE WHILE DRIVING THIS PAST SATURDAY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND THE REPAIR WAS 93.00. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MOTOR THAT ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CHEVROLET DEALER SAID THAT THERE PROBABLY SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE THIS HAPPENS SO FREQUENTLY. THE LOCAL SHOP THAT MADE THE REPAIR HAS SO MANY TO COME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT THEY NOW STOCK THE PART.
WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT RECALL 03V159000 FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS ISSUED. MECHANIC CLAIMED THAT…
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WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT RECALL 03V159000 FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS ISSUED. MECHANIC CLAIMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V159000 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL, AND MECHANIC STATED THAT RECALL REPAIRS HAD BEEN PERFORMED PREVIOUSLY. HOWEVER, THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO ANY DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. *AK
THE BRAKES VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY AND HESITATE WHEN THEY ARE APPLIED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER.*AK
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING WHILE ENGAGED. THE MANUFACTURER IS CHARGING THE CONSUMER FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR RECALL 03V159000 BECAUSE THEIR RECORDS INDICATED THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED OUT IN 98. THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 2003. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND VERIFIED…
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THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING WHILE ENGAGED. THE MANUFACTURER IS CHARGING THE CONSUMER FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR RECALL 03V159000 BECAUSE THEIR RECORDS INDICATED THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED OUT IN 98. THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 2003. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND VERIFIED THAT THE DEFECT RECALL PART WAS NEVER REPLACED AND REPLACED IT. *JB.. THIS WORK WAS COMPLETED IN 1998. *AK
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