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1997 GMC Sierra 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 181.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

38 reports with mileage · 45 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 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

4 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2005
Seat Belts

WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS MOVED THE SEAT BELT WOULD BE IN THE WAY AND AND THE SEAT WOULD GET STUCK ON THE SEAT BELT. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LATCH WHICH CONNECTS THE SHOULDER HARNESS TO THE CAR BROKE OFF. ANYONE RIDING IN THE CAR WOULD BE TICKETED FOR NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT AND NO USE OF THE SEAT BELT WITH AN AIRBAG EQUIPED. …

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WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS MOVED THE SEAT BELT WOULD BE IN THE WAY AND AND THE SEAT WOULD GET STUCK ON THE SEAT BELT. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LATCH WHICH CONNECTS THE SHOULDER HARNESS TO THE CAR BROKE OFF. ANYONE RIDING IN THE CAR WOULD BE TICKETED FOR NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT AND NO USE OF THE SEAT BELT WITH AN AIRBAG EQUIPED. DEALERSHIP SAYS DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS RECALLED BUT NOT THE PASSENGER SIDE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10112805

36,000 miles · Jun 18, 2004
Seat Belts

I HAVE A 1997 GMC C1500 PICKUP. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT HAS JAMMED AND WILL NOT EXTEND. IT IS ILLEGAL IN MY STATE TO DRIVE WITH OUT A SEAT BELT. MY GMC DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $200 TO FIX THE BELT. *AK CAN I BE CHARGED, THIS MUCH, FOR A FAILURE OF A SAFETY SYSTEM ON A 7YEAR OLD VEHICAL?

NHTSA ODI #10078445

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2001
Seat Belts

PASSENGER'S FRONT SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT.*AK CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A BROKEN PART INSIDE THE SEAT BELT HOUSING. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #882230

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 1997
Seat Belts

THE THIRD DOOR ON PASSEGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS TOO SHORT, OVERWEIGHT PERSON CAN'T GET INTO IT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #808766

Official recalls

3

98V187000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Aug 10, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE FRONT, INNER CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK CAN CONTACT THE BODY SILL EITHER INTERMITTENTLY OR CONSTANTLY. THIS MOVEMENT CAN CAUSE A DISCERNIBLE NOISE AND, OVER TIME, CAN WEAR A HOLE IN OR CRACK THE FUEL TANK AT POINT OF CONTACT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AND A DISTINCT FUEL ODOR IF THE TANK WERE FILLED ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE HOLE OR CRACK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK FOR WEAR AND, EITHER INSTALL A SPACER BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER, OR IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.

97V176000 · Seats

Oct 7, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. ONE OR TWO OF THE FRONT SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, A SEAT WITH THIS CONDITION WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK ALL SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND INSTALL ANY MISSING BOLTS.

97V037000 · Seats

Mar 7, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RECLINING SEATS AND THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE. THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH A PINCH POINT EXISTS IN THE RECLINER MECHANISM THAT CAN TRAP AND PINCH A PERSON'S HAND OR FINGER(S) WHEN THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE IS ACTIVATED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS PINCHING CAN CUT THE HAND OR POSSIBLY SEVER THE FINGER(S) WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

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.