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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

Structure complaints

3 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2021
Structure

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE DOESN'T WORK. I BELIEVE THIS WAS A 'RECALL' BUT I COULDN'T GET THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT. REAL FUN HAVING TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW JUST TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE DOOR'S WINDOW IS FROZEN. OBVIOUSLY THE VEHICLE IS IN A PARKED POSTION. THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 149,000 WHEN THE HANDL…

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THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE DOESN'T WORK. I BELIEVE THIS WAS A 'RECALL' BUT I COULDN'T GET THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT. REAL FUN HAVING TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW JUST TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE DOOR'S WINDOW IS FROZEN. OBVIOUSLY THE VEHICLE IS IN A PARKED POSTION. THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 149,000 WHEN THE HANDLE STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA ODI #11395516

85,000 miles · Jul 12, 2011
Structure

RUSTED FRAME AND SIDE PANELS THIS IS A 1997 GMS SIERRA Z71. 85,000 MILES. FRAME IS RUSTED TO THE POINT IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND IS NOT ROAD SAFE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE AND SO FEW MILES. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10411967

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 1999
Structure

THE CHEVROLET'S AND GMC C1500 AND K1500 1997; THE STRUCTURE AND FRAME AROUND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER HAVE DENTS APPEARING WHICH RESULTS IN DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOORS SAGGING, AND NOT SHUTTING PROPERLY, WHICH MAY CAUSE INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #835259

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.