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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

83 reports
80,000 miles · Sep 5, 2008
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY IN THE RAIN. HE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY IN THE RAIN. HE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10241074

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TRUCK IS CONTINUOUSLY WARPING FRONT ROTORS AND WEARING OUT FRONT PADS. I HAD NEW HEAVY DUTY PADS AND SHOES AND NEW HD ROTORS INSTALLED NOT 10000 MILES AGO AND THEY ARE ALREADY WARPED AND WORN OUT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10181524

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 1997 GMC SIERRA 1500, IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE VEHICLES WITH RECALL # 05V379000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING UNDER 10 MPH AND STEPPING ON THE BRAKE, THE ABS ENGAGES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL PUMPS UP AND DOWN. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON ANY ROAD CONDITION…

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TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 1997 GMC SIERRA 1500, IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE VEHICLES WITH RECALL # 05V379000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING UNDER 10 MPH AND STEPPING ON THE BRAKE, THE ABS ENGAGES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL PUMPS UP AND DOWN. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON ANY ROAD CONDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS HAD HIS BRAKES CHECKED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS HAD 2 NEW ROTORS, BRAKES SHOES AND PADS REPLACE AND THE DRUMS ON THE BACK WERE GROUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IN ANY GEAR INCLUDING REVERSE. *NM UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10179161

70,000 miles · Dec 1, 2006
Visibility

PERSISTENT FAILURE OF WINDSHIELD WIPER OPERATION UNDER NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. THIS LED TO LACK OF VISIBILITY THROUGH WINDSHIELD. THERE IS A WELL DOCUMENTED RECALL OF THE WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLY FOR GM TRUCKS/VANS. MY TRUCK IS A 1997 GMC K1500. WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY PARTICULAR V…

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PERSISTENT FAILURE OF WINDSHIELD WIPER OPERATION UNDER NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. THIS LED TO LACK OF VISIBILITY THROUGH WINDSHIELD. THERE IS A WELL DOCUMENTED RECALL OF THE WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLY FOR GM TRUCKS/VANS. MY TRUCK IS A 1997 GMC K1500. WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL VIN RANGE. THERE IS NO DOUBT MY TRUCK HAS THE BAD PARTS ILLUSTRATED IN THE RECALL(S) (EG, EA02006). MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED AND FIXED BY GM, AND THAT BY SOME SORT OF VIN TECHNICALITY OR ERROR, THEY REFUSE TO FIX. WHAT IS MY COURSE OF ACTION TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION? *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174877

101,900 miles · Aug 18, 2006
Visibility

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WIPER/WASHER MOTOR THERE WAS A RECALL # 03023 PERTAINING TO INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE WIPERS AND A BUZZ UNDER THE DASH DUE TO BAD SOLDER POINTS WHICH FAILED 5 TIMES. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ODI #10165906

93,824 miles · Jul 26, 2006
Visibility

PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED SAFETY DEFECT AS IDENTIFIED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 AND GM RECALL NO. 03023 AND IS CURRENTLY FAILING IN MY GMC AND PRESENTED TO FITZNER GMC JULY 26,2006 AND WAS DENIED REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL BY THE SERVICE MANAGER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10163480

115,765 miles · Jul 5, 2006
Visibility

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 03V159000, REGARDING THE VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10161450

78,600 miles · Nov 7, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

METAL BRAKE LINE TO REAR AXLE SPLIT OPEN CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND REAR BRAKES. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE FAILED LINE AT A COST TO ME OF +$300. I HAVE THE FAILED PART. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10141946

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC Z-71 1500. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FOR MODEL YEARS 1999-2002. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE MODEL YEAR DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL . THE CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A PULSATION WITHIN THE BRAKES WHEN THEY ARE APPLIED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. THE ABS WARNING LIG…

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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC Z-71 1500. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FOR MODEL YEARS 1999-2002. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE MODEL YEAR DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL . THE CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A PULSATION WITHIN THE BRAKES WHEN THEY ARE APPLIED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THIS IS THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM AS WITH THE MODEL YEAR VEHICLES COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10135038

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2005
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

1997 GMC SIERRA DOES NOT DECELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.*MR BRAKING AND/OR DOWNSHIFTING ONLY INCREASED THE RPM. TRANSMISSION CAN BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL THEN BACK IN THE DESIRED GEAR AND THE VEHICLE WILL THEN SLOW DOWN SLIGHTLY. SERVICE DEALER CLAIMED NO PROBLEM FOUND. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10134490

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.