Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
725–50K
750–75K
675–100K
11100–150K
5150K+
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
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2002
Suspension
STEERING WHEEL JERKS SHARPLY AT TIMES AS IF IS RESTRICTED. MY SISTER HAD A SURBURBAN THIS YEAR MODEL THAT DID THE SAME THING. THEY TOOK THEIR AUTO IN SEVERAL TIMES BUT NEVER WOULD DO THIS. IT IS SO RANDOM THAT IT WOULD BE HARD TO FIND FOR THE SERVICE DEPT. THEY JUST SOLD THEIR VEHICLE. ANY INFO FROM GMC ON THIS PROBLEM? OUR TRUC…
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STEERING WHEEL JERKS SHARPLY AT TIMES AS IF IS RESTRICTED. MY SISTER HAD A SURBURBAN THIS YEAR MODEL THAT DID THE SAME THING. THEY TOOK THEIR AUTO IN SEVERAL TIMES BUT NEVER WOULD DO THIS. IT IS SO RANDOM THAT IT WOULD BE HARD TO FIND FOR THE SERVICE DEPT. THEY JUST SOLD THEIR VEHICLE. ANY INFO FROM GMC ON THIS PROBLEM? OUR TRUCK DID NOT DO THIS UNTIL AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #765954
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2002
Power Train
LOCK OUT COIL IN TRANSMISSION FAILED AND BURNED OUT OD AND REVERSE GEARS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #760587
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline
ENGINE WONT START, FOUND FUEL PUMP NO GOOD, REMOVE AND REPLACE NEW DEALER FUEL PUMP
NHTSA ODI #9005274
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineSteering
MY PROBLEMS REALLY BEGAN SOON AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS OVER @ 36,000 MILES. AT 42,240 I HAD A FUEL INJECTOR GO OUT, AT 55,590 MILES I HAD A WATER PUMP, SEAL, AND CORE NIPPLES GO BAD, ALONG WITH THE IDLE ARM ASSEMBLY, AND THE MAIN ENGINE BELT REPLACED. AGAIN ONLY 2 WEEKS LATER @ 58,275 MILES I STILL HAD A COOLANT LEAK, AND IT WAS T…
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MY PROBLEMS REALLY BEGAN SOON AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS OVER @ 36,000 MILES. AT 42,240 I HAD A FUEL INJECTOR GO OUT, AT 55,590 MILES I HAD A WATER PUMP, SEAL, AND CORE NIPPLES GO BAD, ALONG WITH THE IDLE ARM ASSEMBLY, AND THE MAIN ENGINE BELT REPLACED. AGAIN ONLY 2 WEEKS LATER @ 58,275 MILES I STILL HAD A COOLANT LEAK, AND IT WAS THEN DETERMINED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD DEVELOPED A LEAK, AND THE THERMOSTAT AND SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE AGAIN ONLY 2 DAYS LATER I AGAIN EXPERIENCED YET ANOTHER PROBLEM, THIS TIME THE ALTENATOR WENT OUT! I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER, AND TO GENERAL MOTORS, WHO CURRENTLY LOOKING INTO THE MATTER. THE DEALER DID AGGREE IT IS FAIRLY RARE TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS SO SOON, AND GENERAL MOTORS AGGREES. HOWEVER THAT DOES'NT EASE MY MIND, THAT THEIR MAY BE A DESIGN, OR PARTS PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. I DID TALK WITH ANOTHER OWNER OF THE SAME TYPE TRUCK A 1992, SAME STYLE AND ENGINE, AND INFORMED ME THAT HE HAD EXACTLY THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS OCCUR AT APROX: THE SAME MILAGE TIME FRAME, AND HAD SEVERAL MORE POP UP WITH THE TRANSMISSION AS WELL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #742987
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 · Dec 1, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE DUE TO PREMATURE INITIATION OF ABS PUMP SYSTEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #737136
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2000
Steering
INTERMITTENTLY AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH AND OVER AND WHILE GOING INTO A CURVE OR A TURN,E STEERING WHEEL WILL JUMP INTO THE TURN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #875236
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2000
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED WHICH MAY CAUSED VISUAL DIFFICULTY, AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #875143
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2000
Steering
DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN STEERING ASSIST SENSOR, STEERING OPERATED SOFTLY AND TURNED MORE OVER WHICH MAY CAUSE CRASH. COMMON PROBLEM. DEALER WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK WHEN THE POWER STEERING IS IN OVER STEER CONDITION, THE VEHICLE CONTINUE OFF ROAD AND IS SERIOUSLY DAMAGE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #872236
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2000
Power Train
I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE THIS PART FAILED. IF THIS PART HAD FAILED AT HIGH SPEED THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED SERIOUS DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE INJURY.
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.
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.
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.
1997 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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