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: 49 of 238 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports5 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
238 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2002
Power Train
AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY, WE EXITED AND CAME TO A STOPLIGHT THAT IS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING HARD FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. WHEN I GOT HOME I WENT ON-LINE AND THAT IS WHEN I REALIZED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY 1997 GMC SIERRA OWNER THAT HAS THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM, THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS IF N…
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AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY, WE EXITED AND CAME TO A STOPLIGHT THAT IS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING HARD FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. WHEN I GOT HOME I WENT ON-LINE AND THAT IS WHEN I REALIZED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY 1997 GMC SIERRA OWNER THAT HAS THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM, THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF US OUT THERE WITH THE EXACT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL BEING CONSIDERED AT THIS TIME?*AK
NHTSA ODI #766852
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANTI-SKID SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE WILL AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATE. ALSO, THERE WILL BE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8017109
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2002
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ERRATICALLY, SOMETIMES WILL JUST CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHEN IN USE.CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8016658
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2002
Steering
THIS STEERING SENSOR MALFUNCTION WHICH HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND AT LEAST TWO OTHERS THAT I KNOW OF CAUSES THE TRUCK TO JERK IN THE DIRECTION YOU ARE STEERING. THIS HAPPENS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON SLIPPERY ROADS. I'M SURE YOU'VE HAD COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, JUST WANTED TO ADD MINE TO THE LIST.*AK
NHTSA ODI #765558
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructureWheels
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD STALL. THEN, SEEP TO THE FLOOR. DEALER REPLACED HUBS ON THE FRONT TWO BRAKES TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK THE LEFT FRONT DOOR WAS INOPERATIVE FROM THE INSIDE. THE RIGHT WHEEL CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. DEALER REPLACED HUB ASSEMBLY. DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED …
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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD STALL. THEN, SEEP TO THE FLOOR. DEALER REPLACED HUBS ON THE FRONT TWO BRAKES TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK THE LEFT FRONT DOOR WAS INOPERATIVE FROM THE INSIDE. THE RIGHT WHEEL CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. DEALER REPLACED HUB ASSEMBLY. DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, ALSO RESURFACED ROTORS. *SCC
NHTSA ODI #8015487
Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2002
Steering
I DID NOT KNOW THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD BROKE UNTILL I WAS TURNING OFF THE INTER STATE HIW AY . IT HAD NEVER GIVEN INDICATION THAT IT HAD BROKEN NO NOISE OR RATTLE FROM THE POWER STEERING UNIT IT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE SHAFT INTERNALY , THE SHAFT CONTINUED TO OPERATE, BUT THERE WAS NO PRESURE TO TURN THE WHEELS. IT …
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I DID NOT KNOW THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD BROKE UNTILL I WAS TURNING OFF THE INTER STATE HIW AY . IT HAD NEVER GIVEN INDICATION THAT IT HAD BROKEN NO NOISE OR RATTLE FROM THE POWER STEERING UNIT IT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE SHAFT INTERNALY , THE SHAFT CONTINUED TO OPERATE, BUT THERE WAS NO PRESURE TO TURN THE WHEELS. IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT THE ASSIST . IT WAS LUCKY THAT I DID NOT HAVE TO MAKE A QUICK MANUVER TO MISS SOMETHING BECAUSE IT WAS TO HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT .*AK
NHTSA ODI #764440
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2002
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING LOSS OF VISION. 1995 GMC RECALL (98V150001) SHOULD INCLUDE THIS MODEL YEAR ALSO.*AK
NHTSA ODI #764240
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2002
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, CONSUMER TURNED ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE MOTOR RAN, BUT THE WIPERS DID NOT COME ON.*AK *TT
NHTSA ODI #8013768
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE'S AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, BRAKE PEDAL FEELS SOFT WHEN APPLIED. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *SCC
NHTSA ODI #8013693
Mileage unknown · May 28, 2002
Visibility
HEATER CAUSES 3RD DEGREE BURNS ON DRIVER'S RIGHT FOOT, MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREEE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8010591
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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