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1997 GMC Yukon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 GMC Yukon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 103.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 21 of 133 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.

  • Steering. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

11 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2003
Electrical System

I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY 1997 GMC YUKON TOWED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. AT FIRST, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE SECOND TIME, I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE STARTED MISSING, THEN JUST DIED. NO STEERING, NOTHING. IT WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP AGAIN T…

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I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY 1997 GMC YUKON TOWED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. AT FIRST, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE SECOND TIME, I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE STARTED MISSING, THEN JUST DIED. NO STEERING, NOTHING. IT WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP AGAIN TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION RECHECKED. GOT THE YUKON BACK AFTER A MONTH, DROVE IT HOME (ABOUT 90 MILES)...IT WAS FINE. THEN THE SECOND DAY AFTER GETTING IT BACK, IT AGAIN STARTED JERKING, MISSING, AND THEN DIED. I WAS ON A HILL IN TOWN WHEN IT STOPPED. MY YUKON STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS, AND I HAD TO FORCE THE WHEEL TO SHARPLY STEER IT INTO A PARKING LOT. I ALMOST HIT SEVERAL CARS THAT DIDN'T KNOW THE VEHICLE HAD LOST POWER. IT HAS ONCE AGAIN BEEN TOWED TO THE SHOP. WHAT IS CAUSING IT TO SUDDENLY MISS THEN DIE? *JB

NHTSA ODI #10021508

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. RIGHT AFTER WE BOUGHT IT WE HEARD A ROAR IN THE REAR END. THE REAR END WAS REPLACE UNDER THE 3YR/36000MILE WARRANTY. SOON AFTER THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. JUST RECENTLY WE TOOK A TRIP AND TOWED OUR 18FT. SKI BOAT WITH US. WHEN WE RETURNED MY WIFE NOT…

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THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. RIGHT AFTER WE BOUGHT IT WE HEARD A ROAR IN THE REAR END. THE REAR END WAS REPLACE UNDER THE 3YR/36000MILE WARRANTY. SOON AFTER THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. JUST RECENTLY WE TOOK A TRIP AND TOWED OUR 18FT. SKI BOAT WITH US. WHEN WE RETURNED MY WIFE NOTICED A PROBLEM THE NEXT DAY. WE HAD NO REVERSE AND THAT PROVED TO BE THE TRANSMISSION. WE CONTACED THE CLOSEST DEALRER TO US: MIKE MORGAN SHREVEPORT, LA. THEY TOLD US THAT THEY WERE SO BACKED UP WITH TRANMISSION PROBLEMS THAT IT WOULD BE AT LEAST A WEEK BEFORE THEY COULD PICK UP THE TRUCK TO EVEN LOOK AT IT. THEN THEY WOULD TELL ME WHAT THEY THOUGHT. WELL, I PAID $25,000 FOR A VEHICLE TO SIT WITH A BAD TRANSMISSION AND THEY THINK I WILL LET IT SIT WHILE MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WALK!!! I DON'T THINK SO! DURING THE LAST OF JULY, MY BROTHER AND LAW AND I REPLACE THE STARTER ON THIS SAME TRUCK TO THE TUNE OF $250.00 YESTERDAY I FOUND A WATER PUMP LEAK AND WAS TOLD THAT WOULD COST ME AROUND $200.00 TO REPAIR. OH YES, THE TRANSMISSION COST ME $1,400.00 TO REPAIR. AS YOU CAN SEE, I AM HAVING A TON OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. GM HAS THUMBED THEIR NOSE AT ME AND MORE OR LESS SAID "TOUGH LUCK"! WELL, I DON'T THINK THAT IS FAIR. THE TRANSMISSION IS WHAT REALLY UPSET ME. I PAID EXTRA TO HAVE TOWING PACKAGE ON THIS TRUCK AND WE PULLED A BOAT 1 TIME AND THIS HAPPENS. I CAN'T BELEIVE THAT THIS TRUCK CAN'T GET AT LEAST 100,000 MILES ON THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION. I ALSO HAVE A BOSS THAT OWNS A 1999 SUBURBAN THAT HAD THE TRANMISSION FAIL ON HIM THIS LAST FRIDAY. HIS TRUCK HAS ONLY 54,000 MILES. WELL, AS YOU CAN SEE, I THINK GM HAS A PROBLEM!!! PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO!

NHTSA ODI #734394

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2000
Electrical System

BATTERY LEAK AT SIDEMOUNT POSITIVE TERMINAL CORRODING CABLE CONNECTION AND BRAKE LINE METAL TO RUBBER LINE CONNECTION. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL BUT NO WARRANTY APPLIES EXCEPT ON BATTERY. BATTERY STORE SAYS THIS IS COMMON WITH DELCO SIDEMOUNT TERMINAL BATTERIES. CORROSSION THROUGH BRAKE LINE CONNECTION COULD CAUSE LOSS OF…

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BATTERY LEAK AT SIDEMOUNT POSITIVE TERMINAL CORRODING CABLE CONNECTION AND BRAKE LINE METAL TO RUBBER LINE CONNECTION. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL BUT NO WARRANTY APPLIES EXCEPT ON BATTERY. BATTERY STORE SAYS THIS IS COMMON WITH DELCO SIDEMOUNT TERMINAL BATTERIES. CORROSSION THROUGH BRAKE LINE CONNECTION COULD CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKING. CORROSION IN CABLE COULD DISABLE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. BATTERY WAS REPLACED WITH DIFFERENT MODEL HAVING REINFORCED CASE AT THE TERMINAL. CORROSION ON OTHER COMPONENTS NEUTRALIZED WITH ANTI CORROSIVE SOLUTION, AND BRAKE LINE TESTED FOR LEAKS. BATTERY CABLE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #731788

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2000
Electrical SystemSteering

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #726683

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire

WIFE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. PARKED & LEFT THE VEHICLE & IT CAUGHT FIRE NEAR THE FUEL TANK AREA. PRIOR TO IT CATCHING ON FIRE, IT WAS STALLING OUT SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. TOWED TO MECHANIC & CAUSE OF FIRE OR STALLING WAS NOT LOCATED. GM DIDN'T ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #865450

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2000
Electrical System

EA0013, BATTERY LEAKS ACID; WHILE DRIVING WOULD LOSE POWER. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD CUT OFF. TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP. IT WAS NOTED THAT THE BATTERY WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING. BATTERY WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #865194

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2000
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A CARWASH BATTERY DIED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE IN NEED OF A JUMP. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THREE DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #864014

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2000
Electrical System

EA00013/BATTERY LEAKS ACID: BATTERY IS LEAKING FROM BOTH NEGATIVE/POSITIVE POST. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #864005

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 1999
Electrical SystemSteering

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TURNS EITHER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE GEAR BOX, THE STEERING SENSOR AND THE COMPUTER MODULE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #847280

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 1999
Electrical System

HAD PARKED VEHICLE. LEFT FOR AWHILE & THEN RETURNED & TRIED STARTING VEHICLE. WOULD NOT START. CHECKED UNDER HOOD & NOTICED BATTERY ACID HAD DRIPPED DOWN THE SIDE OF TRUCK. THE BATTERY HAD A HOLE IN IT. THE BATTERY WAS ONE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED.

NHTSA ODI #836705

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

5

EA01018 · Seat Belt Anchorage Separation

Opened Dec 20, 2001 · Closed Dec 9, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

No summary supplied.

PE01023 · Seat Belt Anchorage Separation

Opened Jul 17, 2001 · Closed Dec 20, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

ODI HAS RECEIVED ONE (1) COMPLAINT ALLEGING THAT THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASE BUCKLE ANCHOR DETACHED FROM SEAT FRAME DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.DURING THE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WAS THROWN FROM HIS SEAT, PARTIALLY EJECTED THROUGH THE REAR QUARTER WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE.OCCUPANT SUSTAINED INJURY.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY CHANGED SEAT BELT ANCHORING DESIGN IN MY 2000. ODI HAS COMPLETED A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION AND HAS DETERMINED THAT FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO DETERMINE WHETHER A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS.

EA00013 · Battery Leaks Acid

Opened May 2, 2000 · Closed Jun 28, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

PE99073 · Battery Leaks Acid

Opened Dec 3, 1999 · Closed May 2, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

ODI HAS RECEIVED 21 COMPLAINTS WHERE OWNERS ALLEGE THAT THE STANDARD GM FACTORY SUPPLIED AC DELCO BATTERY CASE FAILED, RESULTING IN THE LEAKAGE OF SULFURIC ACID.OF THE 21 COMPLAINT VEHICLES, SIX SUBURBAN, THREE TAHOES, AND ONE YUKON OWNER(S) COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID FROM DETERIORATION OF THE RIGHT FRONTBRAKE LINE AS A RESULT OF SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION.THE REMAINING 11 COMPLAINTS PERTAIN PRIMARILY TO SULFURIC ACID LEAKAGE FROM THE BATTERY CASE.AT LEAST ONE COMPLAINANT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY ALSO FAILED.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS NOTE THAT THE LEAKING ACID HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH A WIRE HARNESS AT THE FRAME IN THE VICINITY OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINE.A FIELD INSPECTION BY ODI INDICATES THAT THE DESCRIBED HARNESS IS THE ABS CONNECTION TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR.PRIOR TO THE BATTERY CASE FAILURE, THERE IS USUALLY NO WARNING (SHORT OF AN UNDERHOOD INSPECTION), AND THE ENSURING DAMAGE (SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION) IS PROGRESSIVE.OF THE KNOWN BATTERY FAILURES, THERE MAY BE A TEMPERATURE CORRELATION, AS 60% OF THE OWNER COMPLAINTS CAME FROM FOUR STATES; CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA AND TEXAS.THERE IS ALSO A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND ENGINEERING CHANGE NOTICE TO ADD 1% SILVER TO THE BATTERY'S POSITIVE SIDE TERMINALL, WITH THE EARLIEST IMPLEMENTATION DATE FOR THIS BEING FEB 2, 1998.THE EFFECT OF THIS DESIGN CHANGE IS AS YET UNKNOWN; FURTHER REVIEW IS WARRANTED.AN EA IS BEING OPENED TO GATHER FURTHER APPROPRIATE INFORMATION, CLARIFY ANY DEFECT TRENDS, AND TO ASSESS THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS AND RISKS CONCERNING THESE FAILURES.

EA99011 · Erratic Power Steering Assist While Driv

Opened May 12, 1999 · Closed Feb 27, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS INVESTIGATED ALLEGATIONS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.FOR DETAILS AND A BASIS FOR THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUSIONS, PLEASE SEE THE CLOSING REPORT IN THE EA99-011 PUBLIC FILE.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.FUTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS SUBJECT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.THE ENGINEERING IS CLOSED.