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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

Power Train complaints

15 reports
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145,000 miles · Jan 23, 2006
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ANYMORE. AFTER PUSHING THE TRUCK HOME AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION CASING WAS CRACKED. THE COST TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION WITH A REMANUFACTURED ONE WAS APPROXIMATELY $2200.00 , NOT INCLUDIND LABOR. THE CRACKED TRANSMISSION IS STILL AVAILABLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10148343

112,000 miles · Sep 26, 2003
Power TrainCrash

I PUT MY 1 YEAR OLD IN HIS CAR SEAT AND WENT AROUND THE OTHER SIDE TO CONTINUE FASTENING IN MY OTHER TWO TODDLERS, BROOKE, 4, AND MASON, 3, INTO THEIR SEATS AS WELL. ONCE I GOT INSIDE THE DRIVERS SEAT, BEFORE STARTING THE VEHICLE, I HAD REALIZED THAT I HAD BETTER GET ANOTHER BOTTLE OUT OF THE REFRIGERATOR. WHILE I WAS INSIDE …

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I PUT MY 1 YEAR OLD IN HIS CAR SEAT AND WENT AROUND THE OTHER SIDE TO CONTINUE FASTENING IN MY OTHER TWO TODDLERS, BROOKE, 4, AND MASON, 3, INTO THEIR SEATS AS WELL. ONCE I GOT INSIDE THE DRIVERS SEAT, BEFORE STARTING THE VEHICLE, I HAD REALIZED THAT I HAD BETTER GET ANOTHER BOTTLE OUT OF THE REFRIGERATOR. WHILE I WAS INSIDE THE HOUSE, MY 3 YEAR OLD, MASON, CLIMBED OUT OF HIS SEAT AND JUMPED INTO THE DRIVERS SEAT AND BEGAN PLAYING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. HE HAD TURNED THE KEY SWITCH A FOURTH OF AN INCH, NOT EVEN TO THE FIRST CLICK (ON POSITION), AND SUCCESSFULLY PULLED DOWN THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO NEUTRAL (OBVIOUSLY WITHOUT APPLYING HIS FOOT TO THE BRAKE). AS I WAS COMING BACK OUT OF THE HOUSE, I SEE MY CAR AND THREE CHILDREN GOING BACKWARDS DOWN MY DRIVEWAY WITH MASON BEHIND THE WHEEL, ON HIS KNEES YELLING "UH OH, UH OH!". I RAN, SCREAMING OUT MY CHILDS NAME, IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLOSE THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR SO HE COULDN'T FALL OUT BUT DIDNT MAKE IT IN TIME. THEY WENT STRAIGHT UP A BANK AND INTO THE WOODS PLOWING THROUGH THREE TREES. SOUNDS OF GLASS SHATTERING AND CHILDRENS CRY SURROUNDED MY HEAD. FINALLY, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SUDDEN HALT. IT SAYS ON THE DASH OF MY VEHICLE YOU MUST APPLY BRAKE IN ORDER TO PULL OUT OF PARK. THE SERVICE MANAGERS DIAGNOSIS OF MY VEHICLE BEING OF NORMAL OPERATION IS IN FACT A CONTRADICTION TO WHAT ALL MANUALS STATE. THIS DEFECT ALMOST TOOK THE LIVES OF MY THREE VERY YOUNG CHILDREN. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE SOME PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE AND CONCERN IN THIS MATTER. PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS MALFUNCTION TO AVOID FUTURE ACCIDENTS. MY STORY CONTINUES AND IS IN MUCH FURTHUR DETAIL BUT YOUR EMAIL PAGE WON'T ALLOW ME TO CONTINUE. PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!

NHTSA ODI #10039576

140,000 miles · Mar 20, 2003
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 140,000 MILES, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT CLUTCHES OR BANDS, BUT A "HARDENED" PART IN THE TAIL SHAFT, SINCE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, THE REPLACEMENT WOULD NOT UP SHIFT, AND I AM NOT SURE I CAN TRUST THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO PERFORM LIKE IT SHOULD, I THINK GM NEEDS TO AD…

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THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 140,000 MILES, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT CLUTCHES OR BANDS, BUT A "HARDENED" PART IN THE TAIL SHAFT, SINCE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, THE REPLACEMENT WOULD NOT UP SHIFT, AND I AM NOT SURE I CAN TRUST THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO PERFORM LIKE IT SHOULD, I THINK GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, IF WE HAVE PARTS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST FOREVER BREAKING, IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THEY HAVE A RELIABILITY PROBLEM!! I THINK THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10010776

Mileage unknown · May 14, 2001
Power Train

ANY RECOURSE AVAILABLE WITH MANUFACTER? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #745293

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2001
Power Train

OUR RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. WHY NO RECALL? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #744007

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE PARTS AT LOW MILEAGE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #734932

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 · Oct 9, 2000
Power Train

THE CAR SHIFTS HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AFTER DRIVING 30-35 MILES, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON AND PROBLEM BEGINS, MECHANICS SAID THIS IS A FAULTY VALVE AND WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS.*ET

NHTSA ODI #784933

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2000
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 48,000 MILES. AAMCO MECHANIC INDICATES IT WAS A TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH GMC AND CHEVROLET VEHICLES AT 35K TO 90K MILES. I HAVE SINCE SPOKEN WITH FOUR PERSONS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME TROUBLE. GMC DENIES TROUBLE WITH THEIR TRANSMI…

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TRANSMISSION FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 48,000 MILES. AAMCO MECHANIC INDICATES IT WAS A TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH GMC AND CHEVROLET VEHICLES AT 35K TO 90K MILES. I HAVE SINCE SPOKEN WITH FOUR PERSONS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME TROUBLE. GMC DENIES TROUBLE WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. IS THERE A LARGE NUMBER OF FAILURES OCCURRING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #725417

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2000
Power Train

ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP IN MCDONOUGH, GA THAT FIXED THIS TRUCK THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM IS NOT UNCOMMON AT ALL THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ON THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION - EST COST $2000.00 TO FIX. *AK

NHTSA ODI #718922

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.