1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 6%of 72 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups, 6% of the 72 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving down the road went to stop to back up and I placed the truck in reverse to back up I heard a loud noise as if I had backed into someone.(like metal to metal) so I immediately applied the brake and put the truck in drive to pull up to see if I had. Nothing in sight. So I eased the truck up a little, applied the brake and put the truck in reverse again. This time it would not move, in fact all you could hear was a chattering noise coming from the transmission. So I put it back in drive and went to pull off and you could hear the transmission whinning and would no shift gears. …”
NHTSA complaint #10145517, filed 2005-12, 97,443 miles“1) burnt electrical wires for the electric fuel pump. Location is inside the gas tank. Had to replace the fuel pump to rectify the problem. Explosion hazard. 2) power steering- wheel would jerk vehicle towards oncoming traffic. Happens without warning. Noticed many complaints on this problem without anything being done about it. Even by the ntsb! Is someone receiving a kickback on this thing or what? 3) burnt electrical connection-connector between the HVAC cooling fan and the selector switch inside of dash. …”
NHTSA complaint #10023715, filed 2003-06, 55,000 miles“I am very disappointed in this vehicle. The dealership has been wonderful about fixing the differential problem-replacement of ring and pinion and reset depth. The ongoing problem with the steering is frightening. It is unpredictable. Especially while driving in the mountains it may act up, causing erratic steering and feeling like the steering is locking up and completely failing. It has been reported to GM, but they say they have never had complaint, and that they would contact the dealership and call me back. …”
NHTSA complaint #716806, filed 2000-01Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups
30 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsInterior lighting
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology