1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe low-speed ABS activation that lengthens stopping distances, power steering that over-assists or briefly slips mid-curve, and windshield wipers that quit or run intermittently in rain. Fuel pump failures and transmission gear loss also appear, mostly on higher-mileage trucks.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Wipers stop or run intermittently in rain

   • 66 complaints (12%)
   • median 93,500 mi at 8.7 yrs old (36 state mileage)
   • filed 1998–2016

   Owners report wipers that quit or come on and off unpredictably, sometimes after 15-20 minutes of use, sometimes not starting at all. Several say the dealer would not cover the repair because their vehicle was outside the build range of a wiper recall, and one was quoted a price to replace the wiper motor circuit board. Complaints often attribute it to cracked solder joints on the controller board. Spread widely from about 65,000 to 175,000 miles, mostly noticed during rain.

   What to check: With the engine on, run the wipers at every speed and wiggle the stalk switch; look for pauses or failure to park. Ask whether the wiper motor or pulse board has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The windshield wipers on the Chevrolet silverado I own will suddenly quit working leading to very poor visibility. They will work fine for the first 15-20 minutes while it is raining and then suddenly quit making it very dangerous to drive. I have noticed other recalls for vehicles very similar to mine regarding a cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board for the windshield wipers. I called Chevrolet and they said there was no recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10157240, filed 2006-05, 152,000 miles

   “Windshield wipers and washer intermittently would not work. It started out the washer wouldn't always work and then the wipers followed suit. The first time my wipers didn't work my visibility dropped significantly and it was a dangerous drive home. I looked up this problem on the NHTSA website and saw that there is a recall on this problem. My vehicle did not get recalled. Other models in my year were recalled and my model in previous years were recalled. Chevy dealership wanted to charge me $175 to replace the wiper motor circuit board. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10158186, filed 2006-05, 109,300 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Power steering over-assists or slips in curves

   • 124 complaints (22%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2016

   Complaints describe the steering suddenly boosting too much and then letting go, so the wheel seems to grab and then slip during sweeping turns or freeway exits. Owners link it to a steering sensor and report that dealers were often unable to duplicate or repair it; a few report total loss of power assist from a broken pump shaft. Mostly between about 30,000 and 120,000 miles, on curves and gradual turns at moderate speeds.

   What to check: Test drive on a long curving on-ramp and note whether assist feels uneven or the wheel catches. Ask if the steering sensor or pump has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Going through a left hand curve at speeds between 30mph to 60mph I get a feeling of the steering wheel wanting to dive & a brief loss of control when going around a long sweeping curve. It happens on every long sweeping left hand curve. If you aren't ready for it you could lose control & hit an oncoming car head on. To correct the failure I will have to replace the sensor & I will keep the old part. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10254335, filed 2009-01, 110,000 miles

   “1997 Chevrolet 1500 extended cab pickup 2wd when turning slightly towards the right the power assist boost increases causing the truck to quickly turn towards the right. I have noticed for many years and haven't known who to report this to. It happens quickly and I have to grab the steering wheel to keep the truck under control. I noticed the recall notice on the 1996 and 1997 cars but have had this identical over assist problem on my truck.”

   NHTSA complaint #10052991, filed 2004-01, 65,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS engages at low speed, longer stops

   • 57 complaints (10%)
   • median 88,500 mi at 9.0 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2013

   Complaints describe the anti-lock system kicking in during the last few feet before a stop, with the pedal dropping and the truck rolling farther than expected. Owners say it happens in stop-and-go traffic and on dry pavement. Several mention being told by the dealer that the vehicle was not covered by a recall applied to later model years, and that the ABS sensor can seize in the hub, requiring hub replacement. Reported from roughly 40,000 to 180,000 miles, usually at low speeds just before a full stop.

   What to check: Drive the truck to a stop on dry pavement and feel whether the pedal pulses or fades near walking speed. Ask whether the ABS sensors and wheel hubs have been serviced, and check brake lines for rust.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Antilock brakes engage at slow speeds needing further stopping distances. This problem has been happening for at least three years. I have called the dealer several times and checked for recalls on this defect. When I did find out they were recalling in other states I again called the dealer to complain. Now that there is a recall I find that my vehicle is not included.”

   NHTSA complaint #10144619, filed 2005-12, 75,000 miles

   “Abs brake system activates under 10 miles an hour. Gm has a recall for this ABS problem, however they only go back as far as 1999. This is a safety issue and since I have the same problem, I should be included in the recall. The complaint is not against the dealer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10137289, filed 2005-09, 85,000 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump failure and burned wiring in tank

   • 45 complaints (8%)
   • median 148,696 mi at 9.2 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $700 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 1997–2011

   Owners describe the engine cutting out or failing to start and finding the in-tank fuel pump dead, in some cases with melted insulation on the pump wiring inside the tank. A few report repeated pump replacements and debris from a failed pump clogging the filter or damaging downstream parts. Complaints also mention fuel leaks at the injection lines. Reported from about 53,000 to 237,000 miles, often with little warning while driving.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask how many fuel pumps the truck has had and whether the filter was changed with it. Listen for a stalling or hard-start pattern and check for fuel smells or leaks near the lines.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Over the past 5 years and 80,000 miles of owning this vehicle the fuel pump has died on me 5 times. All 5 times the pump was replaced with AC delco parts from GM. The last two times it went out I had it replaced by a chevy dealer in tampa. The second to the last failure caused a domino effect that ended up being very costly to me. Fragments from the pump traveled to the filter, somehow made it past the filter and ruined the fuel pressure regulator. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10171273, filed 2006-10, 159,000 miles

   “My 16 yr. Old son purchased a 1997 chevy k1500/silverado w/ 5.7liter gas engine; 160k+ miles. Previous owner explained the truck was on its third fuel pump. Sure enough, the fuel pump failed on us also at 163,000 miles. Fortunately it failed only 100 feet from home as he drove down our residential street. Imagine the hazard potential had it died at highway speeds. Towing and repairs totaled $800. A remanufactured pump (with 1 yr warranty) was installed plus a new fuel filter. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10258619, filed 2009-02, 163,000 miles

Buying note. On this model year, test the brakes, wipers and steering on a real drive rather than a parking-lot loop, since those three come up most among owners. Ask for service records on the fuel pump and transmission, and budget for deferred repairs on higher-mileage trucks.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.