1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 3%of 555 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,725miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 3% of the 555 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,725 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Passenger side air bag key switched in off position. The passenger side bag deployed, the steering wheel one did not. There was no accident, no road conditions, and the weather was fair. We were not injured but shocked us. I quickly stopped the truck to air out the contents of the air bag in the cab.”
NHTSA complaint #10576020, filed 2014-03, 78,000 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500. While driving 25 MPH, the air bags deployed without warning or impact. There were no injuries. The contact stated that the passenger side air bags were deactivated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 258,669.”
NHTSA complaint #10913624, filed 2016-10, 258,669 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet k-1500. While driving 30mph the air bag deployed without notice. The passenger side deployed first and the driver side deployed afterwards. There were two injuries. Both passengers sustained bruises on their inner forearm. The vehicle has not been inspected or repaired. The current and failure mileage were 113,450.”
NHTSA complaint #10200179, filed 2007-08, 113,450 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet k1500. While driving 52 MPH, the driver crashed into a parked vehicle. The passenger and driver were injured. The air bags failed to deploy and the vehicle was destroyed. The contact has a police report and photos. The current and failure mileages were 24,380.”
NHTSA complaint #10191120, filed 2007-05, 24,380 miles“Passenger side air bag deployed unexpectedly when the consumer closed the door. Manufacturer was contacted by owner, and explained that this occurred with this type of vehicle, but consumer was concerned that this could be dangerous if the vehicle was to be involved in an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10117574, filed 2005-04Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 2 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0% |
| 2022 | 8 | 1% |
| 2021 | 20 | 2% |
| 2020 | 11 | 1% |
| 2019 | 12 | 1% |
| 2018 | 15 | 3% |
| 2017 | 30 | 4% |
| 2016 | 18 | 2% |
| 2015 | 66 | 6% |
| 2014 | 47 | 3% |
| 2013 | 83 | 27% |
| 2012 | 59 | 27% |
| 2011 | 306 | 54% |
| 2010 | 197 | 54% |
| 2009 | 231 | 52% |
| 2008 | 594 | 65% |
| 2007 | 479 | 56% |
| 2006 | 24 | 7% |
| 2005 | 51 | 10% |
| 2004 | 34 | 4% |
| 2003 | 21 | 3% |
| 2002 | 14 | 3% |
| 2001 | 12 | 3% |
| 2000 | 31 | 5% |
| 1999 | 19 | 3% |
| 1998 | 7 | 2% |
| 1997 | 16 | 3% |
| 1994 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
140 complaintsBrakes
134 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
78 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
57 complaintsFuel system
52 complaintsEngine cooling
35 complaintsSuspension
34 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsSeats
13 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsEquipment
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
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