1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 5%of 555 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 124,614miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 5% of the 555 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 124,614 miles. 7 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We are currently having our 4th fuel pump placed in our truck, this time after it died on the interstate. We towed the truck home and tried to diagnose the problem when we got under the hood we discovered the ignition control module was overheating it was so hot my husband burned his finger. We replaced it but that didn't fix it. We sent the truck to the shop and were told it was the fuel pump again, the wires on the pump were burn and melted which was causing the icm to overheat. …”
NHTSA complaint #10133268, filed 2005-08, 106,000 miles“I have had a dangerous situation occur with a failure in the fuel injection system, involving the wiring harness and vehicle control module (vcm) of my 1997 Chevrolet k1500. The vehicle was towed into a Chevrolet dealer, for service due to a crank but no-start issue on january 29, 2004. Upon diagnosis by the mechanics, they determined that the fuel injection system had somehow developed a leak, which caused fuel pressure to build-up where the wiring-harness entered the unit. Then, fuel was forced at high pressure between the wires and insulation until it pooled up inside the vcm. …”
NHTSA complaint #10062793, filed 2004-03, 124,614 miles“Windshield wiper defect: windshield wipers fail to operate correctly, or at all, during adverse weather conditions. This equipment failure puts a driver and all passengers at risk of harm due to inhibited visibility. Have had to suddenly change lanes on highway during heavy rain, pull off, stand on edge of door trim with traffic driving by, and push the wipers manually up and down to get them working again. Sometimes I will have to open the hood of the truck, push the fuse tight, push the wipers to start them, and then go. …”
NHTSA complaint #10418422, filed 2011-08, 142,265 miles“No warning of brake light failure. Upon depressing the brakes on the 1997 chevy c1500 it blows the fuse to brake lights. Vehicle can be operated with out brake lights with out driver knowledge.”
NHTSA complaint #10169698, filed 2006-10, 174,000 miles“When the truck was bought we told the seller of the problems he said they would be fixed. They didn't get it, a week later it started to lose charge of battery I noticed there was aicd on the bottom so I replaced it thats when it all started, I 've had it in the shop 5x's. It has had 2 alternators, 2 batteries, in the last 3 1/2 months”
NHTSA complaint #727141, filed 2000-08Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 28 | 22% |
| 2025 | 26 | 24% |
| 2024 | 43 | 13% |
| 2023 | 63 | 16% |
| 2022 | 140 | 21% |
| 2021 | 113 | 13% |
| 2020 | 117 | 16% |
| 2019 | 191 | 17% |
| 2018 | 104 | 20% |
| 2017 | 123 | 17% |
| 2016 | 119 | 15% |
| 2015 | 165 | 15% |
| 2014 | 341 | 24% |
| 2013 | 11 | 4% |
| 2012 | 21 | 10% |
| 2011 | 27 | 5% |
| 2010 | 21 | 6% |
| 2009 | 43 | 10% |
| 2008 | 91 | 10% |
| 2007 | 81 | 10% |
| 2006 | 48 | 13% |
| 2005 | 189 | 36% |
| 2004 | 267 | 34% |
| 2003 | 195 | 24% |
| 2002 | 20 | 4% |
| 2001 | 23 | 5% |
| 2000 | 20 | 3% |
| 1999 | 25 | 4% |
| 1998 | 23 | 6% |
| 1997 | 28 | 5% |
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 complaintsAir bags
16 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 30, 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