1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 6%of 555 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,888miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 6% of the 555 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,888 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Cooling system plugged up on 1997 chevy w/t 4.3 v6 dexcool took to dealer- flushed system- ruined truck (used coolant with gasoline from that point forward had to refill coolant constantly) I gave up on truck and traded it in. Amount of loss- paid 9000.00- owned 13 months- got 4300.00 for net trade. 4700.00 loss.”
NHTSA complaint #10278153, filed 2009-07, 73,000 miles“When driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle jerked. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection and the mechanic determined that the transmission failed. The radiator leaked into the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10087169, filed 2004-08, 39,000 miles“Head gasket failed allowing coolant to enter top end of engine. Lifters collapsed and all were replaced. Extended warranty covered $1500. Cost. We've never had a problem with that engine. (service dealer).”
NHTSA complaint #10083130, filed 2004-08, 38,348 miles“Fuel pump failed replaced at my cost by dealer.coolant hose from intake to heater failed common problem alternator replaced at my costed at my cost,common problem. Intate leak(coolant) not yet repaired. Mass air flow sensor replaced at my cost,part only available from GM.”
NHTSA complaint #740189, filed 2001-01“The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet k1500 which was obtained in 2005. He stated that the coolant continued to leak excessively from the vehicle. The dealer replaced the water pump; however, the coolant continued to leak. The dealer replaced the pressure nipple which did not correct the failure. No repairs were made to correct the failure. The current and failure mileages were under 117,100.”
NHTSA complaint #10298600, filed 2010-01, 117,100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 20 | 6% |
| 2023 | 26 | 7% |
| 2022 | 25 | 4% |
| 2021 | 60 | 7% |
| 2020 | 26 | 3% |
| 2019 | 50 | 5% |
| 2018 | 10 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 0% |
| 2015 | 12 | 1% |
| 2014 | 9 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 5 | 1% |
| 2008 | 7 | 1% |
| 2007 | 27 | 3% |
| 2006 | 13 | 4% |
| 2005 | 18 | 3% |
| 2004 | 25 | 3% |
| 2003 | 20 | 2% |
| 2002 | 13 | 3% |
| 2001 | 17 | 4% |
| 2000 | 11 | 2% |
| 1999 | 10 | 2% |
| 1998 | 17 | 5% |
| 1997 | 35 | 6% |
| 1996 | 1 | 14% |
| 1994 | 2 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
140 complaintsBrakes
134 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
78 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
57 complaintsFuel system
52 complaintsSuspension
34 complaintsElectrical system
28 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 29, 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