1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 57about this part
- Share
- 10%of 555 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,671miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 57 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 10% of the 555 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,671 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have owned the vehicle 3 weeks. On monday august 6th, the vehicle stalled on a street in a commercial area. I was able to coast to a parking space. The engine restarted and I drove the vehicle ca. 50 yards before another failure, when I coasted to a stop sign. The vehicle did not restart, and I was towed to my home. On wednesday augus 8th, the vehicle stalled 3x at a discount store parking lot, and finally stalled at work on the same day. The mechanic said that this was the pmd on the chevy 6.5l diesel engine, and was a common failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10469962, filed 2012-08, 111,643 miles“Traveling approximately 25 MPH I began for an upcoming stop sign, two school buses were already stopped as I applied the brakes the peddle went quickly to the floor with little results, I was able to put the truck in low gear, turned onto the shoulder and with the emer. Brake and what little brake that was left I was able to get stopped safely. I would learn the welding on the upper shock bracket had failed allowing movement which allowed metal to rub against the brake line which runs past that area. The line failed with the lose of fluid and the brakes. …”
NHTSA complaint #10114387, filed 2005-03, 71,027 miles“I have a 1997 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 p/u with 115k miles. The transmission started to make a low roaring noise in low gear and would quiet down as it shifted to a higher gear. Over time the noise got progressively louder and eventually made a clanging sound as I took off from a stop. The noise was louder than I've ever heard, so I drove the truck back home a parked it. I've told friends that I needed another transmission and the more I told the more I realized that there was of the same problems in other Chevrolet trucks. …”
NHTSA complaint #10018407, filed 2003-05, 11,500 miles“The third door on the vehicle did not open, there was a tear in the seats, and the transmission was shifting late and hard, the transmission was eventually replaced at 56,000, consumer stated the transmission failed on the second vehicle at 126,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10004713, filed 2003-02, 56,000 miles“The sun shell on my transmission broke taking out reverse 2nd and 4th gears. This is a common problem with GM transmissions. Its a 97 chevy 1500 z71 4x4.”
NHTSA complaint #10253048, filed 2008-12, 175,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 26 | 20% |
| 2025 | 21 | 19% |
| 2024 | 96 | 30% |
| 2023 | 108 | 28% |
| 2022 | 190 | 29% |
| 2021 | 243 | 28% |
| 2020 | 235 | 31% |
| 2019 | 330 | 30% |
| 2018 | 171 | 33% |
| 2017 | 191 | 27% |
| 2016 | 194 | 24% |
| 2015 | 138 | 12% |
| 2014 | 154 | 11% |
| 2013 | 13 | 4% |
| 2012 | 10 | 5% |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% |
| 2010 | 24 | 7% |
| 2009 | 12 | 3% |
| 2008 | 25 | 3% |
| 2007 | 35 | 4% |
| 2006 | 28 | 8% |
| 2005 | 36 | 7% |
| 2004 | 27 | 3% |
| 2003 | 26 | 3% |
| 2002 | 26 | 5% |
| 2001 | 19 | 4% |
| 2000 | 16 | 3% |
| 1999 | 26 | 4% |
| 1998 | 26 | 7% |
| 1997 | 57 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
140 complaintsBrakes
134 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
78 complaintsFuel system
52 complaintsEngine cooling
35 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 Nov 1, 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