1997 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report brake problems: the pedal going to the floor, longer stopping distances, and a truck that pulls to one side when braking. Many of these reports start well under 100,000 miles, and several owners say repeated pad, rotor and caliper replacement did not resolve the pulling. A smaller but consistent group of complaints describes windshield wiper motors that stop working, several owners noting the wiper recall did not cover their vehicle.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake pedal goes to the floor / long stopping distance

   • 12 complaints (20%)
   • median 142,500 mi at 7.9 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2005

   Complaints describe the brake pedal traveling all the way down on a normal or panic stop, with the truck taking much longer to stop than expected. Some owners report the low or soft pedal came on suddenly, and a few describe the pedal springing back or the rear wheels continuing to turn. Dealers are frequently described as unable to reproduce or find the cause, and in some cases a broken clip or fluid leak was found after inspection. Reported across a wide mileage range, with several in the first 50,000 to 100,000 miles and some at much higher mileage.

   What to check: Test the pedal feel on a cold start and after the truck sits, and look for brake fluid at the lines, master cylinder and wheel cylinders. Ask whether the master cylinder or pedal linkage has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving and upon making a stop the brake pedal went completely to the floor. Vehicle then surged forward. It felt as if something disengaged, and the pedal went to the floor. Consumer had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. Consumer found that a clip broke which left the brake pedal swinging. The clip which holds the master cylinder rod to the brake pedal broke allowing the rod to slip off.”

   NHTSA complaint #10113672, filed 2005-03, 235,000 miles

   “While driving the vehicle at 25 MPH and upon applying force to the brake pedal to make a normal stop, the pedal traveled to the floorboard, causing extended stopping distance which resulted in a collision. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer unable to determine the cause of the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #827309, filed 1998-08
2. 2
   Brakes

   Truck pulls right or left when braking

   • 7 complaints (11%)
   • typically at 2.9 yrs old
   • filed 1998–2005

   Owners describe the truck veering toward one side under braking, sometimes hard enough to change lanes or drift onto the shoulder, and worse when towing. Complaints mention one rotor overheating and warping, and repeated replacement of pads, rotors and calipers that only helps briefly. One owner reported being told by a service manager that the problem was common and could not be repaired. Reported from low mileage through higher mileage, and several complaints note the pull was worse when towing or under heavier loads.

   What to check: On a test drive at speed, brake firmly on a straight empty road and note any pull. Check for uneven rotor wear or heat discoloration on one side, and ask whether calipers and hoses have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle always pulls to the left when braking..so hard to as pull you into oncomming traffic..the rotors/pads and the calipers have been replaced.several times.the rotors once, calipers twice, and the pads 6 times..ok for about 50 miles then starts the same all over.”

   NHTSA complaint #721849, filed 2000-04

   “Brakes pull to the right when applied to the point of causing a lane change or drifting into shoulder. Worse when towing a 8000lb fifth. Right rotor overheats and warps. Service manager claims this is a common problem and cannot be repaired. Mechanics rep”

   NHTSA complaint #729300, filed 2000-08
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS activates unexpectedly or drops braking power

   • 7 complaints (11%)
   • median 42,500 mi at 8.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2005

   Complaints describe the antilock system engaging at low speeds when it should not, or the front wheels grabbing and releasing on wet pavement while the rear wheels keep rolling. Some describe several seconds with little braking during a hard stop. Owners report dealers unable to duplicate the behavior, and one was told the response was normal for the vehicle. Mostly reported on wet or rough pavement, and at low speeds as well as during hard stops; mileage varies.

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS module or wheel speed sensors have been serviced, and try a low-speed stop on a wet or gravel surface to see whether the pedal pulses or drops unexpectedly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1997 chevy 3500 4x4 pickup truck. Ever since I bought it I have had problems with the antilock brakes. They seem to come on at slow speeds unexpectedly. I had them replaced 1 time at a cost of $700, however within 3 months the problem recuerred. I cannot afford to keep repairing them as upon talking to other owners of the same type of vehicles by GM this is a common problem the solution to which is to remove the ABS fuse rendering the system inoperative. I understand there is an investigation about this problem for years 1999-2001. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10120040, filed 2005-05

   “In an emergency or panic stop ABS brake system malfunctioned. Once consumer applied the brakes there was 3 or 4 seconds of no braking power. As a result, consumer rear ended another vehicle. Manufacturer said that it was a normal behavior of the vehicle and was performing by design.”

   NHTSA complaint #10061628, filed 2004-04, 20,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Intermittent loss of power steering assist

   Mentioned in 5 of 44 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the power steering cutting out at low speed or in a turn, and in some cases unexpected assist pulling the truck the other way. Several owners report being told by a dealer that nothing was wrong, while others had the power steering pump replaced. Some complaints pair the steering loss with a simultaneous brake problem. Reported mostly at lower mileage, with several complaints in the 30,000 to 60,000 mile range.

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock at idle and at a slow roll, listening for whine or feeling for a sudden drop in assist. Check the pump, belt and fluid level, and ask whether the pump has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I lost my power steering and brakes on my 3500 chevy. 1997 pick up truck, there is only 56.000 miles on this truck. I had the truck towed in and had the power steering pump replaced at my cost, I called the chey. Factory and the girl said they haven't had a problem with the pumps. All I know is I'm glad I wasn't traveling at highway speeds as you can't controll the steering or the braking on this truck.”

   NHTSA complaint #10068388, filed 2004-05, 56 miles

   “Steering problems. Since my truck was new I have had problems with the power steering. I have intermittent loss of power steering, particularly when going at low speed. Sometimes there is also unintended power assist that pulls the car in the opposite direction. I have complained about it a dealer and been told there is nothing wrong. I have had it checked by a GM dealer and been told there is nothing wrong. But the problem persists. Sometimes, when I pull into my driveway, which is usually a left hand turn, I totally lose the power steering. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10053119, filed 2004-01, 30,000 miles
5. 5
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop working or work intermittently

   • 6 complaints (10%)
   • median 111,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2007

   Owners report wipers that run only intermittently or quit entirely, including on low speed and in rain, forcing them to stop until the weather clears. Several complaints state the vehicle has the same wiper motor failure described in a wiper motor recall but that the vehicle was not included or was refused coverage because of mileage. Repairs in these reports were handled by a dealer. Reported from roughly 70,000 miles upward, with several complaints above 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Run the wipers through every speed setting, including intermittent, and check whether the vehicle's VIN is covered by the wiper motor recall before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dt: contact states that there was a previous recall on his vehicle, and the dealership told him that the recall did not include his vehicle. Then he called the manufacturer, they told him his vehicle did qualify but his vehicle had more than 70000 miles, and they wouldn't replace it. The NHTSA campaign id number 03v159000. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10120477, filed 2005-06

   “The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet c3500. The contact stated that the windshield wipers worked intermittently or not at all on low speeds. As of december 11, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The dealer stated that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03v159000 (visibility: windshield wiper/washer). The contact felt that his vehicle should be included in the recall. The failure mileage was 150,000 and current mileage was 205,000. Updated 03-04-08”

   NHTSA complaint #10211457, filed 2007-12, 150,000 miles

Buying note. Brake complaints are the most common theme for this model year and often involve pedal travel, pulling and antilock behavior that recur after parts replacement, so a careful brake inspection and a highway test drive matter more than cosmetics. Also confirm wiper function and whether the vehicle's VIN was covered by the wiper motor recall before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 44 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.