1997 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 10%of 61 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, 10% of the 61 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Clutch throw out bearing went out, causing pieces of it to go into clutch and jamming gear shift. At the time, driver was in 5th gear and could not change gears, which almost caused an collision.”
NHTSA complaint #850733, filed 1999-10Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 25% |
| 2024 | 15 | 29% |
| 2023 | 10 | 63% |
| 2022 | 3 | 11% |
| 2021 | 7 | 17% |
| 2020 | 16 | 38% |
| 2019 | 5 | 23% |
| 2018 | 2 | 11% |
| 2017 | 2 | 15% |
| 2016 | 3 | 6% |
| 2015 | 5 | 10% |
| 2013 | 5 | 19% |
| 2012 | 1 | 4% |
| 2011 | 5 | 17% |
| 2007 | 3 | 8% |
| 2006 | 9 | 17% |
| 2005 | 4 | 9% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 10% |
| 2002 | 3 | 6% |
| 2001 | 2 | 3% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 3 | 6% |
| 1998 | 5 | 7% |
| 1997 | 6 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
26 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
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