1997 Chevrolet Silverado Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about windshield wipers that stop or work only intermittently in rain, about steering that suddenly pulls or jerks, and about ABS activation at low speeds while stopping. Many complaints come from trucks that owners say were excluded from a wiper-motor or ABS campaign by VIN, and the reports span a wide mileage range rather than clustering at low mileage.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers work intermittently or quit

   • 34 complaints (13%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • filed 1999–2008

   Owners describe the front wipers running for a while, then stopping mid-stroke or not coming on at all, most often in rain. Several say they were told the truck was not covered by a wiper-motor recall because of its VIN, and one repair-shop diagnosis cited a cracked joint in the motor. Some reports came after a special policy on the part had expired. Mostly reported between roughly 36,000 and 130,000 miles, often when driving in rain.

   What to check: Test the wipers in every speed and delay setting, including a few minutes of continuous running, and ask whether the wiper motor has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at night on a rural highway, it began to downpour. I turned my windshield wipers on, and nothing happened. I became frantic and tried to pull over, without even seeing where I was going. Upon internet research, and this website, I am now aware of a recall effecting certain batches of my model. The recall info is as follows: NHTSA campaign id number : 03v159000 I've called the dealership service department who then told me they could do nothing for me unless it was in writing from GM. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10131100, filed 2005-08, 36,000 miles

   “Consumer complained that windshield wipers were working intermittently during inclement weather. Currently, the windshield wipers failed to operate in any condition. The edealer was notified. The ealer informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under the recall due to VIN.”

   NHTSA complaint #10091566, filed 2004-10, 19,700 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS engages at low speed, hard or weak pedal

   • 50 complaints (18%)
   • median 74,160 mi at 8.4 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2014

   Owners report the ABS kicking in or a very hard pedal while braking at low speed, such as pulling out of a parking space or rolling up to a stop. Some say the pedal felt firm and the truck would not stop as expected; others had the ABS disabled or a sensor replaced, in some cases more than once. Several complaints note that a later ABS campaign did not include this model year. Reported from about 32,000 to 100,000 miles, typically at speeds of 10 mph or less.

   What to check: Drive slowly in a lot and brake firmly at walking speed to see whether the pedal pulses or goes hard; ask whether wheel speed sensors or the ABS module have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The ABS braking system makes a grindind noise and does not stop the truck properly.I have driven past driveways and almost went through a stop sign into oncoming traffic. I work for the city so getting to work to plow is important, but I cant trust the truck to get me there safely”

   NHTSA complaint #10119695, filed 2005-05, 77,000 miles

   “The issue that has just caused the 800,000 vehicle recall for GM, the issue with the anti-lock brakes, is on vehicles older than the 1999. I have a 1997 Silverado and was having the problem of the anti-lock brakes engaging at low speeds, it started happening in 1999 and got worse over time. We took the vehicle in for repairs and they replaced the sensor that triggers the anti- lock brakes, at a cost of several hundred dollars. They said this sensor gets dirty and then fails. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10134776, filed 2005-08, 70,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering pulls or jerks on its own

   • 59 complaints (22%)
   • median 57,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2006

   Owners describe the wheel suddenly jerking or the truck pulling to one side, sometimes for a second at a time, on curves, straight roads or slippery surfaces. Dealers and shops in the reports pointed to the steering wheel position (EVO) sensor, and some owners had it disconnected or quoted for replacement. A service bulletin on diagnosing and replacing that sensor exists for this part. Most often reported between about 25,000 and 170,000 miles, in varied conditions.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the steering position sensor has been replaced, and drive at highway speed on a straight section to check for sudden pull or assist changes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There was an intermittent pull to the right. The pulling would become more severe when turning to the right. On one occasion the vehicle swerved violently to the right. The brakes were replaced but the problem still existed. The dealer was unable to find the problem. The consumer requested the dealer pay for repair. Scc”

   NHTSA complaint #10011865, filed 2003-04, 25,000 miles

   “When making a left or right turn, the steering wheel gives and causes temporary steering loss. Ts the vehicle also sustained the following failures, the pcv valve malfunctioned causing the #2 and #3 heat shields in the transmission to crack. This malfunction was repaired and now the 4 low gear is inoperable. Also, the fuel pump, oxygen sensor, air conditioner compressor and pump malfunctioned. Noticeably after purchase, the driver side seat gives when braking.”

   NHTSA complaint #8023926, filed 2002-12, 69,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Front seat back collapses or seat slides

   Mentioned in 7 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the driver's seat back suddenly reclining or the seat sliding on its track while driving, in a few cases after being rear-ended. Repair notes cite a worn reclining mechanism or broken seat frame, with one owner having the frame replaced twice. Some owners say the seat would no longer stay upright after the event. Reported from about 70,000 to 144,000 miles, and in one case when the truck was struck from behind.

   What to check: Push back firmly on the seat back and rock the seat on its track to check for play, and look at the recliner mechanism for wear.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Started from stop and the back of the driver seat flipped backwards. I was holding on the steering wheel and as I fell back my foot came off the gas pedal and the bottom of the seat slid forward. I was able to get up in time to hit brake and avoid hitting car in front. I did not sustain injury. Seat is now broken. Back will not stay up and bottom will not lock in place. Cannot drive the truck safely.”

   NHTSA complaint #10043674, filed 2003-10, 71,321 miles

   “I was stopped in traffic and was rear ended by a ford f-150 going 20-40 MPH estimated. Both my son and I were hurled backwards because the seats collapsed backwards. We both sustained injuries to our necks and backs. I believe that if we were not rear ended or the seats wouldn't have collapsed we would have not received any injuries. I believe these seats have a potential of being dangerous and the company needs to do something about it right away before some else gets injured.”

   NHTSA complaint #10144195, filed 2005-12, 101,000 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump failure and stalling

   • 27 complaints (10%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 7.6 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2014

   Owners describe the engine quitting without warning while driving and then not restarting, with shops diagnosing a failed fuel pump or a burned connector and wiring inside the fuel tank. In some reports the pump had been replaced more than once, and one owner was told the system needed flushing because of debris. A separate bulletin covers fuel system cleaning. Reported from about 60,000 to 127,000 miles, at any speed including highway driving.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask for fuel pump replacement records, and listen for a slow or noisy prime at key-on; have the tank wiring and connector inspected if the pump has been changed before.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Didn't get rapaired yet. Chevy will replace pumps, but I have to pay for the fuel system to get flushed because of metal in the system that is from the deffective pump. Which they say is $1100 and I think is outrageous.”

   NHTSA complaint #10069065, filed 2004-01, 119,699 miles

   “This incident has happened more than once and has not been resolved. While driving vehicle stalled. Driver tried was unable to restart vehicle. Driver noticed that steering wheel and the brakes failed, and would not work when applied. The driver had the truck towed to the dealer, and mechanic determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. This is the third pump installed in the vehicle since it was purchased. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10115192, filed 2005-05, 130,671 miles

Buying note. These are older trucks, so condition and service history matter more than the model year itself; check the wipers, low-speed braking, steering assist and driver's seat carefully, and ask for receipts for any fuel pump or ABS work already done.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.