1997 Chevrolet Suburban Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban most often describe power steering assist that comes and goes, ABS activation at low speed that lengthens stopping distance, and intermittent windshield wipers. Many complaints center on parts that were recalled on nearby model years but not on this VIN, and reports are spread across a wide mileage range from under 30,000 to well past 200,000 miles.

1. 1
   Steering

   Steering wheel jerks or assist cuts in and out

   • 74 complaints (18%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2009

   Owners describe the wheel tugging left or right on its own, momentary loss of power assist during turns, or oversteer that makes the truck feel like it is sliding. Multiple complaints point to the variable-assist (EVO) sensor or the steering gear, and some say dealers replaced sensors, the steering box or the hydroboost unit without a lasting fix. Ranges from under 10,000 miles to about 180,000 miles, often noticed at low to moderate speeds or while turning.

   What to check: Drive at low speed through full lock turns and ask whether the EVO sensor, steering gear and power steering pump have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have lost steering and braking on 1996 6.5 turbo diesel Suburban three times now I drive normally. I am 42 and have a family of seven. When braking the power booster has zero pressure and it is very hard to stop and at the very same time all power steering is lost. I thought the power steering pump failed, so I replaced it, no change. Still no power brakes or steering. I replaced hydroboost unit braking and steering returned. I have had to replace hydroboost three times in 8 months. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10157450, filed 2006-05, 102,856 miles

   “While making a left turn vehicle lost power steering. The vehicle began to wander and jerked to the left. There was recall 03v527000 for the steering gear bearing, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN. This occurred due to the sensor controlling power assist (evo sensor/exhaust valve opening).”

   NHTSA complaint #10053834, filed 2004-02, 75,000 miles
2. 2
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Intermittent or dead windshield wipers

   Mentioned in 13 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe wipers that stop mid-stroke, fail to turn on, or run on their own in rain or snow. Several owners say the dealer checked the VIN against campaign 03V159000 and told them the vehicle was not covered, so repairs came out of pocket. A few report the symptom continuing even after the recall work was done. Reported from roughly 10,000 miles to over 220,000 miles, often during rain or wet weather.

   Recall 03V159000

   What to check: Cycle the wipers through every speed and the delay setting, and check whether the wiper motor controller has been replaced; recall 03V159000 covers certain vehicles, so compare the VIN against it.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Nhtsa complaint # 03v159000 - Chevrolet has recalled certian vehicles with an intermittent windshiel wiper problem. My 1997 2wd Suburban is not ncluded. 1996 all suburbans are and 1997 4wd suburbans are. I have the same symptoms as the 1996 and 1997 4wd.”

   NHTSA complaint #10125337, filed 2005-06, 80,000 miles

   “Dt: the contact states there is a NHTSA recall campaign 03v159000 concerning the windshield wiper/washer motor. This vehicle experienced the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to VIN. No repairs were done .”

   NHTSA complaint #10143758, filed 2005-11, 150,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS kicks in at low speed, longer stopping distance

   • 113 complaints (27%)
   • median 98,000 mi at 7.8 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2020

   Complaints describe the ABS pulsing or activating during ordinary low-speed stops, so the pedal pulses and the truck takes longer to stop than expected. Several owners link it to corroded front brake parts or wheel speed sensors, and some note that campaign 05V379000 for ABS on other model years did not cover their vehicle. Others report rusted brake lines rupturing. Mostly from about 45,000 to 155,000 miles, typically during slow stops in town.

   What to check: Test stops on a quiet road at walking pace and feel for pedal pulsing; have the front calipers, wheel speed sensors and brake lines inspected for corrosion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I apply the brakes to my 1997 chevy Suburban, the ABS kicks on and pulsates extending the stopping distance tremendously. There has been a recall on this for recent year suburbans, but not as far back as the 1997 model.”

   NHTSA complaint #10120831, filed 2005-05, 45,000 miles

   “In july/august 2005 I began experiencing activation of the ABS at very low speeds of 5-10 MPH in 1997 Chevrolet Suburban. I took the car to repair shop and found out that the front brake units, calipers, etc., were corroded and needed to be replaced. I did this. Also ,found out that the ABS units were not reading the speed correctly and this was causing the ABS bumping at low speeds. Advised they should be replaced at cost of $1200! In january 2006 I read about the Suburban recall for malfunctioning ABS and unusual corrosion of brakes. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10148929, filed 2006-01, 58,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh 1-2 shifts and transmission failure (P1870)

   • 37 complaints (9%)
   • median 83,000 mi at 6.6 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2004

   Owners report hard clunks shifting from first to second, a check engine light, and a P1870 code at the dealer. Some say the transmission was rebuilt or replaced more than once, and a few describe fluid blowing out or internal damage found on teardown. Mostly between 50,000 and 130,000 miles, often after highway driving.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the fluid color and smell, ask for service records on the transmission, and scan for stored P1870 codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought a used 1997 Chevrolet Suburban. It was in excellent-looking shape and low miles. I have had it now for 3 years. I have repeatedly had to have it worked on. I have replaced the alternator, battery, battery cables, and starter; and have had the transmission rebuilt twice. I also had to have the heater core replaced and the radiator worked on. I do not drive that much, and I have my vehicle serviced regularly. It's always needing work. I've had it for sale for a while, but can't sell it for even a small sum.”

   NHTSA complaint #10080604, filed 2004-07, 88,000 miles

   “"check engine soon" light comes on after short highway drive (about 30 minutes). Then transmissions shifts hard from 1st to second gear, associated with a hard clunk when finally it shifts. Dealer has replaced a "spring" with a heavier duty one, but fix is temporary. Code 1870 shows up as diagnosis at dealer. L60e transmissions are the culprit.”

   NHTSA complaint #10070386, filed 2004-01, 83,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection focused on the steering assist, ABS behavior and wiper operation is worthwhile on this model year, since those symptoms appear repeatedly in owner reports. Paperwork showing whether the wiper and ABS campaigns were applied to this specific VIN is worth asking for.

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.