1997 Chevrolet Tahoe Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 58about this part
- Share
- 14%of 410 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,450miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 58 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe, 14% of the 410 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,450 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Have a 1997 Tahoe two door 4x4 with 126,000 miles... Transmission housing cracked yesterday. Upon investigation I see that Chevrolet has known about this problem for over ten years and have yet to correct the problem. I am very disappointed with chevy. And their quality of workmanship. I hope something will be done about this for the american consumer. Should have bought a toyota like my friends said ha ha. Seriously, quality should come before profit!!!!.”
NHTSA complaint #10199599, filed 2007-08, 126,000 miles“Abs system comes on at low speeds without brake pressed-vehicle then is hard to stop and pulls to the right. I have replaced all pads and calipers.machine bled system and replaced left frt speed sensor. Took to dealer and was told that the front hubs are exposed and most of the time tear apart and cleaning solves. Am upset the dealer charged a diagnostic fee for something he could have told me on the phone!”
NHTSA complaint #10082875, filed 2004-07, 51,000 miles“Automatic transmission failure. Extremely common to my 97 chevy Tahoe. Required complete rebuild and lots of money. I called probably a dozen transmission repair facilities and almost all said I was lucky I made it to so many miles before this happened as it is very common in this transmission. All say it comes from a structurally flawed in design piece in the trans that breaks and of course completely contaminates the trans with metal and destroys the majority of the remaining parts.”
NHTSA complaint #10180922, filed 2007-01, 125,000 miles“After driving 30 miles at highway speed, I stopped to exit the highway. When I began to turn left, I heard a loud clank in the rear of the vehicle. I continued for about 5 more miles and parked the vehicle. After allowing the vehicle to rest for approx. 8 hours, I backed the vehicle out and began driving home. The drive was approx. 30 miles at 75-80 MPH. Iafter stopping to exit the highway, the transmission made a loud whinning noies as though it was slipping, the engine reved to about 3000rpm befor ethe transmission would shift. …”
NHTSA complaint #10003209, filed 2003-01, 65,600 miles“My 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission just failed. Have no 2nd, 4th or reverse gears, always worked perfect until now. After a web search found out this problem is happening very much. Sun gear shell breaking on 4l60e transmissions. There is a big defect and GM has done nothing to fix the problems to all the GM owners. Seems they cut back a little much on quality control this time and don't seem to care about it from what I have seen. You probably heard about it before. Please help us get this problem recalled. I have not had any repairs done yet. …”
NHTSA complaint #10093199, filed 2004-09, 95,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10013572Apr 21, 20054wd models with noise, vibration on dry pavement.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 11% |
| 2025 | 5 | 10% |
| 2024 | 7 | 10% |
| 2023 | 47 | 20% |
| 2022 | 40 | 20% |
| 2021 | 90 | 19% |
| 2020 | 14 | 25% |
| 2019 | 39 | 36% |
| 2018 | 20 | 19% |
| 2017 | 53 | 30% |
| 2016 | 47 | 18% |
| 2015 | 55 | 8% |
| 2014 | 5 | 6% |
| 2013 | 9 | 4% |
| 2012 | 7 | 4% |
| 2011 | 5 | 1% |
| 2010 | 6 | 2% |
| 2009 | 12 | 4% |
| 2008 | 9 | 2% |
| 2007 | 50 | 4% |
| 2006 | 8 | 7% |
| 2005 | 24 | 8% |
| 2004 | 26 | 6% |
| 2003 | 19 | 4% |
| 2002 | 37 | 8% |
| 2001 | 27 | 5% |
| 2000 | 12 | 4% |
| 1999 | 45 | 8% |
| 1998 | 21 | 8% |
| 1997 | 58 | 14% |
| 1996 | 37 | 13% |
| 1995 | 13 | 5% |
| 1993 | 1 | 13% |
| 1992 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
113 complaintsSteering
105 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
51 complaintsFuel system
32 complaintsSuspension
30 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsTires
8 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsSeats
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
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