1997 GMC C/K Pickup Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 24%of 25 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the steering of the 1997 GMC C/K Pickup, 24% of the 25 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 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.
“Continuous sterring problem with left hand turns at any speed. This is the very same problem described on many of the other 1997 GM vehicles already recalled by the company. The dealer claims there is no recall for my particular vehicle and I will have to pay full price of rack & pinion repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #10105783, filed 2005-01, 79,000 miles“I own a 97' Gmc z-71. I've been having problems with the steering on my truck for the past 3 months. It gets in a bind when turning and I lose my power steering part of the turn and then I regain it coming out of the turn. I have a friend with a 96' chevy tahoe 4x4 that has the same problem, and another friend with a 98' chevy silverado that has come across the same problem, almost resulting in a crash. We all have changed our power steering pumps and still have the same problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10111849, filed 2005-02, 128,600 miles“Faulty steering system, this truck is a death trap, is a intermittent problem, when it acts up steering feels notchy, you have no real control. Was told it was probably bad tires, installed new tires, did not help. These trucks should be recalled by GM asap, this a huge and real safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10064037, filed 2004-03, 36,000 miles“We have a 1997 Gmc z71 4 wheel drive . The steering grabs and jerks when accelerating, for example when entering a curve as you speed up to make the curve the steering will jerk the driver's hand and arm . The vehicle has done this for sometimes. I have seen from your web site there has been an investigation before. My sister had a suburban the same year model that did the samething.”
NHTSA complaint #10188296, filed 2007-04Related service bulletins
- 10032462Aug 1, 2009Saab/hummer/gm: diagnostic tips/recommendations when power steering pump replacement is necessary. Analysis of returned power steering (ps) pumps that had been replaced for…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 6 | 24% |
Other parts of the 1997 GMC C/K Pickup
11 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 GMC C/K Pickup
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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