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GMC SavanaModel year report

1997 GMC Savana Problems

Complaints
46filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
69,707miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 14 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 GMC Savana (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1997 GMC Savana. The part named most often is brakes, with 9 complaints (20% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (7) and fuel system (6). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 40% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 69,707 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 25 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seats (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Equipment (1), Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “While slowing down vehicle driver felt a pulsation in front steering wheel. Took to dealer, and he changed brake rotors, but not pads. Since then, consumer brought vehicle to dealer 4 more times. Last time was on 01/ 28/99. Picked it up a couple of days later, and it still had pulsation. Consumer indicated that when applying brakes it felt as though vehicle was going to stop.”

NHTSA complaint #856152, filed 2000-02

Transmission and drivetrain: “My automatic transmission completely lost all of it's fluid while I was driving and left a cloud of smoke which caused me to stop. When I saw a pool of transmission fluid, I looked under the van and noticed that the exhaust crossover pipe had caused the fluid to ignite under the van and flames were visible under the vehicle. At this point, I ordered my wife to get out of the van because of the flames. A motorist must have called the mt. Morris fire department because a fire truck arrived at the sceen. I had already put the flames out by using a fire extinguisher that I carry. …”

NHTSA complaint #745281, filed 2001-05

Fuel system: “Consumer states that after the recall #00v110000 fuel odor leakage was repair on the vehicle the sending unit fails to operate within a week. Dealer notified and stated that the repair has nothing to do with the sending unit. Please provide that dealer name address and number. Ts”

NHTSA complaint #8021886, filed 2002-10

Body and structure: “Upper hinge pin falling out of hinges, and causing doors to drop. Unable to close properly;. Dealer / manufacturer notified, and refused to repair unless cost goes to consumer. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.”

NHTSA complaint #875833, filed 2000-12

Mileage when problems were reported

40% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 33,000 and 104,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2540%25–5020%50–750%75–10040%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 69,707 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

1998200010200220042008
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1997 GMC Savana version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141715$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)5.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131714$4,800
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131715$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (passenger)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141715$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (passenger)5.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131714$4,800
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (passenger)5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121714$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1997 GMC Savana → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 25 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 25 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Savana

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019564,0005———Not enough data
2017724,0006—13—Not enough data
2016637,1007—13—Not enough data
2007664,2073—14—Not enough data
2006771,0007—15—Not enough data
20051337,0006—15—Not enough data
20041245,9257—15—Not enough data
20032224,75011—15—Stable
20021217,5000—15—Not enough data
20011952,0000—14—Rising
20004953,7002—14Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19994962,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19983363,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19974669,7071—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19963566,1752—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All GMC Savana model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 GMC Savana have?

NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1997 GMC Savana as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 GMC Savana is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 9 complaints (20% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 7.

Has the 1997 GMC Savana been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1997 GMC Savana get?

The EPA rates the 1997 GMC Savana (Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo), 4.3L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 GMC Savana reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 69,707 miles and the middle half falls between 33,000 and 104,000 miles; 40% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.