1997 GMC Sierra 1500 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 4%of 83 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the body and structure of the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500, 4% of the 83 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 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.
“Rusted frame and side panels this is a 1997 gms sierra z71. 85,000 miles. Frame is rusted to the point it will not pass inspection and is not road safe. This is unacceptable for a vehicle of this age and so few miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10411967, filed 2011-07, 85,000 miles“The driver's side door handle doesn't work. I believe this was a 'recall' but I couldn't get the dealership to fix it. Real fun having to roll down the window just to open the door from inside, especially when the door's window is frozen. Obviously the vehicle is in a parked postion. The truck only had 149,000 when the handle stopped working.”
NHTSA complaint #11395516, filed 2021-02“The chevrolet's and Gmc c1500 and k1500 1997; the structure and frame around the driver and passenger have dents appearing which results in driver's and passenger's doors sagging, and not shutting properly, which may cause injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #835259, filed 1999-03Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 1% |
| 2025 | 3 | 2% |
| 2024 | 31 | 8% |
| 2023 | 94 | 19% |
| 2022 | 107 | 18% |
| 2021 | 13 | 2% |
| 2020 | 13 | 3% |
| 2019 | 15 | 2% |
| 2018 | 6 | 2% |
| 2017 | 8 | 2% |
| 2016 | 7 | 2% |
| 2015 | 28 | 4% |
| 2014 | 31 | 4% |
| 2013 | 25 | 22% |
| 2012 | 21 | 20% |
| 2011 | 45 | 16% |
| 2010 | 34 | 20% |
| 2009 | 20 | 9% |
| 2008 | 25 | 7% |
| 2007 | 17 | 6% |
| 2006 | 9 | 6% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2002 | 8 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 11 | 6% |
| 1999 | 9 | 6% |
| 1998 | 4 | 7% |
| 1997 | 3 | 4% |
| 1996 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500
25 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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