1997 GMC Sierra 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 10%of 83 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500, 10% of the 83 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 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.
“Automatic transmission slams into gear recently, changed fluid helped for a couple of months - windshield wiper motor works when it feels like it - fuel gauge has not worked since 1999 and other people I know have the same problems with their general motor trucks.”
NHTSA complaint #10016949, filed 2003-05, 55,000 miles“While driving down the road my rear differential broke resulting in loss of vehicle control. Lost power steering control as well as braking ability. The left wheel ended up detaching three feet away from were the wheel is to be mounted to the truck.”
NHTSA complaint #10017085, filed 2003-05, 59,736 miles“1997 Gmc sierra does not decelerate when the accelerator is released. Braking and/or downshifting only increased the RPM. Transmission can be put into neutral then back in the desired gear and the vehicle will then slow down slightly. Service dealer claimed no problem found.”
NHTSA complaint #10134490, filed 2005-08“Gmc k 1500 suburban 4wd 1997, 2nd replacement of carrier assembly. The consumer has had several problems with the vehicle to include a total front differential teardown and replacement of the front left axle and it's components.”
NHTSA complaint #10114966, filed 2005-02“I have heard of other incidents where this part failed. If this part had failed at high speed this could have resulted serious damage and possible injury.”
NHTSA complaint #730141, filed 2000-09Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 35 | 24% |
| 2025 | 28 | 22% |
| 2024 | 73 | 19% |
| 2023 | 92 | 18% |
| 2022 | 113 | 19% |
| 2021 | 145 | 24% |
| 2020 | 99 | 20% |
| 2019 | 140 | 21% |
| 2018 | 131 | 43% |
| 2017 | 118 | 33% |
| 2016 | 84 | 24% |
| 2015 | 99 | 14% |
| 2014 | 69 | 9% |
| 2013 | 3 | 3% |
| 2012 | 6 | 6% |
| 2011 | 24 | 8% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2009 | 9 | 4% |
| 2008 | 6 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 2% |
| 2006 | 13 | 9% |
| 2005 | 11 | 6% |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% |
| 2003 | 6 | 3% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 9 | 5% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 7 | 12% |
| 1997 | 8 | 10% |
| 1994 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500
25 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 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 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