1997 GMC Sierra 2500 Problems
- Complaints
- 14filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 15 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 17 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1997 GMC Sierra 2500. The part named most often is brakes, with 7 complaints (50% of the total), followed by tires (2) and visibility (2). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 100,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Brakes7 50%
- Tires2 14%
- Fuel system1 7.1%
- Seats1 7.1%
Example complaints
Brakes: “Brakes fail to stop vehicle. Would roll 6 times or more before slowing down. Speed varies. Brake pedal goes to floor. Been to dealers 8-10 times for problem. An intermittent braking problem.”
NHTSA complaint #824799, filed 1998-06Tires: “The contact owns a 1997 Gmc c2500 pickup equipped with cooper mastercraft tires, size p265/75/r16. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the tread separated from the tires and caused damage to the vehicle. The contact was able to safely drive the vehicle to a local body shop. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage on the tires was 31,000 the failure and current mileages on the vehicle was 100,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10462167, filed 2012-06, 100,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “While raining windshield wipers will move real slow or they may stop completely. It is an intermittent reoccurring problem. Dealer claims vehicle is not under warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #856164, filed 2000-02Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 98,000 and 141,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra 2500 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Sierra 2500 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 19 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Sierra 2500 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Sierra 2500 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Sierra 2500 2WD | 6.5L 8-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $6,400 |
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
- 97V176000Oct 7, 1997SeatsCovers: GMC Sierra 2500 1997, Chevrolet C10 1997, GMC Sierra 1500 1997 +1 more
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. One or two of the front seat mounting bolts were not installed. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 207, "seating systems."
- 97V037000Mar 7, 1997SeatsCovers: GMC Sierra 2500 1997, Chevrolet C10 1995–1997, C20 1995–1997 +6 more
Vehicle description: extended cab and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with reclining seats and the easy-entry feature. These vehicles exhibit a condition in which a pinch point exists in the recliner mechanism that can trap and pinch a person's hand or…
Recall details for the 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 → · 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. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.
- 10232287Feb 21, 2023Equipment. This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10209734Mar 22, 2022Fuel system, Equipment. This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
- 10248444Jun 30, 2014Equipment. Vehicle Recalls
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10043504Jan 1, 2012Electrical system. Gmc/chevrolet: see docuemtn search button for owner letter. Auxiliary battery feed may cause fusible link to melt and open circuit to prevent damage or fire in wiring harness, due to electrical over…
Other model years of the GMC Sierra 2500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 | 9,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 28 | 1,300 | 1 | — | — | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 107 | 9,904 | 4 | — | — | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 33 | 34,000 | 1 | — | — | 40 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 45 | 15,167 | 3 | — | — | 65 · More | Rising |
| 2021 | 52 | 53,000 | 6 | — | — | 69 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 79 | 31,800 | 9 | — | — | 98 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 32 | 28,729 | 7 | 4 | — | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 35 | 10,000 | 5 | 4 | — | 52 · Typical | Falling |
| 2017 | 37 | 22,060 | 6 | 4 | — | 53 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 59 | 29,500 | 6 | 4 | — | 64 · Typical | Stable |
| 2015 | 89 | 37,023 | 6 | 3–4 | — | 93 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 30 | 39,000 | 2 | 2–4 | — | 10 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 46 | 60,000 | 3 | 2–4 | — | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2012 | 31 | 68,500 | 3 | 3–4 | — | 2 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2011 | 63 | 55,400 | 4 | — | — | 34 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 10 | 77,000 | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 31 | 39,600 | 5 | — | — | 39 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 63 | 67,500 | 3 | — | — | 17 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 83 | 70,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 66 | 43,500 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 115 | 60,000 | 1 | — | 11 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 143 | 60,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 160 | 73,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 134 | 85,500 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 134 | 65,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 48 | 91,000 | 1 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 36 | 100,000 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 15 | 47,000 | 1 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 14 | 100,000 | 2 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
All GMC Sierra 2500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 have?
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 7 complaints (50% of the total), followed by tires with 2.
Has the 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 get?
The EPA rates the 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 (Sierra 2500 2WD, 5.0L 8-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 Sierra 2500 reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 100,000 miles and the middle half falls between 98,000 and 141,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. 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.