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GMC Sierra 3500Model year report

1997 GMC Sierra 3500 Problems

Complaints
10filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
95,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 GMC Sierra 3500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1997 GMC Sierra 3500. The part named most often is brakes, with 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by steering (4) and transmission and drivetrain (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 95,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 6 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.

Example complaints

Brakes: “My brakes failed when I got into a wreck, the peddle went to the floor its like my brakes were not there. I have a 97 Gmc k3500 4 door long bed 4 wheel drive, I felt that I should have been able to stop,I also have to replace my front brakes every year no matter what kind I buy.”

NHTSA complaint #10010513, filed 2003-03, 95,000 miles

Steering: “Power steering pump failed unexpectedly while driving at approximately at 65 MPH, causing loss of power steering and power brakes, which could have resulted in a crash.”

NHTSA complaint #867390, filed 2000-08

Transmission and drivetrain: “Vehicle's rear axle became detched from vehicle when applying brakes. Bolts from the mfr plant were missing. This occurred with only 300 miles on the car.”

NHTSA complaint #807041, filed 1997-01

Engine cooling: “Brake booster malfunctioned, causing no braking ability which may have resulted in a crash. Also, driver and passenger rear seatbelts , were locked up, could not use the seatbelt and won't protect the occupant in event a crash. Dealer replaced both seatbelts. The rear of cab was not welded properly. Dealer had to weld the rear cab to front. Rear axle seal will go out, causing oil to go into the brake shoes, resulting in no rear brakes. The engine stalled. Had to get a rebuilt engine, and the manufacturer put out a TSB but has no solution. The engine fell apart just after warranty expired. …”

NHTSA complaint #871983, filed 2000-10

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 95,000 and 95,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–75100%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 95,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

1997219982199922000220022003
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.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1997 GMC Sierra 3500 → · 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. 6 on record; the latest 6 are shown.

Other model years of the GMC Sierra 3500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202652,2502———Too new
20251740,0001———Too new
20245138,3003——Too new to compareToo new
20232833,8001——47 · TypicalToo new
20223231,1543——54 · TypicalRising
202120101,5005———Rising
20205128,7008——95 · MoreRising
20191353,0047———Not enough data
20181453,8006———Not enough data
20171321,0007———Not enough data
20161927,5007———Rising
20153138,5007——50 · TypicalFalling
2014768,0003———Not enough data
20131449,2184———Not enough data
2012931,2004———Not enough data
20112077,2505———Falling
2009536,6005———Not enough data
20082559,0003——0 · FewerFalling
20071636,0003———Rising
20061149,9740———Not enough data
20052450,5000———Rising
20042484,0000———Rising
2003760,5000———Not enough data
20022079,0002———Stable
20013663,5402——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20002657,0072——Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19991959,5001———Stable
199812128,0002———Not enough data
19971095,0001———Not enough data

All GMC Sierra 3500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 GMC Sierra 3500 have?

NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1997 GMC Sierra 3500 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 GMC Sierra 3500 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by steering with 4.

Has the 1997 GMC Sierra 3500 been recalled?

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

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 GMC Sierra 3500 reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 95,000 miles and the middle half falls between 95,000 and 95,000 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.

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.