1997 GMC Sierra Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 5%of 238 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the fuel system of the 1997 GMC Sierra, 5% of the 238 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“The vehicle stalled 5 times in one morning while driving to work. The weather warmed up outside and the vehicle ran and started fine. The next evening the vehicle started fine, I got 1/2 block down the road it stalled again. I waited for a few minutes and it ran fine. The next morning it started fine and I drove it for miles, had no problems with it stalling. We called Gmc to see if there was a recall on windshield wiper motor, because the wipers would work when they wanted to work. Not when you needed them to work. …”
NHTSA complaint #10047326, filed 2003-11, 85,066 miles“The fuel pump and the fuel sending module are not working properly, dealer has been notified . Ts the sender harness shorted out inside of the fuel tank.”
NHTSA complaint #8022495, filed 2002-11, 87,000 miles“I purchased this truck new, and at approximately 23,000 I was driving the vehicle at around 55mph when the engine failed. It did not sputter or knock, it just quit, all the gauges, engine quit instantly. I pulled over to the side of the road and turned the key off, and then re-started the engine. Motor started without hesitation, and I proceeded down the road. Two days later, with lots of driving time in between, the same thing happened. It died, I pulled over, turned of ignition, and re-started the motor, and again the motor started without hesitation. …”
NHTSA complaint #748960, filed 2001-07“Engine would stall during normal operation of vehicle. Dealership examined vehicle and discovered that fuel sending unit had failed, resulting in stalling. When dealership examined fuel system noticed that contact wires for fuel pump located in fuel tank were charred, and insulation for wires melted. Please provide any additional information / documentation.”
NHTSA complaint #899926, filed 2001-12“Consumer states that while driving the vehicle will just stall out , which is caused by a malfunction with the fuel system. Small pieces of metal in the fuel will get into the fuel pump and mess up the flow. Had pump replace but problem reoccured. Nlmjlg”
NHTSA complaint #8019408, filed 2002-09Related service bulletins
- 10017191Oct 28, 2005Supplement to bulletin 99-06-04-047a for fuel system cleaning.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 4% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 3 | 8% |
| 2011 | 2 | 5% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% |
| 2006 | 2 | 4% |
| 2005 | 5 | 4% |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% |
| 2001 | 16 | 6% |
| 2000 | 22 | 5% |
| 1999 | 26 | 4% |
| 1998 | 12 | 6% |
| 1997 | 12 | 5% |
| 1996 | 19 | 8% |
| 1995 | 3 | 1% |
| 1994 | 15 | 8% |
| 1993 | 3 | 4% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
| 1989 | 2 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1997 GMC Sierra
67 complaintsSteering
63 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
28 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsTires
9 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 GMC Sierra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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