1997 GMC Suburban Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems, particularly the antilock system engaging at low speed and lengthening stopping distance, and steering that pulls or twitches unexpectedly even at highway speed. Reports come in across a wide mileage range, from under 30,000 to well past 200,000 miles, and many owners say dealers replaced sensors and hubs without a lasting fix.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS engages at low speed, longer stops

   • 57 complaints (28%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2014

   Owners describe the antilock brakes kicking in while slowing to a stop or parking, sometimes letting the pedal go to the floor and increasing stopping distance. Several say a dealer traced it to rusted or faulty wheel speed sensors or front hubs, and some disconnected the ABS to get normal braking back. A few report the problem returning after sensor or hub replacement, and others note their vehicle was not covered when a regional ABS recall was issued. Reported from roughly 16,000 to over 100,000 miles, often noticed at low speed or in wet weather.

   What to check: Test the brakes at walking pace on a wet or loose surface and ask whether the wheel speed sensors or front hubs have been replaced. Check for a functioning ABS light and any rust at the sensor mounts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have owned a 1997 Gmc Suburban 4x4 since new. The last 2 years the ABS braking system malfunctions at slow speed increasing stopping distance. I have recently disconnected the power to the system as it has worsened. I know that this is widespread on this truck and should be addressed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10146023, filed 2005-12, 60,000 miles

   “When braking at slow speeds, the ABS kicks in and increases the stopping distance needed. After 3 trips to dealer (and over $500 in repairs) for brake problems, they told me that the wheel speed sensors were malfunctioning. They checked the recall, but my vehicle was not listed. I have since seen that this is a huge problem with all of their vehicles and that hundreds of others have complained that the regional recall didn't cover them. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10184408, filed 2007-03, 99,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering pulls, twitches or feels loose

   • 26 complaints (13%)
   • median 33,000 mi at 4.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2010

   Complaints describe the truck pulling to one side, a brief twitch or jerk of the wheel while cruising, and moments where steering feel seems to disappear in a turn. Several owners say the dealer replaced the steering sensor, EVO sensor or gear box, sometimes more than once, and a few report the symptom returning later. Some dealers told owners they could not reproduce the problem. Reported from the first year of ownership through high mileage, often above 40 mph or during moderate-speed turns.

   What to check: Drive at highway speed on a straight road and check for wander, pull or a sudden change in steering effort. Ask whether the steering sensor or gear box has been replaced and whether the repair held.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Steering speed sensor fails causing the steering to suddenly jerk while turning under speed. It feels like the front wheels hit slippery ice . I have replaced this item 3 times on my own and the sensor keeps failing. The one in my car currently is experiencing the problem again and will need replacing.”

   NHTSA complaint #10370618, filed 2010-12, 185,000 miles

   “Power steering assist is erratic at highway speeds. Steering input force will increase until the steering wheel suddenly moves because of an increase in power steering assist. Problem is erratic, and it has only occurred at speeds above 40 MPH. This phenomenom has been occurring for several years with this vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10110131, filed 2005-02, 50,000 miles
3. 3
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers quit or stay on

   • 10 complaints (5%)
   • median 98,000 mi at 8.8 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2008

   Owners report wipers stopping without warning in rain, sometimes restarting on their own after a few minutes, and one case where the wipers would not shut off until the ignition was turned off. Several identify the cause as cracked solder joints on the wiper control board, matching a wiper motor campaign, but say their vehicle was excluded by VIN. Dealers often declined coverage, and owners describe paying for the repair themselves. Reported from about 75,000 to 130,000 miles, typically noticed in rain or at night.

   Recall 03V159000

   What to check: Run the wipers at every speed setting, including intermittently, and ask whether the wiper motor or control board has been replaced. Confirm with a dealer whether the wiper campaign applies to the specific vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving a 1997 Gmc Suburban at night in the rain the windshield wipers stopped working without notice. It resulted in a very urgent and panicy stop on i96 from highway speed in relatively light traffic. We waited a few minutes by the side of the road and they restarted on their own. I called the corporation customer service and got nowhere. I wrote a letter thinking it would get action (dec 1, 2003). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10082817, filed 2004-07, 75,000 miles

   “The windshield wipers on my 1997 Gmc Suburban were not working properly, consistent with NHTSA campaign 03v159000. I contacted Gmc, and after a lengthy phone call to collect all relevant data, they set up an appointment for me at my local Gmc dealership. The dealership service department inspected the wiper electrical system and informed me that the failure was indeed due to cracked solder joints on the wiper control circuit board. However, my specific VIN number was not included in the recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10197098, filed 2007-07, 99,800 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump and sending unit failure

   • 17 complaints (9%)
   • median 150,500 mi at 9.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2009

   Complaints describe the engine quitting while driving or refusing to restart, traced to a failed fuel pump or sending unit, and in several cases melted or rotted wiring inside the tank. Owners mention repeat pump replacements, sometimes several over the life of the truck, and erratic fuel gauge readings beforehand. Some report a fuel tank rusted through and leaking after parking. Mostly reported between about 95,000 and 264,000 miles, with repeat failures common in hot weather.

   What to check: Ask how many times the fuel pump and sending unit have been replaced and check the fuel gauge for erratic readings. Inspect the tank and lines for rust or seepage, especially on a truck that has sat.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle would stall about once a week at any given time. Then one day it would not start. When fuel pump was removed from the tank the power wire was shorted and melted inside the tank, had to replace the complete tank assmy. Consisting of the pump, sending unit and wiring harness, the repair shop said we were very lucky that it did not explode, after researching this site I see that this has been a problem that dates back to new models released in 1996, and still nothing has been done about it ....why????? Dt”

   NHTSA complaint #768570, filed 2002-10

   “Fuel gage was acting erratic went full then empty with full tank . A few days later the truck would not start. Found fuse in engine compartment blown for fuel pump. Fuel pump wiring was melted in fuel tank causing short. Had to replace pump and harness which was part of the pump housing. Also replaced fuel filter due to lack of fuel flow (no power) a week later.”

   NHTSA complaint #10116159, filed 2005-03, 95,600 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Hard shifting and transmission fluid loss

   • 17 complaints (9%)
   • median 96,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2004

   Owners describe harsh shifts that feel like being bumped from behind, slipping gears, and in some cases fluid spraying from the vent tube onto the exhaust and rear of the vehicle. Several report rebuilds or replacements, with some repairs not solving the problem until a dealer addressed a related control part. One truck lost drive entirely in city traffic after repeated shop visits. Reported from about 60,000 to 132,000 miles, sometimes at highway speed after a long drive.

   What to check: Check the transmission fluid level, color and smell, and look for fluid residue around the vent tube and underbody. Ask for service records on any transmission repair or rebuild.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Automatic transmission-driving down the interstate on vacation when a cloud of smoke was noticed out the rear of the Suburban. Pulled over to the side of the road to find transmission fluid sprayed all out of the over flow tube. I was told that too much pressure was built up and the suburbans are known for that. Filled it back up with transmission fluid and the transmission continued to slip. Had to give up the vacation and get a tow back home. Fluid had sprayed all over my vehicle and vehicles behind me. It was extremely hot. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10075020, filed 2004-06, 132,000 miles

   “The front brakes of the Suburban has been replaced for the second time with raybestos (lifetime wear) brake shoes. My transmission started shifting very hard, as if someone had rearended the truck at a slow speed. I took it to aamco transmission's for repears. Aamco rebuilt the transmission, but did'nt fix the problem. After $2200.00 and the fifth attemt to fix the problem I took it to a Gmc dealer and they actually fixed the problem the first time for $308.”

   NHTSA complaint #726839, filed 2000-08

Buying note. On this model year, give the brakes and steering a careful test drive at both low and highway speed, and ask for records on ABS sensors, hubs and steering sensor replacement. Also confirm wiper, fuel pump and transmission service history, since owners report repeat repairs on all three.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.