Skip to content
Air bagsPart report

1997 GMC Suburban Air bags Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
3%of 200 total for the year
Median mileage
120,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 GMC Suburban, 3% of the 200 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, 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.

“While driving at 45 MPH consumer's daughter and friend were driving on a gravel road when the vehicle accelerated while brakes were depressed. Driver lost control of vehicle and hit a tree on the driver's side. Vehicle then careened off of the first tree and hit another tree that turned vehicle onto the top. Both occupants were taken to a hospital for minor injuries and stitches. The seat belts were worn at the time of accident, but the air bags did not deploy. Police responded to the accident. Vehicle was totaled.”

NHTSA complaint #10037678, filed 2003-08, 120,000 miles

“Steering would pull to right. Took vehicle to dealership and mechanic repaired it, but currently vehicle was pulling to left. Steering sensor was replaced. Had an accident due to steering problem. Steering went right, and vehicle hit curb. Then, spun around, backwards. Air bags did not deploy. Vehicle went across 4 lanes. Axle broke , and vehicle tumbled down a hill.”

NHTSA complaint #882006, filed 2001-03

“Vehicle pulled to the left when applying brakes , went to dealer, replaced brake master cylinder. After this repair, defect was still occurring which resulted in an accident, causing the consumer to rearened a another vehicle at approx 40-45 MPH. ,brakes completley faile. ,no ABS warning light. Driver's and passenger's side air bags did not deploy.”

NHTSA complaint #819616, filed 1997-12

“While driving at night & applied the brakes. The ABS brakes felt funny. They failed to stop vehicle. Went over 40 foot embankment. The air bags failed to deploy when the front end nosed into dirt. Driver hit head on windshield. Was wearing seat belt.”

NHTSA complaint #849257, filed 1999-09

“Lost control traveling down interstate I-20 eastbound in conyers, ga. Axle separated, and rear wheel came off. Suburban flipped 3x, skidded on passenger side & came to rest upside down. Airbags did not deploy but car was totally destroyed, including multiple hits on front bumper. 1 passenger airlifted to medical ctr; 3 others transported by ambulance. All alive & healing (thank god), but don't understand why airbags didn't deploy & axle could separate.”

NHTSA complaint #707330, filed 1999-06

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2002114%
2001120%
200017%
199962%
199811%
199753%
199632%
199542%

Other parts of the 1997 GMC Suburban

Brakes
58 complaints
Steering
39 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
24 complaints
Fuel system
23 complaints
Electrical system
21 complaints
Engine cooling
20 complaints
Tires
16 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Suspension
5 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Seats
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1997 GMC Suburban

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