1997 GMC Suburban Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 11%of 200 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,800miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 GMC Suburban, 11% of the 200 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,800 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The ignition switch started to fail while driving. First the heater fan would quit and the ABS light would instantly turn on, and the cruise control would fail to operate. When the ABS light would be on the ABS would fail to operate. Then suddenly all operations would go back to normal. It would be unpredictable when the heater fan and the ABS would fail and come back. Then yesterday, the Suburban started and died 3 seconds after starting. I restarted the Suburban and all seemed good. I put the Suburban in drive and rolled at about 5 MPH and the truck died. …”
NHTSA complaint #10593726, filed 2014-05, 130,000 miles“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“While driving the serpentine belt tensioner broke from its mounting and resulted in loss of power steering and other components including charging of the battery. The alternator also shorted out. The manufacturer and the dealer were notified. The consumer was told that the warranty not longer covered the belt. The brakes shuttered while braking from 60 MPH. The dealer replaced the front brake pads and resurfaced the rotors.”
NHTSA complaint #10042591, filed 2003-11, 46,801 miles“Original GM battery (side post style) leaked acid onto steel brake line causing loss of braking system plus maximum corrossion of underside of truck..we were completely unaware of any problem until we tried to go to work in the truck and found no brakes,,had this happened on thhe highway at any great speed it would have been a major catastrophy..no one at the dealership or GM takes this serious plus we are out the cost of the repairs and the vehicle out of service..of”
NHTSA complaint #717733, filed 2000-01“We drove the car off the lot and took it on a trip from ellensburg, washington to lolo, montana. During this trip we experienced the clock intermittently stopping, the radio shutting off and the trailer brakes not working. This was reported to the dealer. At that point they took a look at the vehicle but could not duplicate the problem from that point on we have had the vehicle in the repair shop in excess of 10 to 12 times for electrical related problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #704231, filed 1999-03Related service bulletins
- 10171318Jan 31, 2020This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10170494Dec 2, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10113443Feb 22, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 14% |
| 1999 | 23 | 8% |
| 1998 | 16 | 16% |
| 1997 | 21 | 11% |
| 1996 | 18 | 10% |
| 1995 | 18 | 8% |
| 1994 | 11 | 3% |
| 1993 | 2 | 1% |
| 1992 | 2 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 5% |
| 1989 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1997 GMC Suburban
58 complaintsSteering
39 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsTires
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSeats
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 GMC Suburban
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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