1997 GMC Suburban Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 20%of 200 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the steering of the 1997 GMC Suburban, 20% of the 200 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“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“In august of 2002 my 1997 Gmc Suburban started to to slighty loose control of the power steering while turning to the left. Over the years the lack of control of the power steering while turning to the left has increased as well as driving straight down the road. It is a very scary feeling but over the time I myself have learned how to handle it. I have notified Gmc of the problem but they said my model is not under a current recall for this problem. I have found where some Gmc models have been recalled for this problem. Gmc is aware of the problem yet they ignore the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10074951, filed 2004-06“The first date of failure was around may 2001 and started when making left turns and continued since. The steering would completely go out for a couple of seconds. It felt like the steering wheel was jerked from my hand. I could not get anyone to understand what was happening because it would not do it during test drive. On june 30, 2002, while traveling at 65 MPH, the steering completely went out for a couple of seconds. I immediatly went to experttire and a part was replaced regarding the steering. After checking with the local dealer, found there is not a recall for this problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #763984, filed 2002-07Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 GMC Suburban
58 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsElectrical system
21 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 28, 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