1997 GMC Yukon Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe uncommanded steering motions at speed — the wheel jerking or the assist level changing on its own — followed by brake complaints in which the pedal travels low or the anti-lock system engages when slowing normally. Many reports are filed on vehicles with well over 100,000 miles, and several owners note that dealers could not duplicate the steering concern or declined work because the vehicle was out of warranty.

1. 1
   Steering

   Steering jerks or pulls on its own (EVO sensor / steering

   • 26 complaints (20%)
   • median 64,100 mi at 7.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2007

   Complaints describe the steering wheel suddenly jerking left or right, or the power assist briefly dropping out, while driving straight or in a turn — sometimes above 30-50 mph. Several owners say the EVO/speed sensor, steering box, or power steering pump was replaced, sometimes more than once, and the symptom returned after a few hundred miles. Others report the dealer could not duplicate the problem, and some say they were quoted diagnostic or repair costs because the vehicle was out of warranty. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 115,000 miles, often at highway speeds and sometimes shortly after leaving a highway exit ramp.

   What to check: Road test at highway speed and note any momentary change in steering effort or any pull; ask for service records showing whether the EVO sensor or steering box was replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At speed, 20+MPH, the steering will go out for a second or 2 as if it is on ice. I have noticed a recall on 98 Gmc yukons,(#97v142000), but not on 97's. I have been told that it could be my steering box. These vehicles should not be driven in this condition. Steering will be lost if steering box fails completely, which in turn causes accidents.”

   NHTSA complaint #10093873, filed 2004-10, 87,000 miles

   “I have experienced intermittent loss of power steeringi in my 1997 Gmc Yukon when making left turns. I took the vehicle in for service on 10/24/2003 (trouble not found). I took it in again on 10/31/2003 and they replaced the power steering evo sensor ($213.60). Still have trouble. Again I took the vehicle for service on 11/19/2003 when the power steering pump was replaced ($648.50). The vehicle still ng. Took it in on 12/1/2003,can't isolate trouble. Again on 12/10/2003, this time they changed the power steering box? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10053236, filed 2004-01, 64,100 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS activates at low speed; pedal low or spongy

   • 17 complaints (13%)
   • median 58,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2007

   Complaints describe the anti-lock system kicking in during ordinary low-speed braking, with the pedal dropping or shuddering and stopping distance increasing. Some owners report the brakes fading or the pedal going to the floor in traffic, and repairs described include master cylinder, ABS modulator, and front hub/bearing assembly replacement. Several owners say the dealer found nothing wrong on early visits. Reported at mileages from about 34,000 to 145,000, mostly during normal low-speed stops and sometimes in wet or snowy conditions.

   What to check: In a parking lot, brake firmly from walking speed and see whether the pedal pulses or travels far; ask whether the ABS module or front hub assemblies have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Shortly after purchasing vehicle I noticed that the anti-lock brakes would activate at slow speeds on normal surfaces. Dealer checked vehicle out and indicated that everything was fine, and since this is my first vehicle with ABS I assumed this was normal. Over the past year the ABS has been activating much more often and now the dealer says the hub assembly needs replaced at a cost of $300.00. …”

   NHTSA complaint #749689, filed 2001-08

   “The steering would jerk the wheel left or right while in a turn causing a momentary loss of control of the vehicle. Steering box was replaced before finally the evo sensor was replaced. Abs brakes also have never felt good. The pedal goes to low before the brakes slow the vehicle down. This has been a complaint sence the truck was new. The retailer seems not very concerned with my complaints. Especially knowing that I am an automobile technician they feel I will let the problem go their repairs haved been unsatisfactory from the begining. …”

   NHTSA complaint #734335, filed 2000-10
3. 3
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Intermittent windshield wiper failure

   • 8 complaints (6%)
   • median 107,500 mi at 7.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2018

   Owners report the wipers stopping or working only intermittently, often during a rainstorm, sometimes traced to the wiper motor or its circuit board. Several owners state that other GM trucks of the same era were covered by a wiper recall and ask why this model year was not included; dealers quoted repair cost in some cases. Filed at mileages of roughly 54,000 to 128,000, typically noticed while driving in rain.

   What to check: Turn the wipers on in every speed and delay setting, including a hose test on the windshield, and ask whether the wiper motor or pulse board has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Broken wiper motor, will not be covered by Gmc or dealer due to its a 1997 and has 110k miles. It happend during a rain storm and I was stranded by the side of the road for an hour. Now I cant drive in the rain, and they want 200 bucks to fix it. Why is it not covered under the recall? I called Gmc and have record number 1-239-630035.”

   NHTSA complaint #10082574, filed 2004-07, 110,000 miles

   “Brakes failed at low speed and hit the car in front of me at stop light. Pushed brakes to the floor and seemed to pick up speed. Air bag did not deploy. Totaled the other car. Went right up on top of his back end. It cost me 200.00 to fix my Yukon. Had already replace ABS system about 8 years ago.the back windsheild shattered one day when I got into the drivers seat.the windsheild wipers had serious problem.replaced the computer part twice.”

   NHTSA complaint #10181501, filed 2007-02
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission hard shifting, slipping, or internal failure

   • 8 complaints (6%)
   • median 142,500 mi at 7.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2006

   Complaints describe harsh 1-2 shifts, failure to accelerate, a cracked transmission case, or a replacement transmission that would not upshift, with repair estimates around a couple thousand dollars. One owner reports a replacement unit failed while towing and says the dealer attributed it to towing in overdrive. A service bulletin covers noise and vibration on four-wheel-drive models on dry pavement. Mostly reported between about 110,000 and 145,000 miles, with some early failures shortly after purchase.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test-drive from cold and feel for harsh upshifts or a delayed engagement into drive; check the fluid for a burnt smell and ask about prior transmission service or replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving home when my vehicle would not accelerate anymore. After pushing the truck home and upon further inspection found that the transmission casing was cracked. The cost to replace transmission with a remanufactured one was approximately $2200.00 , not includind labor. The cracked transmission is still available.”

   NHTSA complaint #10148343, filed 2006-01, 145,000 miles

   “The transmission failed at 140,000 miles, however it was not clutches or bands, but a hardened part in the tail shaft, since there was no warranty I had to pay to replace the transmission, the replacement would not up shift, and I am not sure I can trust the vehicle to continue to perform like it should, I think GM needs to address this problem, if we have parts that are supposed to last forever breaking, it sounds to me like they have a reliability problem!! I think they should pay for the replacement!”

   NHTSA complaint #10010776, filed 2003-03, 140,000 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump overheating, repeated replacement, fuel smell

   • 6 complaints (5%)
   • median 250,000 mi at 12.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2008

   Owners report the fuel pump overheating or failing repeatedly, leaving the vehicle to stall or not start, and in one case a burned wiring section at the pump. Others mention a persistent fuel smell and, separately, fuel splashing with a low tank and stalling after a stop. Reported dealer responses include replacing the pump with the same design and advising the owner to keep the tank fuller. Reported across a wide mileage range, including past 200,000, and in some cases in very cold weather.

   What to check: Ask how many times the fuel pump or sending unit has been replaced and whether the pump connector and wiring were inspected; listen for a fuel smell after the vehicle sits.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At 250,000 km. Oem fuel on 97 Gmc Yukon quite. Oct 2007 purchased a carter fuel sending unit which gave up jan/2008 at less than 5000 km. Of service during cold weather. Returned for warranty and install new unit feb 2008 which gave many starting misses and hesitations and finally left stranded during minus 30 celsius weather dec 2008. Carter fuel pumps tested first unit and said pump runs fine so you will pay for second unit. Neither unit runs consistently without being rapped on a time or two during a trip to town. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10253310, filed 2008-12, 250,000 miles

   “Dt: the consumer stated three years ago she had to replace the fuel pump. The fuel pump has been replaced five times in the last three years. The second time the pump was replaced the wires were burned. The wires were replaced. Gm told her to take the vehicle to a GM dealership and they would pay for the fuel pump, but not the labor.”

   NHTSA complaint #10142626, filed 2005-11

Buying note. Because the most frequent reports involve steering assist that changes on its own and brakes that feel long or pulse at low speed, plan on a thorough highway test drive and a pre-purchase inspection of the steering and ABS systems. Ask for service records on the transmission and fuel pump, since both appear repeatedly in complaints on higher-mileage examples.

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.