IllustrationPOWER STEERING IS ERRATIC IN TURNS LEFT OR RIGHT - STARTED AT 49000 MILES
1997 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Chevrolet Truck years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 6 of 48 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
48 reportsTHIS VEHICLE WAS REPORTED TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING ASSIST TO EASE THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. IT WOULD TIGHTEN UP AS THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING, HOWEVER NOW, IT SEEMS TO WORK ALL THE TIME MOVING OR NOT.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A TSB (76-30-01) FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC VARIABLE ORIFICE (EVO) SYSTEM AS A RESULT OF LOW VOLTAGE CONDITION OF THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR, WHICH RESULTED IN ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. MJS
FRONT SHOCKS BAD, FRONT TIRES CUPPING BAD ORGINAL PAINT.
VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED.
TRUCK VERES RIGHT AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHICH ALMOST PUT ME IN THE DITCH MANY TIMES
ALTERNATOR FAILED. TT
SEVERAL VEHICLES HAVE HAD FREQUENT BRAKE PAD FAILURE. ONE SET OF FRONT PADS EXPLODED.
LIGHT DUTY C1 TRUCK, SPEED ASSISTED STEERING "GIVES WAY" AT FAST SPEEDS RENDERING THE VEHICLE VIRTUALLY UNCONTROLLABLE. SPOKE WITH WORKMATE WHO'S TRUCK (SAME YEAR) DID SAME UNTIL REPAIRED. THIS IS SEVERELY DANGEROUS!!!
TRUCK WAS PARKED ON A 14 DEGREE INCLINE WITH ENGINE FACING UPHILL AND THE 4WD WAS IN 4WD-LOW. WITH NO ONE IN THE TRUCK AND AFTER 5010 MINUTES, TRUCK DISENGAGED FROM PARK. THE TRUCK PROCEEDED DOWN THE HILL CAUSING THE DRIVER TO JUMP OUT OF WAY FROM BEING HIT. THE TRUCK CAME TO REST AFTER HITTING THE SIDE OF A HOME. POLICE WE…
Read full complaint
TRUCK WAS PARKED ON A 14 DEGREE INCLINE WITH ENGINE FACING UPHILL AND THE 4WD WAS IN 4WD-LOW. WITH NO ONE IN THE TRUCK AND AFTER 5010 MINUTES, TRUCK DISENGAGED FROM PARK. THE TRUCK PROCEEDED DOWN THE HILL CAUSING THE DRIVER TO JUMP OUT OF WAY FROM BEING HIT. THE TRUCK CAME TO REST AFTER HITTING THE SIDE OF A HOME. POLICE WERE CALLED TO INVESTIGATE THE ACCIDENT.
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA98024 · Fuel Leaks From The Vapor Canister
Opened Nov 10, 1998 · Closed Apr 20, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
In January 1998, GM issued the technical service bulletin describing conditions which may result in fuel leakage from the emission vapor canister.According to the bulletin, when the subject vehicles are parked on an incline, with a full tank of gasoline, fuel can flow into the vapor canister.The remedy is to replace of the vapor canister, both rollover valve assembles, and the associated piping.In April 1998, ODI opened Service Query 98-005 to understand GM's rationale for issuance of a service bulletin on a matter that appeared to result in fuel leakage, an issue that is usually address by conducting a safety recall campaign.On November 10, 1998 the SQ was elevated to an Engineering Analysis (EA98-024) to investigate an alleged defect in the fuel tank rollover valve system in certain 1996 through 1997 Chevrolet Trucks and OMC Full Size 010-030 panel and passenger vans.