Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
30–25K
225–50K
450–75K
275–100K
6100–150K
3150K+
20 reports with mileage · 44 unknown
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 8 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 reports1 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
64 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2003
Fuel System, Diesel
I OWN TWO 1997 CHEVY DIESEL VEHICLES. ONE IN A CK3500 AND THE OTHER IS A K2500 SUBURBAN, BOTH ARE CURRENTLY NOT RUNNING. THEY BOTH ARE DEMONSTRATING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CERTIFIED GM DEALERS ARE TELLING US THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP AND THEY ARE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM IS THEY ARE STATING THAT THE …
Read full complaint
I OWN TWO 1997 CHEVY DIESEL VEHICLES. ONE IN A CK3500 AND THE OTHER IS A K2500 SUBURBAN, BOTH ARE CURRENTLY NOT RUNNING. THEY BOTH ARE DEMONSTRATING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CERTIFIED GM DEALERS ARE TELLING US THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP AND THEY ARE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM IS THEY ARE STATING THAT THE INJECTOR IS RUINED DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER. IN TURN I'M TO PAY FOR REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, FUEL TANK, ELECTRICAL FILTER HARNESS AND HAVE THE INJECTION CLEANED. ALL TOTAL $1354.84. THIS IS CURRENTLY ON THE SUBURBAN ONLY. THE TRUCK WILL NOT START AND OF COURSE I CAN'S AFFORD THIS ON BOTH AT THE MOMENT. I CAN NOT GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER FROM THE DEALER ON WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND WHY GM WILL PAY THE $2000 TO $3000 INJECTION PUMP AND NOT THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. I HAVE CALLED GM'S HOTLINE TO NO AVAIL. I FIND IT SURPRISING THAT THE SAME THING IS WRONG WITH BOTH VEHICLES. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10046855
158,000 miles · Sep 4, 2003
Tires
WHILE DRIVING, THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF DUE TO THE CABLE BREAKING OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE PROBLEM COULD BE THE VALVE STEM ON THE TIRE WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE CABLE TO BIND. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10024910
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2003
Visibility
CONSUMER IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS. RECALL NUMBER UNKNOWN. DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10037651
122,000 miles · Mar 31, 2003
Seats
THE DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10014746
55,000 miles · Mar 19, 2003
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED AT NIGHT, IN HEAVY RAIN CAUSING LOSS OF VISIBILITY. I PULLED OVER AND MANUALLY MOVED WIPER BLADE TO RESTART WIPERS. MOTOR CONTINUED TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY UNTIL IT WAS REPLACED *NLM.
NHTSA ODI #10010760
45,000 miles · Jan 8, 2003
Steering
WHILE IN MOTION AND IN A SLOW TURN THE AMOUNT OF FORCE REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL CHANGES, RESULTING IN SUDDEN AND ABRUPT MOVEMENTS. THIS SOMETIMES RESULTS IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JG *JB
NHTSA ODI #10001484
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2002
Service Brakes, Air
UPON COMING TO A ROLLING STOP, UNDER DRY ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES OVER COMPENSATE, MAKE AN 'ELECTRONIC GROAN', AND STIFFEN. THIS CAUSES THE BRAKES TO LOSE EFFECTIVENESS. DT
NHTSA ODI #770474
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN DRIVING 60 MPH AND COMING OFF THE RAMP, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND ALSO MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE PEDAL WENT TO FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. *AK *SCC
NHTSA ODI #8015743
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSuspension
USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THEY WILL WORK FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, THEN STOP FUNCTIONING COMPLETELY, RESULTING IN A VISUAL PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY, REPLACING TIRES EVERY 30000 MILES, AND ALSO ENGINE BELT FAILED. *YD
NHTSA ODI #8008741
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE PEDAL GOES HALF WAY DOWN. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, HAD BRAKES REPAIRED. DEALER INDICATED THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ADJUSTMENT TO KEEP BRAKE PEDAL FROM GOING DOWN. *AK THERE WAS NO BRAKING BY THE REAR WHEELS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ADJUSTMENT ON THE WHEEL. *YH
NHTSA ODI #8005692
Official recalls
0
No 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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1997 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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