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1997 Chevrolet Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Suburban years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban are substantially higher than the model-year median of 118.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 76 of 414 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 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports13 fire reports13 injury reports

Power Train complaints

47 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2001
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH GM AND CHEVROLET TRUCK TRANSMISSIONS. HARD SHIFTING IS EXPERIENCED FOLLOWED BY " ENGINE LIGHT ON PANEL. A CODE 0F 1870 IS REPORTED WHEN IT IS SERVICED. I HAVE HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND THERE APPEARS TO BE NO WAY TO FIX IT. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY PEOPLE PAYING $3000 FOR REBUILT…

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THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH GM AND CHEVROLET TRUCK TRANSMISSIONS. HARD SHIFTING IS EXPERIENCED FOLLOWED BY " ENGINE LIGHT ON PANEL. A CODE 0F 1870 IS REPORTED WHEN IT IS SERVICED. I HAVE HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND THERE APPEARS TO BE NO WAY TO FIX IT. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY PEOPLE PAYING $3000 FOR REBUILT TRTANSMISSIONS AND THE PROBLEM STIL IS NOT CORRECTED. GM HAS BEEN CONTACTED BUT WILL NOT RESPOND. *AK

NHTSA ODI #747308

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2001
Power Train

JURKS INTO SECOND GEAR WHEN TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM FIRST TO SECOND INTERMITTENTLY, INFORMED BY 4 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND DEALER THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #744631

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2001
Power Train

OUR SUBURBAN IS 3 1/2 YEARS OLD AND JUST WENT OVER THE 50,000 MILE MARK WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON IT. WE HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SEAT COMING LOOSE. IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED ONCE BUT CAME LOOSE AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 3 MONTHS. I'M CONCERNED THAT IF THE CAR WAS EVER IN A CRASH THE SEAT WOULD NOT HOLD.*AK

NHTSA ODI #744231

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2001
Power Train

HARD SHIFT BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEARS; SLIPPAGE IN TRANS. PRODUCING HEAT/SMELL; MUCH METAL/DEBRIS IN BOTTOM OF TRANS. FROM FAILING COMPONENTS; MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IN PRODUCTION/ASSEMBLY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #743444

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY ABRUPTLY FROM GEAR TO GEAR AFTER CAR IS DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR A LENGTH OF TIME (USUALLY 10 MILES OR MORE). DEALER HAS CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION AND EVERYTHING APPEARS FINE (NO ERROR CODES) BUT CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEM. LOOKS LIKE THE ECM IS BAD BUT BECAUSE THE CODES ARE NOT PRESENT, NO ONE IS WI…

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TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY ABRUPTLY FROM GEAR TO GEAR AFTER CAR IS DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR A LENGTH OF TIME (USUALLY 10 MILES OR MORE). DEALER HAS CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION AND EVERYTHING APPEARS FINE (NO ERROR CODES) BUT CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEM. LOOKS LIKE THE ECM IS BAD BUT BECAUSE THE CODES ARE NOT PRESENT, NO ONE IS WILLING TO DIAGNOSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #740280

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2001
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

1. BATTERY LEAKED ACID WHILE IDLE AND ULTIMATELY FAILED. LEAK CORRODED POSITIVE POWER CABLE AND UNDERCOATING. 2. ERRATIC STEERING WHILE DRIVING - STEERING POSITION SENSOR REPLACED FIRST TIME. 3. STARTER FAILED 3 TIMES - COMPLETE LOCK-UP 4. U-JOINT FAILED TWICE - SEALED/NON-GREASABLE POOR ACCESS TO ADD GREASE FITTING

NHTSA ODI #739166

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2000
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ODI #730710

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2000
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATING DUE TO DEFECT IN SNAP RING OF TRANSMISSION. THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL AT SLOW SPEED CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM TO THINK THE REAR TIRES WERE SLIDING, THEREFORE THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD WORK. THE REASON FOR THIS WAS THE SNAP RING IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS MISPOSITIONED CAUSING THE OUTPUT SHAFT TO HAVE TO MUCH END PL…

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ABS SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATING DUE TO DEFECT IN SNAP RING OF TRANSMISSION. THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL AT SLOW SPEED CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM TO THINK THE REAR TIRES WERE SLIDING, THEREFORE THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD WORK. THE REASON FOR THIS WAS THE SNAP RING IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS MISPOSITIONED CAUSING THE OUTPUT SHAFT TO HAVE TO MUCH END PLAY, THEREFORE CAUSING THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR TO LOSE SIGNAL, AND THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD KICK IN EVERYTIME YOU STOPPED. THE COMPUTER NEVER LOGGED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM HAD EVER BEEN WORKING, OR HAD EVER WORKED. AFTER REASSEMBLE THE TRANSMISSION CORRECTLY EVERYTHING APPEARS TO BE WORKING FINE. THIS PROBLEM APPEAR TO HAVE CAUSED ABNORMAL WEAR IN THE REAR BRAKE SHOES, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE ABS WAS WORKING ALL THE TIME. AFTER THIS WORE OUT THE SHOES, THE BRAKES STARTED FAILING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #726362

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2000
Power Train

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #725638

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2000
Power Train

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #725637

Official recalls

2

03V159000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Apr 28, 2003

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

03V093000 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

Mar 7, 2003

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

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

5

EA02006 · Windshield Wiper Failure

Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

EA00013 · Battery Leaks Acid

Opened May 2, 2000 · Closed Jun 28, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

DP00001 · Oem Hitch Receiver Platform Cracking

Opened Jan 31, 2000 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Equipment

THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT CRACKS IN THE HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE TRAILER AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

EA99011 · Erratic Power Steering Assist While Driv

Opened May 12, 1999 · Closed Feb 27, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS INVESTIGATED ALLEGATIONS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.FOR DETAILS AND A BASIS FOR THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUSIONS, PLEASE SEE THE CLOSING REPORT IN THE EA99-011 PUBLIC FILE.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.FUTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS SUBJECT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.THE ENGINEERING IS CLOSED.

EA95026 · Poor Brake Performance

Opened Sep 20, 1995 · Closed Sep 20, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

POOR PERFORMANCE OF ABS BRAKES