IllustrationAPPARENT UNREPAIRABLE DANGEROUS STEERING SITUATION, BATTERY PROBLEM, TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VEHICLE DOES NOT SEEM TO MERCHANTABLE FOR PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS OFFERED FOR SALE. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Suburban 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: 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
Steering complaints
105 reportsINTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WOULD LOSE STEERING POWER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
EA-99-011; WHILE DRIVING AND UPON ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT OR A RIGHT HAND TURN, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. PROBLEM WAS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. ALSO, NOTICED PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL ,CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL LEFT AND RIGHT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, CASE NUMBER C00509683. PLEAS…
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EA-99-011; WHILE DRIVING AND UPON ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT OR A RIGHT HAND TURN, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. PROBLEM WAS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. ALSO, NOTICED PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL ,CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL LEFT AND RIGHT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, CASE NUMBER C00509683. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
ONGOING PROBLEM; DEALER'S AWARE- NO FIXING PROBLEM- WHILE DRIVING EXHIBITS A LOOSE BEHAVIOR AT VARIOUS SPEEDS LIKE DRIVING ON ICE. *AK
FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT MELTED AND SHORTED OUT CAUSING CAR TO STALL ON THE ROAD.TORQUE CONVERTOR REPLACED/ TRANS RECONDITIONED, POWER STEERING BOX LEAKING/ REPLACED. BOTH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPLACED,AC COMPRESSOR REPLACED. NUMEROUS COOLANT LEAKS FIXED. WINDSHIELD REPLACED DUE TO DEFECT. BATTERY REPLACED DUE TO ACID LEAK. W…
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FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT MELTED AND SHORTED OUT CAUSING CAR TO STALL ON THE ROAD.TORQUE CONVERTOR REPLACED/ TRANS RECONDITIONED, POWER STEERING BOX LEAKING/ REPLACED. BOTH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPLACED,AC COMPRESSOR REPLACED. NUMEROUS COOLANT LEAKS FIXED. WINDSHIELD REPLACED DUE TO DEFECT. BATTERY REPLACED DUE TO ACID LEAK. WHATS NEXT? *AK
PLEASE NOTE THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM IN STEERING THAT ALLOWS STEERING PRESSURES TO CHANGE WHILE TURNING WHEEL, IT IS AN ODD FEEL THAT IS NOTICED AT LOW SPEEDS
VEHICLE STEERING WOULD BE VERY UNSTABLE AND GIVE WAY IN TURNS AT HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS. STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY LOOSE AND WOULD BE TIGHT IN A LEFT TURN AND NORMAL IN RIGHT TURNS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD STEERING GEAR BOX. I LOOKED UNDER THE PLASTIC SHROUD FOR THE STEERING INPUT SHAFT AND THE LOCKING NUT WA…
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VEHICLE STEERING WOULD BE VERY UNSTABLE AND GIVE WAY IN TURNS AT HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS. STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY LOOSE AND WOULD BE TIGHT IN A LEFT TURN AND NORMAL IN RIGHT TURNS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD STEERING GEAR BOX. I LOOKED UNDER THE PLASTIC SHROUD FOR THE STEERING INPUT SHAFT AND THE LOCKING NUT WAS LOOSE. THIS STEERING PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM FOR OTHER SUBURBAN OWNERS AS WELL, I DON'T HTINK THIS GEAR BOX IS THE ONLY CAUSE AND DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY 1000.00 DOLLARS FOR A REPAIR THAT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *AK
THE FAILURE MANIFESTED ITSELF BY MEANS OF OVERSTEERING TO THE POINT OF LOSING TRACTION AND SKIDDING ON RH OR LH FRONT WHEEL DEPENDING IN WHICH DIRECTION I WAS TURNING. IT USUALLY HAPPENED AT APPROX. 30 MPH. IT IS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS "TAKING OVER" THE STEERING. THIS OCCURRED MANY TIMES UNTIL I HAD THE "STEERING WHEEL POSITION …
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THE FAILURE MANIFESTED ITSELF BY MEANS OF OVERSTEERING TO THE POINT OF LOSING TRACTION AND SKIDDING ON RH OR LH FRONT WHEEL DEPENDING IN WHICH DIRECTION I WAS TURNING. IT USUALLY HAPPENED AT APPROX. 30 MPH. IT IS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS "TAKING OVER" THE STEERING. THIS OCCURRED MANY TIMES UNTIL I HAD THE "STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR" REPLACED. ACCORDING TO CHEVROLET'S CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY ARE LOOKING IN TO THE PROBLEM, BUT AT THIS TIME DO NOT FEEL THAT IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I FEEL OTHERVISE SINCE I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES IT HAPPENED. *AK
STERERING WHEEL ROTATION SENSOR FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO JERK WHILE DRIVING. THIS FAMILY HAS THREE SUBURBANS ALL THE SAME YEAR/MODEL AND THEY WHERE ALL REPAIRED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. NLM
SUBJECT VEHICLE HAS PULLED, SEVERELY, TO THE RIGHT SINCE PURCHASE. THE SALEMAN SAID AN ALIGNMENT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REALIGNED THREE OR FOUR TIMES, THE STEERING WHEEL SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE CASTOR ADJUSTED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DOESN'T SEEM TO KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. THE VEHICLE STEERING CONTINU…
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SUBJECT VEHICLE HAS PULLED, SEVERELY, TO THE RIGHT SINCE PURCHASE. THE SALEMAN SAID AN ALIGNMENT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REALIGNED THREE OR FOUR TIMES, THE STEERING WHEEL SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE CASTOR ADJUSTED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DOESN'T SEEM TO KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. THE VEHICLE STEERING CONTINUES TO PULL DANGEROUSLY TO THE RIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON A ROAD (INTERSTATE OR LOCAL) WHICH HAS BEEN SLOPED IN THAT DIRECTION. THE STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY PULLS IN A CLOCKWISE DIRECTION. WHEN DRIVING IN TOWN OR ON THE INTERSTATE, IF THE STEERING WHEEL WERE TO SLIP OUT OF YOUR HAND OR YOU WERE TO LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL FOR A SECOND, THE VEHICLE WOULD RUN OFF THE ROAD. THE STEERING ALSO FEELS UNSTABLE AND VAGUE WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. *AK
Official recalls
203V159000 · 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
5EA02006 · 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