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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

What owners actually said

414 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY RAN SO HOT THAT IT MELTED THE INSULATION ON ONE OF THE LEADS AND THE CONNECTOR GOING TO IT, THAT LEAD IN TURN HAD STARTED TO WELD ITSELF TO THE OTHER WIRES, CREATING A POTENTIAL DIRECT SHORT BETWEEN THESE WIRES INSIDE THE FUEL TANK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #752220

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2001
Power TrainSuspension

THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED VERY HARD AND MAKE A LOUD "CLUNKING" NOISE WHEN SHIFTING INTO FORWARD GEARS AFTER ABOUT THE FIRST 100 MILES. IT WAS TAKEN IN TWICE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE THIRD TIME I TOOK IT IN IT WAS GETTING EXTREMELY BAD, IT WAS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY, AND I WAS T…

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THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED VERY HARD AND MAKE A LOUD "CLUNKING" NOISE WHEN SHIFTING INTO FORWARD GEARS AFTER ABOUT THE FIRST 100 MILES. IT WAS TAKEN IN TWICE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE THIRD TIME I TOOK IT IN IT WAS GETTING EXTREMELY BAD, IT WAS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY, AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE FRONT END HAS BEEN ALIGNED TWICE WITHIN 15,000 MILES AND STILL PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT. THE ABS SYSTEM HAS FAILED PERIODICALLY OVER A SIX MONTH PERIOD OF TIME - IT WAS REPORTED THREE TIMES. THE THIRD TIME THEY FINALLY DISCOVERED THAT THE SENSOR MODULE ON THE FRONT HUB WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #752049

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2001
Steering

STEERING WHEEL OVER COMPENSATES WHEN MAKING A TURN. DEALER HAS REPLACED SENSOR SEVERAL TIMES. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #895640

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #750982

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2001
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

I STARTED EXPERENCING PROBLEM AT APPOX. 12000 MILES WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURLLY,SOME AFTER AT APPOX. 20000 MILE I HAD UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR, ( I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY FAULT) IT WAS THE RIGHT TORSION BAR OUT OF ADJUSTMENT AND EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 27668 MILE I HAD TO PAY 1/2 THE COST APPOX $225.00 AFTER FIGHTI…

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I STARTED EXPERENCING PROBLEM AT APPOX. 12000 MILES WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURLLY,SOME AFTER AT APPOX. 20000 MILE I HAD UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR, ( I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY FAULT) IT WAS THE RIGHT TORSION BAR OUT OF ADJUSTMENT AND EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 27668 MILE I HAD TO PAY 1/2 THE COST APPOX $225.00 AFTER FIGHTING ALL THE WAY TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICES,THE SPEED SENSITIVE STEERING STARTED ACTTING UP AT APPOX. 40000 MILES SUDDENLY CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SLIP UNACCPECTEDLY.THIS PART WAS REPLACE N/C , I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 ALTERNATORS THE FIRST AT APPOX. 38000 MILE STANDING ME IN BUFFALO ,TX 120 MILES FROM HOME ON A SUNDAY NIGHT, THE SECOND AND THIRD HAPPEDED IN THE CITY HOWEVER I NOW CARRY A SPARE ALTENATOR AND TOOLS BECAUSE WHO KNOWS WHEN IT WILL GO OUT NEXT, I HAVE REPLACED THE POSITIVE SIDE BATTERY CABLES TWICE BECAUSE OF DESIGN THE LOOSEN AND THE ACR AND SHORT OUT, THE AUTO MATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 53939 DUE TO COOLENT GETTING INTO THE UNIT I HAD TO PAY 25% OF THIS REPAIR APPOX. $525.00 THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 69015 ONLY 15K+MILES LATER WITH THE WARRENTY CARD IN HAND I THOUGHT MAYBE THIS WAS IT ,AT 107,267 MILES THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WITH ONLY 38K+ MILE ON A UNIT THAT CARRYS A 3YR/50K WARRENTY GM REFUSES TO FIX OR REPLACE THE UNIT MY TRUCK HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE 06/15/2001 WHILE I HAVE BEEN ONCE AGAIN FIGHTING WITH GM TO NO AVAIL ,( I WAS OFFER A CUSTOMER LOYALTY CERT. FOR $500. 00 TO SETTLE THIS ISSUE THE TRANSMISSION COST $2500. TO REPLACE NOT INCLUDING THE MOTOR MOUNT THAT BROKE WHEN THE UNIT LOCKED UP AT APPOX. 35 MPH ALL THE ADVERTISING MILLION AND BILLIONS OF $$$$$ SHOULD BE SPENT MAKING SURE THAT THEN PRESISTENT PROBLEM DO NOT ACCURE, NOT WHEN YOU SPEND 35K- 45K- FOR A VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #749987

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2001
Steering

SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED OVERSTEERING IN TURNS, VEERS INTO TURNS, INTERMITTENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #749937

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. IT IS NOT AS WIDE SPREAD AS G.M. WOULD LIKE ME TO BELIEVE. I KNOW OTHERS IN CALIFORNIA WITH THE IDENTICLE VEHICLE AS ME WITH NO PROBLEMS. G.M. BLAMES THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE GAS ADDITIVES. I AM THE ONE WHO IS STRANDED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I BOUGHT A NEW VEHICLE FOR DEPENDABILITY…

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THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. IT IS NOT AS WIDE SPREAD AS G.M. WOULD LIKE ME TO BELIEVE. I KNOW OTHERS IN CALIFORNIA WITH THE IDENTICLE VEHICLE AS ME WITH NO PROBLEMS. G.M. BLAMES THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE GAS ADDITIVES. I AM THE ONE WHO IS STRANDED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I BOUGHT A NEW VEHICLE FOR DEPENDABILITY. I HAVE A CAR THAT CAN AND WILL BREAK DOWN ANY WHERE AND AT ANY TIME AND I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT. I HAVE WRITTEN TO THE HEADS OF THE CORPERATE OFFICES AT G.M. WITH MY CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS BUT THEY HAVE YET TO REPOND TO ME SERIOUSLY. THEY HAVE CUSTOMER SERVICE CONTACT ME. CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE CAN NOT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM!! I END UP MORE FRUSTRATED AFTER SPEAKING TO THEM. I KNOW THAT THEY ARE ONLY DOING THEIR JOB AND CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH. I NEED A REAL SOLUTION TO THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT MY CAR HAD WHEN I BOUGHT IT. I WANT THE DEPENDABILITY THAT I HAD EXPECTED, WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR. FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE ME WITH IN THIS FRUSTRATING MATTER. SINCERELY YOURS, [XXX]. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #748301

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2001
Tires

TREAD ON THREE OF FOUR TIRES IS STARTING TO SEPERATE AND TIRES ARE CUPPING. *AK (TIRESIZE: LT24575R16)

NHTSA ODI #748122

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2001
Steering

WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH STEERING WENT OUT/VEHICLE VEERED TO RIGHT, AND NO ACCIDENT. STEERING SENSOR WAS REPLACED. ON 27 JUNE 2001 CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN STEERING WENT OUT, VEHICLE VEERED TO RIGHT AGAIN. NO ACCIDENT, DEALER REPLACED STEERING SENSOR. DEALER STATED HE HAS REPLACED LOTS OF SENSORS.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #892156

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

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