IllustrationWHILE DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR ALTERNATOR WENT OUT TWICE. VEHICLE FAILED TO START BACK UP. THIS, IN TURN, CAUSED BATTERY TO BURN OUT AND VEHICLE DIED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. BOUGHT BATTERY FROM DEALERSHIP & IT WAS INSTALLED.*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
What owners actually said
414 reportsTRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED...ALMOST REARENDED. *AK
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WOULD LOSE STEERING POWER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
EA00 013/BATTERY LEAKS ACID: BATTERY LEAKAGE FROM POSITIVE POST RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. *AK THE BATTERY FAILED AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED BY A NEW ONE. *YH
YESTERDAY I READ IN THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING GM SUV'S AND BATTERY LEAKS. I WOULD LIKE TO GO ON RECORD AS HAVING HAD THIS PROBLEM. FORTUNATELY THE LEAK WAS DETECTED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN MY GARAGE AND NO ONE WAS HURT. ALTHOUGH, THERE WAS DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE AND I HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW…
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YESTERDAY I READ IN THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING GM SUV'S AND BATTERY LEAKS. I WOULD LIKE TO GO ON RECORD AS HAVING HAD THIS PROBLEM. FORTUNATELY THE LEAK WAS DETECTED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN MY GARAGE AND NO ONE WAS HURT. ALTHOUGH, THERE WAS DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE AND I HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW STARTER CABLE, AUXILIARY CABLE, PARTS AND GENERAL CLEANUP. THE SUBURBAN WAS JUST OVER 2000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. PLEASE KEEP ME POSTED. THANK YOU KAREN YOCUM. *AK
I SAW ON TELEVISION THAT THE NTSA WAS LOOKING INTO A PROBLEM WITH LEAKY BATTERIES ON THE CHEVROLET SUBURBANS. MY BATTERY DID LEAK CAUSING A POWER FAILURE. IT ALSO LEAKED DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT EATING AWAY WIRES AND TAKING ALL THE PAINT OFF THE INNER FENDER WELL AND PARTS OF THE FRAME. I TRIED TO COMPLAIN WHEN …
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I SAW ON TELEVISION THAT THE NTSA WAS LOOKING INTO A PROBLEM WITH LEAKY BATTERIES ON THE CHEVROLET SUBURBANS. MY BATTERY DID LEAK CAUSING A POWER FAILURE. IT ALSO LEAKED DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT EATING AWAY WIRES AND TAKING ALL THE PAINT OFF THE INNER FENDER WELL AND PARTS OF THE FRAME. I TRIED TO COMPLAIN WHEN IT HAPPENED AND THE DEALER JUST IGNORED ME TELLING ME IT IS THE BATTERY MANUFACURERS PROBLEM AND I WOULD HAVE TO FIND THEM AND COMPLAIN. THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *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
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, THEY COME ON/OFF. *AK
CHEVROLET DID NOT PAY FOR ANY OF THE REPAIRS. THEY OFFERED TO PAY HALF, WHEN I DID NOT ACCEPT , THEY WITHDREW THE OFFER. AT THE TIME MY VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP THERE WERE 3 OTHERS IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY ALL HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS THEY HAVE PUT I…
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CHEVROLET DID NOT PAY FOR ANY OF THE REPAIRS. THEY OFFERED TO PAY HALF, WHEN I DID NOT ACCEPT , THEY WITHDREW THE OFFER. AT THE TIME MY VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP THERE WERE 3 OTHERS IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY ALL HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS THEY HAVE PUT IN THESE VEHICLES, AND THEY ARE NOT STANDING BEHIND THEM. MY VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY SERVICED BY CHEVROLET, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED. I FEEL THAT THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND CHEVROLET HAVE TO FIX THEM. *AK
ONGOING PROBLEM; DEALER'S AWARE- NO FIXING PROBLEM- WHILE DRIVING EXHIBITS A LOOSE BEHAVIOR AT VARIOUS SPEEDS LIKE DRIVING ON ICE. *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