IllustrationCONSUMER'S WIFE WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WAS TOLD BY MANUFACTURER THAT THE INJURIES THAT CONSUMER'S WIFE SUSTAINED WERE NOT ENOUGH TO WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION. *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 reportsWHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TURN IN DIFFERENT DIRECTION, AND WILL KEEP TURNING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. THAT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, AND IT IS VERY UNSAFE TO BE DRIVING.THE DEALER STATES THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THEY CAN DO. *AK
ELECTRICAL CONNNECTION TO THE FUEL PUMP IN THE FUEL TANK OVERHEATED, CAUSING THE INSULATION OF THE WIRES TO MELT WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FIRE .
AS CONSUMER TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL SHE SOMETIMES REACHES A SPOT LIKE A( BLACK HOLE) WHERE SHE LOSES CONTROL MOMENTARILY. THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION AT THIS TIME. *AK
PULLS LEFT WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD OR WHEN BRAKING. MULTIPLE SERVICE ATTEMPTS. STILL NOT FIXED. DEALER CANNOT FIX, GM WON'T REPLACE VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD.
CATEGORY: AXLE & DIFFERENTIAL; DESCRIPTION: FLUID LEAK AT FRONT LEFT DIFFERENTIAL GEAR BOX, VARIOUS FIXES HAVE BEEN TRIED INCLUDING VENT CONE NUT, GMS NUT, VENT TUBE, RESEAL GEAR BOX, TIGHTEN HOSE CLAMP, REPLACED SPLIT O'RING; NOTES: LOOKS LIKE THE DEALER WASN'T ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHERE THE REAL PROBLEM IS. THERE ARE 6 VISITS TO T…
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CATEGORY: AXLE & DIFFERENTIAL; DESCRIPTION: FLUID LEAK AT FRONT LEFT DIFFERENTIAL GEAR BOX, VARIOUS FIXES HAVE BEEN TRIED INCLUDING VENT CONE NUT, GMS NUT, VENT TUBE, RESEAL GEAR BOX, TIGHTEN HOSE CLAMP, REPLACED SPLIT O'RING; NOTES: LOOKS LIKE THE DEALER WASN'T ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHERE THE REAL PROBLEM IS. THERE ARE 6 VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. ANOTHER FIX WILL BE TRIED ON 12/02/98 ON ANDERSON CHEVROLET SUPERSTORE BRANCH AT LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA 95032
ROOF RACK DESIGN DOES NOT OPERATE APPROPRIATELY, CONSUMER UNABLE TO SLIDE THE RETAINING BARS WITHIN THE ROOF RACK IN A NORMAL FASHION.
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM. INTERMITTENTLY WHENEVER VEHICLE BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN WET CONDITIONS, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WOULD OCCUR. ALSO, WHENEVER BRAKES WERE USED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP PROPERLY, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO GO UNTIL VEHICLE REACHED 5-10 M…
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CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM. INTERMITTENTLY WHENEVER VEHICLE BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN WET CONDITIONS, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WOULD OCCUR. ALSO, WHENEVER BRAKES WERE USED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP PROPERLY, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO GO UNTIL VEHICLE REACHED 5-10 MPH, THEN THE BRAKES WOULD GRAB, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOCK-UP. AFTER THE LOCK UP, THE SYSTEM WOULD POP LOOSE WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK *ML
DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP, THE WIRING IN THE FUEL TANK MELTED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM. INTERMITTENTLY WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN WET CONDITION THE BRAKES WOULD DELAY IN STOPPING. ALSO, WHENEVER THE BRAKES ARE USED IN AN EMERGENCEY SITUATION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP PROPERLY, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO GO UNTIL VEHICLE CAME TO 5-10 MPH THEN IT WOU…
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CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM. INTERMITTENTLY WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN WET CONDITION THE BRAKES WOULD DELAY IN STOPPING. ALSO, WHENEVER THE BRAKES ARE USED IN AN EMERGENCEY SITUATION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP PROPERLY, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO GO UNTIL VEHICLE CAME TO 5-10 MPH THEN IT WOULD GRAB, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOCK-UP. AFTER THE LOCK-UP, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD POP LOOSE WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *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