Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
725–50K
750–75K
675–100K
11100–150K
5150K+
38 reports with mileage · 45 unknown
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 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
83 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2021
Structure
THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE DOESN'T WORK. I BELIEVE THIS WAS A 'RECALL' BUT I COULDN'T GET THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT. REAL FUN HAVING TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW JUST TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE DOOR'S WINDOW IS FROZEN. OBVIOUSLY THE VEHICLE IS IN A PARKED POSTION. THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 149,000 WHEN THE HANDL…
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THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE DOESN'T WORK. I BELIEVE THIS WAS A 'RECALL' BUT I COULDN'T GET THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT. REAL FUN HAVING TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW JUST TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE DOOR'S WINDOW IS FROZEN. OBVIOUSLY THE VEHICLE IS IN A PARKED POSTION. THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 149,000 WHEN THE HANDLE STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA ODI #11395516
120,950 miles · Jan 30, 2017
Steering
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THIS VEHICLE WILL MOVE RIGHT AND LEFT WITHOUT NO INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. ALSO, MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE POWER STEERING WILL STOP,LOCK UP START WORKING AGAIN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I HAVE CHANGE ALL FRONT TIE RODS TWICE, STEERING GEAR BOX, FOUR TIMES AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP THREE TIMES. THIS I…
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WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THIS VEHICLE WILL MOVE RIGHT AND LEFT WITHOUT NO INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. ALSO, MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE POWER STEERING WILL STOP,LOCK UP START WORKING AGAIN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I HAVE CHANGE ALL FRONT TIE RODS TWICE, STEERING GEAR BOX, FOUR TIMES AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP THREE TIMES. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND HAZARDOUS ISSUE !!!! MANY DRIVERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAS EXPRESSED IT ON THE INTERNET. GMC HAS NOT PUT OUT ANY RECALL TO FIX IT. ADDITIONALLY, THIS PROBLEM IS A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION! IF YOU WANT ALL THE DOCUMENTATION PLEASE CALL AAMCO 770-823-1142..PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE DIES DUE THIS STEERING ISSUE!! BTW THIS STEERING HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER TWO YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY NEXT COURSE OF ACTION WILL BE TO CALL THE MEDIA TO GET SOME ANSWERS. REPLY THE SOONEST!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10948581
120,695 miles · Jan 29, 2017
Steering
WHILE TURNING A LEFT TURN ON A HIGHWAY JANUARY 28 THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. I HAVE REMOVED AND REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP THREE TIMES, GEARBOX FOUR TIMES, ALL THE TIEBARS AND COMPONENTSD TWICE. GMC IS AWARE OF THE STEERING PROBLEMS AND HAS NOT RECALLED ANY VEHICLES FOR POWER STEERING PROBLEMS! THIS STEERING PROBL…
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WHILE TURNING A LEFT TURN ON A HIGHWAY JANUARY 28 THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. I HAVE REMOVED AND REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP THREE TIMES, GEARBOX FOUR TIMES, ALL THE TIEBARS AND COMPONENTSD TWICE. GMC IS AWARE OF THE STEERING PROBLEMS AND HAS NOT RECALLED ANY VEHICLES FOR POWER STEERING PROBLEMS! THIS STEERING PROBLEM IS VERY SEVERE ISSUE AND A EXTREME HAZARD ON THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY; WHEN THE LOSE OF POWER STEERING HAPPENS ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING. IF YOU WANT ALL THE DOCUMENTATION PLEASE CALL AAMCO (678) 619-0817. THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM WILL KILL SOMEONE. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR THE PAST TWO (ALL THE PARTS ARE NEW, NOT REBUILT) BTW, THE STEERING IS VERY LOOSE AND MAKES THE DRIVER OVER CORRECT WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE REPLY THE SOONEST *TR
NHTSA ODI #10948351
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2016
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #10919714
140,000 miles · Dec 9, 2015
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED SIMULTANEOUSLY FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED SIMULTANEOUSLY FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10809218
111,087 miles · Nov 26, 2015
Service Brakes
STEEL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE UNDER TRUCK BED AND RUNNING ALONG DRIVER SIDE FRAME RUPTURED WHILE DRIVING. RESULT WAS LOSS OF LOSS OF PRESSURIZATION/BRAKE FLUID, MUSHY BRAKE PEDAL, AND GREATLY DECREASED BRAKING PERFORMANCE. INSPECTION REVEALS SIGNIFICANT RUST AREAS ON ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES REQUIRING COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ALL BRA…
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STEEL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE UNDER TRUCK BED AND RUNNING ALONG DRIVER SIDE FRAME RUPTURED WHILE DRIVING. RESULT WAS LOSS OF LOSS OF PRESSURIZATION/BRAKE FLUID, MUSHY BRAKE PEDAL, AND GREATLY DECREASED BRAKING PERFORMANCE. INSPECTION REVEALS SIGNIFICANT RUST AREAS ON ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES REQUIRING COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ALL BRAKE LINES.
NHTSA ODI #10807084
238,129 miles · Aug 15, 2014
Electrical System
MY IGNITION CYLINDER IS BINDING BADLY AND IM CONCERNED THAT MY VEHICLE IS GOING TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS OTHER GM VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10622479
30,000 miles · Dec 20, 2012
Visibility/wiper
YOU TURN ON THE WIPERS AND THEY DON'T WORK OR START AND THAN STOP TO WHICH YOU MUST GET OUT OF THE TRUCK AND GIVE A PULL ON THE WIPER ARM TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10489336
100,000 miles · May 25, 2012
Service Brakes
BRAKE FLUID BEGAN LEAKING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THE BRAKE LINE HAD CORRODED AND BEGAN TO LEAK. THIS WAS REPLACED IN JANUARY 2011. AFTER REPLACING BOTH FRONT BRAKE PADS AND PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BURST AND AFTER INSPECTING THIS BRAKE LINE AS WELL, IT WA…
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BRAKE FLUID BEGAN LEAKING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THE BRAKE LINE HAD CORRODED AND BEGAN TO LEAK. THIS WAS REPLACED IN JANUARY 2011. AFTER REPLACING BOTH FRONT BRAKE PADS AND PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BURST AND AFTER INSPECTING THIS BRAKE LINE AS WELL, IT WAS CORRODED AND FINALLY GAVE WAY DUE TO THE EXTRA PRESSURE EXERTED BY THE NEW UNWORN BRAKE PAD. THE AMOUNT OF CORROSION SEEMED EXCESSIVE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN SO SUDDENLY. IN BOTH CASES, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION AND NO HARM WAS CAUSED DUE TO EARLY RECOGNITION OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10459606
96,000 miles · Mar 24, 2012
Steering
GOING INTO A TURN MY STEERING WILL JUMP AUTO STORE SAID IT WAS A STEERING SENSOR. *TR
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE FRONT, INNER CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK CAN CONTACT THE BODY SILL EITHER INTERMITTENTLY OR CONSTANTLY. THIS MOVEMENT CAN CAUSE A DISCERNIBLE NOISE AND, OVER TIME, CAN WEAR A HOLE IN OR CRACK THE FUEL TANK AT POINT OF CONTACT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AND A DISTINCT FUEL ODOR IF THE TANK WERE FILLED ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE HOLE OR CRACK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK FOR WEAR AND, EITHER INSTALL A SPACER BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER, OR IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. ONE OR TWO OF THE FRONT SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, A SEAT WITH THIS CONDITION WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK ALL SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND INSTALL ANY MISSING BOLTS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RECLINING SEATS AND THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE. THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH A PINCH POINT EXISTS IN THE RECLINER MECHANISM THAT CAN TRAP AND PINCH A PERSON'S HAND OR FINGER(S) WHEN THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE IS ACTIVATED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS PINCHING CAN CUT THE HAND OR POSSIBLY SEVER THE FINGER(S) WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1997 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year