SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1997 GMC Sierra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sierra years

Owner complaints for the 1997 GMC Sierra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 53.

About this comparison →
238Owner complaints

Model-year median: 53

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
190
1994261
1995246
1996238
1997190
1998600
1999443
2000
Compare all Sierra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
63Steering
63Power Train
28Visibility
24Engine And Engine Cooling
15
All reported categories
Electrical System
12Suspension
11Fuel System, Gasoline
9Tires
9Seats
6Unknown Or Other
6Service Brakes, Air
5Structure
5Air Bags
4Exterior Lighting
4Fuel System, Other
4Vehicle Speed Control
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Seat Belts
3Engine
1Wheels
1

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: 49 of 238 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports5 fire reports4 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
145,000 miles · Sep 20, 2014
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. REPLACED BATTERY, BATTERY CONNECTIONS, CABLES AND ALTERNATOR BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS OVER THE YEARS. IT IS A DANGEROUS HAZARDOUS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637750

109,000 miles · May 14, 2003
Unknown Or OtherCrashFire

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION, AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10019812

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2000
Unknown Or Other

WOULD LIKE HISTORY BACKGROUND ON THIS VEHICLES V I N ,(ACCIDENTS&ANY OTHER)

NHTSA ODI #729254

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2000
Power TrainSteeringUnknown Or Other

BUMPS INTO GEAR, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT, TRANSMISSION OVERFLOW DRIPS, POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDS REPLACING

NHTSA ODI #721890

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Unknown Or Other

CARGO TIE-DOWN RINGS FAILED. MJS

NHTSA ODI #608006

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 1998
Unknown Or Other

WHEN BRAKING THE VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT OR RIGHT SIDES.

NHTSA ODI #528900

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.