IllustrationNO SUMMARY
1997 GMC Suburban
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
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: 30 of 200 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 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports
Power Train complaints
24 reportsTHE FRONT BRAKES OF THE SUBURBAN HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME WITH RAYBESTOS (LIFETIME WEAR) BRAKE SHOES. MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING VERY HARD, AS IF SOMEONE HAD REARENDED THE TRUCK AT A SLOW SPEED. I TOOK IT TO AAMCO TRANSMISSION'S FOR REPEARS. AAMCO REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION, BUT DID'NT FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER $2…
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THE FRONT BRAKES OF THE SUBURBAN HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME WITH RAYBESTOS (LIFETIME WEAR) BRAKE SHOES. MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING VERY HARD, AS IF SOMEONE HAD REARENDED THE TRUCK AT A SLOW SPEED. I TOOK IT TO AAMCO TRANSMISSION'S FOR REPEARS. AAMCO REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION, BUT DID'NT FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER $2200.00 AND THE FIFTH ATTEMT TO FIX THE PROBLEM I TOOK IT TO A GMC DEALER AND THEY ACTUALLY FIXED THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME FOR $308.
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CONTINUALLY REQUIRES REPAIRING. *MJS
WHEN CHANGING GEARS THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE. SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEN ENCOUNTERED WITH THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF ELECTRONIC SHIFT TRANSMISSION . *AK
ON APRIL 10, TRANSMISSION FAILED AND VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP. ON APRIL 18, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE OWNER AFTER HAVING REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, THE TRANSMISSION COOLER, AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. ON APRIL 27, 2000, THE ENGINE FAILED ON A BUSY ROAD AS SCHOOLS WERE LETTING OUT. THE ENGINE FAILURE, PUT BOTH …
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ON APRIL 10, TRANSMISSION FAILED AND VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP. ON APRIL 18, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE OWNER AFTER HAVING REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, THE TRANSMISSION COOLER, AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. ON APRIL 27, 2000, THE ENGINE FAILED ON A BUSY ROAD AS SCHOOLS WERE LETTING OUT. THE ENGINE FAILURE, PUT BOTH THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE AT RISKS AND THE SCHOOLCHILDREN ALSO, AS THE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE DRIVER AVOIDED COLLISION BUT WITH NO STEERING AND LOSS OF BRAKING POWER, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. *AK
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED (UNKNOWN REASON PER DEALER) VENTED ALL FLUID. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
WHILE CAR WAS SITTING NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. *AK
NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED I NOTICED A LOT OF SMOKE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE I STOPPED AND HEARD A HISSING NOISE UNDER VEHICLE AND SAW OIL SPRAYING ON THE EXHAUST PIPES NEAR TRANSMISSION IT THEN CAUGHT FIRE PUT FIRE OUT I CHECKED FLUID LEVEL IN TRANSMISSION IT WAS LOW HELP SHOWED UP WITH OIL FILLED IT BACK UP CONTINUED HOME AT SLO…
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NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED I NOTICED A LOT OF SMOKE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE I STOPPED AND HEARD A HISSING NOISE UNDER VEHICLE AND SAW OIL SPRAYING ON THE EXHAUST PIPES NEAR TRANSMISSION IT THEN CAUGHT FIRE PUT FIRE OUT I CHECKED FLUID LEVEL IN TRANSMISSION IT WAS LOW HELP SHOWED UP WITH OIL FILLED IT BACK UP CONTINUED HOME AT SLOW SPEED APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES LATER O.D. STARTED TO SLIP THEN DRIVE STARTED TO SLIP SO I DROVE 30 MPH IN 2ND WAS TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT BECAUSE OF FLUID LOSS OUT OF VENT TUBE
TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE REPLACED TRANSMISSION FAILED TOO. YH
REAR END OF TRANSMISSION CRACK IN HALF CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED ON FLAT BED 140 MILES TO GET HOME THE ENTIRE END OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROKE HAD TO DEFECT IN THE CASTING OF HOUSING OR A DESIGN FLAW CAR HAS HIGH MILES DUE TO MUCH TRAVEL MECHANIC STATED NEVER SAW TRANSMISSION BRAKE LIKE THAT BEFORE CONTA…
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REAR END OF TRANSMISSION CRACK IN HALF CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED ON FLAT BED 140 MILES TO GET HOME THE ENTIRE END OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROKE HAD TO DEFECT IN THE CASTING OF HOUSING OR A DESIGN FLAW CAR HAS HIGH MILES DUE TO MUCH TRAVEL MECHANIC STATED NEVER SAW TRANSMISSION BRAKE LIKE THAT BEFORE CONTACTED DEALER AND HAD DEALERSHIP MECHANIC LOOK AT IT BUT THEY STATED THEY WERE NOT GOING TO HELP US THEY SAY LACK OF MAINTANINCE TO THE CAR WE HAVE HAD OUR CAR CHECKED EVERY 3 -4 THOUSAND MILES OIL CHANGES ECT WE HAVE RECEIPTS FOR EVERYTHING WE FEEL GMC HAD A CRAFTSMANSHIP DEFECT ON SHOULD COVER THIS EVEN IF WE ARE OUT OF WARRANTY
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.
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
PE99073 · Battery Leaks Acid
Opened Dec 3, 1999 · Closed May 2, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
ODI HAS RECEIVED 21 COMPLAINTS WHERE OWNERS ALLEGE THAT THE STANDARD GM FACTORY SUPPLIED AC DELCO BATTERY CASE FAILED, RESULTING IN THE LEAKAGE OF SULFURIC ACID.OF THE 21 COMPLAINT VEHICLES, SIX SUBURBAN, THREE TAHOES, AND ONE YUKON OWNER(S) COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID FROM DETERIORATION OF THE RIGHT FRONTBRAKE LINE AS A RESULT OF SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION.THE REMAINING 11 COMPLAINTS PERTAIN PRIMARILY TO SULFURIC ACID LEAKAGE FROM THE BATTERY CASE.AT LEAST ONE COMPLAINANT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY ALSO FAILED.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS NOTE THAT THE LEAKING ACID HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH A WIRE HARNESS AT THE FRAME IN THE VICINITY OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINE.A FIELD INSPECTION BY ODI INDICATES THAT THE DESCRIBED HARNESS IS THE ABS CONNECTION TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR.PRIOR TO THE BATTERY CASE FAILURE, THERE IS USUALLY NO WARNING (SHORT OF AN UNDERHOOD INSPECTION), AND THE ENSURING DAMAGE (SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION) IS PROGRESSIVE.OF THE KNOWN BATTERY FAILURES, THERE MAY BE A TEMPERATURE CORRELATION, AS 60% OF THE OWNER COMPLAINTS CAME FROM FOUR STATES; CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA AND TEXAS.THERE IS ALSO A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND ENGINEERING CHANGE NOTICE TO ADD 1% SILVER TO THE BATTERY'S POSITIVE SIDE TERMINALL, WITH THE EARLIEST IMPLEMENTATION DATE FOR THIS BEING FEB 2, 1998.THE EFFECT OF THIS DESIGN CHANGE IS AS YET UNKNOWN; FURTHER REVIEW IS WARRANTED.AN EA IS BEING OPENED TO GATHER FURTHER APPROPRIATE INFORMATION, CLARIFY ANY DEFECT TRENDS, AND TO ASSESS THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS AND RISKS CONCERNING THESE FAILURES.
PE98060 · Erratic Steering Boost While Driving
Opened Nov 13, 1998 · Closed May 12, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
ALLEGED THAT THE VARIABLE EFFORT STEERING UNIT INTERMITTENTLY PROVIDES FULL BOOST TOT HE POWER STEERING GEAR AT MODERATE TO HIGH SPEEDS.
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