IllustrationVEHICLE KEEPS PULLING TO EITHER SIDE OF TURN ON SPEEDS ABOVE 25MHP, WAS TOLD IS THE STEERING SENSOR BUT HAVE NOT REPLACE IT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE ABOUT 128K. BRAKE PEDAL IS SPONGY EVEN AFTER NEEDED ADJUSTMENTS WERE PERFORMED. *TR
1997 GMC Yukon
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1997 GMC Yukon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 103.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Yukon 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: 21 of 133 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 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports
Steering complaints
53 reportsAT SPEED, 20+MPH, THE STEERING WILL GO OUT FOR A SECOND OR 2 AS IF IT IS ON ICE. I HAVE NOTICED A RECALL ON 98 GMC YUKONS,(#97V142000), BUT NOT ON 97'S. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT COULD BE MY STEERING BOX. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION. STEERING WILL BE LOST IF STEERING BOX FAILS COMPLETELY, WHICH IN TURN C…
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AT SPEED, 20+MPH, THE STEERING WILL GO OUT FOR A SECOND OR 2 AS IF IT IS ON ICE. I HAVE NOTICED A RECALL ON 98 GMC YUKONS,(#97V142000), BUT NOT ON 97'S. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT COULD BE MY STEERING BOX. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION. STEERING WILL BE LOST IF STEERING BOX FAILS COMPLETELY, WHICH IN TURN CAUSES ACCIDENTS. *NM
INTERMITTEN DROP IN STEERING TO THE RIGHT, MOSTLY DURING CORNERS. ABOUT A QUARTER TURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WAS TOLD TO ME BY A MECHANIC THAT GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS AND THERE IS ONLY ONE PART FROM THE DEALER DEALING WITH IT. NO AFTERMARKET ITEM. IT WAS TOLD TO ME THAT IT IS A SPEED SENSOR ON THE STEERING COLUMN THAT GOVERNS T…
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INTERMITTEN DROP IN STEERING TO THE RIGHT, MOSTLY DURING CORNERS. ABOUT A QUARTER TURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WAS TOLD TO ME BY A MECHANIC THAT GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS AND THERE IS ONLY ONE PART FROM THE DEALER DEALING WITH IT. NO AFTERMARKET ITEM. IT WAS TOLD TO ME THAT IT IS A SPEED SENSOR ON THE STEERING COLUMN THAT GOVERNS THE SPEED SENSOR FOR THE POWER STEERING. DURNING A TURN AT ALMOST ANY SPEED, THE STEERING DROPS OUT A QUARTER OF A TURN. QUITE A SHOCK TO SOMEONE DOING 60 MILES PER HOUR ON A BUSY FREEWAY.
I HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERINGI IN MY 1997 GMC YUKON WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON 10/24/2003 (TROUBLE NOT FOUND). I TOOK IT IN AGAIN ON 10/31/2003 AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING EVO SENSOR ($213.60). STILL HAVE TROUBLE. AGAIN I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE ON 11/19/20…
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I HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERINGI IN MY 1997 GMC YUKON WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON 10/24/2003 (TROUBLE NOT FOUND). I TOOK IT IN AGAIN ON 10/31/2003 AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING EVO SENSOR ($213.60). STILL HAVE TROUBLE. AGAIN I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE ON 11/19/2003 WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED ($648.50). THE VEHICLE STILL NG. TOOK IT IN ON 12/1/2003,CAN'T ISOLATE TROUBLE. AGAIN ON 12/10/2003, THIS TIME THEY CHANGED THE POWER STEERING BOX? SO FAR THE TROUBLE SEEMS TO BE FIXED. THEN I SAW AN ARTICLE SHOWING THE EXACT SAME TROUBLE I'D BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH OTHER GMC VEHICLES. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE WASN'T LISTED AS ONE OF THE MODELS THEY WERE LOOKING AT. THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT.*AK
STEERING WHEEL AND CAR SHAKE VIOLENTLY BETWEEN 20 MPH- 55 MPH. PROBLEM STARTED AT 100,000 MILES. HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND REPAIR BUSINESSES AND ONE TIRE BUSINESS WITH NO RESOLUTION. *LA
STEERING FAILS ERRATICALLY AND AT UNEXPECTED TIMES. "PLAY" IN STEERING BECOMES SO LARGE THAT THE WHEEL CAN BE TURNED WITH NO DEFLECTION OF THE TIRES. *AK
STEERING WILL SUDDENLY JERK SLIGHTLY TO LEFT OR RIGHT AFTER TURNING OFF HIGHWAY EXIT. STEERING WILL ALSO BECOMES HARD OR SOFT FOR BRIEF MOMENT. MY TIRE INFLATION IS GOOD AND THE FRONT END HAS BEEN ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO AFFECT TO STEERING PERFORMANCE. *AKPROBLEM IS CURRENTLY AN IRRIRTANT BUT COULD POSE A SAFETY ISSUE I…
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STEERING WILL SUDDENLY JERK SLIGHTLY TO LEFT OR RIGHT AFTER TURNING OFF HIGHWAY EXIT. STEERING WILL ALSO BECOMES HARD OR SOFT FOR BRIEF MOMENT. MY TIRE INFLATION IS GOOD AND THE FRONT END HAS BEEN ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO AFFECT TO STEERING PERFORMANCE. *AKPROBLEM IS CURRENTLY AN IRRIRTANT BUT COULD POSE A SAFETY ISSUE IF STEERING JERKED INTO INCOMING TRAFFIC.
STEERING GOES "SOFT" AND MAKES CONTROL OF VEHICLE DIFFICULT FOR A BRIEF TIME. *JB
INTERMITTENTLY STEERING WOULD LOSE CONTROL WHEN TURNING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
THE FIRST TIME THE POWER STEERING UNIT WENT INTO A HYPER-SUPER-SQUIRRELY(ONLY MOMETARY) MODE WAS AT 5000 MI. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE SAME RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP EVERY TIME, COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THE EVO SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM MANIFESTED ONCE AGAIN AFTER A FEW HUND…
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THE FIRST TIME THE POWER STEERING UNIT WENT INTO A HYPER-SUPER-SQUIRRELY(ONLY MOMETARY) MODE WAS AT 5000 MI. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE SAME RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP EVERY TIME, COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THE EVO SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM MANIFESTED ONCE AGAIN AFTER A FEW HUNDRED MILES. STEERING HAS GONE "HYPER" AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MPH, TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT, AS WELL AS ON STRAIGHT SECTIONS OF ROADWAY. IT IS A VERY FRIGHTENING FEELING TO LOSE CONTROL OF SEVERAL THOUSAND POUNDS OF STEEL TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. LUCKILY I HAVE ALWAYS MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL BEFORE GOING OFF OF THE ROAD, I HOPE MY LUCK CONTINUES. I SUSPECT GMC WILL NOT REMEDY THIS SITUATION UNLESS NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE KILLED FIRST.*JB
Official recalls
0No 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
5EA01018 · Seat Belt Anchorage Separation
Opened Dec 20, 2001 · Closed Dec 9, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
No summary supplied.
PE01023 · Seat Belt Anchorage Separation
Opened Jul 17, 2001 · Closed Dec 20, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
ODI HAS RECEIVED ONE (1) COMPLAINT ALLEGING THAT THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASE BUCKLE ANCHOR DETACHED FROM SEAT FRAME DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.DURING THE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WAS THROWN FROM HIS SEAT, PARTIALLY EJECTED THROUGH THE REAR QUARTER WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE.OCCUPANT SUSTAINED INJURY.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY CHANGED SEAT BELT ANCHORING DESIGN IN MY 2000. ODI HAS COMPLETED A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION AND HAS DETERMINED THAT FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO DETERMINE WHETHER A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS.
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
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.
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.