no report yet
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
1997 Chevrolet SuburbanProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 414 owner complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban, most often about the steering. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 6, 2020. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban has problems
414 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
105Steering5 crash/fire/injury
92Service brakes, hydraulic10 crash/fire/injury
47Power train1 crash/fire/injury
42Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
39Fuel system, gasoline2 crash/fire/injury
37Visibility1 crash/fire/injury
27Tires
20Engine and engine cooling
19Suspension
5818 other systems10 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 105 | 5 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 92 | 10 |
| Power train | 47 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 42 | 3 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 39 | 2 |
| Visibility | 37 | 1 |
| Tires | 27 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 20 | 3 |
| Suspension | 19 | 0 |
| 18 other systems | 58 | 10 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
1997 Chevrolet Suburban recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
Risk. 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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.
Best & worst years
1997 vs. every other Suburban year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Suburban median. How we score
1136971830625452189499858457360414201634282440286301204129232922131061171481011185943322014284794420812713447
'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
5 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban, and the recalls they led to.
- OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKINGOpen
- BATTERY LEAKS ACIDNo recall
- WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURELed to recall 03V-159
- POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCELed to recall 01I006000
- ERRATIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVNo recall
In owners' words
What Suburban owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
ERRATIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN ERRATIC CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. STARTED IN 2006 AND ENDED IN 2009. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES TO NO AVAIL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FULLY LOADED, THE CONTACT NOTICES THAT THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO STEER. HE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC 15 TIMES AND THEY HAVE MADE NUMEROUS REPAIRS, INCLUDING VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF THE STEERING UNIT, STEERING SENSORS,…
I HAVE LOST STEERING AND BRAKING ON 1996 6.5 TURBO DIESEL SUBURBAN THREE TIMES NOW I DRIVE NORMALLY. I AM 42 AND HAVE A FAMILY OF SEVEN. WHEN BRAKING THE POWER BOOSTER HAS ZERO PRESSURE AND IT IS VERY HARD TO STOP AND AT THE VERY SAME TIME ALL POWER STEERING IS LOST. I THOUGHT THE POWER STEERING…
Own a 1997 Suburban?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.