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1997 GMC SierraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 238 owner complaints about the 1997 GMC Sierra, most often about the steering. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

32
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.1× the Sierra median · #7 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints23815 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage64kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 6, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 GMC Sierra has problems

238 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering630
Service brakes, hydraulic633
Power train281
Visibility240
Engine and engine cooling150
Electrical system123
Suspension110
Fuel system, gasoline91
Tires90
11 other systems404

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1997 GMC Sierra recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Sierra 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 Sierra median. How we score

'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
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 GMC Sierra safety ratings

1997 GMC Sierra in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Sierra owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

DT: 1997 GMC SIERRA C1500 PICK UP TRUCK - THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE GMC SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT THE STEERING BOX WORE OUT, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD PLAY IN THE WHEEL. IT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED AS OF YET. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING ON…
Complaint 10136029 · Sep 9, 2005 · 115,000 miles
I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL JERKING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN MAKING A SLIGHT TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. IT CAUSES ME TO OVERCORRECT MY STEERING. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE IN THE LAST YEAR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE STEERING GETS VERY LOOSE. I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING THAT GM SHOULD…
Complaint 10118458 · Apr 26, 2005
I TOOK MY 1997 GMC SIERRA TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE. BUT THE DEALER SAID ALL THE RECALLS PERTAIN TO THE 1999-2004 MODELS NOT MINE - BUT I AM HAVING THE IDENTICAL PROBLEMS - DRIVE SHAFT, AND BRAKES - MY BRAKES LOCK UP - CREATE LOTS OF NOISE, CALIPHER…
Complaint 10116309 · Apr 4, 2005 · 98,116 miles

Own a 1997 Sierra?

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