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1997 GMC SuburbanProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 200 owner complaints about the 1997 GMC Suburban, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Suburban median · #5 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20027 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage53kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 18, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 GMC Suburban has problems

200 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
Service brakes, hydraulic579
Steering391
Power train242
Fuel system, gasoline222
Electrical system211
Engine and engine cooling200
Tires161
Visibility120
Suspension50
12 other systems247

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

2 recalls

1997 GMC 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

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 03V-159 · Apr 28, 2003 · 1,755,876 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Rearview mirrors/devices: exterior

Recall 03V-093 · Mar 7, 2003 · 507,171 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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 GMC.

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

'66'74'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 GMC Suburban, and the recalls they led to.

  1. OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKINGDP00001 · still open
    Open
  2. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREEA02006 · closed Jul 23, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-159
  3. POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCEEA95026 · closed Sep 20, 2001
    Led to recall 01I006000
  4. ERRATIC STEERING BOOST WHILE DRIVINGPE98060 · closed May 12, 1999
    No recall
  5. BATTERY LEAKS ACIDPE99073 · closed May 2, 2000
    No recall
In owners' words

What Suburban owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHEN BRAKING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE ABS KICKS IN AND INCREASES THE STOPPING DISTANCE NEEDED. AFTER 3 TRIPS TO DEALER (AND OVER $500 IN REPAIRS) FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSORS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THEY CHECKED THE RECALL, BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED. I HAVE SINCE SEEN…
Complaint 10184408 · Mar 7, 2007 · 99,000 miles
ABS BRAKES DO NOT AND HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED (STILL ORIGINAL OWNER). SPEED SENSITIVE STEERING DOES NOT AND HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY AS WELL. THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS $$$ HAVE BEEN SPENT AT THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP AND AT QUALIFIED AUTOMOBILE SERVICE REPAIR CENTERS…
Complaint 10177448 · Jan 1, 2007 · 16,000 miles
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT SPEEDS BELOW 5 MPH, THE BRAKING DISTANCE WAS THREE TIMES AS FAR AS IT SHOULD BE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THE ABS SENSORS WERE REPAIRED. THE PROBLEM RETURNED 6 YEARS LATER. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS…
Complaint 10151004 · Feb 23, 2006 · 32,500 miles

Own a 1997 Suburban?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.