1997 Chevrolet Suburban Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Suburban years
- Far more complaints than other years 5th of 30 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 414 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban. That ranks 5th out of 30 Suburban model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (105 complaints, 25%), typically at around 77,138 miles. Complaints mention 22 crashes, 13 fires, 16 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 5 defect investigations involving it.
- 414owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 5NHTSA investigations
- 22complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1997 Chevrolet Suburban problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering problems | 105 | 25% | 77,138 | “making turn” (9%) | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 92 | 22% | 79,275 | “stopping distance” (14%) | — |
| Power Train | 47 | 11% | 81,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 42 | 10% | 138,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 39 | 9% | 112,300 | — | — |
| Visibility | 37 | 9% | 103,940 | — | — |
| Tires | 27 | 7% | 132,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 20 | 5% | 138,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 19 | 5% | 27,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 8 | 2% | 129,053 | — | — |
| Equipment | 8 | 2% | 102,856 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 8 | 2% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 6 | 1% | 103,788 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 1% | 10,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 4 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 1% | 154,600 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 3 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 1% | 160,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 0% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 0% | 223,000 | — | — |
| Child Seat | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 0% | 76,900 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 0% | 223,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1997 Chevrolet Suburban recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Problem: 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.
Risk: If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles, mini vans, and pickup trucks may develop a short circuit in the electric outside rearview mirror switch.
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 subsequent vehicle fire without prior warning.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Oem hitch receiver platform cracking (DP00001) — opened Jan 31, 2000, still open.
- Windshield wiper failure (EA02006) — opened May 31, 2002, closed Jul 23, 2003, led to recall 03V159000.
- Battery leaks acid (EA00013) — opened May 2, 2000, closed Jun 28, 2002.
- Erratic power steering assist while driv (EA99011) — opened May 12, 1999, closed Feb 27, 2001.
- Poor brake performance (EA95026) — opened Sep 20, 1995, closed Sep 20, 2001, led to recall 01I006000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The previous owner said the brakes wore quickly but we didn't realize how quickly until we had issues and got the repair information. New brakes about every 4 months are needed. Once they start wearing the pads and rotors are gone within a day. This time i nearly ran into someone they deteriorated…
I stopped to get gas anc cut my truck off. I got back in it and cut it on an drove about 30 yards i noticed a smell like burning wires. So i cut it off got out checked the outside the smell is only on the inside. Then i popped the hood an smelled the same smell. I pushed it and parked it. My…
MY 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN C-2500 IS LEAKING OIL FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE AND MAKING ENGINE VERY "HOT". THIS HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.I TOUCH THE ENGINE HOOD AND FEEL THAT IT'S VERY, VERY HOT. I JUST WENT HOME TO PREVENT ANY FIRE OR ACCIDENT. MY MECHANIC SAID IT'S NOT ORDINARY FOR…
December 2009, replaced ruptured brake lines above the rear differential. Severely rusted. July 15, 2012, ruptured brake line by the driver side floor board and fire wall. Severely rusted. Fuel lines under the vehicle is also severely rusted. Leak can cause fire. Brake failure occurred during…
The airbag didn't deployed am veer disappointed my son was injured. *tr
Other Chevrolet Suburban years
← 1996 Suburban · 1998 Suburban →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Suburban | 44 | 1 |
| 2023 Suburban | 130 | 3 |
| 2022 Suburban | 124 | 4 |
| 2021 Suburban | 200 | 12 |
| 2020 Suburban | 44 | 4 |
| 2019 Suburban | 78 | 3 |
| 2018 Suburban | 84 | 4 |
| 2017 Suburban | 141 | 5 |
| 2016 Suburban | 220 | 6 |
| 2015 Suburban | 430 | 11 |
| 2014 Suburban | 59 | 3 |
| 2013 Suburban | 118 | 4 |
| 2012 Suburban | 101 | 4 |
| 2011 Suburban | 148 | 3 |
| 2010 Suburban | 117 | 3 |
| 2009 Suburban | 106 | 5 |
| 2008 Suburban | 213 | 4 |
| 2007 Suburban | 292 | 4 |
| 2006 Suburban | 23 | 1 |
| 2005 Suburban | 129 | 6 |
| 2004 Suburban | 204 | 4 |
| 2003 Suburban | 301 | 5 |
| 2002 Suburban | 286 | 2 |
| 2001 Suburban | 440 | 6 |
| 2000 Suburban | 282 | 8 |
| 1999 Suburban | 634 | 1 |
| 1998 Suburban | 201 | 2 |
| 1997 | 414 | 2 |
| 1996 Suburban | 360 | 3 |
| 1995 Suburban | 457 | 6 |
See all Chevrolet Suburban problems by year, every Chevrolet model, or the Chevrolet VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban?
Owners most often report steering, service brakes, hydraulic, power train problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 105 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Suburban model years, the 1997 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.