1997 GMC Sierra 3500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sierra 3500 years
- Fewer complaints than other years 24th of 31 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 GMC Sierra 3500. That ranks 24th out of 31 Sierra 3500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (4 complaints, 40%), typically at around 95,000 miles. Complaints mention 4 crashes, 4 injuries. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
- 10owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 4complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1997 GMC Sierra 3500 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 40% | 95,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 4 | 40% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 2 | 20% | — | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 10% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 10% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 10% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 10% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 10% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1997 GMC Sierra 3500 recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Seats
Problem: Vehicle description: extended cab and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with reclining seats and the easy-entry feature. These vehicles exhibit a condition in which a pinch point exists in the recliner mechanism that can trap and pinch a person's hand or finger(s) when the easy-entry feature is activated.
Risk: This pinching can cut the hand or possibly sever the finger(s) without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will install a protector cover over the recliner mechanism.
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.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
My brakes failed when i got into a wreck, the peddle went to the floor its like my brakes were not there. I have a 97 gmc k3500 4 door long bed 4 wheel drive, i felt that i should have been able to stop,i also have to replace my front brakes every year no matter what kind i buy. *nlm
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
Brake booster malfunctioned, causing no braking ability which may have resulted in a crash. Also, driver and passenger rear seatbelts , were locked up, could not use the seatbelt and won't protect the occupant in event a crash. Dealer replaced both seatbelts. The rear of cab was not welded…
Power steering pump failed unexpectedly while driving at approximately at 65 mph, causing loss of power steering and power brakes, which could have resulted in a crash. *ak
The abs braking system malfunctioned, causing brake pedal to the floor and resulting in extended stopping distance, which almost cause a crash. Please provide further information. *ak
Other GMC Sierra 3500 years
← 1996 Sierra 3500 · 1998 Sierra 3500 →
See all GMC Sierra 3500 problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.
Similar GMC models
Embed this 1997 GMC Sierra 3500 badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 GMC Sierra 3500?
Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic, steering, power train problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 4 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1997 GMC Sierra 3500?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1997 GMC Sierra 3500 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sierra 3500 model years, the 1997 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.