Model year record
1997 GMC Sierra recalls & problems
The 1997 GMC Sierra has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 238 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (69 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1997 GMC Sierra.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1997 GMC Sierra
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
1997 GMC Sierra Extended Cab
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components | 69 | 76,000 mi |
| SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Steering wheel/handle bar | 64 | 63,671 mi |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch | 33 | — |
| VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Windshield wiper/washer › Motor | 24 | 85,066 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine | 18 | 67,000 mi |
| Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery; Wiring | 14 | 145,000 mi |
| SuspensionFront; Rear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly | 11 | — |
| TiresTread/belt | 10 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Delivery | 9 | — |
| Service brakes, airDisc › Pads; Antilock › Wheel speed sensor | 7 | — |
| Unknown or other | 6 | — |
| SeatsFront assembly › Recliner; Front assembly › Power adjust | 6 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Engine
1997 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED, ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PULL 6,000LB LOAD. BUT, THE VEHICLE MISFIRED, LOST SPEED, AND STALLED WHILE PULLING LESS THAN 4,000LBS. THE FAILURE OCCURED AT SPEEDS OF 55-65MPH.
- Electrical system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. REPLACED BATTERY, BATTERY CONNECTIONS, CABLES AND ALTERNATOR BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS OVER THE YEARS. IT IS A DANGEROUS HAZARDOUS SITUATION. *TR
- Service brakes, hydraulic
MY BRAKE LINE FAILED ABOVE THE FUEL TANK, LOST PRESSURE TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM WHICH RESULTED IN NO BRAKES. WHY WOULD CAR MANUFACTURES USE STEEL BRAKE LINES THAT CAN ROT OUT VERY QUICKLY WHEN EXPOSED TO NORMAL DRIVING ELEMENTS. *TR
- Electrical system
I WAS RETURNING TO ALBUQUERQUE, NM FROM AMARILLO, TX PULLING A TRAILER WITH AN ANTIQUE STOVE IN MY TRAILER. IMMEDIATELY BEFORE LEAVING AMARILLO, I HAD MY FRIEND CHECK ALL OF THE TRAILER LIGHTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONING. THEY ALL WORKED FINE. I TOOK THE SCENIC ROUTE THROUGH HEREFORD ENTERING ONTO INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 40 AT SANTA ROSA, NM AT ABOUT 9:00 PM - IT WAS DARK. BEFORE LONG A SEMI PASSED ME AN HE FLICKED HIS HEADLIGHTS. I WASN'T SURE WHAT THE FLICKING OF HIS LIGHTS MEANT. ABOUT 30 MILES LATER A SEMI PASSED ME RIGHT BEFORE A BIG HILL. HE IMMEDIATELY LOST HIS SPEED GOING UP THE HILL AND IN A FEW MOMENTS I WAS RIGHT BEHIND HIM. I DID NOT WANT TO PASS HIM SINCE I WAS PULLING THE TRAILER, SO I…
- Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS GALVANIZED-BRAIDED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT HAVE CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS MODEL YEAR WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V066000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SIERRA. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,433. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECT ORIGINALLY HAPPENED 2 YEARS AGO AND WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONSUMER BY CLEANING THE UNIT AND SEALING THE WARPED COVER WITH SILICON. THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED BY GM DEALER ON NOVEMBER 13, 2007 UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › High/low beam dimmer switch
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, I TRIED TO SELECT HIGH BEAM WITH THE STEM MOUNTED LIGHT SWITCH. I HEARD A CHATTERING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AREA AND THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED DIMLY ON AND OFF. I ALSO SMELLED ELECTRICAL SMOKE. DESELECTING HIGH RESULTED IN LOW BEAM EXTERIOR LIGHT WITH NO CHATTERING, FLICKERING OR SMOKE. *TR
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER SIDE DOOR PINS SHATTERED CAUSING THE DOOR TO MALFUNCTION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE REPAIRS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. THE DEALER NEEDED DOCUMENTATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE RECALL WORK. NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.