MYRModel Year Report

1997 Chevrolet Suburban

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Chevrolet Suburban
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Suburban Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1997: 414 complaints 1997 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2003: 301 complaints 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 428 complaints 2016: 218 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 76 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 187 complaints 2022: 113 complaints 2023: 117 complaints 2023 2024: 39 complaints 2024
1997: 414 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19821
19833
19846
19859
19867
198718
198830
198962
199054
199152
1992189
1993500
1994876
1995457
1996360
1997414
1998201
1999634
2000282
2001440
2002286
2003301
2004204
2005129
200623
2007292
2008213
2009106
2010117
2011148
2012101
2013118
201459
2015428
2016218
2017141
201881
201976
202044
2021187
2022113
2023117
202439

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 28%

28% of complaints: service brakes — 114 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20201006

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120715

Also filed under FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

STEERING 27%

27% of complaints: steering — 110 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and steering wheel/handle bar.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 52 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.

FIRE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 48 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and alternator/generator/regulator.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20191129

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 9%

9% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 39 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuel pump and fuel injection system.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19950920 — EA (closed 20010920)

POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 414
I 19990512 — EA (closed 20010227)

ERRATIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIV

I 20000131 — DP (open)

OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING

I 20000502 — EA (closed 20020628)

BATTERY LEAKS ACID

I 20020531 — EA (closed 20030723)

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

R 20030424 — visibility

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Remedy: 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 A

Campaign 03V093000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030619 — visibility

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.

Remedy: 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 D

Campaign 03V159000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURE

Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Chevrolet Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (114 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (110 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (52 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V093000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V159000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1988 ▲ 2024 ▲ 2020

WORST YEARS

■ 1994 ■ 1999 ■ 1993

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.