1997 GMC Sierra 1500
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 13 |
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1997 | 83 |
| 1998 | 59 |
| 1999 | 158 |
| 2000 | 181 |
| 2001 | 140 |
| 2002 | 166 |
| 2003 | 180 |
| 2004 | 212 |
| 2005 | 177 |
| 2006 | 145 |
| 2007 | 262 |
| 2008 | 380 |
| 2009 | 234 |
| 2010 | 167 |
| 2011 | 284 |
| 2012 | 107 |
| 2013 | 115 |
| 2014 | 737 |
| 2015 | 717 |
| 2016 | 341 |
| 2017 | 353 |
| 2018 | 300 |
| 2019 | 635 |
| 2020 | 459 |
| 2021 | 554 |
| 2022 | 569 |
| 2023 | 454 |
| 2024 | 352 |
| 2025 | 107 |
| 2026 | 98 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
30% of complaints: steering — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and steering wheel/handle bar.
Show complaint excerpts
GOING INTO A TURN MY STEERING WILL JUMP AUTO STORE SAID IT WAS A STEERING SENSOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20120324
THE STEERING HAD PLAY IN AND WANDERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE STEERING SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *NLM *CB
NHTSA ODI report, 20030501
I EXPERIENCED CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE AS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, SOMETIMES GOING AROUND CURVES, MY STEERING WOULD GIVE THE FEEL OF JUST GOING LOOSE. ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS WHEN THE STEERING WOULD "GRAB" HOLD AGAIN I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY TRUCK.
NHTSA ODI report, 20021203
23% of complaints: service brakes — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
BRAKE FLUID BEGAN LEAKING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THE BRAKE LINE HAD CORRODED AND BEGAN TO LEAK. THIS WAS REPLACED IN JANUARY 2011.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120525
16% of complaints: visibility — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and motor.
Show complaint excerpts
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR RECENTLY, CHANGED FLUID HELPED FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS - WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WORKS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT - FUEL GAUGE HAS NOT WORKED SINCE 1999 AND OTHER PEOPLE I KNOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR...
NHTSA ODI report, 20030503
11% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuel pump and fuel injection system.
10% of complaints: power train — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 RECLI
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
Campaign 97V037000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. ONE OR TWO OF THE FRONT SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK ALL SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND INSTALL ANY MISSING BOLTS.
Campaign 97V176000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE FRONT, INNER CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK CAN CONTACT THE BODY SILL EITHER INTERMITTENTLY OR CONSTANTLY. THIS MOVEMENT CAN CAUSE A DISCERNIBLE NOISE AND,
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK FOR WEAR AND, EITHER INSTALL A SPACER BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER, OR IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.
Campaign 98V187000 — check if this car was fixed
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
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. TH
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
Campaign 07E088000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1997 GMC Sierra 1500 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (25 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (19 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 97V037000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V176000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V187000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E088000 (equipment) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-15 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.