MYRModel Year Report

1997 GMC Suburban

● Typical for this model
1997 GMC Suburban
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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
200
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

35% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1986: 4 complaints 1986 1987: 8 complaints 1988: 8 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1989 1990: 22 complaints 1991: 31 complaints 1992: 80 complaints 1992 1993: 213 complaints 1994: 419 complaints 1995: 227 complaints 1996: 172 complaints 1997: 200 complaints 1997 200 1998: 100 complaints 1999: 285 complaints 2000: 15 complaints 2001: 5 complaints 2001 2002: 7 complaints 2003: 5 complaints 2004: 1 complaint 2004
1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1985 1986: 4 complaints 1987: 8 complaints 1987 1988: 8 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1989 1990: 22 complaints 1991: 31 complaints 1991 1992: 80 complaints 1993: 213 complaints 1993 1994: 419 complaints 1995: 227 complaints 1995 1996: 172 complaints 1997: 200 complaints 1997 200 1998: 100 complaints 1999: 285 complaints 1999 2000: 15 complaints 2001: 5 complaints 2001 2002: 7 complaints 2003: 5 complaints 2003 2004: 1 complaint
1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 3 complaints 1985 1986: 4 complaints 1986 1987: 8 complaints 1987 1988: 8 complaints 1988 1989: 17 complaints 1989 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 31 complaints 1991 1992: 80 complaints 1992 1993: 213 complaints 1993 1994: 419 complaints 1994 1995: 227 complaints 1995 1996: 172 complaints 1996 1997: 200 complaints 1997 200 1998: 100 complaints 1998 1999: 285 complaints 1999 2000: 15 complaints 2000 2001: 5 complaints 2001 2002: 7 complaints 2002 2003: 5 complaints 2003 2004: 1 complaint 2004

1997: 200 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19810
19820
19832
19845
19853
19864
19878
19888
198917
199022
199131
199280
1993213
1994419
1995227
1996172
1997200
1998100
1999285
200015
20015
20027
20035
20041

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

35% · 69 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Steering

20% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and steering wheel/handle bar.

CRASH

Power train

13% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and universal joint.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Fuel system, gasoline

12% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing fuel pump and tank assembly.

FIRE

Electrical system

12% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and alternator/generator/regulator.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle caught on fire. The fire chief stated it was possible there was a short in the steering column.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-11

The ignition switch started to fail while driving. First the heater fan would quit and the ABS light would instantly turn on, and the cruise control would fail to operate. When the ABS light would be on the ABS would fail to operate.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-05-23

Also filed under Engine

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1995-09-20Engineering analysisClosed 2001-09-20 Poor brake performance
  2. I
    1998-11-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-05-12 Erratic steering boost while driving
  3. I
    1999-12-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-05-02 Battery leaks acid
  4. I
    2000-01-31Defect petitionOpen OEM hitch receiver platform cracking
  5. I
    2002-05-31Engineering analysisClosed 2003-07-23 Windshield wiper failure
  6. R
    2003-04-24Visibility03V093000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2003-06-19Visibility03V159000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 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…

    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).

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 GMC Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 69 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 40 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 25 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V093000 · Visibility
  • Recall 03V159000 · Visibility
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 GMC Suburban reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 GMC Suburban is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 GMC Suburban?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 GMC Suburban have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.