MYRModel Year Report

1997 GMC Suburban

● Typical for this model
1997 GMC Suburban
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, GMC Suburban Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 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 1995 1996: 172 complaints 1997: 200 complaints 1997 1998: 100 complaints 1998 1999: 285 complaints 2000: 15 complaints 2001: 5 complaints 2001 2002: 7 complaints 2003: 5 complaints 2004: 1 complaints 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%

35% of complaints: service brakes — 69 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
STEERING 20%

20% of complaints: steering — 40 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and steering wheel/handle bar.

CRASH
POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and universal joint.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 12%

12% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuel pump and tank assembly.

FIRE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 24 distinct reports on file, 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. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030811

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, 20140523

Also filed under ENGINE

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19950920 — EA (closed 20010920)

POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE

I 19981113 — PE (closed 19990512)

ERRATIC STEERING BOOST WHILE DRIVING

I 19991203 — PE (closed 20000502)

BATTERY LEAKS ACID

I 20000131 — DP (open)

OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING

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 GMC Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (69 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (40 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (25 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

▲ 1991 ▲ 1992 ▲ 1998

WORST YEARS

■ 1994 ◆ 1999 ● 1995

See all years ranked →

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