AI Damage1997 Chevrolet K10: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Chevrolet K10 filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and tires. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 50% of all complaints
- 2 Tires 50% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 25% of all complaints
- Steering: 2 complaints (50% of all).
- Tires: 2 complaints (50% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (25% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Steering wheel jerks when trying to turn. Wheel position sensor is defective. Dealer contacted ,and extended warranty does not cover. Problem still exists, repairwork not done. Provide further information.
Power steering has gone out twice after making a sharp turn, and a seal busted once.
Brakes are spongy and have long stopping distances. The anit-lock system kicks in the pedal drops to the floor losing most of the stoping power and has locked up the back wheels. Causing control lost of the truck while going around corners.
When turning to the left, the right front tire hits the a-frame, causing the front end to jump.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 15,521 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 42% most complained about).
On average one model year of the K10 has 4 complaints (17 years in the data). This year has 4, about average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet K10?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, tires, service brakes. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: jerking, harsh shifts (25%), steering or power steering problems (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Chevrolet K10?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1997 Chevrolet K10 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1997 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.