AI Damage1997 GMC Pick UP: common problems
Owners of the 1997 GMC Pick UP filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about visibility and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 22
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 27% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 18% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 9% of all complaints
- 6 Tires 9% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 5% of all complaints
- Visibility: 6 complaints (27% of all).
- Steering: 4 complaints (18% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (14% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (9% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (9% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 22 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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.
Recall notice regarding vehicle's windshield wipers. The consumer misplaced the recall letter relater to the windshield wipers. The consumer request that another copy be sent so that the recall can be completed.
While driving front windshield wipers failed intermittently. Recall 03v159000 was issued on this problem. However, dealership would not repair because this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin.
Intermittent surge or boost in power steering assitance. Has occurred over the past 1+ yrs . Loose steering .
Air bag light illuminated and shut down the fuses to the entire bag system. Cause unknown.
Windshield wipers failed to wipe after brief rainstorm . Once the truck dried, the wipers would work. The left and right rear turn signal electrical assemblies failed within 2 weeks of each other and further diagnosis revealed an open circuit in each assembly which caused the turn signal to fail to flash.
Consumer states wires inside the gas tank leading to the fuel pump were burned, which caused the fuel pump to stop working.
Unexpected/erratic boost from power steering while driving.
If the transducer fails the steering appears to lock up or the car wanders , steering is erratic.
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 7,904 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 22% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Pick UP has 11 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 22, above average.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
- Pick UP 19853 sources
- Pick UP 19863 sources
- Pick UP 19874 sources
- Pick UP 19885 sources
- Pick UP 19894 sources
- Pick UP 19908 sources
- Pick UP 19916 sources
- Pick UP 199210 sources
- Pick UP 199313 sources
- Pick UP 199423 sources
- Pick UP 199532 sources
- Pick UP 199619 sources
- Pick UP 199814 sources
- Pick UP 199923 sources
- Pick UP 200012 sources
- Pick UP 20015 sources
- Pick UP 20025 sources
- Pick UP 999926 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 GMC Pick UP?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: visibility, steering, service brakes. Total complaints: 22. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (9%), tires: bulges, blowouts (9%), airbag warning light (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 GMC Pick UP?
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 GMC Pick UP 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.