1997 GMC Sierra 1500: common problems

Owners of the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 filed 83 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 83

What fails most often

1 Steering 30% of all complaints
2 Service brakes 22% of all complaints
3 Visibility 17% of all complaints
4 Fuel system 11% of all complaints
5 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
6 Suspension 7% of all complaints
7 Seat belts 5% of all complaints
8 Structure 4% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Steering: 25 complaints (30% of all).
Service brakes: 18 complaints (22% of all).
Visibility: 14 complaints (17% of all).
Fuel system: 9 complaints (11% of all).
Powertrain: 8 complaints (10% of all).

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 83 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

steering or power steering problems11 · 13%
fuel system, fuel smell6 · 7%
rust, corrosion5 · 6%
seat belts4 · 5%
vibration4 · 5%
jerking, harsh shifts3 · 4%
loss of power / limp mode3 · 4%
brake failure2 · 2%
won't start2 · 2%
knocking, grinding or other noise2 · 2%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Steering	25	0	0
Service brakes	18	0	0
Visibility	14	0	0
Fuel system	9	0	0
Powertrain	8	0	0
Suspension	6	0	0
Seat belts	4	0	0
Structure	3	0	0
Air bags	2	0	0
Electrical system	2	0	0
Engine and cooling	1	0	0
Exterior lighting	1	0	0
Vehicle speed control	1	0	0
Other	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.

The driver's side door handle doesn't work. I believe this was a 'recall' but I couldn't get the dealership to fix it. Real fun having to roll down the window just to open the door from inside, especially when the door's window is frozen. Obviously the vehicle is in a parked postion.
Structure · 2021-02-10 · NHTSA complaint #11395516
Also, making a left or right turn the power steering will stop,lock up start working again for no apparent reason. I have change all front tie rods twice, steering gear box, four times and the power steering pump three times. This is very serious and hazardous issue !!!!
Steering · 2017-01-30 · NHTSA complaint #10948581
While turning a left turn on a highway january 28 the vehicle lost power steering. I have removed and replaced the power steering pump three times, gearbox four times, all the tiebars and componentsd twice. Gmc is aware of the steering problems and has not recalled any vehicles for power steering problems!
Steering · 2017-01-29 · NHTSA complaint #10948351
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 gmc sierra 1500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags). The part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.
Air bags · 2016-10-27 · NHTSA complaint #10919714
My ignition cylinder is binding badly and im concerned that my vehicle is going to have the same problems as other gm vehicles.
Electrical system · 2014-08-15 · NHTSA complaint #10622479
You turn on the wipers and they don't work or start and than stop to which you must get out of the truck and give a pull on the wiper arm to get it started again.
Visibility · 2012-12-20 · NHTSA complaint #10489336
Closer inspection revealed the brake line had corroded and began to leak. This was replaced in january 2011. After replacing both front brake pads and pressing the brake pedal, the brake line on the passenger side burst and after inspecting this brake line as well, it was corroded and finally gave way due to the extra…
Service brakes · 2012-05-25 · NHTSA complaint #10459606
Brake lines are severely corroded. Luckily there was no accident. Also own an 87 & 83 mercedes benz, no issues with corrosion on any fuel or brake lines. Brakes are the most important system on a vehicle. Gm should be made to fix this, this is negligent corporate behavior.
Service brakes · 2011-12-29 · NHTSA complaint #10441620

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

19973
19984
199910
200011
20012
20024
20037
20048
20057
20064
20072
20081
20092
20102
20115
20124
20141
20152
20161
20172
20211

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 3,991 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Sierra 1500 has 266 complaints (34 years in the data). This year has 83, below average.

What to check before buying

Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.

Other years of this model

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, service brakes, visibility. Total complaints: 83. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (13%), fuel system, fuel smell (7%), rust, corrosion (6%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500?

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 Sierra 1500 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.