VehicleVerdict

1997 Chevrolet C/k Pickups problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 85 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.5 times the median C/k Pickups year — the 1997 model ranks #2 of 13 C/k Pickups years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 30 deaths and 1 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 32 reports (38% of the total).

85

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

30

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other C/k Pickups years?

C/k Pickups NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted88 complaints1990: 1 complaints1991: 7 complaints1992: 7 complaints1993: 12 complaints1994: 60 complaints1995: 23 complaints1996: 24 complaints1997: 85 complaints1998: 88 complaints1999: 43 complaints2000: 40 complaints2001: 28 complaints2002: 14 complaints
C/k Pickups NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all C/k Pickups years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Chevrolet C/k Pickups problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers3238%
Steering2024%
Brakes911%
Transmission45%
Fuel System45%
Engine45%
Body & Structure34%
Latches & Locks34%
Suspension22%
Lighting11%
Electrical System11%
Airbags11%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 1997 Chevrolet C/k Pickups have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

03V159000Visibility & WipersApril 28, 2003 · 1,755,876 units

Defect

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. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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 DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“1997 CHEVROLET C/K 1500 PICK-UP WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE VIN # [XXX]. CALLED ATZENHOFFER CHEVROLET ABOUT RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL (GM RECALL #03023, NHTSA ID# 03V159000). *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · May 26, 2005

“STEERING IS UNPREDICTABLE, IT HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY STILL CANT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS I SEE ON THIS WEBSITE WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED VEHICLE. THIS IS A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 23, 1999

“VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING BRAKING PROBLEMS, DURING A HARD STOP, THE BRAKES EXTEND THE STOPPING LENGTH AND MAKE NOISES, BRAKES ARE VERY SENSITIVE WHEN STOPPING ON SMOOTH ROADS AND DURING NORMAL STOPPING, THE CONSUMER HAS HAD NEW BRAKES, ROTORS, DURMS AND A MASTER CYLINDER, BUT THE PROBLEMS STILL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

“1) BURNT ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. LOCATION IS INSIDE THE GAS TANK. HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. EXPLOSION HAZARD. 2) POWER STEERING- WHEEL WOULD JERK VEHICLE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 1, 2000

“ENGINE COOLANT LEAK FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AREA. GM SAYS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL ITS TRUCKS 1996-2003 AND HAS RELEASED A NEW STYLE GASKET KIT TO REPAIR THE CONCERN. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 15, 2003

1997 Chevrolet C/k Pickups — common questions

Is the 1997 Chevrolet C/k Pickups reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 85 complaints put the 1997 model at #2 of 13 C/k Pickups years. It is one of the C/k Pickups years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 C/k Pickups problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (32 complaints), steering (20 complaints), brakes (9 complaints).

Does the 1997 Chevrolet C/k Pickups have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1997 Chevrolet C/k Pickups. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Chevrolet C/k Pickups under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet C/k Pickups years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the C/k Pickups years to avoid are 1998, 1997, 1994, 1999, 2000. The cleanest record among C/k Pickups years belongs to 1990.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.