1997 Chevrolet C10 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 1997 Chevrolet C10 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 7 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other C10 years?

C10 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all C10 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Chevrolet C10 problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Steering	2	25%	▲ up
Suspension	2	25%	▲ up
Airbags	1	13%	— flat
Engine	1	13%	▼ down
Fuel System	1	13%	— flat
Visibility & Wipers	1	13%	▼ down

Does the 1997 Chevrolet C10 have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

06E060000LightingJune 29, 2006 · 87,745 units

Defect

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy

AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

98V187000Fuel SystemAugust 10, 1998 · 55,272 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE FRONT, INNER CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK CAN CONTACT THE BODY SILL EITHER INTERMITTENTLY OR CONSTANTLY. THIS MOVEMENT CAN CAUSE A DISCERNIBLE NOISE AND, OVER TIME, CAN WEAR A HOLE IN OR CRACK THE FUEL TANK AT POINT OF CONTACT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AND A DISTINCT FUEL ODOR IF THE TANK WERE FILLED ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE HOLE OR CRACK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK FOR WEAR AND, EITHER INSTALL A SPACER BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER, OR IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.

97V176000SeatsOctober 7, 1997 · 6,418 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. ONE OR TWO OF THE FRONT SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, A SEAT WITH THIS CONDITION WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL CHECK ALL SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND INSTALL ANY MISSING BOLTS.

97V037000SeatsMarch 7, 1997 · 624,433 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RECLINING SEATS AND THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE. THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH A PINCH POINT EXISTS IN THE RECLINER MECHANISM THAT CAN TRAP AND PINCH A PERSON'S HAND OR FINGER(S) WHEN THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE IS ACTIVATED.

Consequence

THIS PINCHING CAN CUT THE HAND OR POSSIBLY SEVER THE FINGER(S) WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE EXPERIENCING HARD PULLING TO THE LEFT, CONSUMER HAS REPLACED TIRES, STRUTS, SHOCK, BRAKES BUT PULLING STILL EXPERIENCED. NLM”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension

“TRUCK OVER-STEERS TO THE LEFT, ESPECIALLY ON A LEFT HAND CURVE. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MOMENTARLY PULL HARD TO THE LEFT - THEN RETURN TO CENTER. DURING THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WILL UNEXPECTEDLY VEER LEFT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FIRM GRIP ON THE WHEEL AND COUNTER ACT THE HARD PULL. A LOCAL…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 1, 2000

“WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO MOVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AROUND SO THAT THEY CAN RESTART. BUT, THEY WILL FAIL AGAIN.THIS CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY.*AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 1, 2000

“PULLED INTO GARAGE AND THERE WAS A A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. DISCOVERED A GASOLINE PUDDLE WHERE THE FUEL LINES GO INTO THE THROTTLE BODY. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICING DEALER, THIS LEAK, WH EN BAD ENOUGH FORCES GASOLINE INTO THE MAIN WIRE HARNESS . THIS LEAK , AS I UNDERSTAND IT, RESULTED FROM THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 21, 2000

“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM VIBRATES AND ONECAN SMELL FUMES. TOOK TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 22, 1997

1997 Chevrolet C10 — common questions

Is the 1997 Chevrolet C10 reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 7 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1997 Chevrolet C10 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Chevrolet C10. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet C10 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the C10 years to avoid are 1995. The cleanest record among C10 years belongs to 2001.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1997 compare to other C10 years?

What are the most common 1997 Chevrolet C10 problems?

Does the 1997 Chevrolet C10 have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1997 Chevrolet C10 — common questions

Is the 1997 Chevrolet C10 reliable?

Does the 1997 Chevrolet C10 have recalls?

Which Chevrolet C10 years should you avoid?

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