VehicleVerdict

1997 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 53 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 13.3 times the median Chevrolet Truck year — the 1997 model ranks #3 of 41 Chevrolet Truck years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 15 reports (28% of the total).

53

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Chevrolet Truck years?

Chevrolet Truck NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted81 complaints1960: 0 complaints1961: 0 complaints1962: 4 complaints1963: 0 complaints1964: 0 complaints1965: 0 complaints1966: 0 complaints1967: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1972: 2 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 2 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 2 complaints1977: 5 complaints1978: 3 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 4 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 3 complaints1985: 5 complaints1986: 4 complaints1987: 4 complaints1988: 27 complaints1989: 19 complaints1990: 18 complaints1991: 14 complaints1992: 15 complaints1993: 15 complaints1994: 53 complaints1995: 80 complaints1996: 81 complaints1997: 53 complaints1998: 37 complaints1999: 39 complaints2000: 23 complaints2001: 32 complaints2002: 45 complaints2003: 48 complaints
Chevrolet Truck NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Chevrolet Truck years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1528%
Steering1325%
Transmission815%
Body & Structure48%
Fuel System36%
Tires & Wheels24%
Suspension24%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Electrical System12%
Engine12%
Lighting12%
Other12%
Speed Control12%

Does the 1997 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck have recalls?

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

06E040000LightingMay 15, 2006 · 1,648 units

Defect

CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET PICKUP. A RECALL WAS BEING ISSUED ON GM 1999 -2002 CORROSION ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSORS. THE 1997 CHEVROLET PICKUPS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ANTI LOCK BRAKE CORROSION AS THE 1999-2002 RECALLED VEHICLES. TOOK THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 1, 2000 · crash

“PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURN ONLY. THE STEERING HAS NO FORCE, FOR A SPLIT SECOND, CAUSING YOU TO OVERSTEER. THE STEERING NORMALLY HAS A NORMAL AMOUNT OF FORCE WHICH THE DRIVER HAS TO OVERCOME TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE FORCE TO CEASE, LIKE STEERING IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 15, 1999

“TRUCK WAS PARKED ON A 14 DEGREE INCLINE WITH ENGINE FACING UPHILL AND THE 4WD WAS IN 4WD-LOW. WITH NO ONE IN THE TRUCK AND AFTER 5010 MINUTES, TRUCK DISENGAGED FROM PARK. THE TRUCK PROCEEDED DOWN THE HILL CAUSING THE DRIVER TO JUMP OUT OF WAY FROM BEING HIT. THE TRUCK CAME TO REST AFTER HITTING THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 21, 1998 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET Z71. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE DETACHED WHEN HE EXITED THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES. HE HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. HE HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE DEALER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 28, 2007

“AFTER THE GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED THERE IS A 3 TO 5 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE DECELERATES. THIS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL ON SLIPPERY ROADS. BOTH DEALER/MFR REPORT THAT THIS IS "NORMAL" AND RECOMEND USE OF THE CLUTCH TO PREVENT LOSS OF CONTROL IN SLIPPERY SITUATIONS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 1, 1997

1997 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck — common questions

Is the 1997 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 53 complaints put the 1997 model at #3 of 41 Chevrolet Truck years. It is one of the Chevrolet Truck years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 Chevrolet Truck problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (15 complaints), steering (13 complaints), transmission (8 complaints).

Does the 1997 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck have recalls?

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

Is the 1997 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Chevrolet Truck years to avoid are 1996, 1995, 1994, 1997, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1998, 2001. The cleanest record among Chevrolet Truck years belongs to 1975.

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.