VehicleVerdict

1997 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 sits mid-pack among Silverado 2500 years: 74 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 101, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 2 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 25 reports (34% of the total).

74

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Silverado 2500 years?

Silverado 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted561 complaints1994: 7 complaints1995: 6 complaints1996: 2 complaints1997: 74 complaints1998: 82 complaints1999: 95 complaints2000: 156 complaints2001: 379 complaints2002: 408 complaints2003: 561 complaints2004: 431 complaints2005: 337 complaints2006: 218 complaints2007: 253 complaints2008: 226 complaints2009: 79 complaints2010: 27 complaints2011: 128 complaints2012: 69 complaints2013: 71 complaints2014: 52 complaints2015: 245 complaints2016: 156 complaints2017: 69 complaints2018: 69 complaints2019: 101 complaints2020: 134 complaints2021: 103 complaints2022: 123 complaints2023: 64 complaints2024: 202 complaints2025: 30 complaints2026: 4 complaints
Silverado 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Silverado 2500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes2534%
Visibility & Wipers1115%
Steering811%
Engine811%
Fuel System79%
Seats34%
Tires & Wheels34%
Suspension23%
Electrical System23%
Airbags23%
Speed Control11%
Latches & Locks11%
Transmission11%

Does the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have recalls?

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

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“CONSUMER'S MOTHER AND FATHER WERE LEAVING A PARKING LOT WHEN THEIR BRAKES FAILED. THEIR TRUCK DRIFTED OUT INTO TRAFFIC THAT WAS GOING APPROX. 55-60MPH, AND THEY WERE BROADSIDED BY A FULL SIZED VAN LOADED WITH LEAD PIPES. THE TRUCK IS NOW IN BAY CITY MICHIGAN TOWED BY TIMS TOWING. CONSUMER DOESN'T…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 25, 1997 · crash

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V159000, REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · February 1, 2006

“1997 K 2500 TRUCK PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING AND SURGING WILL STALL AT HIGH SPEEDS AND WITH HYDRO BOOST THERE ARE ONLY 10 % BRAKING POWER THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WITH EACH TIME A FAILURE OF A PMD BOX ON ENGINE THAT THE DEALER SAYS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM SINCE 1994 I HAVE HAD REPLACED 4 TIMES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 12, 2005 · crash

“(1) ONGOING (2) POWER STEERING SUDDENLY GOES TO TOO MUCH ASSIST TO NORMAL ASSIST, ESPECIALLY IN LEFT HAND TURN (3) DEALERSHIP SAYS ITS "EVO" SENSOR, WANTS $280 TO FIX IT. THIS PROBLEM IN 1997 CHEV C/K PICKUP TRUCKS READS LIKE A RASH IN QUANTITY REPORTS TO NHTSA, YET NHTSA SEEMS TO WANT MANY DEATHS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 9, 2004

“1997 K 2500 TRUCK PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING AND SURGING WILL STALL AT HIGH SPEEDS AND WITH HYDRO BOOST THERE ARE ONLY 10 % BRAKING POWER THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WITH EACH TIME A FAILURE OF A PMD BOX ON ENGINE THAT THE DEALER SAYS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM SINCE 1994 I HAVE HAD REPLACED 4 TIMES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 12, 2005 · crash

1997 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 — common questions

Is the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 74 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Silverado 2500 year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1997 Silverado 2500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (25 complaints), visibility & wipers (11 complaints), steering (8 complaints).

Does the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Silverado 2500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Silverado 2500 years to avoid are 2003, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2015, 2008, 2006, 2024, 2016, 2000, 2011, 2009, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2010. The cleanest record among Silverado 2500 years belongs to 1996.

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.