1997 Chevrolet Suburban problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1997 Chevrolet Suburban carries two red flags at once: 556 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 3.7× the Suburban norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING). It is one of the Suburban years to avoid. Complainants reported 20 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (116), steering (115), and transmission (56), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

556

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations · 1 open

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Suburban years?

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

See all Suburban years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Chevrolet Suburban problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Brakes	116	21%	▼ down
Steering	115	21%	▲ up
Transmission	56	10%	— flat
Electrical System	55	10%	— flat
Fuel System	50	9%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	37	7%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	30	5%	▼ down
Engine	23	4%	▼ down
Suspension	21	4%	▲ up
Other	12	2%	▲ up
Airbags	8	1%	▼ down
Seat Belts	7	1%	— flat
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	5	1%	— flat
Seats	5	1%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	5	1%	▲ up
Body & Structure	4	1%	▼ down
Speed Control	3	1%	▼ down
Lighting	2	0%	▼ down
Trailer Hitch	1	0%	▼ down
Child Seat	1	0%	— flat

Does the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

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

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).

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.

03V093000Visibility & WipersMarch 7, 2003 · 507,171 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 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 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Open NHTSA investigations

DP00001

OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING

THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT CRACKS IN THE HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE TRAILER AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V379000 CONCERNING THE ANTI- LOCK BRAKES. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 18, 2002 · crash

“THESE TRUCKS WITH THIS STEERING PROBLEM ARE VERY DANGEROUS FOR DRIVERS, PASSENGERS & OTHER MOTORISTS AROUND THESE VEHICLES.IF NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED YET BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT GM SHOULD DO SOMETHING BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 22, 2003 · crash

“THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH RELAY IN THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE PRESSURE, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO PUSH THE DIP STICK UP OUT OF THE DIPSTICK TUBE. THEN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID ESCAPED. TRAVELING DOWN THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HIT THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 23, 2003 · fire

“THE VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE TWICE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRES & BEING OVERLOADED. ALSO, FUSE BOX CAUGHT FIRE TWICE & HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

“ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON 1ST THEN A VARIOUS OTHER PROBLES BEGAN OCCURING AS WE TRIED TO GET OUR VEHICLE HOME. WHEN WE GOT IT TO THE DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP WE WERE TOLD THAT THE #2 FUEL INJECTOR HAD STARTED LEAKING AND FILLED THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITH GAS. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN 4 MONTHES LATER…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 7, 1999 · fire

1997 Chevrolet Suburban — common questions

Is the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 556 complaints put the 1997 model at #6 of 47 Suburban years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Suburban years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 Suburban problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (116 complaints), steering (115 complaints), transmission (56 complaints).

Does the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Chevrolet Suburban years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Suburban years to avoid are 1994, 1999, 1993, 2015, 1995, 1997, 2001, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2002, 1998, 2016, 2008, 2004, 2021, 1992, 2011, 2013, 2010, 2022, 2023, 2012, 2009, 2014, 2024. The cleanest record among Suburban years belongs to 1982.

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 Suburban years?

What are the most common 1997 Chevrolet Suburban problems?

Does the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

Open NHTSA investigations

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1997 Chevrolet Suburban — common questions

Is the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?

What are the most common 1997 Suburban problems?

Does the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

Is the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban under NHTSA investigation?

Which Chevrolet Suburban years should you avoid?

Related