VehicleVerdict

1997 GMC Pickup problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 28 complaints on file for the 1997 GMC Pickup — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

28

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Pickup years?

Pickup NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted28 complaints1988: 1 complaints1990: 5 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 5 complaints1993: 2 complaints1994: 9 complaints1995: 14 complaints1996: 12 complaints1997: 28 complaints1998: 22 complaints1999: 25 complaints2000: 15 complaints2001: 6 complaints2002: 5 complaints
Pickup NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Pickup years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 GMC Pickup problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes621%
Visibility & Wipers621%
Steering414%
Engine27%
Electrical System27%
Tires & Wheels27%
Speed Control14%
Fuel System14%
Seats14%
Airbags14%
Body & Structure14%
Suspension14%

Does the 1997 GMC Pickup have recalls?

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

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.

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.

“WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. AT TIMES, ONLY ONE SPEED OF OPERATION IS AVAILABLE. ONE DEALER TOLD ME THAT GM HAD KNOWLEDGE OF THIS DEFECT(BAD SOLDER JOINTS ON CIRCUIT BOARD?) BUT WOULD NOT ISSUE/INITIATE A RECALL OR ASSIST OWNERS FINANCIALLY IN REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers

“BRAKE PADS PREMATURALLY WEAR OUT. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE PADS TWO TIMES. OWNER STATES THAT THE PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

“WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WIPE AFTER BRIEF RAINSTORM . ONCE THE TRUCK DRIED, THE WIPERS WOULD WORK. THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLIES FAILED WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER AND FURTHER DIAGNOSIS REVEALED AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN EACH ASSEMBLY WHICH CAUSED THE TURN SIGNAL TO FAIL TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 22, 2002

“I HAD 2 BLOWOUTS WITHIN 100 MILES WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE TIRES WERE CHECKED FOR PROPER INFLATION PRIOR TO THE TRIP. WHEN I TOOK THEM TO MY LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER THEY WERE QUICK TO SHIFT THE BLAME AND ACCEPTED NO RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED ALL FOUR OF THE ORIGINAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 1, 2000

1997 GMC Pickup — common questions

Is the 1997 GMC Pickup reliable?

The record is thin — 28 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1997 Pickup problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (6 complaints), visibility & wipers (6 complaints), steering (4 complaints).

Does the 1997 GMC Pickup have recalls?

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

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.