VehicleVerdict

1997 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 100 owner complaints run below the Sierra 1500 median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

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

100

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Sierra 1500 years?

See all Sierra 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering2525%
Brakes1919%
Visibility & Wipers1414%
Fuel System1010%
Transmission99%
Suspension66%
Seat Belts44%
Body & Structure33%
Engine33%
Airbags22%
Electrical System22%
Other11%
Lighting11%
Speed Control11%

Does the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

5 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).

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.

WHEN DRIVING ANYWHERE FROM 50, 60, 70 MPH, THE STEERING LOOSENED UP. ALSO, WHEN MAKING ANY KIND OF A RIGHT CURVE THE STEERING WHEEL GOES SLACK, YOU GET 3-4 INCHES OF FREE PLAY. THE DEALER /GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. TRUCK IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND CANNOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 28, 1999

STEEL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE UNDER TRUCK BED AND RUNNING ALONG DRIVER SIDE FRAME RUPTURED WHILE DRIVING. RESULT WAS LOSS OF LOSS OF PRESSURIZATION/BRAKE FLUID, MUSHY BRAKE PEDAL, AND GREATLY DECREASED BRAKING PERFORMANCE. INSPECTION REVEALS SIGNIFICANT RUST AREAS ON ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES REQUIRING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 24, 2015

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WIPER/WASHER MOTOR THERE WAS A RECALL # 03023 PERTAINING TO INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE WIPERS AND A BUZZ UNDER THE DASH DUE TO BAD SOLDER POINTS WHICH FAILED 5 TIMES. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 17, 2006

I UNDERSTAND THEIR HAVE BEEN A HIGH NUMBER OF FUEL PUMP FAILURES IN THESE VEHICLES. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND SERVICE ADVISOR ALREADY KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK BEFORE THEY EVEN LOOKED AT IT. ALSO THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME HIS OWN FUEL PUMP FAILED ON HIS GMC TRUCK AT 38,000 MILES. THIS IS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 2, 2000

1997 GMC SIERRA DOES NOT DECELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.*MR BRAKING AND/OR DOWNSHIFTING ONLY INCREASED THE RPM. TRANSMISSION CAN BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL THEN BACK IN THE DESIRED GEAR AND THE VEHICLE WILL THEN SLOW DOWN SLIGHTLY. SERVICE DEALER CLAIMED NO PROBLEM FOUND. *TT

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 1, 2005

1997 GMC Sierra 1500 — common questions

Is the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 100 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sierra 1500 year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1997 Sierra 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (25 complaints), brakes (19 complaints), visibility & wipers (14 complaints).

Does the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Sierra 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 1500 years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2020, 2023, 2017, 2016, 2008, 2024, 2018, 2011, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2012. The cleanest record among Sierra 1500 years belongs to 1995.

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.