VehicleVerdict

1997 GMC Sierra 2500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

14

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Sierra 2500 years?

Sierra 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted193 complaints1994: 2 complaints1997: 14 complaints1998: 19 complaints1999: 42 complaints2000: 62 complaints2001: 171 complaints2002: 164 complaints2003: 193 complaints2004: 175 complaints2005: 159 complaints2006: 78 complaints2007: 98 complaints2008: 78 complaints2009: 37 complaints2010: 11 complaints2011: 81 complaints2012: 39 complaints2013: 57 complaints2014: 39 complaints2015: 100 complaints2016: 75 complaints2017: 51 complaints2018: 46 complaints2019: 38 complaints2020: 106 complaints2021: 63 complaints2022: 52 complaints2023: 34 complaints2024: 133 complaints2025: 34 complaints2026: 9 complaints
Sierra 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sierra 2500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes750%
Tires & Wheels214%
Visibility & Wipers214%
Fuel System17%
Latches & Locks17%
Seats17%

Does the 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 have recalls?

4 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).

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.

“WAS PREPARING TO STOP AT ABOUT 30 MP IN DRY CONDITONS DURING NORMAL STOPPING OPERATION, BUT BRAKES BECAME INOPERATIVE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT PEDESTRIAN. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · crash

“WHILE RAINING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL MOVE REAL SLOW OR THEY MAY STOP COMPLETELY. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT REOCCURRING PROBLEM. DEALER CLAIMS VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · February 3, 1999

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC C2500 PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH COOPER MASTERCRAFT TIRES, SIZE P265/75/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 16, 2012

“I OWN A 97 GMC TRUCK. CURRENTLY, THE TRUCK HAS A LITTLE OVER 55,000 MILES. APPROXIMATELY, 2 YEARS AGO THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FAILED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LEHMERS IN CONCORD AND THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE TO ME... IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. LAST WEEK THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · November 15, 2003

1997 GMC Sierra 2500 — common questions

Is the 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?

The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1997 Sierra 2500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (7 complaints), visibility & wipers (2 complaints), tires & wheels (2 complaints).

Does the 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 GMC Sierra 2500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Sierra 2500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 2500 years to avoid are 2003, 2004, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2024, 2020, 2015, 2007, 2011, 2008, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among Sierra 2500 years belongs to 1994.

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.