VehicleVerdict

1997 GMC Sierra brakes problems

The 1997 GMC Sierra has 76 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 25% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

76

Brakes complaints

25%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Sierra brakes complaints by model year355 complaints1977: 1 complaints1988: 1 complaints1989: 5 complaints1990: 12 complaints1991: 6 complaints1992: 7 complaints1993: 13 complaints1994: 18 complaints1995: 54 complaints1996: 57 complaints1997: 76 complaints1998: 68 complaints1999: 355 complaints2000: 243 complaints2001: 155 complaints2002: 152 complaints2003: 86 complaints2004: 77 complaints2005: 37 complaints2006: 27 complaints2007: 14 complaints2008: 2 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 4 complaints2011: 4 complaints2012: 4 complaints2013: 4 complaints2015: 3 complaints2017: 20 complaints
Sierra brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH AND UPON APPLYING BRAKES THEY FELT AS IF THEY WERE BRAKING. HOWEVER, BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SKID, AND RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 13, 2001 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1997 GMC Sierra have?

NHTSA has 76 complaints about the 1997 GMC Sierra brakes — 25% of all complaints filed for that model year.

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.