VehicleVerdict

1997 GMC Suburban problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1997 GMC Suburban carries two red flags at once: 268 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 31.5× 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 28 injuries in total across these filings.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 71 reports (27% of the total).

268

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

5

Investigations · 1 open

22

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

28

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Suburban years?

Suburban NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted490 complaints1966: 0 complaints1974: 1 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 5 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 4 complaints1987: 8 complaints1988: 8 complaints1989: 24 complaints1990: 28 complaints1991: 33 complaints1992: 105 complaints1993: 254 complaints1994: 490 complaints1995: 294 complaints1996: 220 complaints1997: 268 complaints1998: 137 complaints1999: 393 complaints2000: 20 complaints2001: 5 complaints2002: 9 complaints2003: 8 complaints2004: 1 complaints
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 GMC Suburban problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes7126%
Steering4015%
Transmission2710%
Fuel System259%
Electrical System249%
Engine218%
Tires & Wheels197%
Visibility & Wipers145%
Airbags52%
Body & Structure52%
Suspension52%
Seats31%
Other21%
Trailer Hitch21%
Speed Control21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Child Seat10%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 1997 GMC 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.

“VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHEN APPLYING BRAKES , WENT TO DEALER, REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. AFTER THIS REPAIR, DEFECT WAS STILL OCCURRING WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO REARENED A ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROX 40-45 MPH. ,BRAKES COMPLETLEY FAILE. ,NO ABS WARNING LIGHT.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 1, 1997 · crash

“STEERING WOULD PULL TO RIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND MECHANIC REPAIRED IT, BUT CURRENTLY VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO LEFT. STEERING SENSOR WAS REPLACED. HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO STEERING PROBLEM. STEERING WENT RIGHT, AND VEHICLE HIT CURB. THEN, SPUN AROUND, BACKWARDS. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 4, 2001 · crash

“LOST CONTROL TRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE I-20 EASTBOUND IN CONYERS, GA. AXLE SEPARATED, AND REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. SUBURBAN FLIPPED 3X, SKIDDED ON PASSENGER SIDE & CAME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED, INCLUDING MULTIPLE HITS ON FRONT BUMPER. 1 PASSENGER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 8, 1999 · crash

“FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEM FAILURE. INSIDE CANNON PLUG CHARRED AND WIRES ARE MELTED. CANNON PLUG IS CRACKED. THIS WAS ALL DISCOVERED WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS BEING REPLACED. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 28, 2005 · fire

“THE VEHICLE HAS CONSUMES OIL AT APPROXIMATELY 1 QUART EVERY 600 MILES,NO LEAKS VISIBLE. THE DEALER WORKED ON THE OIL PROBLEM IN MAY BUT DID NOT FIX IT. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW IT HAS HAD A VIBRATION WHEN SPEEDS APPROACH 50 MILES PER HOUR AND INCREASES WITH MORE SPEED, NEW…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 27, 1999

1997 GMC Suburban — common questions

Is the 1997 GMC Suburban reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 268 complaints put the 1997 model at #4 of 26 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 (71 complaints), steering (40 complaints), transmission (27 complaints).

Does the 1997 GMC Suburban have recalls?

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

Is the 1997 GMC 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 GMC Suburban years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Suburban years to avoid are 1994, 1999, 1995, 1997, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1992, 1991. The cleanest record among Suburban years belongs to 1982.

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.