VehicleVerdict

1997 GMC Suburban transmission problems

The 1997 GMC Suburban has 27 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

27

Transmission complaints

10%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Suburban transmission complaints by model year27 complaints1987: 1 complaints1989: 1 complaints1990: 2 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 4 complaints1993: 14 complaints1994: 10 complaints1995: 11 complaints1996: 14 complaints1997: 27 complaints1998: 17 complaints1999: 24 complaints2000: 2 complaints2002: 1 complaints
Suburban transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1997 GMC Suburban have?

NHTSA has 27 complaints about the 1997 GMC Suburban transmission — 10% 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.