CHEVROLET C/K PICKUPS · model year

1997 CHEVROLET C/K PICKUPS

85 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997CHEVROLETC/K PICKUPS carries 85 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 30 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 C/K PICKUPS is visibility:windshield wiper/washer with 14 filings, followed by steering:hydraulic power assist system (10) and visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (10). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1997 C/K PICKUPS, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

85
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
30
Deaths

Total Complaints

85 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER14
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM10
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR10
STEERING7
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING4
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
VISIBILITY3
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP2
STEERING:COLUMN1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS1

Recent Complaints

20130819SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKES FAILED, INSPECTION REVEALED COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINES, FRAME, SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, STEERING COMPONENTS, AND CROSSMEMBERS. VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRABLE AND IS NO LONGER USABLE. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

20130819STEERING

BRAKES FAILED, INSPECTION REVEALED COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINES, FRAME, SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, STEERING COMPONENTS, AND CROSSMEMBERS. VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRABLE AND IS NO LONGER USABLE. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

20130819SUSPENSION

BRAKES FAILED, INSPECTION REVEALED COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINES, FRAME, SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, STEERING COMPONENTS, AND CROSSMEMBERS. VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRABLE AND IS NO LONGER USABLE. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

20130819STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

BRAKES FAILED, INSPECTION REVEALED COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINES, FRAME, SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, STEERING COMPONENTS, AND CROSSMEMBERS. VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRABLE AND IS NO LONGER USABLE. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

20120503VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET C/K. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

20120105VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET C/K PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS THE WINDSHIED WIPERS WOULD NOT OPERATE NORMALLY. HE WOULD HAD TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAIT UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO THE WIPER MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT HE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ UPDATED 02/13/12

Mileage: 130,000

20111116VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET PICKUP QUAD CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOW WIPER MOTOR WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V159000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,397.

Mileage: 128,397

20101115VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER

RECENTLY HAD WIPERS FAIL DURING HEAVY STORM WHILE ON FREEWAY. NEARLY CAUSED CRASH. CONDITION IS INTERMITTENT. CHECKED NHTSA WEBSITE AND FOUND RECALL (03V159000) AND DOCUMENTS SHOWED ENTIRE PRODUCTION FROM MY MODEL WAS INCLUDED. TOOK TRUCK TO PENSKE CHEV. OF CERRITOS, CA. ASKED THEM TO CHECK FOR RECALL APPLICABILITY. THEY TOLD ME "THE TRUCK WAS TOO OLD" AND MY VIN NUMBER WAS "NOT A GOOD VIN". THEY CALLED GM AND GOT THE SAME INFO, NO RECORD OF VIN. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER (NEVER RECEIVED OWNER NOTIFICATIONS) AND SHOWED THEM MONRONEY LABEL, ORIGINAL BILL OF SALE AND TITLE WITH THIS VIN. SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME THAT WITHOUT VIN, THERE WOULD BE NO REPAIR, DESPITE THE PAPERWORK PROVIDED AND GM RECALL DOCUMENT WITH AFFECTED RANGE. DEALER ACTED LIKE I WAS TRYING TO STEAL FROM THEM. *TR

Mileage: 93,850

20101115VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

RECENTLY HAD WIPERS FAIL DURING HEAVY STORM WHILE ON FREEWAY. NEARLY CAUSED CRASH. CONDITION IS INTERMITTENT. CHECKED NHTSA WEBSITE AND FOUND RECALL (03V159000) AND DOCUMENTS SHOWED ENTIRE PRODUCTION FROM MY MODEL WAS INCLUDED. TOOK TRUCK TO PENSKE CHEV. OF CERRITOS, CA. ASKED THEM TO CHECK FOR RECALL APPLICABILITY. THEY TOLD ME "THE TRUCK WAS TOO OLD" AND MY VIN NUMBER WAS "NOT A GOOD VIN". THEY CALLED GM AND GOT THE SAME INFO, NO RECORD OF VIN. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER (NEVER RECEIVED OWNER NOTIFICATIONS) AND SHOWED THEM MONRONEY LABEL, ORIGINAL BILL OF SALE AND TITLE WITH THIS VIN. SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME THAT WITHOUT VIN, THERE WOULD BE NO REPAIR, DESPITE THE PAPERWORK PROVIDED AND GM RECALL DOCUMENT WITH AFFECTED RANGE. DEALER ACTED LIKE I WAS TRYING TO STEAL FROM THEM. *TR

Mileage: 93,850

20091009SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THE REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED AND BEGAN A MAJOR LEAK CAUSING MY PREGNANT WIFE TO NEARLY REAR END A CAR. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

20090518CrashAIR BAGS

VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

20090113SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE AT SLOW SPEEDS (LESS THAN 5 MPH) ON DRY PAVEMENT. VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED CAUSING LOW SPEED COLLISION. NO INJURIES BUT MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. CO-WORKER HAS A 98 WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20090113SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ANTI LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE AT SLOW SPEEDS (LESS THAN 5 MPH) ON DRY PAVEMENT. VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED CAUSING LOW SPEED COLLISION. NO INJURIES BUT MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. CO-WORKER HAS A 98 WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20080708VISIBILITY

I WAS RETURNING HOME WHEN IT STARTED RAINING. I TRIED TO TURN ON MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THEY DID NOT COME ON. THE RAIN BECAME VERY HEAVY AND I WAS UNABLE TO SEE. I HAD NO WAS TO TURN OFF OR STOP SO I SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MPH IN A 45 MPH ZONE, SO I COULD EVEN STAY ON THE ROAD. WHEN I FINALLY HAD A CHANCE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD I DID. THE WIPERS DID NOT WORK AT ANY SPEED, NOR DID THE WIPER WASH MODE WORK. AFTER I MADE IT HOME I CHECKED THE FUSE FOR THE WIPERS AND IT WAS OKAY. I TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH ON AND THE WIPERS WORKED. AS WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF RAIN IN OUR AREA, THIS OCCURRED 3 SEPERATE TIMES WHERE THE WIPERS FAILED TO WORK WHEN I NEEDED THEM. AFTER I HAD GOTTEN HOME, AND CHECKED AGAIN, THEY WORKED. I RESEARCHED ON THE WEB AT A CHEVY SITE AND FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, MINE IS A 1997 CHEVROLET K PICKUP TRUCK. I ALSO FOUND A ODI RECALL WHICH MATCHED MY TYPE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT MY VEHICLE NUMBER WAS NOT PART

Mileage: 98,000

20071114VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET K 1500. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED, THE WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE WIPERS HAVE YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

Mileage: 79,000

20060602SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE BRAKES FAILED. THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING DURING NORMAL BRAKING ON NORMAL ROADS. THE DEALERSHIP TURNED THE ROTORS, PACKED THE WHEEL BEARINGS, REPLACED THE CYLINDERS, SEALED IN REAR AXLES, REPLACED THE BRAKES AND PADS HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 6/19/2006 - *NM

Mileage: 77,000

20060518VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING A THUNDERSTORM. *NM

20060426VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE WIPERS ARE ENGAGED IN RAINY WEATHER, THEY WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V159000, REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 05/10/06. *JB

Mileage: 91,000

20060426VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V159000, REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Mileage: 108,000

20060316VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

I WENT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO FIX A RECALL ON MY CHEVORLET TRUCK THAT I SAW ON YOUR WEBSITE AND THEY WILL NOT FIX IT FOR FREE. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY RECALLS ABOUT IT. I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE WIPERS NOT WORKING ALL THE TIME AND IT IS CAUSING A HAZARD WHEN I DRIVE IN THE RAIN. *JB

Compare 1997CHEVROLETC/K PICKUPS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 CHEVROLET C/K PICKUPS have?
The 1997 CHEVROLET C/K PICKUPS has 85 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 30 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 CHEVROLET C/K PICKUPS?
The most-complained component for the 1997 CHEVROLET C/K PICKUPS is VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM and VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR.
Is the 1997 CHEVROLET C/K PICKUPS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.