Total Complaints
693 filings
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 · model year
693 NHTSA complaints, 31 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997CHEVROLETSILVERADO 1500 carries 693 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 31 crashes, 16 fires, 28 injuries, and 1 fatality. 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 SILVERADO 1500 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 86 filings, followed by steering (59) and steering:hydraulic power assist system (49). 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 2 investigation files overlapping the 1997 SILVERADO 1500, and 1 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.
Total Complaints
693 filings
Crashes Reported
31 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 86 |
| STEERING | 59 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 49 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 33 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 32 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 25 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 24 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 14 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 14 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 12 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 11 |
| STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | 10 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 10 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 10 |
| SEATS | 9 |
The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the corner of the front seat fell through the floor structure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was stated that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated that the original frame to repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Mileage: 75,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 351,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Mileage: 351,000
THE WIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A STORM AND I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND I TRIED EVERYTHING I COULD TO GET THE WIPERS TO WORK I CALLED A FRIEND AND HE SAID TO TAP THE WIPER MOTOR AND IT DID GET THE WIPERS TO WORK UNTIL I GOT HOME AND THE NEXT DAY I CALLED AND GOT A NEW WIPER MOTOR AND INSTALLED IT ON MY TRUCK AND I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM SINCE. THE WIPER MOTOR WAS NOT CHEAP AND I'M ON A FIXED INCOME. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE WIPER MOTOR I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE TIME IT TOOK ME TO REPLACE IT. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN HELP ME OUT WITH THIS MATTER. THANK YOU *TR
Mileage: 76,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS WERE DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 258,669.
Mileage: 258,669
WHEN DRIVING AND ENTERING A CURVE THE POWER STEERING JERKS TO THE DIRECTION OF STEER. THIS IS SAID TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING POSITION SENSOR CAUSING THE VARIABLE ASSIST STEERING TO OVER-COMPENSATE AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER DANGEROUSLY. THE FORUMS ARE FULL OF PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS PLAGUED THIS SYSTEM.
Mileage: 125,000
MAIN BRAKE LINE THAT FEEDS THE REAR BRAKES FAILED ON MY TRUCK WHILE I WAS AT A GM DEALER PARKING LOT. THE BRAKE LINE ROTTED AWAY. HAD THE BRAKE LINE BROKE A FEW MINUTES EARLIER I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WHILE GETTING OFF OF THE INTERSTATE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP! WHEN THIS BRAKE LINE BURST I LOST ALL STOPPING ABILITY. *TR
Mileage: 58,236
I GOT THE TRUCK IN 2011 AND WHEN THE TITLE CAME IN THE MAIL IT HAD A NOTE THAT THE TRUCK HAD BEEN A DEALER LEMON LAW BUYBACK. MY PROBLEM NOW IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I CALLED CHEVROLET FOR SOME ASSISTANCE AND WAS TOLD TO HAVE A CHEVROLET DEALER DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE MOST OF THE CHECK ENGINE RELATED PARTS AND SENSORS AT A COST TO ME OF ABOUT $4000.00. I THINK THAT I AM BEING OVER SOLD. I PAID THE $85.00 AND HAD 2 OTHER TEST AND 2 DIFFERENT DIAGNOSE COST FROM $1500 TO CHANGE INJECTORS. ANOTHER.GM RECALL BUT MILEAGE PROBLEM. CHEVROLET DECLINED ANY HELP. I THINK IF IT WAS A LEMON THERE MUST HAVE HAD A BIG PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE TRUCK IT STILL LOOKS GOOD. ALSO THE WIPERS DON'T WORK AT TIMES THERE WAS A RECALL ON THEM BUT AGE AND MILES MAY BE A PROBLEM. I COULD USE SOME HELP. THANK YOU. *TR
Mileage: 164,000
I GOT THE TRUCK IN 2011 AND WHEN THE TITLE CAME IN THE MAIL IT HAD A NOTE THAT THE TRUCK HAD BEEN A DEALER LEMON LAW BUYBACK. MY PROBLEM NOW IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I CALLED CHEVROLET FOR SOME ASSISTANCE AND WAS TOLD TO HAVE A CHEVROLET DEALER DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE MOST OF THE CHECK ENGINE RELATED PARTS AND SENSORS AT A COST TO ME OF ABOUT $4000.00. I THINK THAT I AM BEING OVER SOLD. I PAID THE $85.00 AND HAD 2 OTHER TEST AND 2 DIFFERENT DIAGNOSE COST FROM $1500 TO CHANGE INJECTORS. ANOTHER.GM RECALL BUT MILEAGE PROBLEM. CHEVROLET DECLINED ANY HELP. I THINK IF IT WAS A LEMON THERE MUST HAVE HAD A BIG PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE TRUCK IT STILL LOOKS GOOD. ALSO THE WIPERS DON'T WORK AT TIMES THERE WAS A RECALL ON THEM BUT AGE AND MILES MAY BE A PROBLEM. I COULD USE SOME HELP. THANK YOU. *TR
Mileage: 164,000
I WAS STOPPED FOR NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT. SEAT BELT STOPS ARE ILLEGAL. I AM EXEMPT BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY. WATCH MY VIDEO HERE, HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=QB2VETMMZT0. *JS
I HAVE SAME PROBLEM AS THE REST , ONLY THING IS ,THERE ALL AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH IS RIGHT NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Mileage: 120,000
I HAVE SAME PROBLEM AS THE REST , ONLY THING IS ,THERE ALL AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH IS RIGHT NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Mileage: 120,000
I HAVE SAME PROBLEM AS THE REST , ONLY THING IS ,THERE ALL AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH IS RIGHT NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Mileage: 120,000
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG KEY SWITCHED IN OFF POSITION. THE PASSENGER SIDE BAG DEPLOYED, THE STEERING WHEEL ONE DID NOT. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, NO ROAD CONDITIONS, AND THE WEATHER WAS FAIR. WE WERE NOT INJURED BUT SHOCKED US. I QUICKLY STOPPED THE TRUCK TO AIR OUT THE CONTENTS OF THE AIR BAG IN THE CAB. *TR
Mileage: 78,000
NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH WAS ON AND FLICKERING AT TIMES. CHECKED THE FLUID AND NOTICE IT WAS VERY LOW. TOPPED OFF THE FLUID AND NOTICE SPOTS UNDER THE TRUCK. CHECKED CLOSER AND SAW THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING NEAR THE ABS CONTROLLER FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE BRAKE LINES ALL HAD MODERATE TO SEVER RUST ON THEM AND THIS WAS CAUSING THE LOSS OF FLUID.
Mileage: 159,000
THERE WAS AND HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT OR CRASH THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS LOOSE JUST FROM DAY TO DAY USE. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND ARE THE ONLY OWNERS IT HAS EVER HAD, AND WE NEED IT REPAIRED AS IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO DRIVE WITH THE LOOSE SEAT. *TR
I REMOVED BED OFF MY TRUCK TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP AND NOTICED SECTIONS OF MY REAR FRAME MISSING OR JUST PAPER THIN DUE TO ROT/CORROSION AND IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT'S SAD I'VE OWNED THIS TRUCK FOR 8YEARS AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT STILL HAS ALL OF ITS ORIGINAL BODY PANELS IN RUST/ROT FREE AND FLOORS ARE MINT JUST THE FRAME IS JUNK. *TR
Mileage: 122,567
I REMOVED BED OFF MY TRUCK TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP AND NOTICED SECTIONS OF MY REAR FRAME MISSING OR JUST PAPER THIN DUE TO ROT/CORROSION AND IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT'S SAD I'VE OWNED THIS TRUCK FOR 8YEARS AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT STILL HAS ALL OF ITS ORIGINAL BODY PANELS IN RUST/ROT FREE AND FLOORS ARE MINT JUST THE FRAME IS JUNK. *TR
Mileage: 122,567
BRAKE FLUID LOST DUE TO HOLE IN LINE ONLY HAD EMERGENCY BREAK TO STOP. *TR
Mileage: 58,841
I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE 3 WEEKS. ON MONDAY AUGUST 6TH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON A STREET IN A COMMERCIAL AREA. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A PARKING SPACE. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND I DROVE THE VEHICLE CA. 50 YARDS BEFORE ANOTHER FAILURE, WHEN I COASTED TO A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART, AND I WAS TOWED TO MY HOME. ON WEDNESDAY AUGUS 8TH, THE VEHICLE STALLED 3X AT A DISCOUNT STORE PARKING LOT, AND FINALLY STALLED AT WORK ON THE SAME DAY. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS WAS THE PMD ON THE CHEVY 6.5L DIESEL ENGINE, AND WAS A COMMON FAILURE. THIS IS A REAL HAZARD, AS THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS RESTART, AND WERE I GOING DOWN THE HIWAY (EXPECIALLY WITH A TRAILER), I WOULD HAVE LOST ACCELLERATION POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THIS COULD EASILY COST SOMEONE THEIR LIVES. *TR
Mileage: 111,643
I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE 3 WEEKS. ON MONDAY AUGUST 6TH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON A STREET IN A COMMERCIAL AREA. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A PARKING SPACE. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND I DROVE THE VEHICLE CA. 50 YARDS BEFORE ANOTHER FAILURE, WHEN I COASTED TO A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART, AND I WAS TOWED TO MY HOME. ON WEDNESDAY AUGUS 8TH, THE VEHICLE STALLED 3X AT A DISCOUNT STORE PARKING LOT, AND FINALLY STALLED AT WORK ON THE SAME DAY. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS WAS THE PMD ON THE CHEVY 6.5L DIESEL ENGINE, AND WAS A COMMON FAILURE. THIS IS A REAL HAZARD, AS THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS RESTART, AND WERE I GOING DOWN THE HIWAY (EXPECIALLY WITH A TRAILER), I WOULD HAVE LOST ACCELLERATION POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THIS COULD EASILY COST SOMEONE THEIR LIVES. *TR
Mileage: 111,643
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.