GMC GMC · model year

1997 GMC GMC

15 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997GMCGMC carries 15 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury, and 0 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 GMC is power train:automatic transmission with 3 filings, followed by steering:hydraulic power assist system (2) and steering (2). 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 1 investigation file overlapping the 1997 GMC. 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.

15
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

15 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM2
STEERING2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS1
TIRES1

Recent Complaints

20020829STEERING

WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, THE VEHICLE JERKED SUDDENLY, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THE STEERING POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TS *JB

20020528TIRES

TREAD AND SIDEWALL ARE SEPARATING ON THE TIRES. SIZE# 2357515 DOT UNKNOWN (108S M+S)EXTRA LOAD, 2183 POUND CAPACITY, TREADWEAR, 500, NARROW WHITE WALL. *AK THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED 3-4 INCHES OF BUBBLE PROTRUSION NEXT TO THE RIM ON THE LEFT/FRONT/LEFT/REAR TIRES, AND ON THE LAST INCIDENT THE CONSUMER FOUND IT HARD TO CONTROL THE STEERING. WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND SAW THE FRONT TIRES, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD TWO OR THREE LARGE LUMPS PROTRUDING IN THE TREAD. *SCC

20010709POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I DON,T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR MY REPAIRS AND WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT IN CASE SOMEBODY ELSE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT STATED. *AK

20001026FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT AN ACCIDENT TO NHTSA. I WAS DRIVING A 25 FOOT GMC PENSKE TRUCK FROM FLORIDA TO VIRGINIA ON AUG 16TH, 2000 WHEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE UNEXPECTEDLY AND BURNED EVERY MATERIAL ITEM THAT I OWNED, INCLUDING MY 2000 TOYOTA CELICA THAT WAS BEING TOWED ON A CARRIER. I WAS LUCKY TO ESCAPE WITH SINGED LEG HAIR, AND SMOKE INHALATION AS I LITERALLY HAD TO BAIL OUT OF THE CAB AND RUN FOR MY LIFE. THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL WAS ON THE SCENE AS I95 WAS COMPLETELY CLOSED DOWN. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM PENSKE'S INSURANCE COMPANY GHALLAGER AND BASSETT, TOLD ME THAT SUCH ENGINE FIRES HAD OCCURED APPROXIMATELY 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. ALSO I KNOW OF A COUPLE WHO WAS IN A SIMILAR INCIDENT, DRIVING A PENSKE RENTAL TRUCK FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TO FLORIDA WHEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR OF MY ACCIDENT FROM PALM BEACH GARDENS FIRE DEPARTMENT IN FLORIDA, DETERMINED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, AND GMC HAS CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THE YE

20000822POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT SEEMED TO HEAL UP BUT IT JUST CAME BACK AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FIXING THE PROBLEM, THEY HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED OTHER GM VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. GM HAVE BEEN CONTACTED AND THEIR ATTITUDE IS THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE 4L60E TRANSMISSION AND NOT IN ANY SAVANA VANS. THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING FOR US AS THE NONE GM WARRANTY HAVE COVERED MOST OF THE COST. WHAT ABOUT THE LACK OF VEHICLE THE FACT THAT IT HAD LESS THAN 70K ON THE CLOCK AND THIS IS THE SECOND VEHICLE WE HAVE OWNED WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. WE ARE UNABLE TO GET ANY ASSISTANCE IN FINDING OUT IF THERE IS A PROBLEM OR A FLAWED COMPONENT IN THE TRANSMISSION. WE HAVE HAD GM VEHICLES FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 YEARS AND UP UNTIL THE LAST YEAR OR SO HAVE NEVER HAD ANY REASON TO COMPLAIN. WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM. THE DATE OF FAILURE IS NOT THE EXACT DATE THAT THIS PROBLEM CAME TO OUR ATTENTION, IT IS A CLOSE

20000419STEERING

STEERING SPEED SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED

20000322EXTERIOR LIGHTING

DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS FAILED. NLM

20000126STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

STEERING JUMPS ERATICALLY INTO NEXT LANE UPON SHALLOW TURNS SOMETIMES???? 3 OUT OF EVERY TURNS, USALLY LEFT, ARE JUST FINE BUT THAT ODBALL TURN ERRATICALLY JUMPS INTO THE TURN UNEXSPECTEDLY HARSH. THIS HAS POSED A REAL PROBLEM IN THAT ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH IN SHALLOW BANKS YOU DONT KNOW IF IT IS GOING TO BE FINE AR IF YOU MUST HOLD ON FOR DEAR LIFE. I HAD THIS PROBLEM REPAIRED ONCE ON THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES AND SUPOSEDLY THEY CHANGED THE GEAR BOX. I HAVE 45,000 ON IT NOW AND IT HAS BEEN DOING IT AGAIN FOR ABOUT THE PAST 5,000 MILES. IT IS PROGRESSIVLY GETTING WORSE AND MORE DANGEROUS. I WAS MAILED A COUPON FROM MY DEALER FOR A POWER STEERING POWER FLUSH THAT SAID IT GETS RID OF "THAT JERKY FEELING". THAT JERK FEELING AT 70 MPH COULD BE DEADLY! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *AK

19990706STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

19990421SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE IF FAILS TO EXTEND OUT FOR BUCKLING. IN OTHER WORDS, THE PASSENGER CANNOT PULL OUT THE SNAGGED SEAT BELT, THEREFORE, THE PASSENGER IS WITHOUT SEATBELT CONNECTION. THE DEALER ADVISED ME THEY'VE HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THESE SEATBELTS AND REPLACEMENT IS NOT UNCOMMON. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT. *AK

19990315SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

REAR SEAT LOCK THAT ALLOWS SEAT TO FOLD DOWN FAILED.

19990220POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

19970918SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKES BIND, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT. IN ADDITION, POORLY FITTING PADS/BROKEN CALIPERS, CAUSING INTERMITTENT GRINDING. GMC VEHICLE BUILT IN US AND IMPORTED INTO GREAT BRITAIN UNDER VAUXHALL BRAND NAME. *AK

19970918SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

ABS BRAKES BIND, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT. IN ADDITION, POORLY FITTING PADS/BROKEN CALIPERS, CAUSING INTERMITTENT GRINDING. GMC VEHICLE BUILT IN US AND IMPORTED INTO GREAT BRITAIN UNDER VAUXHALL BRAND NAME. *AK

19970904EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DAYTIME DRIVING LIGHTS ARE TOO BRIGHT; THEY ARE HIGH BEAMS AND VERY IRRITATING, DRIVER TURNS EYES AWAY FROM THEM. ALSO, ON SOME OF THESE MODELS THESE LIGHTS ARE VERY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER, GIVING A FALSE SENSE OF LON GDISTANCE, COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS. *AK

Compare 1997GMCGMC to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 GMC GMC have?
The 1997 GMC GMC has 15 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 GMC GMC?
The most-complained component for the 1997 GMC GMC is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM and STEERING.
Is the 1997 GMC GMC 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.