Total Complaints
15 filings
GMC GMC · model year
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.
Total Complaints
15 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 2 |
| STEERING | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
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
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
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
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
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
STEERING SPEED SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED
DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS FAILED. NLM
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
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
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
REAR SEAT LOCK THAT ALLOWS SEAT TO FOLD DOWN FAILED.
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
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
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
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
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.