Total Complaints
63 filings
GMC Savana · model year
1997 GMC Savana
63 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
- Complaints
- 63
- Recalls
- 0
The verdict
The 1997 GMC Savana posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.
- 11th pctile
- complaint volume, own model years
- 0
- recall campaigns
The 1997GMCSavana carries 63 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 4 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1997 Savana is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 8 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (5) and tires (4). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1997 Savana. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
63
Complaints
2
Crashes
4
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
1997 GMC Savana
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 8 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 5 |
| TIRES | 4 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| STRUCTURE | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20080828FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1997 GMC SAVANA ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION COMPARTMENTS CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS EARLIER IN THE DAY. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0256-89) *JB UPDATED02/24/10 *BF
20080828FirePOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1997 GMC SAVANA ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION COMPARTMENTS CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS EARLIER IN THE DAY. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0256-89) *JB UPDATED02/24/10 *BF
20060308FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
PLASTIC PRESSURE FUEL LINE ON MY GMC 1997 SAVANNAH G150 DEVELOPED A PUNCTURE SPRAYING GASOLINE NEAR EXHAUST PIPE HAD TO REPLACE SEND DEFECTIVE LINE TO GM THEY SAID THEY HAD NO WAY TO TEST IT. *JB
Mileage: 33,000
20040820STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE MAKING A SLOW LEFT HAND TURN AFTER BEING STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. (NAR) *PH *CB
20040310AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THEN, PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AN DETERMINED THAT SENSOR CONTROL MODULE HAD A SHORT DUE TO MOISTURE IN THE CARPET.*AK
Mileage: 111,480
20040305AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIRBAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITH NOBODY INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *LA *JB
20030925STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WHICH MADE IT HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER MANAGED TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CONTACTED A TOW COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NLM *PH *NLM
Mileage: 30,463
20030514STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
SIDE CARGO DOORS PROGRESSIVELY HARDER TO OPEN UNTIL REAR UPPER HINGE SNAPPED. DOOR LEFT HANGING, VERY DANGEROUS. NOT RUSTED OR ABUSED. *NLM
Mileage: 570,000
20030502FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF PUMP. *PH *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768169
Mileage: 104,000
20030213ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS WITH 69,000 MILES ON IT.
Mileage: 69,707
20021119FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THERE HAS BEEN A GAS LEAK. CONSUMER STATES' HE CONSTANTLY BREATHING FUMES. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
20021030FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER THE RECALL #00V110000 FUEL ODOR LEAKAGE WAS REPAIR ON THE VEHICLE THE SENDING UNIT FAILS TO OPERATE WITHIN A WEEK. DEALER NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SENDING UNIT. PLEASE PROVIDE THAT DEALER NAME ADDRESS AND NUMBER. TS
20020925POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING AN AWFUL NOISE, AND LIMITED MOBILIY. *SCC
20020731STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, THE DEALER DETERMINED THE SHAFT BROKE IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP, DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP ASSEMBLY AND SERPENTINE BELT.*JB
20020731SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED, THE FRONT ROTORS WERE MACHINED AND THE REAR BRAKES WERE CLEANED AND ADJUSTED.*JB
20020514TIRES
THE REAR LEFT SIDE TIRE BLEW UP WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. (FIRESTONE STEEL TEX R4S/TIRE SIZE LT223/75R16). *YH
20020409ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT WAS REPORTED TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. FIRST REPORTED AT 16,799 MILES. DEALER ALWAYS DID PRESSURE TEST BUT REPORTED NO PROBLEM. NOW MY MECHANIC TELLS ME I HAVE COOLANT IN THE OIL.
20011207POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AT 38,000 MILES VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT HARD BETWEEN GEAR CHANGES, ONLY WHEN TRAVELING LONG DISTANCE. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED HARD SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *YD
20011207ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
AT 38,000 MILES VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT HARD BETWEEN GEAR CHANGES, ONLY WHEN TRAVELING LONG DISTANCE. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED HARD SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *YD
20011024TIRES
THE REAR LEFT SIDE TIRE BLEW UP WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. (FIRESTONE STEEL TEX R4S/TIRE SIZE LT223/75R16). *YH
Compare 1997GMCSavana to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Vehicle Safety Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1997 GMC Savana have?▼
The 1997 GMC Savana has 63 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 4 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 GMC Savana?▼
The most-complained component for the 1997 GMC Savana is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and TIRES.
Is the 1997 GMC Savana 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.
Data vintage: August 2026. 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.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1997 GMC Savana; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.