Total Complaints
15 filings
GMC Sierra 3500 · model year
1997 GMC Sierra 3500
15 NHTSA complaints, 4 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
- 15
- Recalls
- 0
The verdict
The 1997 GMC Sierra 3500 posts below-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.
- Top 33%
- fewest complaints, own model years
- 0
- recall campaigns
The 1997GMCSierra 3500 carries 15 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 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 Sierra 3500 is steering:linkages:tie rod assembly with 2 filings, followed by power train:axle assembly (1) and seats (1). 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 Sierra 3500. 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.
15
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
1997 GMC Sierra 3500
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
4 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 |
|---|---|
| STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20030315CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY BRAKES FAILED WHEN I GOT INTO A WRECK, THE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR ITS LIKE MY BRAKES WERE NOT THERE. I HAVE A 97 GMC K3500 4 DOOR LONG BED 4 WHEEL DRIVE, I FELT THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP,I ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE MY FRONT BRAKES EVERY YEAR NO MATTER WHAT KIND I BUY. *NLM
Mileage: 95,000
20020904VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
20001002SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
BRAKE BOOSTER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. ALSO, DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR SEATBELTS , WERE LOCKED UP, COULD NOT USE THE SEATBELT AND WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED BOTH SEATBELTS. THE REAR OF CAB WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY. DEALER HAD TO WELD THE REAR CAB TO FRONT. REAR AXLE SEAL WILL GO OUT, CAUSING OIL TO GO INTO THE BRAKE SHOES, RESULTING IN NO REAR BRAKES. THE ENGINE STALLED. HAD TO GET A REBUILT ENGINE, AND THE MANUFACTURER PUT OUT A TSB BUT HAS NO SOLUTION. *AK THE ENGINE FELL APART JUST AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE STEERING SUDDENLY LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A TURN. *YH
20001002ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
BRAKE BOOSTER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. ALSO, DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR SEATBELTS , WERE LOCKED UP, COULD NOT USE THE SEATBELT AND WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED BOTH SEATBELTS. THE REAR OF CAB WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY. DEALER HAD TO WELD THE REAR CAB TO FRONT. REAR AXLE SEAL WILL GO OUT, CAUSING OIL TO GO INTO THE BRAKE SHOES, RESULTING IN NO REAR BRAKES. THE ENGINE STALLED. HAD TO GET A REBUILT ENGINE, AND THE MANUFACTURER PUT OUT A TSB BUT HAS NO SOLUTION. *AK THE ENGINE FELL APART JUST AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE STEERING SUDDENLY LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A TURN. *YH
20001002STEERING
BRAKE BOOSTER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. ALSO, DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR SEATBELTS , WERE LOCKED UP, COULD NOT USE THE SEATBELT AND WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED BOTH SEATBELTS. THE REAR OF CAB WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY. DEALER HAD TO WELD THE REAR CAB TO FRONT. REAR AXLE SEAL WILL GO OUT, CAUSING OIL TO GO INTO THE BRAKE SHOES, RESULTING IN NO REAR BRAKES. THE ENGINE STALLED. HAD TO GET A REBUILT ENGINE, AND THE MANUFACTURER PUT OUT A TSB BUT HAS NO SOLUTION. *AK THE ENGINE FELL APART JUST AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE STEERING SUDDENLY LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A TURN. *YH
20001002POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
BRAKE BOOSTER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. ALSO, DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR SEATBELTS , WERE LOCKED UP, COULD NOT USE THE SEATBELT AND WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED BOTH SEATBELTS. THE REAR OF CAB WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY. DEALER HAD TO WELD THE REAR CAB TO FRONT. REAR AXLE SEAL WILL GO OUT, CAUSING OIL TO GO INTO THE BRAKE SHOES, RESULTING IN NO REAR BRAKES. THE ENGINE STALLED. HAD TO GET A REBUILT ENGINE, AND THE MANUFACTURER PUT OUT A TSB BUT HAS NO SOLUTION. *AK THE ENGINE FELL APART JUST AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE STEERING SUDDENLY LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A TURN. *YH
20001002SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
BRAKE BOOSTER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. ALSO, DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR SEATBELTS , WERE LOCKED UP, COULD NOT USE THE SEATBELT AND WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED BOTH SEATBELTS. THE REAR OF CAB WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY. DEALER HAD TO WELD THE REAR CAB TO FRONT. REAR AXLE SEAL WILL GO OUT, CAUSING OIL TO GO INTO THE BRAKE SHOES, RESULTING IN NO REAR BRAKES. THE ENGINE STALLED. HAD TO GET A REBUILT ENGINE, AND THE MANUFACTURER PUT OUT A TSB BUT HAS NO SOLUTION. *AK THE ENGINE FELL APART JUST AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE STEERING SUDDENLY LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A TURN. *YH
20001002STRUCTURE
BRAKE BOOSTER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. ALSO, DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR SEATBELTS , WERE LOCKED UP, COULD NOT USE THE SEATBELT AND WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED BOTH SEATBELTS. THE REAR OF CAB WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY. DEALER HAD TO WELD THE REAR CAB TO FRONT. REAR AXLE SEAL WILL GO OUT, CAUSING OIL TO GO INTO THE BRAKE SHOES, RESULTING IN NO REAR BRAKES. THE ENGINE STALLED. HAD TO GET A REBUILT ENGINE, AND THE MANUFACTURER PUT OUT A TSB BUT HAS NO SOLUTION. *AK THE ENGINE FELL APART JUST AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE STEERING SUDDENLY LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A TURN. *YH
20000810STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY AT 65 MPH, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. *AK
19990723SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH ALMOST CAUSE A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
19990511SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
UNDER NORMAL BRAKING AND ON REGULAR ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES TRUCK PULLS TO THE LEFT AND THE PEDAL IS SOFT. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT 21,000 MILES AND REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT 22,000 MILES. OWNER STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
19980423CrashSTEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
INSURED PERSON WAS DRIIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 55MPH WHEN FRONT RIGHT INNER TIE ROD END BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. HIT THREE OTHER VEHICLES, CAUSING INJURIES TO TWO. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
19980423CrashSTEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
INSURED PERSON WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 55MPH WHEN LEFT SIDE INNER TIE ROD BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. HIT THREE OTHER VEHICLES AND CAUSING TWO INJURIES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
19970320SEATS
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAME BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL BACKWARDS. *AK
19970103CrashPOWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE'S REAR AXLE BECAME DETCHED FROM VEHICLE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. BOLTS FROM THE MFR PLANT WERE MISSING. THIS OCCURRED WITH ONLY 300 MILES ON THE CAR. *AK
Compare 1997GMCSierra 3500 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Vehicle Safety Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1997 GMC Sierra 3500 have?▼
The 1997 GMC Sierra 3500 has 15 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 GMC Sierra 3500?▼
The most-complained component for the 1997 GMC Sierra 3500 is STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY and SEATS.
Is the 1997 GMC Sierra 3500 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 Sierra 3500; 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.