"How reliable is the 1997 Gmc Sierra 1500?"

"Based on 100 NHTSA complaints, the 1997 Gmc Sierra 1500 has a median complaint mileage of 80000 miles. The most common issue is Steering."

"What are common problems with the 1997 Gmc Sierra 1500?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Gmc Sierra 1500 is Steering, accounting for a significant portion of the 100 total complaints filed."

1997 Gmc Sierra 1500: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 100 complaints

100

Total Complaints

80,000mi

Median Mileage

Steering

Top Issue

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

53,466 25th Percentile

80,000 Median Mileage

120,758 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Steering

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Hydraulic Power Assist System

Automatic Transmission

Windshield Wiper/Washer

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Fuel Pump

Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

Motor

Service Brakes

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"THE THIRD DOOR ON PASSEGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS TOO SHORT, OVERWEIGHT PERSON CAN'T GET INTO IT. *AK"

"THERE IS SQUEALING NOISE IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED DUE TO THE BALL JOINTS NOT BEING GREASED WHEN MANUFACTORED. PLEASE DESCIBE DETAILS. *AK"

"WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPLIED THE ABS BRAKES, AND THE ABS BRAKES WILL LOCK UP AND VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. DEALER CANNOT CORRECT THE ABS BRAKES. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE ABS LOCKS UPAND SQUALLS AND TIRE RUBBER ON WET BLACK TOP ROADS AT HIGH SPEED BRAKING, T..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Steering 13 complaints

25th: 77,913 mi Median: 100,000 mi 75th: 120,822 mi

Hydraulic Power Assist System 7 complaints

25th: 25,000 mi Median: 30,000 mi 75th: 37,063 mi

Windshield Wiper/Washer 6 complaints

25th: 72,500 mi Median: 86,912 mi 75th: 110,279 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

GA: 8 CA: 7 OR: 7 TX: 6 IN: 6 FL: 5 MS: 4 AR: 4 MI: 4 PA: 4

Who Files Complaints?

41%

Original Owners

59%

Second+ Owners

Gmc Sierra 1500 — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1998	68	80,500	Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	6
1999	182	108,894	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	10
2000	215	93,000	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	15
2001	171	98,000	Service Brakes	14
2002	192	76,741	Service Brakes	20
2003	210	72,075	Service Brakes	15
2004	253	57,192	Instrument Cluster/Panel	12
2005	218	73,150	Electrical System	6
2006	182	54,400	Service Brakes	12
2007	310	67,500	Air Bags	11
2008	438	75,000	Air Bags	13
2009	278	65,114	Air Bags	5
2010	215	60,000	Air Bags	1
2011	362	56,000	Air Bags	9
2012	143	60,000	Air Bags	7
2013	147	72,000	Unknown Or Other	2
2014	1020	58,500	Steering	39
2015	914	46,000	Service Brakes	29
2016	436	47,417	Service Brakes	14
2017	465	38,900	Power Train	22
2018	405	33,000	Power Train	16
2019	783	10,000	Engine	19
2020	604	15,700	Engine	15
2021	617	43,500	Engine	7
2022	617	39,000	Engine	8
2023	470	20,000	Engine	9
2024	365	15,400	Engine	5
2025	109	16,500	Engine	7
2026	50	-	Engine	0

Active Recalls (5)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Tank Assembly

Campaign 98V187000 | 10/08/1998

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AND A DISTINCT FUEL ODOR IF THE TANK WERE FILLED ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE HOLE OR CRACK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK FOR WEAR AND, EITHER INSTALL A SPACER BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER, OR IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.

Fuel System, Gasoline

Campaign 06E043000 | 19/05/2006

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Seats

Campaign 97V037000 | 07/03/1997

THIS PINCHING CAN CUT THE HAND OR POSSIBLY SEVER THE FINGER(S) WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

Equipment

Campaign 07E088000 | 24/10/2007

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

Seats

Campaign 97V176000 | 07/10/1997

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, A SEAT WITH THIS CONDITION WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

DEALERS WILL CHECK ALL SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND INSTALL ANY MISSING BOLTS.

Protect Your Steering System

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Get a wheel alignment annually or after hitting a significant pothole
Don't hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds
Check power steering fluid monthly on hydraulic systems
Address wandering, vibration, or play in the wheel promptly
Replace worn tie rod ends before they cause tire wear

Vehicle Rankings

Most complained Worst transmissions Worst engines Worst brakes Most crashes Compare vehicles

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28