I have a 1997 chevy tahoe that has had all of the required tune-ups and services. I recently lost my transmissions. I have never pulled anything with this truck. I searched the internet and found that almost 95 out of a 100 buyers have had this same problem. Why should the chevy corp. Be able to sell you something and months later that trans go out and all they have to say is it common.
The worst 1997 Chevrolet Truck problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Fuel leaks from the vapor canister
In January 1998, GM issued the technical service bulletin describing conditions which may result in fuel leakage from the emission vapor canister.According to the bulletin, when the subject vehicles are parked on an incline, with a full tank of gasoline, fuel can flow into the vapor canister.The remedy is to replace of the vapor canister, both rollover valve assembles, and the associated piping.In April 1998, ODI opened Service Query 98-005 to understand GM's rationale for issuance of a service bulletin on a matter that appeared to result in fuel leakage, an issue that is usually address by conducting a safety recall campaign.On November 10, 1998 the SQ was elevated to an Engineering Analysis (EA98-024) to investigate an alleged defect in the fuel tank rollover valve system in certain 1996 through 1997 Chevrolet Trucks and OMC Full Size 010-030 panel and passenger vans.
EA98024
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Chevrolet Truck 3
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 1997 Chevrolet Truck owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet z71. The contact stated that the interior driver side door handle detached when he exited the vehicle. This failure has occurred three times. He had to roll down the window and open the door from the outside to exit the vehicle. He has not notified the dealer because the vehicle was purchased from a private owner. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 191,500 and failure mileage was 191,000. Updated 09/18/07
This is to inform you of a known problem with the 4l60e transmissions in the 1997 and up gm truck transmissions, the symptoms include the hard shift from first gear to second gear, and the slipping of the transmission in overdrive. In this truck the tachometer usually is at 1500-1600 rpms 65 MPH, but with the mil light, engine check light, it is running at 2000-2100 rpms, causing massive fuel consumption. *ak this is due to a faulty valve in the transmission this is also the main cause in the transmissions failure due to overheating caused by the slippage. If you don't believe this, google code p01870 represents transmission slippage. *ak just go to any transmission shop and aks them how many of the 4l60e transmissions they have rebuilt... This item needs to be investigated!!!!! Gm says they know nothing about it but there is a tsb for it the remedy is a transmission rebuild only to fail again the problem exists in the valve body!! There are enough cases of this problem to be investigated a few other common issues, the 4x4 switch, intake manifold gaskets leaking in the 5.7, fuel injector "spider" lines rubbing together, carrier bearings, door bushings , steering speed sensor is a faulty design causing a feeling of the wheel jerking to one side usually during a gradual right hand turn. This can result in oversteering by the driver, could result in an accident. The tail light circuit board, these issues need to be resolved not just brushed under the carpet like gm is trying to do!!! The transmission alone can cost upwards of $2000 to replace and unless the shop knows whats going on the problem will return costing another $2000 to the owner! Or he will just sell it to someone else who will have to do it all over again!! If you are just looking this up for info and are experiencing this problem post it on here for all to see. The federal safety agency needs to see real numbers to act!!!!
Dt: the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet pickup. A recall was being issued on gm 1999 -2002 corrosion anti lock brake sensors. The 1997 chevrolet pickups were not included in this recall. Vehicle was experiencing the same anti lock brake corrosion as the 1999-2002 recalled vehicles. Took the vehicle to the dealership, and was told that it would be $1500 to fix this problem. When stopping at less than 3 MPH had to put both feet on the brakes as hard as one could to get it to stop. The contact was backing out the garage door when the anti locks brakes failed , and vehicle hit the garage door.
Anti lock brakes apply on dry roads with no reason. The brakes shake when being applied. I have reviewed information on your database which have this exact same complaint. I believe there are not more since the vehicles are over 5 years old and people believe it to be normal wear and tare. It is not normal. The anti locks are over sensitive.
Rear end accident due to ABS releasing braking action for 3 to 4 seconds, thus increasing my braking distance.
Front dashboard came loose.
The windshield wipers failed on several occasions while driving in severe thunderstorms, 1997 chevrolet truck 2500.
Frame broke completely.
At less than 70,000 miles I had to replace the transmission on my 1997 chev ext-cab 4 wheel drive truck. That was in september of 2000. No real explanation for the reason it went out. They calim miles driven. The previous year, june 1999, with less than 50,000 miles on the truck, they took the transmission out and tore it apart to find out what was causing a slipping problem. They finally settled on a valve that had gone bad. One week later they had to replace the same valve again. In 2000, I thought the transmission my of had a problem due to the service people taking the transmission apart the previous year. They denied that was the problem. We had to purchase a brand new transmission for 2200.00. This came with a 3 year 50,000 mile warrenty. After 30,000 miles the brand new transmission went out. This happened march 13, 2002. The truck was given back to us on march 18th. It still is not running correctly so we took it back on march 21st. Miller chev still has the truck. They now say it is a defective new transmission that they put in. My question is why should a truck with about 100,000 miles on it have to go through two transmission already!!! Are chevrolet's transmission's defective in some way. Now if they fix this with a brand new transmission why is it that the warrenty on it is only good for the remainder of the warrenty that we last bought in 9/2000? That leave 20,000 miles to go. With chevrolet's transmission record, some how I have a feeling that this new one will go out on us also.
Compare the 1997 Chevrolet Truck
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Questions about the 1997 Chevrolet Truck
Is the 1997 Chevrolet Truck reliable?
Owners have filed 48 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Truck, 1.3 times a typical Chevrolet Truck model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Chevrolet Truck?
Brakes, with 13 complaints. Next is steering (13).
How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Truck have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the Chevrolet Truck have bad brakes?
The Chevrolet Truck model years with the most brakes complaints are 1997 (13 complaints), 1995 (12 complaints) and 1999 (12 complaints).
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