The previous owner said the brakes wore quickly but we didn't realize how quickly until we had issues and got the repair information. New brakes about every 4 months are needed. Once they start wearing the pads and rotors are gone within a day. This time I nearly ran into someone they deteriorated so fast. I've read this seems to be a problem with many more of the same vehicles
The worst 1997 Chevrolet Suburban 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.
- Steering105
- Brakes96
- Transmission47
- Fuel system46
- Electrical42
- Visibility37
- Tires27
- Engine21
- Suspension19
- Airbags8
- Seat belts6
- Locks5
- Body4
- Seats4
- Acceleration3
- Lights2
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
Wipers 34ABS 27Fuel pump 24Pulling 20Brake failure 17Power steering loss 16Stalling 16Jerking 14Tire blowout 14Grinding brakes 11Loss of power 11Transmission failure 11Overheating 10Fire or smoke 7Harsh shifting 7Slipping 5
Trouble codes owners of the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban mention
C1500 2P1870 2
Recalls 2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
- Risk
- If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on june 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 03V159000 · Recall details
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles, mini vans, and pickup trucks may develop a short circuit in the electric outside rearview mirror switch.
- Risk
- If this were to happen, it could result in an inoperative switch, heat damage to the driver's door, and/or ignition of components in the driver's door and a subsequent vehicle fire without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a fused jumper harness to the electric outside rearview mirror switch. Owner notification began on april 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.
Recall number 03V093000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
Defect investigations
Windshield wiper failure
As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, gm has expanded the population of safety recall 98v‑150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details.
EA02006
Battery leaks acid
There is no summary currently available
EA00013
Oem hitch receiver platform cracking
The petition alleges that cracks in the hitch receiver platform may lead to separation of the trailer and loss of steering control
DP00001
Erratic power steering assist while driv
The office of defect investigation (odi) has investigated allegations of power steering assist fluctuations in the subject vehicles.for details and a basis for the investigation conclusions, please see the closing report in the ea99-011 public file.odi has not identified a safety-related defect trend in the subject vehicle population.futher expenditure of agency resources on this subject does not appear to be warranted at this time.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.the engineering is closed.
EA99011
Poor brake performance
Poor performance of ABS brakes
EA95026
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban 41
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- Fuel system, gasoline
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Equipment
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Vehicle Recalls
- This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85...
1997 Chevrolet Suburban fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7L 8‑cyl | RWD | 12 | 17 | 14 |
| 5.7L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 11 | 15 | 12 |
What 1997 Chevrolet Suburban owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I stopped to get gas anc cut my truck off. I got back in it and cut it on an drove about 30 yards I noticed a smell like burning wires. So I cut it off got out checked the outside the smell is only on the inside. Then I popped the hood an smelled the same smell. I pushed it and parked it. My clicker is not working to unlock or lock it, the lights will not go off and it makes the ringing sound as if the driver door is open even when it's not. I took the battery out to see if it was that but its fully charged.
My 1997 chevrolet suburban c-2500 is leaking oil from underneath the engine and making engine very "hot". This happens when I'm driving this vehicle.I touch the engine hood and feel that it's very, very hot. I just went home to prevent any fire or accident. My mechanic said it's not ordinary for this heavy duty truck to leak oil with only 77,000 miles. I need you to investigate my problem and contact gm. You can email me at [xxx] for an updates regarding this problems. Looking forward to hear from you soon. Thanks. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
December 2009, replaced ruptured brake lines above the rear differential. Severely rusted. July 15, 2012, ruptured brake line by the driver side floor board and fire wall. Severely rusted. Fuel lines under the vehicle is also severely rusted. Leak can cause fire. Brake failure occurred during driving on road.
The airbag didn't deployed am veer disappointed my son was injured.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that the windshield wipers and washers failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contact and confirmed that remedy repairs were performed under the federal safety agency campaign id number:03v159000(visibility:windshield wiper/washer) prior to the failure. The vheicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 99,000 and the current mileage was 99,200.
Erratic power steering assist while driving resulting in erratic control at highway speeds. Started in 2006 and ended in 2009. Vehicle was taken to dealer numerous times to no avail.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet suburban. When the vehicle is fully loaded, the contact notices that the vehicle becomes difficult to steer. He has taken the vehicle to a mechanic 15 times and they have made numerous repairs, including various components of the steering unit, steering sensors, actuator, and also additions to the springs of the suspension system. All of the repairs have not adequately repaired the failures. The contact called the manufacturer and was referred back to the dealer. The failure mileage was 8,464 and current mileage was 86,000. Updated 10/08/08. *lj updated 10/10/08.
Hood latch on 1997 chevy suburban keep failing, hood flies up while driving. Has happened 3 times in two years.
The car was parked in the driveway. In the middle of the night it burst into flames. Our dogs woke us up. The fire started in the front passenger compartment. By the time the fire department arrived 7 minutes later there was nothing left to the interior of the car. The engine and underside of the car were undamaged by the fire. A tree near the car also caught fire. Chevrolet said there were no recalls on our car. They do not seem interested in examining the car since we settled with our insurance company. Neither the fire department nor the police suspect arson. It would appear to be electrical. If the car had been parked in our garage we would have lost our house.
Compare the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
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Other model years
19901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
Questions about the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
Is the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
Owners have filed 414 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban, 3.1 times a typical Suburban model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban?
Steering, with 105 complaints, typically around 79,275 miles. Next is brakes (96).
How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban have?
2 recalls, covering visibility.
What year does the Chevrolet Suburban have bad steering?
The Chevrolet Suburban model years with the most steering complaints are 1997 (105 complaints), 2015 (61 complaints) and 1999 (52 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban get?
Official estimates for the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban range from 12 to 14 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.7L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 12 city and 17 highway.
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