1997 Chevrolet Suburban: engine overheating

10 of the 414 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban describe engine overheating.

owner complaints: 10
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 4 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine overheating by model year

2022
2
2021
1
2019
1
2018
1
2017
1
2015
3
2011
1
2009
1
2007
2
2004
3
2003
1
2001
5
2000
2
1999
5
1998
2
1997
10
1996
2
1995
3
1994
1
1992
3
1991
1

What owners say

Filed Jan 7, 2004 · Transmission · 77,400 miles · OH · fire

The torque converter clutch relay in the transmission overheated, causing excessive pressure, which caused the transmission fluid to push the dip stick up out of the dipstick tube. Then the transmission fluid escaped. Traveling down the undercarriage of the vehicle, the transmission fluid hit the exhaust manifold and ignited into a flame that burned along the undercarriage of the vehicle (including the steel plate under the gas tank) and extended two feet beyond the rear of the vehicle. We were forced to evacuate ourselves and our four children from the vehicle along side the highway. Four other vehicles were forced off the road as white smoke hindered their field of vision. The mil indicator (I.e., check engine light) had a code of p1870 (transmission slipping). This code has been associated with hundreds of torque converter clutch relay failures in gm/chevy full-size pick-ups, suburbans, and tahoes (discovered by searching for "p1870" on the internet and queries at the federal safety agency website). Technicians have determined that the tcc relay is undersized and tends to overheat causing major transmission damage (in my case, a full transmission re-build was required - $2000 plus towing and rental car). Technicians say that there is an aftermarket tcc relay made by sonnax that, when installed, prevents this problem from occurring. This is a serious safety issue (just look at the black charring on the bottom of my gas tank shield) that caused great peril to my wife, four children, and myself. Gm needs to be held accountable to correct this potentially fatal failure.

Filed Nov 25, 2003 · Engine · 124,000 miles · IN

The truck stalls while driving at any speed and without warning. This was caused by the pdm driver overheating and shutting off the fuel injection pump, which in turn caused the engine motor to shut off. Please provide more detailed information.

Filed Jan 3, 2003 · Fuel system, Transmission · 54,000 miles · AK

Transmission starting failing at 50,000 (coded slippage). Going down highway and blew tranny fluid all over the place leaving us stranded. Transmission shifts hard in 1st and 2nd gear. Steering has momentary oversteer, causing the feeling of slipping on ice (safety concern as no control over vehicle), replaced rotors three times, replaced fuel sending and wiring unit (wires had actually melted inside the gas tank!!). What next!!!! This vehicle only has 73,000 on it. We do not pull anything behind it, so feel that tranny should not have failed. Why will chevrolet not recall these problems? Have heard others say that the radiator is not big enough to handle cooling the engine and transmission, essentially causing early transmission failure due to overheating. Chevrolet needs to address these issues before there is loss of life or a bad accident. Ts

Filed Mar 26, 2002 · Fuel system, Transmission · TX

Check engine light came on at transmission immediately started shifting extremely hard from 1st to 2nd. Read thecomplaintstation.com and found numerous identical incidences with other people. Next failure was failure of the intake manifold gasket resulting in coolant loss.

Filed Aug 24, 2000 · Fuel system · KY

Potential for fuel tank to explode. Fuel pump connected overheated, and the grey wire melted. This was caused by connector to fuel pump which was too small. Dealership was aware of the potential problem.

Filed Aug 10, 2000 · Brakes · VA · crash

While driving brakes overheated, causing consumer to crash. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer said that brakes overheated. Mechanic said that in stop and go situations brakes will overheat. Consumer stated that this was very scary, and was concerned that could not stop a vehicle.

Filed Apr 26, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Fuel pump and sending unit melted and shorted out causing car to stall on the road.torque convertor replaced/ trans reconditioned, power steering box leaking/ replaced. Both catalytic converters replaced,AC compressor replaced. Numerous coolant leaks fixed. Windshield replaced due to defect. Battery replaced due to acid leak. Whats next?

Filed Apr 26, 2000 · Transmission · NC

Driving 65 MPH and towing a boat on interstate when transmission "went out" (under 50,000 miles) almost causing collision. Employee of dealership advises gm has had problem with transmissions overheating but no recall or service bulletins. Purchased new transmission with supposedly "corrected" problem. Need help to see if gm will help cover any costs with problem they were aware of.

Filed Aug 21, 1999 · Fuel system, Steering · CA

Transmission: torque converter blew up.....fuel pump failed and had to be replaced, wiring overheated and insulation melted off inside fuel tank .....steering: erratic while making right turn

Filed Dec 14, 1998 · Electrical · CO · fire

Electrical connnection to the fuel pump in the fuel tank overheated, causing the insulation of the wires to melt which could have resulted in a fire .