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1997 GMC Sierra problems

The most common problem on the 1997 GMC Sierra is brakes, typically around 76,000 miles. It has 4.0 times the complaints of a typical Sierra model year.

Typical year4.0x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
238
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
19
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
13-18mpg

The worst 1997 GMC Sierra 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.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 GMC Sierra

Wipers 21Jerking 16ABS 13Fuel pump 10Brake failure 8Pulling 8Stalling 7Fire or smoke 6Tire blowout 5Transmission failure 5

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 1997 GMC Sierra 19

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 19 bulletins for the 1997 GMC Sierra

1997 GMC Sierra fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.3L 6‑cylRWD1520-2116-18
5.0L 8‑cylRWD1417-1915-16
4.3L 6‑cyl4WD1418-1915-16
5.7L 8‑cylRWD13-1417-1815
6.5L 8‑cyl DieselRWD141715
6.5L 8‑cyl Diesel4WD141715
5.0L 8‑cyl4WD11-131713-14
5.7L 8‑cyl4WD11-1216-1713-14

What 1997 GMC Sierra owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 6, 2021 · Engine · KY

1997 gmc sierra. Consumer writes in regards to issues with the engine. The consumer stated, according to the owner's manual, the vehicle should be able to pull 6,000lb load. But, the vehicle misfired, lost speed, and stalled while pulling less than 4,000lbs. The failure occured at speeds of 55-65mph.

Filed Sep 20, 2014 · Electrical · 145,000 miles · OR

Electrical system shuts down at low and high speeds. Replaced battery, battery connections, cables and alternator but the problem persists over the years. It is a dangerous hazardous situation.

Filed Dec 6, 2011 · Brakes · 190,000 miles · MN

My brake line failed above the fuel tank, lost pressure to the braking system which resulted in no brakes. Why would car manufactures use steel brake lines that can rot out very quickly when exposed to normal driving elements.

Filed Apr 7, 2011 · Electrical · 184,000 miles · NM

I was returning to albuquerque, nm from amarillo, tx pulling a trailer with an antique stove in my trailer. Immediately before leaving amarillo, I had my friend check all of the trailer lights and their functioning. They all worked fine. I took the scenic route through hereford entering onto interstate highway 40 at santa rosa, nm at about 9:00 pm - it was dark. Before long a semi passed me an he flicked his headlights. I wasn't sure what the flicking of his lights meant. About 30 miles later a semi passed me right before a big hill. He immediately lost his speed going up the hill and in a few moments I was right behind him. I did not want to pass him since I was pulling the trailer, so I stayed behind him as he continued to slow down to around 55 MPH. Another semi approached very fast from behind and there were other cars in the fast lane. At the last second the semi swerved around me to the left and passed me and honked his horn at me. He narrowly missed running into the rear of my trailer. This time I new something was up, so I pulled out at the clines corners exit and stopped as soon as I could. Sure enough, all of the lights on the trailer were out. I pushed on the wiring coupler and they all came on. I went about 10 more miles and pulled off at another exit to check the lights. They were still on, but I pushed the coupler together to help ensure it was working loose. All of the trailer lights went out and no matter how much I played with the coupler they would not come back on. I spent the next 45 minutes laying on the cold pavement with a flashlight cutting the wire to the license plate light on my truck and splicing in some wire to get the lights on the rear of the trailer to light up. I also had to create a new ground wire. The coupler system is made by velvac near milwaukee, wi. I would be happy to send you the leftover junk parts. Dan

Filed Aug 14, 2008 · Body · 39,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 gmc sierra. The contact stated that his vehicle has galvanized-braided steel tailgate support cables that have corroded and fractured. The dealer stated that his model year was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign id number 06v066000 (structure:body:tailgate:hinge and attachments). The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 39,000 and current mileage was 44,000.

Filed Nov 8, 2007 · Visibility · 90,433 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 gmc sierra. The windshield wipers would not operate. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer). The current and failure mileages were 90,433. Updated 12/12/2007 *bf the consumer stated the defect originally happened 2 years ago and was repaired by the consumer by cleaning the unit and sealing the warped cover with silicon. The consumer stated vehicle to be repaired by gm dealer on november 13, 2007 updated 12/12/07

Filed Oct 12, 2007 · Lights · 11,900 miles · GA

While driving at night, I tried to select high beam with the stem mounted light switch. I heard a chattering noise in the steering wheel area and the exterior lights flickered dimly on and off. I also smelled electrical smoke. Deselecting high resulted in low beam exterior light with no chattering, flickering or smoke.

Filed Oct 23, 2006 · Body, Visibility · 135,705 miles · TX

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle's driver side door pins shattered causing the door to malfunction when attempting to open it from the inside. Also, the windshield wiper motor malfunctioned as well. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the repairs should be covered under a recall. The dealer needed documentation that would support the recall work. No repairs had been made.

Filed Jul 3, 2006 · Brakes · 56,000 miles · MA

Dt*: the contact stated that the ABS was unwarrantable activating, causing increased stopping distances during low speed brake applications. There is a recall regarding the ABS however the VIN is not included in the recall. This occurs each time the vehicle is driven. There were no previous occurrences that lead up to these incidences.

Filed Jun 21, 2006 · Engine · FL

Dt*: the contact stated in august of 2005 while the vehicle was traveling at 45 MPH the muffler fell out of the exhaust. The vehicle was taken into a independent repair shop where a dual muffler was installed. The muffler was not a orginal part on the vehicle; it was installed by an indepentent repair shop.

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Questions about the 1997 GMC Sierra

Is the 1997 GMC Sierra reliable?

Owners have filed 238 complaints about the 1997 GMC Sierra, 4.0 times a typical Sierra model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1997 GMC Sierra?

Brakes, with 67 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles. Next is steering (63).

How many recalls does the 1997 GMC Sierra have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the GMC Sierra have bad brakes?

The GMC Sierra model years with the most brakes complaints are 1999 (338 complaints), 2000 (228 complaints) and 2001 (150 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1997 GMC Sierra get?

Official estimates for the 1997 GMC Sierra range from 13 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.3L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 20-21 highway.

Share your experience with the 1997 GMC Sierra

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