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1997 GMC Sierra engine problems

16 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car).

owner complaints
16
of this car's complaints
7%
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Engine: gasoline
    5
  • Engine
    3
  • Exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
    2
  • Exhaust system
    2
  • Engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
    2
  • Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    1
  • Exhaust system: emission control
    1
  • Cooling system
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

GMC Sierra engine problems in other years

199019952000200520102017

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 GMC Sierra engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Stalling 7

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

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 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.

Filed Feb 13, 2006 · Brakes, Engine · 67,000 miles · MI

Dt*: the contact stated the anti-lock brakes engaged at 10 MPH. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 05v379000, regarding the anti-lock brakes. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. The serpentine belt was replaced. Updated 03/17/06.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Steering · 45,000 miles · NJ

The engine rod bearings started making noise at 80,000 miles. The noise progressivly got worse so I was advised to run a 15w-40 oil and run the motor to failure. Gm gave me a price of $2500 for engine replacement saying it would be very costly to just replace rod bearings and the warranty on the new motor was better. As far as the steering problem, the truck started to under-steer at about 4500 miles. As you enter a turn (left or right) sometimes the truck just dives in that dirction and you must compensate in the other direction. It has gotten so bad that I am the only one who drives the truck. A friend of mine has a 97 chevy truck and had the same problem, he had it repaired for the sum of $1000.

Filed Mar 14, 2003 · Engine · 168,000 miles · NY

The engine block cracked.

Filed Sep 25, 2002 · Engine · OH

Consumer state while traveling 60 MPH consumer notice gray smoke coming from vehicle consumer pulled vehicle over and noticed flames under vehicle consumer put fire out. Dealer has been contacted and stated fire came from transmission. Please provide further information. Nlm

Filed Apr 28, 2002 · Engine · GA

Was informed by repair shop that this is a common problem with 5.7 liter eng. Factory installed front / rear sealer is weak material. Need to install gasket type seal. Defect can cause engine to overheat and fail. Failure could result in fire or purchase of new engine. Please advise.

Filed Jul 23, 2001 · Engine, Fuel system · AR

I purchased this truck new, and at approximately 23,000 I was driving the vehicle at around 55mph when the engine failed. It did not sputter or knock, it just quit, all the gauges, engine quit instantly. I pulled over to the side of the road and turned the key off, and then re-started the engine. Motor started without hesitation, and I proceeded down the road. Two days later, with lots of driving time in between, the same thing happened. It died, I pulled over, turned of ignition, and re-started the motor, and again the motor started without hesitation. About two weeks later, I was driving at about the same speed and again the same thing, except this time the motor would not re-start. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, and it was determined that the fuel pump had failed. It was replaced and I had no problems until about a month ago, approximatley 05/15/2001, my vehicle started to behave in the same way. While turning left at an intersection, the vehicle died, and I was in the middle of oncoming traffice that was approaching. I re-started the engine and proceeded to get out of the way of oncoming traffic. This has occured several times over the past two months, with the most recent event occuring yesterday, 07222001, in which I was almost "t-boned" at an intersection when the engine failed. I have kept the fuel filter changed and I not use the same gas station consitantly. The fuel pump has always made a loud buzzing noise, even the first pump that was replaced at the dealership made this same noise. I understand that gmc re-designed this pump for this 1997 model. What realy got me interested in this problem, is not only the fact that I have had some close calls with almost being involved in an accident, but one of my co-workers is having the same apparant problem with her "1997 gmc jimmy." it has the same vortec v6 engine as my truck. The delearshipt stated they can not id the problem, unless it "runs a code, or fails while they have it. Thanks.

Filed Apr 17, 2001 · Engine · NY

Dexcool is coolant used in the system, but it destroys the cooling system when mixed with air. Gmc will not recognize the fact that it put dexcool in the system and when the waterpump developed a weephole the air that got in destroyed the cooling system. This is gmc's and dexcool's fault.

Filed Mar 13, 2001 · Engine, Fuel system · MN

I found 29 pages of the same problems on net lemon law. No safety defect mentioned in summary.

Questions about the 1997 GMC Sierra engine

Does the 1997 GMC Sierra have engine problems?

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the engine of the 1997 GMC Sierra, 7% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1997 GMC Sierra engine problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 1997 GMC Sierra engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the GMC Sierra have bad engine?

The GMC Sierra model years with the most engine complaints are 2002 (25 complaints), 2001 (23 complaints) and 2000 (22 complaints).

Other 1997 GMC Sierra problems

Brakes 67Steering 63Transmission 28Visibility 24Electrical 12Fuel system 12Suspension 11Tires 9Seats 6Body 5Acceleration 4Airbags 4Lights 4Locks 3Seat belts 3Wheels 1

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