Car lurches when turning right and left, intermittently feeling like you are loosing control of vehicle.
The worst 1997 GMC 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.
- Brakes58
- Steering39
- Transmission24
- Fuel system22
- Electrical21
- Engine21
- Tires16
- Visibility12
- Airbags5
- Suspension5
- Body4
- Seats3
- Acceleration2
- Wheels2
- Seat belts1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 GMC Suburban
ABS 21Fuel pump 16Pulling 14Brake failure 11Tire blowout 11Wipers 10Stalling 7Transmission failure 7No deployment 5Jerking 5Power steering loss 5
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 GMC 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
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
Battery leaks acid
Odi has received 21 complaints where owners allege that the standard gm factory supplied AC delco battery case failed, resulting in the leakage of sulfuric acid.of the 21 complaint vehicles, six suburban, three tahoes, and one yukon owner(s) complained about a loss of brake fluid from deterioration of the right frontbrake line as a result of sulfuric acid contamination.the remaining 11 complaints pertain primarily to sulfuric acid leakage from the battery case.at least one complainant stated that the replacement battery also failed.several of the complainants note that the leaking acid had come in contact with a wire harness at the frame in the vicinity of the steel brake line.a field inspection by odi indicates that the described harness is the ABS connection to the right front wheel speed sensor.prior to the battery case failure, there is usually no warning (short of an underhood inspection), and the ensuring damage (sulfuric acid contamination) is progressive.of the known battery failures, there may be a temperature correlation, as 60% of the owner complaints came from four states; california, florida, georgia and texas.there is also a product improvement program and engineering change notice to add 1% silver to the battery's positive side terminall, with the earliest implementation date for this being feb 2, 1998.the effect of this design change is as yet unknown; further review is warranted.an ea is being opened to gather further appropriate information, clarify any defect trends, and to assess the safety implications and risks concerning these failures.
PE99073
Erratic steering boost while driving
Alleged that the variable effort steering unit intermittently provides full boost tot he power steering gear at moderate to high speeds.
PE98060
Poor brake performance
Poor performance of ABS brakes
EA95026
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 GMC Suburban 33
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...
- This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating...
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- Vehicle Recalls
- This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85...
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
1997 GMC 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 GMC Suburban owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Pulled out of my driveway got up to speed of roadway that is 50 MPH felt a vibration in the front end, slowed down it went away, so I started to speed up again to see if it came back, then boom my front passenger tire literally blew up, the tread separated and the tire almost blew completely off the rim. I temporarily lost control of the vehicle and skidded to halt on the side of the road tearing up a lawn and almost taking out a guard rail. The tire bent my front bumper and ripped my running board partway off. I am very lucky no other traffic was around me... I changed the tire to my spare and am now in the process of removing the rest of the cornerstones forme my truck, it's not worth the risk
The ignition switch started to fail while driving. First the heater fan would quit and the ABS light would instantly turn on, and the cruise control would fail to operate. When the ABS light would be on the ABS would fail to operate. Then suddenly all operations would go back to normal. It would be unpredictable when the heater fan and the ABS would fail and come back. Then yesterday, the suburban started and died 3 seconds after starting. I restarted the suburban and all seemed good. I put the suburban in drive and rolled at about 5 MPH and the truck died. I stopped and put the suburban in to park and restarted. Placed it into drive and made it home. When I got home, I turned off the suburban and tried to restart it. It would crank but not fire the engine. The radio and heater and all other electronics would operate as normal, but the dash lights would not turn on I.e. The "service engine soon", "brake", "air bag", "ABS". The ignition switch has failed on it and now sits in my driveway.
Steering speed sensor fails causing the steering to suddenly jerk while turning under speed. It feels like the front wheels hit "slippery ice". I have replaced this item 3 times on my own and the sensor keeps failing. The one in my car currently is experiencing the problem again and will need replacing.
Spring of 2008 we replaced the fuel pump. Then in november 2008 the fuel pump failed again. The mechanic said they were both brand new fuel pumps but he was unsure of why they both failed to work properly when we took it back in march 2009. 3 new fuel pumps all within one year sounds like a problem to us. The mechanic also had to replace the harness. Each time when the fuel pump went out the car just wouldn't start. It would drive fine and then just not restart once turned off.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 gmc suburban. The contact stated that the windshield wipers work intermittently. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer), although the failures were identical. The failure mileage was 130,000. Updated 01/07/09. *lj updated 01/12/09.
Parked truck near dealership after having trouble starting it, tried to restart, it didn't. Dealer took it in and called to say that fuel pump is shot and they had one in stock to replace it. Then four hours later they said the wires to it were melted and the sending unit needs to be replaced. This is the 5th time to replace fuel pump for this truck in 264,000 miles. First was at 50,000 miles.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 gmc suburban. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and they discovered that the fuel pump sending unit wires were rotted out, which burned out the fuel pump. The fuel pump and sending unit had to be replaced. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 151,000.
Fuel pump failed more than three times, only in the summer. Reason unknown, many similar vehicles have had the same problem. General motors has done nothing.
The windshield wipers on my 1997 gmc suburban were not working properly, consistent with the federal safety agency campaign 03v159000. I contacted gmc, and after a lengthy phone call to collect all relevant data, they set up an appointment for me at my local gmc dealership. The dealership service department inspected the wiper electrical system and informed me that the failure was indeed due to cracked solder joints on the wiper control circuit board. However, my specific VIN number was not included in the recall. If I would have had the problem fixed prior to 70,000 miles on my vehicle, then they would have fixed it at no charge under a "waiver system?", but now it would be $120 to fix. I am the original owner of this vehicle. Although gm continues to send me marketing material to trade in this vehicle for a new one, they failed to inform me at any time of this safety hazard recall. They also wasted several hours of my time on the telephone and arranging to leave my vehicle at the dealer prior to telling me that I was not eligible for the recall. How can this automaker have public safety in mind when they deny consumers a remedy to a potentially catastrophic safety hazard based on the number of miles on their vehicle? This is a $30 retail price circuit board! Apparently my safety and that of others around me is not worth $30 to gmc. The "icing on the cake" is the amount of time that gm invested talking about what they were going to do, and then back peddling on why they couldn't replace the card under the recall. What would the cost be if I was caught in a rainstorm driving home from the dealership with my unrepaired vehicle and had a crash? I have personally replaced the defective part with a replacement that I purchased at an automotive supply store.
Compare the 1997 GMC Suburban
Other model years
199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004
Questions about the 1997 GMC Suburban
Is the 1997 GMC Suburban reliable?
Owners have filed 199 complaints about the 1997 GMC Suburban, 39.8 times a typical Suburban model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 GMC Suburban?
Brakes, with 58 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles. Next is steering (39).
How many recalls does the 1997 GMC Suburban have?
2 recalls, covering visibility.
What year does the GMC Suburban have bad brakes?
The GMC Suburban model years with the most brakes complaints are 1994 (276 complaints), 1993 (162 complaints) and 1999 (123 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1997 GMC Suburban get?
Official estimates for the 1997 GMC 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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