On my 1997 yukon the front wiper motor fails intermittently usually while driving in the rain. The failure is caused by a manufacturers defect in the wiper motor circuit board. In 1998 a recall was issued for this problem on a number of gm vehicles, however the recall covered vehicles from 1994 to early 1997. Although gm continued to use the same defective circuit boards in at least the late 1997 and 1998 models they were not included in the recall. We have had 2 1998 gmc sierra's that had the same problem and everyone else I know with a 1998 sierra has had this problem. In fact some years ago a met a man who's wife was killed in an accident after the sudden failure of their wiper motor. Because their vehicle was also a 1998 and not included in the recall there was no compensation. By now I am sure gm is well aware of the fact that they continued to use the defective circuit boards long after the dates covered in their recalls.
The worst 1997 GMC Yukon 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.
- Steering53
- Brakes31
- Transmission15
- Electrical11
- Suspension11
- Visibility10
- Fuel system8
- Engine7
- Airbags3
- Seats3
- Acceleration2
- Body2
- Tires2
- Driver assistance1
- Seat belts1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 GMC Yukon
ABS 10Jerking 10Wipers 9Pulling 8Brake failure 7Transmission failure 6Power steering loss 5
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Seat belt anchorage separation
EA01018
Seat belt anchorage separation
Odi has received one (1) complaint alleging that the 2nd row passenger-side seat belt release buckle anchor detached from seat frame during a side impact crash.during the crash, the occupant was thrown from his seat, partially ejected through the rear quarter window of the vehicle.occupant sustained injury.gm has subsequently changed seat belt anchoring design in my 2000. Odi has completed a preliminary investigation and has determined that further information is needed to determine whether a safety defect exists.
PE01023
Battery leaks acid
There is no summary currently available
EA00013
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 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
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 GMC Yukon 34
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...
- 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...
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
1997 GMC Yukon 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 | 14 | 17 | 15 |
| 6.5L 8‑cyl Diesel | 4WD | 14 | 17 | 15 |
| 5.7L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 12 | 16 | 14 |
What 1997 GMC Yukon owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
At 250,000 km. Oem fuel on 97 gmc yukon quite. Oct 2007 purchased a carter fuel sending unit which gave up jan/2008 at less than 5000 km. Of service during cold weather. Returned for warranty and install new unit feb 2008 which gave many starting misses and hesitations and finally left stranded during minus 30 celsius weather dec 2008. Carter fuel pumps tested first unit and said pump runs fine so you will pay for second unit. Neither unit runs consistently without being rapped on a time or two during a trip to town. Yes I had to make a special floor access to the tank as the towing fees would have been astronomical not to mention the repair bills. The second unit lasted 10,000 km as it was warm weather. Reminded purchased oemgmc unit which performs flawlessly in this minus 30 weather.
Vehicle keeps pulling to either side of turn on speeds above 25mhp, was told is the steering sensor but have not replace it. Vehicle has been doing this since about 128k. Brake pedal is spongy even after needed adjustments were performed.
Brakes failed at low speed and hit the car in front of me at stop light. Pushed brakes to the floor and seemed to pick up speed. Air bag did not deploy. Totaled the other car. Went right up on top of his back end. It cost me 200.00 to fix my yukon. Had already replace ABS system about 8 years ago.the back windsheild shattered one day when I got into the drivers seat.the windsheild wipers had serious problem.replaced the computer part twice.
I was driving home when my vehicle would not accelerate anymore. After pushing the truck home and upon further inspection found that the transmission casing was cracked. The cost to replace transmission with a remanufactured one was approximately $2200.00 , not includind labor. The cracked transmission is still available.
Dt: the consumer stated three years ago she had to replace the fuel pump. The fuel pump has been replaced five times in the last three years. The second time the pump was replaced the wires were burned. The wires were replaced. Gm told her to take the vehicle to a gm dealership and they would pay for the fuel pump, but not the labor.
Dt: there is a problem with the ABS kicking in at low speeds. The contact has been experiencing the problem since september of 2003. Had taken it vehicle to dealer to be repaired. They replaced the whole front hub bearings and the ABS sensors. The problem came back in september 2005. He is taking it to dealer for repairs in october. It is a constant and an ongoing problem. The contact has found a recall bulletin number 05068 for september o 2005. The contact's vehicle year was not included. The contact stated that gm refused to cover the vehicle in the recall. The service dealer said that gm claimed that if he wanted the vehicle to be safe he would have to pay for the repairs.
Consumer states: when driving in a heavy wind storm the front end of the vehicle wanders to the left. When straightening it up it over composites. Gradually gets worse. Vehicle veers back and forth like it its going to go out of control.
Anti lock brakes activate at low speeds. This has been going on for about 1 year. Took vehicle to service department 6 months ago and they would not service this problem. At very low speeds the anti lock brakes activate. The braking distance is greater when this happens. This happens everyday, but not every time the brakes are applied.
While driving 65 MPH, in inclement weather the windshield wipers failed. This caused poor visibility to the driver. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the windshield wiper circuit needed to be replaced. Please provide further details. *jb consumer stated that the problem was consistant with recall. Number campaign id number : 03v159000 although the consumer missed this recall by a year the problem is still the same. Abs brakes at all speeds feel spongy and often goes clear to the floor.
Compare the 1997 GMC Yukon
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Other model years
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Questions about the 1997 GMC Yukon
Is the 1997 GMC Yukon reliable?
Owners have filed 133 complaints about the 1997 GMC Yukon, fewer than a typical Yukon model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 GMC Yukon?
Steering, with 53 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles. Next is brakes (31).
How many recalls does the 1997 GMC Yukon have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the GMC Yukon have bad steering?
The GMC Yukon model years with the most steering complaints are 1997 (53 complaints), 2015 (34 complaints) and 1999 (20 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1997 GMC Yukon get?
Official estimates for the 1997 GMC Yukon range from 14 to 15 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.7L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 14 city and 17 highway.
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