Owners have filed 113 complaints
about the 1997 Chevrolet Pickup with NHTSA between 1997 and 2012.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 10 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 100
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Pickup. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 55
10.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 43
25% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1997 compares with every other Chevrolet Pickup
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
112.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
112.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
112.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
225.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
225.0%
150,000+ miles
112.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 1997peak 13Nov 2012
Recalls on the 1997 Chevrolet Pickup
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
08E050000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Tallahassee, FL1 injured
SEATS
WHILE PARKING VEHICLE, I TURNED TO LOOK BACK, UPON WHICH THE DRIVER SEAT BACK SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING COLLASPED, SPRINGING MY NECK. THE VEHICLE IS NO DRIVERABLE DUE TO THE SEAT BACK CAN NOT BE LOCKED INTO POSITION. DT
NHTSA complaint #770623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Siloam Springs, ARCrash
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING WHEEL PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT WHEN STEERING THROUGH A CURVE. IT IS A VERY SUDDEN MOVEMENT AND LASTS FROM 1-3 SECONDS AND CAN HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES GOING THROUGH A CURVE. I WAS TRAVELING ON A TWO LANE ROAD AND WAS PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD TRAVELING AT 55 MPH NEARLY MISSING A TREE. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS AT ANY SPEED AND AT ANY TIME.
NHTSA complaint #748389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockbridge, GACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE MAKERS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAJOR PARTS OF A BRAKE SYSTEM. WE HAD TO TAKE TIME TO GET THE TRUCK REPAIRED AND PAY A LOT OF MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. WE SHOULD NOT IN THIS COUNTRY PRODUCE SUCH UNSAFE VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #747746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockton, ILCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON DRY SUNNY DAY AND UPON APPLYING BRAKES BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND, BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, AND REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. FRONTAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. HAVE NOT CONTACTED DEALER. *AK 2 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BAY Town, TXCrash1 injured
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL STICKS WHEN TURNNING AND THEN LOOSENS AND TURNS FREELY, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #854422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, MECrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
RUBBER BRAKE PAD COMES OFF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING OWNER TO GET INTO ACCIDENTS. OWNER STATES DEALERS BOLTED DOWN PAD TO CORRECT PROBELM.
NHTSA complaint #824779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Goldendale, WA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
1997 CHEVROLET PICKUP 1500. CONSUMER STATES DRIVER DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF FROM INSIDE *TGW
NHTSA complaint #10484323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesSacramento, CA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET PICKUP. WHILE TURNING LEFT AT 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND PLACED THE GEAR INTO PARK. HE THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. HE HAD TO DO THIS TWICE BEFORE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT WANT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THEY HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS AND CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 138,000.
NHTSA complaint #10215809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, KS
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
THE STEERING WHEEL GETS LOOSE AT LOW SPEEDS, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THUS, INCREASING THE CHANCE OF A CRASH. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE OVERSTEERS.
NHTSA complaint #10110839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Amherst, OH
TIRES
VEHICLE'S LEFT FRONT FIRESTONE STEELTEX TIRE CAME APART WHILE DRIVING. *MR THE TIRE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10090259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spartanburg, SC
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEM. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENLY. CONSUMER FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10091725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,200 milesSummersville, WV
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. RECALL 03V159000 WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10087467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tonkawa, OK
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10075875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,000 milesBIG Bend, WI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE RIGHT SEAT BELT DUE TO AN INTERNAL PROBLEM CAUSED THE BELT NOT TO COME OUT. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10074172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesHouston, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
WHEN THE TANK IS FULL A FOUL ODOR SEEPS THROUGH THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10072177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesSeymour, IN
STEERING:COLUMN
STEERING COLUMN STABILIZER SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #10068641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200 milesRochdale, MA
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. CONSUMER FELT THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10055960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesHumble, TX
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME LOOSE. THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS MAKING RIGHT AND LEFT HAND TURN. THE DEALERSHIP'S MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM BUT THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10054198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesEustis, FL
STEERING
STEERING SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER HAS TO REPLACE STEERING SENSOR FIVE TIMES SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW.
NHTSA complaint #10037802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tallahassee, FL1 injured
SEATS
WHILE PARKING VEHICLE, I TURNED TO LOOK BACK, UPON WHICH THE DRIVER SEAT BACK SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING COLLASPED, SPRINGING MY NECK. THE VEHICLE IS NO DRIVERABLE DUE TO THE SEAT BACK CAN NOT BE LOCKED INTO POSITION. DT
NHTSA complaint #770623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milford, MA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
THE VEHICLE?S HOOD OPENED UP INTO THE WINDSHIELD WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED IT OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF A CORRODED HOOD LATCH. ( CONSUMER WRITING IN ON BEHALF OF HER HUSBAND)
NHTSA complaint #567686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlas, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #765381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Collins, CO
STEERING
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING IT BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. *JB THE POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERATIVE WHILE PARKING.
NHTSA complaint #8009056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saltsburg, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AT SLOW SPEEDS APROXIMATLY 5-10 MPH THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM KICKS IN AND THE BRAKES FAIL TO STOP THE VEHICLE.MOSTLY COMING TO A SLOW STOP SUCH AS IN A PARKING LOT.I HEAR THE ABS MOTOR RUNNING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPS THE VEHICLE THEN FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS NOT GOING TO STOP IN TIME.THIS IS ON A GOOD TRACTION SURFACE AND THERE IS NO WHEEL LOCK UP.IT SEEMS TO ACT UP ALMOST EVERY STOP FOR DAYS AND THEN I MAY NOT HAVE IT OCCUR FOR A FEW DAYS THEN IT RETURNS.
NHTSA complaint #757377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
A JERKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. IT WILL JERK OR TRY TO TURN ON ITS OWN WHILE GOING STRAIGHT OR ON A TURN. IT HAS CAUSED SEVERAL NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE STEERING ACTS UP AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND SPEEDS AND CANNOT BE PREDICTED.
NHTSA complaint #756794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #750441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT A LOCAL CONVIENCE STORE THE VACUUM BOOSTER FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BE EXTREMELY RIGID. MY WIFE WA DRIVING AT THE TIME AND HAD (3 MONTHS PRIOR) UNDERGONE BACK SUGERY. IT CAUSED HE TREMENDOUS PAIN TO FORCE THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN IN ORDER TO STOP. SHE PROCEEDED TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND CALL ME. (AT HOME) I INSPECTED THE TRUCK AND DETERMINED THE BOOSTER HAD IN FACT FAILED. ( I AM AN AUTO TECHNICIAN BY TRADE) THE BOOSTER WAS REPLACED ($168) AND THE BRAKE PROBLEM WAS ALIEVEATED. IF THIS WERE TO HAVE HAPPENED WHILE TRAVELING AT A GREATER SPEED, IN A TRAFFIC SITUATION, I BELIEVE AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE RESULTED AND HER INJURIES COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING.
NHTSA complaint #754334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hartselle, AL
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BECOMES VERY LOOSE AND THE SUDDENLY CATCHES. I HAVE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FEEL CERTAIN IT IS A POWER STEERING SPEED SENSOR. I HAVE ENCOUNTER MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. VERY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #752633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pontiac, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
OUR DEALERSHIP AND GENERAL MOTORS HELP DESK INDICATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE IS BEYOND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY CRITERIA, THEY DO NOT WANT TO FIX THE VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTERS EVEN THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE GM TRUCKS AS REPORTED IN THE DETROIT FREE PRESS ON JUNE 29, 2001. IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO OR ANYONE TO CONTACT REGARDING THE PROBLEM? WILL THE MANUFACTURER (GM) PAY FOR THIS DEFECT? OR DOES IT HAVE TO BE A RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #751316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smyrna, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #750054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smyrna, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #750054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.