38 of the
693 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are about the
engine — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
61,444 miles.
B
38
Complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Gasoline
1231.6%
Engine
513.2%
Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings
513.2%
Cooling System
410.5%
Radiator Assembly
25.3%
GAS Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
25.3%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
25.3%
Emission Control
25.3%
Engine AND Engine Cooling
25.3%
Exhaust System
12.6%
Engine & Cooling across every Chevrolet Silverado 1500 year
I GOT THE TRUCK IN 2011 AND WHEN THE TITLE CAME IN THE MAIL IT HAD A NOTE THAT THE TRUCK HAD BEEN A DEALER LEMON LAW BUYBACK. MY PROBLEM NOW IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I CALLED CHEVROLET FOR SOME ASSISTANCE AND WAS TOLD TO HAVE A CHEVROLET DEALER DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE MOST OF THE CHECK ENGINE RELATED PARTS AND SENSORS AT A COST TO ME OF ABOUT $4000.00. I THINK THAT I AM BEING OVER SOLD. I PAID THE $85.00 AND HAD 2 OTHER TEST AND 2 DIFFERENT DIAGNOSE COST FROM $1500 TO CHANGE INJECTORS. ANOTHER.GM RECALL BUT MILEAGE PROBLEM. CHEVROLET DECLINED ANY HELP. I THINK IF IT WAS A LEMON THERE MUST HAVE HAD A BIG PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE TRUCK IT STILL LOOKS GOOD. ALSO THE WIPERS DON'T WORK AT TIMES THERE WAS A RECALL ON THEM BUT AGE AND MILES MAY BE A PROBLEM. I COULD USE SOME HELP. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10621202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesLawrenceville, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, WATER PUMP AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE DEXCOL ANTI-FREEZE THE DEALER USED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT THERE HAD BEEN ISSUES WITH USING THE DEXCOL ANTI-FREEZE WITH THEIR VEHICLES IN THE PAST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,900.
NHTSA complaint #10398658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,100 milesHarrisburg, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET K1500 WHICH WAS OBTAINED IN 2005. HE STATED THAT THE COOLANT CONTINUED TO LEAK EXCESSIVELY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP; HOWEVER, THE COOLANT CONTINUED TO LEAK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PRESSURE NIPPLE WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 117,100.
NHTSA complaint #10298600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesStreetsboro, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
COOLING SYSTEM PLUGGED UP ON 1997 CHEVY W/T 4.3 V6 DEXCOOL TOOK TO DEALER- FLUSHED SYSTEM- RUINED TRUCK (USED COOLANT WITH GASOLINE FROM THAT POINT FORWARD HAD TO REFILL COOLANT CONSTANTLY) I GAVE UP ON TRUCK AND TRADED IT IN. AMOUNT OF LOSS- PAID 9000.00- OWNED 13 MONTHS- GOT 4300.00 FOR NET TRADE. 4700.00 LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #10278153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesUnion Grove, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10087169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,348 milesTacoma, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
HEAD GASKET FAILED ALLOWING COOLANT TO ENTER TOP END OF ENGINE. LIFTERS COLLAPSED AND ALL WERE REPLACED. EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED $1500. COST. "WE'VE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THAT ENGINE." (SERVICE DEALER).
NHTSA complaint #10083130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,888 milesShawnee, KS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
97 CHEVROLET TRUCK 50000 MILES INTAKE GASKET FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10067872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wheeling, WV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE CONSUMER NOTICED THE ENGINE SKIPPING. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND TECHNICIAN NOTICED A MISS FIRING CODE. DEALERSHIP HAD THE ENGINE HEADS REPAIRED FOR THE THIRD TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10063175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesMiami, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
NHTSA complaint #10054993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orient, IA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THE RADIATOR'S COOLANT SYSTEM FAILED, RESULTING IN FLUID ACCUMULATION IN THE TRANSMISSION ON TWO OCCASIONS. WAS FIXED TWICE, CAUSING A TOW BY THE DEALER ON THE SECOND TIME. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO SHIFT HARD FROM FIRST TO SECOND, HAD ANOTHER DEALER LOOK AT IT, SAID IT WAS "JUNK." NOTIFIED GM, THEY DID NOTHING BECAUSE THE FIRST DEALER DIDN'T REPORT THE PROBLEM. HAD TO PAY FOR A TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL AT 70,000 MILES... VERY EXPENSIVE! THE FUEL INDICATOR HAS ALSO FAILED. THE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DOOR HANDLES HAVE FALLEN OFF. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT IS OVER THE 70,000 MILE LIMIT OF REPLACEMENT. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER. HMMM... MAYBE THE DEALER WAS RIGHT ABOUT BEING JUNK WITHOUT A WARRANTY. SO SAD THAT WE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR PRODUCTS LIKE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10047586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cottonwood, AL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATES THE INTAKE GASKET HEATER HOSE CONNECTOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #786462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
GIG Harbor, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
HEARD A NOISE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, AND BRAKES DIDN'T HOLD. HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. AFTER SLAMMING ON BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD STALL. CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #8013011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrells Inlet, SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AFTER PARKING VEHICLE OWNER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS ANTIFREEZE LEAKING FROM VEHICLE DUE TO A LEAKY HEAD GASKET. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8004398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dodgeville, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN OIL LEAK IN THE OIL COOLING LINES. NLM
NHTSA complaint #560872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marysville, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
RUSTY PLUGGED COOLING SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #745261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Independence, KS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON CONSUMER WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING.*AK BEARING SPLINTERED, CAUSING METAL PIECES INTO TRANSMISSION OIL, THE REACTION CARRIER, OVERRUNNING CLUTCH, CLUTCH SUPPORT, OVER CLUTCH RACE, AND TORQUE CONVERTER ALL FAILED. LEFT REAR DOOR PANEL BAD, RATTLE IN SIDE DOOR, REAR SIDE DOOR REPAIRED, RIGHT SIDE DOORS TRIM PANELS BECOME LOOSE, DOOR PANLES REPLACED, SIDE DOOR PANEL RATTLES. VEHICLE HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, REAR TAIL LIGHTS NOT AT SAME HEIGHT, LEFT WINDOW SWITCH REPLACED, DOORS LOCKED WITH KEYS IN VEHICLE, INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING, BATTERY FAILED FIVE TIMES, ANTITHEFT LIGHT ON RADIO CAUSING IT NOT TO WORK. AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING HOT AIR AND VENT WOULD NOT ADJUST FROM SIDE TO SIDE. WINDOWS KEPT GETTING STUCK. AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. POWER STEERING WAS NOISY, DEALER REPAIRED POWER STEERING, POWER STEERING BECAME NOISY AGAIN. REAR SHOES WERE REPLACED. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #885890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Black Hawk, SD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
EGR VALVE WAS REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #785258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kettering, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
FUEL PUMP FAILED REPLACED AT MY COST BY DEALER.COOLANT HOSE FROM INTAKE TO HEATER FAILED COMMON PROBLEM ALTERNATOR REPLACED AT MY COSTED AT MY COST,COMMON PROBLEM. INTATE LEAK(COOLANT) NOT YET REPAIRED. MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR REPLACED AT MY COST,PART ONLY AVAILABLE FROM GM.
NHTSA complaint #740189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kettering, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
FUEL PUMP FAILED REPLACED AT MY COST BY DEALER.COOLANT HOSE FROM INTAKE TO HEATER FAILED COMMON PROBLEM ALTERNATOR REPLACED AT MY COSTED AT MY COST,COMMON PROBLEM. INTATE LEAK(COOLANT) NOT YET REPAIRED. MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR REPLACED AT MY COST,PART ONLY AVAILABLE FROM GM.
NHTSA complaint #740189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conyers, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PLASTIC INTAKE GASKET WEARS OUT BETWEEN 20,000 AND 70,000 MILES REQUIRING MAJOR COSTLY REPAIRS TO ENGINE. SERVICE DEALERS ARE WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT MUST REPLACE THE PLASTIC GASKET WITH A NEW PLASTIC GASKET DESIGNED THE SAME WAY AS ORIGINAL. THE NEW GASKET IS WARRANTIED TO LAST 12,000 MILES ONLY AND WILL WEAR OUT AGAIN AT THE SAME MILEAGE INTERVAL. THIS SERVICE WILL BE REQUIRED AT EACH MILEAGE INTERVAL.
NHTSA complaint #738429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Slidell LA., LA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE STEERING CAUSES THE TRUCK TO SWERVE OUT OF DRIVING LANE. THE FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HWY. WITH NO WARNING. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WOULD WORK INTERMITANTLY WHEN EVER IT FELT LIKE, THIS SAME WIPER MOTOR IS USED ON GMC TRUCKS AND HAS BEEN RECALLED WHY HASN'T IT BE RCALLED ON CHEVROLET TRUCKS, IT'S THE EXACT SAME PART #. ENGINE COOLING LINES LEAKED AT OIL COOLER, DEALER BANNER CHEVROLET CHANGED OIL PAN GASKET , REAR OIL CRANK SEAL AND THEN OIL PAN GASKET AGAIN TO NO AVAIL, BROUGHT TO BRYAN CHEVROLET WHICH IS ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY FIXED THE LEAK TURNED OUT TO BE O RING ON OIL COOLER HOUSING.
NHTSA complaint #723488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Slidell LA., LA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
THE STEERING CAUSES THE TRUCK TO SWERVE OUT OF DRIVING LANE. THE FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HWY. WITH NO WARNING. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WOULD WORK INTERMITANTLY WHEN EVER IT FELT LIKE, THIS SAME WIPER MOTOR IS USED ON GMC TRUCKS AND HAS BEEN RECALLED WHY HASN'T IT BE RCALLED ON CHEVROLET TRUCKS, IT'S THE EXACT SAME PART #. ENGINE COOLING LINES LEAKED AT OIL COOLER, DEALER BANNER CHEVROLET CHANGED OIL PAN GASKET , REAR OIL CRANK SEAL AND THEN OIL PAN GASKET AGAIN TO NO AVAIL, BROUGHT TO BRYAN CHEVROLET WHICH IS ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY FIXED THE LEAK TURNED OUT TO BE O RING ON OIL COOLER HOUSING.
NHTSA complaint #723488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLS. ALSO, WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURN OFF, IT IS HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO TURN IT BACK ON.
NHTSA complaint #855176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Paul, MNFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.ALSO, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM EXHAUST, FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #842713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE STALLS AND CUTS OFF. ALSO, SOMETIME'S IT IS HARD TO START THE VEHICLE AND TO KEEP VEHICLE RUNNING. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #841240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake ANN, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) MJS.
NHTSA complaint #545761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alcester, SD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
ENGINE COOLING HOSE BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF PRESSURE/STEERING, AND OIL TO LEAK ALL OVER ENGINE BLOCK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #838280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alcester, SD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
THE HOSE FROM THE ENGINE TO THE ENGINE OIL COOLER SPRUNG A LEAK OR BURST, SPRAYING OIL ALL OVER UNDER THE HOOD AND UNDER THE PICK-UP. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THAT THESE HOSES HAVE LEAKED OR BURST. THIS TIME IT RESULTED IN A SEIZED ENGINE WHICH REQUIRED A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND REQUIRED A GREAT DEAL OF FORCE TO GET THE BRAKES TO WORK AT ALL. THESE HOSES WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN BOTH REPLACED 2 MONTHS AGO. THEY THEN LEAKED AND BEFORE I COULD GET THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, ONE HOSE BROKE, SPRAYING OIL ALL OVER. THE HOSE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN REPLACED AGAIN, BUT BROKE AGAIN RESULTING IN A FIRE HAZARD WITH THE AMOUNT OF ENGINE OIL THAT SPRAYED ALL OVER UNDER THE HOOD. THE HOSE WAS REPLACED AGAIN. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON MAY 13 AND THE HOSE BROKE AGAIN ON MAY 20, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF BRAKING AND STEERING AND CAUSING THE MOTOR TO SEIZE. ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE IN A NEIGHBORING TOWN REPORTED THAT HIS CHEVROLET PICK-UP HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE HOSE BREAKING THE FIRST TIME AND THEN BREAKING AGAIN WHICH CAUSED THE MOTOR TO SEIZE. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR TOLD ME MINE WAS THE SECOND PICK-UP LIKE MINE THAT HE HAD TO HAUL FROM MY TOWN TO GET REPAIRED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. HE SAID HE HAULED THAT PICK-UP TO THE SAME DEALER THAT I HAD MINE HAULED TO. WHEN MY PICK-UP WAS HAULED IN LAST WEEK, THE SHOP FOREMAN, TROY, POINTED OUT ANOTHER PICK-UP LIKE MINE AND SAID THAT ONE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #706729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ashland City, TNCrash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
EVO SYSTEM FAILED AND HAD NO CONTROL OVER VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CROSS THE CENTER LANE OF HIGHWAY AND HIT A BLUFF, TOTALING OUT THE TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #704140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mountain View, AR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE IS CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND THERE IS NO INDICATION OR WARNING THAT THE POWER WILL BE LOST. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #826354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.