FaultScore

1997 Chevrolet Silverado window and wiper problems

39 of the 365 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 11% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 92,000 miles.

B

39

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Motor 19 48.7%
Windshield Wiper/Washer 6 15.4%
Motor 4 10.3%
Exterior 2 5.1%
Linkages 2 5.1%
Switch/Wiring 2 5.1%
Visibility 2 5.1%
Power Window Devices AND Controls 1 2.6%
Fan/Motor 1 2.6%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Chevrolet Silverado year

1992 14 2.2%
1993 23 3.6%
1994 128 20.0%
1995 149 23.2%
1996 74 11.5%
1997 39 6.1%
1998 45 7.0%
1999 54 8.4%
2000 29 4.5%
2001 15 2.3%
2002 20 3.1%
2003 22 3.4%
2004 19 3.0%
2005 10 1.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 187,600 miles Glendale, AZ Fire

VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE PANEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE POWER LOCKS AND THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,600. UPDATED 9/29/14*CN UPDATED 2/26/2015

NHTSA complaint #10627600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Douglas, GA

VISIBILITY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE WINDOW WIPERS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A CRACKED JOINT IN THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA complaint #10238878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Browntown, WI

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

DT: CONTACT STATES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER; THEY STATED THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE OF A FAULTY SENSOR. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY.

NHTSA complaint #10142737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Attica, MI

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WIND SHIELD WIPER FAILS TO WORK WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TOO THERE IS A RECALL FOR THEM BUT MY TRUCK ISN'T ON THE LIST 1997 CHEVY NHTSA#03V159000 IT FUNNY THAT MINE IS DOING WHAT THEY RECALLED THEM FOR BUT I'M NOT COVERED JUST WONDERING WHY.

NHTSA complaint #10141647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,000 miles Burlington, CT

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AS NOTED IN NHTSA RECALL 03V159000 CONCERNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE DEALERSHIP, BOTH STATED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE ON THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN IN THE PAST YEAR AND OCCURRED AT ABOUT 39,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS A 1997, CHEVROLET K1500 SILVERADO.

NHTSA complaint #10136567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, OH

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

DT: THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY CONTACTED GM AND FILED A COMPLAINT ON JUNE 1, 2005. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10131875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles Worcester, MA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A RURAL HIGHWAY, IT BEGAN TO DOWNPOUR. I TURNED MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON, AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I BECAME FRANTIC AND TRIED TO PULL OVER, WITHOUT EVEN SEEING WHERE I WAS GOING. UPON INTERNET RESEARCH, AND THIS WEBSITE, I AM NOW AWARE OF A RECALL EFFECTING CERTAIN BATCHES OF MY MODEL. THE RECALL INFO IS AS FOLLOWS: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V159000 I'VE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHO THEN TOLD ME THEY COULD DO NOTHING FOR ME UNLESS IT WAS IN WRITING FROM GM. I CALLED GM, HOWEVER THEY CAN NOT AND WILL NOT ASSIST ME IN ANY WAY OTHER THAN TELLING ME THAT MY WIPER MOTOR FAILURE IS "COINCIDENCE" AND JUST HAPPENS TO FALL INTO THE SAME CATEGORY OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10131100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chugiak, AK

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 CHEVROLET, SILVERADO 3500. HE STATED THAT THERE WERE NHTSA RECALLS 03V159000 AND 03V210000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS DUE TO VIN. ON JULY 30, 2005 WHILE IN A RAIN STORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT 4 TIMES. ALSO, THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON JULY 31,2005.

NHTSA complaint #10130921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Chattanooga, TN

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

MY 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO P/U HAS A PROBLUM WITH THE WIPERS THEY WORK SOME OF THE TIME AND SOME OF THE TIME THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. YOUR WEB SITE SAYS THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLUM (03V15900 YOUR RECALL #) AND WHEN I CONTACTED GM ABOUT IT I WAS TOLD BY CHRIS LAMAR THAT THERE WAS AND TO TAKE TO MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEN WAS TOLD WAS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN . CONTACTED GM ONCE AGAIN AND MR. L AMAR SAID IT DID NOT COVER MY TRUCK BUT IN THE FIRST CONVERSATION WITH HIM HE SAID THAT ALL GM FULL SIZE P/U WERE RECALLED FOR THE 97 MODEL YEAR FROM START OF PRODUCTION TO THE END OF PRODUCTION. WHEN I SPOKE TO HIS SUPERVISOR SHE SAID THAT BECAUSE THE TRUCK WAS NOT PURCHASED FROM A CHEVROLET DEALER THAT THEY WOULD NOT NOR EVER WOULD REPAIR THIS TRUCK UNDER ANY NOW OR FUTURE RECALLS. THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE TRUCK AND I AM THE SECOUND OWNER.

NHTSA complaint #10129716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,000 miles LAS Cruces, NM

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR DOESNT WORK CORRECTLY WHEN IT IS RAINING.

NHTSA complaint #10116649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 116,000 miles West Memphis, AR

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING

WHILE DRIVING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK INTERMITTENTLY. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A SPECIAL POLICY FOR THIS DEFECT WHICH EXPIRED IN FEBRUARY, 2004. OWNER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY, 2004.

NHTSA complaint #10115326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bolingbrook, IL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY OPERATE. THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IS UNDETERMINED.

NHTSA complaint #10115110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 166,000 miles Sedalia, MO

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR BECOME INOPERATIVE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10113577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 156,800 miles Salado, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

CONSUMER STATED TAILGATE CABLES CORRODED. CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED THAT THEY WILL FAIL. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT BOTH TAILGATE CABLES FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10102028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Carrollton, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY WORKED INTERMITTENTLY THE CONSUMER HAS MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10099204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Winston-Salem, NC

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY DURING INCLEMENT CONDITIONS. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #10097844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cottonwood, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED, CAUSING POOR DRIVER VISIBILITY. VEHICLE WASS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10097880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles Overland Park, KS

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

CONSUMER STATED WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10097764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Waverly, IA

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

RECALL 03V159000 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY DURING INCLEMENT CONDITIONS. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #10097586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Crestview, FL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10092917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 19,700 miles Stamford, CT

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. CURRENTLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE IN ANY CONDITION. THE EDEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE EALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10091566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milwaukee, WI

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING.*MR WHILE DRIVING IN A SEVERE RAIN STORM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. AFTER ARRIVING HOME THE CONSUMER RESEARCHED THE VEHICLE'S RECALLS A FOUND THAT THERE WAS ONE FOR THE WIPER MOTOR (RECALL # 02054) IN GM VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM 1994-1999. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INDICATED THAT HE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED AT A DIFFERENT PLANT.

NHTSA complaint #10089129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 113,000 miles Schenectady, NY

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10083922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles Godwin, NC

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10081477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tucson, AZ

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED WHEN THEY WANTED TO. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10065574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Pine Grove, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING. RECALL 03159000 WAS ISSUED ON WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #10057448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Park City, UT 1 injured

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

THE PASSENGER PUSHED THE BUTTON FOR THE WINDOW TO ROLL UP AND STUCK HIS HEAD OUT, AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE WINDOW CLOSED AND CAUGHT HIS HEAD IN THE WINDOW. DRIVER HIT THE BUTTON FOUR TIMES, THEN IT RELEASED. THE PASSENGER WAS BLUE IN THE FACE, AND HAD TO BE REVIVED BY CPR, AND TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL.

NHTSA complaint #10054100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

International Falls, MN

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO WORK. SOMETIMES THE OBSTRUCT THE DRIVERS VIEW. THE DEALER STATED NO RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10042279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nankin, OH

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP AND START WORKING .

NHTSA complaint #10025678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

OK City, OK

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER COME ON AND OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING INTERMITTENLY. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE PROBLEM. MR CONSUMER STATES WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT DURING A RAINSTORM AND HAD TO SET ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER DID NOT LEAVE UNTIL THE NEXT DAY AFTER THE STORM PASSED.PH 09-DEC-2002

NHTSA complaint #8021463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Chevrolet Silverado problems

← Full 1997 Chevrolet Silverado report