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FaultScore report

1997 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 problems

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 with NHTSA between 2006 and 2018. The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers. Across this model's run it ranks 16 of 21 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Chevrolet Suburban 1500 All 1997 cars
A

FaultScore 19/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Chevrolet Suburban 1500.

How this is worked out

The numbers

21

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

110,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

15%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 13 vs 50 Severity 25 vs 50 Early failure 26 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 13
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Suburban 1500. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 25
4.8% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 26
15% 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 Suburban 1500

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1997 Chevrolet Suburban 1500

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 6 28.6%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

Brakes 5 23.8%

Median failure at 98,500 miles

Lights 3 14.3%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

Steering 2 9.5%

Median failure at 130,000 miles

Electrical System 2 9.5%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 168,000 mi

Seats 1 4.8%

Median failure at 175,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 4.8%

Median failure at 165,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 1 4.8%

Median failure at 28,154 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 5.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 10.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 6 30.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 6 30.0%
150,000+ miles 5 25.0%

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.

Aug 2006 peak 4 Feb 2018

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 197,000 miles Tulsa, OK Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BURNED WIRES NEAR THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 197,000.

NHTSA complaint #10415209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 350,000 miles Wentzville, MO

SERVICE BRAKES

ANTI-LOCK SYSTEMS OVERRIDES AT LOW SPEED ON DRY PAVEMENT INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCES.

NHTSA complaint #11072098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132,000 miles Satsuma, FL

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. AROUND MARCH 2008 I WAS TRAVELING ON THE SOUTHERN STATE PARKWAY IN LONG ISLAND, NY WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND A LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH WAS CAUSED BY BRAKE FLUID HITTING THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED A HOLE IN THE LINE WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. ONLY THAT PARTICULAR LINE WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF REPLACING ALL LINES FROM FRONT TO BACK. TODAY AUGUST 6, 2012 I WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ONCE AGAIN IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND A LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE CAME OUT DUE TO THE BRAKE FLUID HITTING THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND ANOTHER BRAKE LINE THAT HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED A HOLE IN THE LINE WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. AT THE TIME OF THE SECOND INCIDENT THE TRUCK HAD 141,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10469450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 197,000 miles Tulsa, OK Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BURNED WIRES NEAR THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 197,000.

NHTSA complaint #10415209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Wallingford, CT

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FUNCTION WHEN IN ACTIVATION; AND OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT HAVE QUALIFIED DUE TO THE MODEL YEAR, EXCESSIVE MILEAGE; AND BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED. THE CONTACT DISAGREED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER AND STATED THAT THE RECALL SUMMARY DID NOT MENTION THOSE FACTORS AS A REQUIREMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10379801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 139,000 miles Beloit, WI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN, I TURNED ON THE WIPER SWITCH TO HAVE NOTHING HAPPEN BUT A SOFT BUZZING NOISE. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING AND INTERMITTENT, SINCE IT BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2003. I NOW FIND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS, BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND NOW WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. GM RECALL NO. 03023. GM REFUSES TO HELP AS THE RECALL HAS BEEN "CLOSED", AND THEIR RECORDS INDICATE THE REPAIR WAS MADE. I OWNED THE VEHICLE DURING THAT ENTIRE TIME. IT WAS NOT REPAIRED!

NHTSA complaint #10335282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 139,000 miles Beloit, WI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN, I TURNED ON THE WIPER SWITCH TO HAVE NOTHING HAPPEN BUT A SOFT BUZZING NOISE. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING AND INTERMITTENT, SINCE IT BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2003. I NOW FIND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS, BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND NOW WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. GM RECALL NO. 03023. GM REFUSES TO HELP AS THE RECALL HAS BEEN "CLOSED", AND THEIR RECORDS INDICATE THE REPAIR WAS MADE. I OWNED THE VEHICLE DURING THAT ENTIRE TIME. IT WAS NOT REPAIRED!

NHTSA complaint #10335282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles West DES Moines, IA

VISIBILITY

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ONLY SOMETIMES. SOMETIMES HAVE TO SPIN THE CONTROLLER A FEW TIMES TO GET THEM WORKING. EVEN THEN THEY MAY NOT WORK. FRUSTRATING!

NHTSA complaint #10270189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles West DES Moines, IA

VISIBILITY

SIDE REARVIEW MIRRORS.....ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER ONLY MOVES THE EITHER MIRROR DOWNWARD. WILL NOT MOVE EITHER MIRROR LEFT, RIGHT, OR UP. HAVE REPLACED THIS CONTROLLER TWICE BEFORE FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. ONE WITH THE DEALER AND ONE ON MY OWN. BOTH TIMES BRAND NEW PARTS. THERE IS ANOTHER RECALL FOR THIS ITEM BUT APPARENTLY DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VIN. !!!!

NHTSA complaint #10270193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 165,000 miles Meridian, ID

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1997 SUBURBAN - FUEL GAUGE PEGS AT PAST FULL. FUEL PUMP FAILS. I AM NOT SURE OF THE REASON FOR THESE THINGS TO HAPPEN ABUT IT KEEP RECURRING AND I DO NOT HAVE THE CASH TO BE GOING TO A MECHANIC EVERY 2 TO 3 MONTHS. I HAVE LOOKED THIS PROBLEM UP ON THE NET MANY TIMES AND THE LIST OF PEOPLE WITH THIS AND SIMILAR PROBLEMS APPEARS TO BE GROWING.

NHTSA complaint #10267912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Cambridge, MN

STEERING

POWER STEERING SURGES, UNCONTROLLABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10249459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,000 miles Port Townsend, WA

SEATS

NO REAL EVENTS, NO COLLISION, ETC. JUST NORMAL USE, GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. DRIVER SEAT ADJUSTING MECHANISM, STRUT(S) CONTROLLING FRONT ELEVATION BROKE AND SEAT FRONT WILL NOT RAISE OR LOWER. SEAT STILL MOVES FROM REAR AND FORWARD AND BACK. SEAT IS NOT STABLE AND PIVOTS BACK ON REAR MOUNTING /ADJUSTING POINTS. WE NO LONGER SEAT ANYONE BEHIND THE DRIVERS-SIDE FRONT SEAT BECAUSE IT COULD CRUSH THE REAR PASSENGER IF SUBJECTED TO ENOUGH IMPACT. IT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED BY A BODY SHOP THAT WE JUST RE-WELD, BUT THEY ARE UNWILLING TO GUARANTEE IT WILL HOLD WITH IMPACT.

NHTSA complaint #10228141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Camano Island, WA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNAL MECHANISM THE WIPERS STOP ON THERE OWN AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND NOW THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AT ALL, PER THE DEALERS INSPECTION. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE YET AS I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL OF A VERY SERIOUS MATTER!

NHTSA complaint #10220378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Camano Island, WA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNAL MECHANISM THE WIPERS STOP ON THERE OWN AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND NOW THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AT ALL, PER THE DEALERS INSPECTION. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE YET AS I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL OF A VERY SERIOUS MATTER!

NHTSA complaint #10220378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Camano Island, WA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNAL MECHANISM THE WIPERS STOP ON THERE OWN AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND NOW THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AT ALL, PER THE DEALERS INSPECTION. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE YET AS I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL OF A VERY SERIOUS MATTER!

NHTSA complaint #10220378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Camano Island, WA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING

BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNAL MECHANISM THE WIPERS STOP ON THERE OWN AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND NOW THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AT ALL, PER THE DEALERS INSPECTION. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE YET AS I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL OF A VERY SERIOUS MATTER!

NHTSA complaint #10220378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 308,433 miles Lothian, MD

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING DURING A RAINSTORM.

NHTSA complaint #10218440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,500 miles Pataskala, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ARBITRARY ACTIVATION OF THE ABS BRAKES AT SLOW SPEEDS OR WHEN PARKING. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO NOT STOP AND CONTINUE MOVING FOR A FEW INCHES TO A FEW FEET. VARY HAZARDOUS WHEN PARKING IN TIGHT AREAS OR AROUND CHILDREN IN A PARKING LOT. HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM ON CHEVY 1999 SILVERADO K1500 PICKUP THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL. WOULD SUGGEST THE SAME ON THIS VEHICLE TO AVOID SAME HAZARDOUS SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #10194043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,000 miles Austin, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

FRONT BRAKES WEARING OUT EVERY 6,000 MI, REAR BRAKES SHOW VIRTUALLY NO WEAR AFTER 138,000 MI. THE ANTILOCK BRAKES FEEL SPONGY AND VEHICLE WON'T STOP PROPERLY. WHY DOES SOME ONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE YOU PEOPLE LISTEN.

NHTSA complaint #10193617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,154 miles Chelmsford, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI LOCK BRAKES PULSATE AT LOW SPEED ON DRY PAVEMENT. ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD COOLANT LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #10172825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,154 miles Chelmsford, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

ANTI LOCK BRAKES PULSATE AT LOW SPEED ON DRY PAVEMENT. ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD COOLANT LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #10172825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filer, ID

STEERING

EXTREME OVER STEERING AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH. NEARLY CAUSED A FREEWAY ACCIDENT WITH CAR FULL OF KIDS. PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 93 SUBURBAN WITH NO COMPLAINTS. HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS ONE 4 MONTHS AND I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE THE STEERING IS SO ERRATIC. ALSO TRAVEL FREQUENTLY WITH HORSE TRAILER AND WORRY THAT THE OVER STEERING WILL CAUSE THE TRAILER TO SWERVE, CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC.

NHTSA complaint #10165589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.