FaultScore

1997 Chevrolet Suburban window and wiper problems

37 of the 556 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 103,940 miles.

A

37

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Windshield Wiper/Washer 14 37.8%
Motor 14 37.8%
Windshield 2 5.4%
Glass, Side/Rear 1 2.7%
Exterior 1 2.7%
Interior 1 2.7%
Rearview Mirrors/Devices 1 2.7%
Rear Window Wiper/Washer 1 2.7%
Visibility 1 2.7%
Motor 1 2.7%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Chevrolet Suburban year

1992 18 3.3%
1993 45 8.3%
1994 176 32.3%
1995 53 9.7%
1996 44 8.1%
1997 37 6.8%
1998 54 9.9%
1999 47 8.6%
2000 24 4.4%
2001 14 2.6%
2002 10 1.8%
2003 13 2.4%
2004 10 1.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 99,000 miles Greenfield, WI

VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT AND CONFIRMED THAT REMEDY REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:03V159000(VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VHEICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,200.

NHTSA complaint #10428068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Greenville, SC

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE ON RAINY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN.

NHTSA complaint #10216196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 219,990 miles Havelock, NC

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DELAY FEATURE ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED SPORADICALLY. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) AND GM RECALL NUMBER 03023 IN FEBRUARY OF 2002. THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CONTACT WANTED TO NOTIFY NHTSA, BEFORE NOTIFYING THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 220,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 219,990.

NHTSA complaint #10214481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Vernon Hills, IL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA complaint #10208506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Diamondhead, MS

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

1997 CHEVEROLET C1500 SUBURBAN INTERMITTENT WIPER MOTOR FAILURE TO WORK PROPERLY. CAUSES LACK OF VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS OR DURING WINDSHIELD CLEANING OPERATIONS. WIPERS WILL CEASE TO WORK CONTINUOUS AND PROBLEM IS SPORADIC.

NHTSA complaint #10156869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Erie, PA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V159000 CONCERNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT WAS HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT HER OWN EXPENSE.

NHTSA complaint #10145921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Berwyn, IL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V159000 CONCERNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER MOTOR. THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. NO REPAIRS WERE DONE .

NHTSA complaint #10143758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Washington, DC

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR

DT: CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL ON SIDE MIRROR SWITCH ,AND HAD REPAIR WORK DONE. BUT, FELT THERE WERE STILL HOT WIRES ON DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS MAY BE A FIRE HAZARD. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ABOUT IT, AND THEY WOULD NOT REMEDY THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10126256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles RIO Rancho, NM

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

NHTSA COMPLAINT # 03V159000 - CHEVROLET HAS RECALLED CERTIAN VEHICLES WITH AN INTERMITTENT WINDSHIEL WIPER PROBLEM. MY 1997 2WD SUBURBAN IS NOT NCLUDED. 1996 ALL SUBURBANS ARE AND 1997 4WD SUBURBANS ARE. I HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE 1996 AND 1997 4WD.

NHTSA complaint #10125337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 127,000 miles Truckee, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND OCCASIONALLY FAIL. DANGEROUS DURING RAINSTORMS. THIS 1997 SUBURBAN VIN# [XXX] DOES NOT SHOW UP ON RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 03V159000. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #10124909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cumming, GA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT RECALL 03V159000 FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS ISSUED. MECHANIC CLAIMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #10113502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Klein, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V159000 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL, AND MECHANIC STATED THAT RECALL REPAIRS HAD BEEN PERFORMED PREVIOUSLY. HOWEVER, THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO ANY DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10113300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Contoocook, NH

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING WHILE ENGAGED. THE MANUFACTURER IS CHARGING THE CONSUMER FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR RECALL 03V159000 BECAUSE THEIR RECORDS INDICATED THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED OUT IN 98. THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 2003. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND VERIFIED THAT THE DEFECT RECALL PART WAS NEVER REPLACED AND REPLACED IT. *JB.. THIS WORK WAS COMPLETED IN 1998.

NHTSA complaint #10109676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pacifica, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY ON THEIR ON. DEALER WAS AWARE THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10099719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Savage, MN

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

NHTSA RECALL 03V159000 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. AFTER HAVING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10097807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,000 miles RIO Linda, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS RECALL#03V159000 WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE, BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.

NHTSA complaint #10097319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THERE WAS RECALL ISSUED JUNE 19, 2003 FOR OUR VEHICLE 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN, GM RECALL NO. 03023 FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL AND HAD OUR WIPERS FAIL ON US DURING A TRIP ON A HIGHWAY THAT IS KNOWN FOR ITS ACCIDENTS. WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND EVENTUALLY GOT THEM TO WORK AGAIN. WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO OUR MECHANIC THAT VERY SAME NIGHT. HE INFORMED US OF THE RECALL. WHEN CONTACTING CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 WE WERE FIRST TOLD THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER ALREADY HAD THE WIPERS FIXED ON THIS RECALL, THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE WE OWNED THE VEHICLE WHEN THE NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL WAS RELEASED. WE WERE THEN PUT ON HOLD FOR A LONG TIME THEN TOLD THAT THE RECALL IS ONLY VALID IF YOUR VEHICLE HAD 70,000 OR LESS MILES. THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED BECAUSE OF A POTENTIAL VISIBILITY PROBLEM. HOW IS MILEAGE RELATED TO VISIBILITY? I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A AGE REQUIREMENT FOR THE CORRECTIVE ACTION AND WE FALL INTO THE RANGE, OUT VEHICLE WAS 6 YEARS AT THE RECALL DATE. HOW DO I GET CHEVROLET TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. YOUR CAMPAING ID NUMBER IS 03V159000.

NHTSA complaint #10096119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Cleveland, OH

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10097108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hampton, GA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

. *AK1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR DEFECT NOT ALL 97 SUBURBANS INCLUDED MINE IS EXCLUDED & THEY HAVE STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES CHEVROLET WILL NOT REPAIR WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE MOTOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 30V159000

NHTSA complaint #10090714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles West Islip, NY

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF ON THEIR OWN INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *SC

NHTSA complaint #10089943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 144,000 miles Kewaunee, WI

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WHILE DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE REPLACED UNDER A RECALL, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10087699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kettering, OH

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10075499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,880 miles Tulsa, OK

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER

CONSUMER STATED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A DOWNPOUR. DEALER WAS CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #10073574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plano, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

MY VEHICLE WAS FITTED WITH THE FIX FOR INTERMITTENT WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE FIX WAS WARRANTED FOR TWELVE MONTHS OR 12KMILES. NINE MONTHS LATER, ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN IN COLORADO, WITH A BLIZZARD BLOWING, THE W/W DECIDED TO STOP WORKING, I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND BEAT ON THE W/W WITH A WATER BOTTLE AND THEY STARTED WORKING AGAIN. NEITHER CHEVROLET OR MY CHEV. DEALER WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MODULE BECAUSE THE FAULT OCCURRED AT 12K MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10065927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,000 miles Little Rock, AR

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *MR *SC

NHTSA complaint #10066656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,000 miles Huntingdon Valley, PA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, AND THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA complaint #10046241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pensacola, FL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WIPER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON SIMULAR MAKES & MODLES, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN#. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #8019586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

THE Woodlands, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD FAIL TO TURN ON, PAUSE, OR STOP WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. SOMETIME TURNING OFF/ON WOULD SOLVE PROBLEM OTHER TIME WOULD REQUIRE MANUALLY MOVING THE WIPE ARMS. AT THE LAST RESORT STOP OPEN HOOD AND TAP ON WIPER MOTOR HOUSING NEXT TO WIRRING HARNESS WOULD CAUSE THE WIPERS TO RESUME WORKING. BUT YOU COULD NOT EVER BE SURE WHEN THEY WOULD STOP AGAIN, 60 SEC., 2 MIN., OR WORK FOR THE REST OF THE RAIN STORM.

NHTSA complaint #766879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pottsboro, TX Fire

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

WHILE DRIVING SIDE VIEW MIRROR MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #8015154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Leavenworth, KS

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK WHEN TURNED ON IN RAIN STORM. HAS TO STOP ON HWY. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THEY WORKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. NEXT TIME STARTED VEHICLE WIPER AND WASHERS WOULD NOT WORK. CHECKED AGAIN A FEW MILES LATER AND BOTH WORKED. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIME DURING A THREE DAY TRIP.

NHTSA complaint #764256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Chevrolet Suburban problems

← Full 1997 Chevrolet Suburban report