1997 GMC Suburban problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CAR LURCHES WHEN TURNING RIGHT AND LEFT, INTERMITTENTLY FEELING LIKE YOU ARE LOOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10794765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING. FIRST THE HEATER FAN WOULD QUIT AND THE ABS LIGHT WOULD INSTANTLY TURN ON, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. WHEN THE ABS LIGHT WOULD BE ON THE ABS WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. THEN SUDDENLY ALL OPERATIONS WOULD GO BACK TO NORMAL. IT WOULD BE UNPREDICTABLE WHEN THE HEATER FAN AND THE ABS WOULD FAIL AND COME BACK. THEN YESTERDAY, THE SUBURBAN STARTED AND DIED 3 SECONDS AFTER STARTING. I RESTARTED THE SUBURBAN AND ALL SEEMED GOOD. I PUT THE SUBURBAN IN DRIVE AND ROLLED AT ABOUT 5 MPH AND THE TRUCK DIED. I STOPPED AND PUT THE SUBURBAN IN TO PARK AND RESTARTED. PLACED IT INTO DRIVE AND MADE IT HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME, I TURNED OFF THE SUBURBAN AND TRIED TO RESTART IT. IT WOULD CRANK BUT NOT FIRE THE ENGINE. THE RADIO AND HEATER AND ALL OTHER ELECTRONICS WOULD OPERATE AS NORMAL, BUT THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON I.E. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON", "BRAKE", "AIR BAG", "ABS". THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED ON IT AND NOW SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10593726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING. FIRST THE HEATER FAN WOULD QUIT AND THE ABS LIGHT WOULD INSTANTLY TURN ON, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. WHEN THE ABS LIGHT WOULD BE ON THE ABS WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. THEN SUDDENLY ALL OPERATIONS WOULD GO BACK TO NORMAL. IT WOULD BE UNPREDICTABLE WHEN THE HEATER FAN AND THE ABS WOULD FAIL AND COME BACK. THEN YESTERDAY, THE SUBURBAN STARTED AND DIED 3 SECONDS AFTER STARTING. I RESTARTED THE SUBURBAN AND ALL SEEMED GOOD. I PUT THE SUBURBAN IN DRIVE AND ROLLED AT ABOUT 5 MPH AND THE TRUCK DIED. I STOPPED AND PUT THE SUBURBAN IN TO PARK AND RESTARTED. PLACED IT INTO DRIVE AND MADE IT HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME, I TURNED OFF THE SUBURBAN AND TRIED TO RESTART IT. IT WOULD CRANK BUT NOT FIRE THE ENGINE. THE RADIO AND HEATER AND ALL OTHER ELECTRONICS WOULD OPERATE AS NORMAL, BUT THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON I.E. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON", "BRAKE", "AIR BAG", "ABS". THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED ON IT AND NOW SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10593726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING. FIRST THE HEATER FAN WOULD QUIT AND THE ABS LIGHT WOULD INSTANTLY TURN ON, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. WHEN THE ABS LIGHT WOULD BE ON THE ABS WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. THEN SUDDENLY ALL OPERATIONS WOULD GO BACK TO NORMAL. IT WOULD BE UNPREDICTABLE WHEN THE HEATER FAN AND THE ABS WOULD FAIL AND COME BACK. THEN YESTERDAY, THE SUBURBAN STARTED AND DIED 3 SECONDS AFTER STARTING. I RESTARTED THE SUBURBAN AND ALL SEEMED GOOD. I PUT THE SUBURBAN IN DRIVE AND ROLLED AT ABOUT 5 MPH AND THE TRUCK DIED. I STOPPED AND PUT THE SUBURBAN IN TO PARK AND RESTARTED. PLACED IT INTO DRIVE AND MADE IT HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME, I TURNED OFF THE SUBURBAN AND TRIED TO RESTART IT. IT WOULD CRANK BUT NOT FIRE THE ENGINE. THE RADIO AND HEATER AND ALL OTHER ELECTRONICS WOULD OPERATE AS NORMAL, BUT THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON I.E. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON", "BRAKE", "AIR BAG", "ABS". THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED ON IT AND NOW SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10593726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

STEERING SPEED SENSOR FAILS CAUSING THE STEERING TO SUDDENLY JERK WHILE TURNING UNDER SPEED. IT FEELS LIKE THE FRONT WHEELS HIT "SLIPPERY ICE". I HAVE REPLACED THIS ITEM 3 TIMES ON MY OWN AND THE SENSOR KEEPS FAILING. THE ONE IN MY CAR CURRENTLY IS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM AGAIN AND WILL NEED REPLACING.

NHTSA complaint #10370618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

SPRING OF 2008 WE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THEN IN NOVEMBER 2008 THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AGAIN. THE MECHANIC SAID THEY WERE BOTH BRAND NEW FUEL PUMPS BUT HE WAS UNSURE OF WHY THEY BOTH FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY WHEN WE TOOK IT BACK IN MARCH 2009. 3 NEW FUEL PUMPS ALL WITHIN ONE YEAR SOUNDS LIKE A PROBLEM TO US. THE MECHANIC ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE HARNESS. EACH TIME WHEN THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT THE CAR JUST WOULDN'T START. IT WOULD DRIVE FINE AND THEN JUST NOT RESTART ONCE TURNED OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10265471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 01/07/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/12/09.

NHTSA complaint #10251576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

PARKED TRUCK NEAR DEALERSHIP AFTER HAVING TROUBLE STARTING IT, TRIED TO RESTART, IT DIDN'T. DEALER TOOK IT IN AND CALLED TO SAY THAT FUEL PUMP IS SHOT AND THEY HAD ONE IN STOCK TO REPLACE IT. THEN FOUR HOURS LATER THEY SAID THE WIRES TO IT WERE MELTED AND THE SENDING UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS THE 5TH TIME TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP FOR THIS TRUCK IN 264,000 MILES. FIRST WAS AT 50,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10226086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT WIRES WERE ROTTED OUT, WHICH BURNED OUT THE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 151,000.

NHTSA complaint #10219285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FUEL PUMP FAILED MORE THAN THREE TIMES, ONLY IN THE SUMMER. REASON UNKNOWN, MANY SIMILAR VEHICLES HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. GENERAL MOTORS HAS DONE NOTHING.

NHTSA complaint #10198746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 1997 GMC SUBURBAN WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, CONSISTENT WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN 03V159000. I CONTACTED GMC, AND AFTER A LENGTHY PHONE CALL TO COLLECT ALL RELEVANT DATA, THEY SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME AT MY LOCAL GMC DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE WIPER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND INFORMED ME THAT THE FAILURE WAS INDEED DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE WIPER CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD. HOWEVER, MY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IF I WOULD HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED PRIOR TO 70,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE, THEN THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED IT AT NO CHARGE UNDER A "WAIVER SYSTEM?", BUT NOW IT WOULD BE $120 TO FIX. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH GM CONTINUES TO SEND ME MARKETING MATERIAL TO TRADE IN THIS VEHICLE FOR A NEW ONE, THEY FAILED TO INFORM ME AT ANY TIME OF THIS SAFETY HAZARD RECALL. THEY ALSO WASTED SEVERAL HOURS OF MY TIME ON THE TELEPHONE AND ARRANGING TO LEAVE MY VEHICLE AT THE DEALER PRIOR TO TELLING ME THAT I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL. HOW CAN THIS AUTOMAKER HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY IN MIND WHEN THEY DENY CONSUMERS A REMEDY TO A POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC SAFETY HAZARD BASED ON THE NUMBER OF MILES ON THEIR VEHICLE? THIS IS A $30 RETAIL PRICE CIRCUIT BOARD! APPARENTLY MY SAFETY AND THAT OF OTHERS AROUND ME IS NOT WORTH $30 TO GMC. THE "ICING ON THE CAKE" IS THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT GM INVESTED TALKING ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO, AND THEN BACK PEDDLING ON WHY THEY COULDN'T REPLACE THE CARD UNDER THE RECALL. WHAT WOULD THE COST BE IF I WAS CAUGHT IN A RAINSTORM DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP WITH MY UNREPAIRED VEHICLE AND HAD A CRASH? I HAVE PERSONALLY REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PART WITH A REPLACEMENT THAT I PURCHASED AT AN AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY STORE.

NHTSA complaint #10197098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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

WHEN BRAKING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE ABS KICKS IN AND INCREASES THE STOPPING DISTANCE NEEDED. AFTER 3 TRIPS TO DEALER (AND OVER $500 IN REPAIRS) FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSORS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THEY CHECKED THE RECALL, BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED. I HAVE SINCE SEEN THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THEIR VEHICLES AND THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED THAT THE "REGIONAL" RECALL DIDN'T COVER THEM. IT SEEMS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THERE IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THIS BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE WHEEL SPEED SENSORS AND GM SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING THIS BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE GETS HURT (OR WORSE).

NHTSA complaint #10184408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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

ABS BRAKES DO NOT AND HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED (STILL ORIGINAL OWNER). SPEED SENSITIVE STEERING DOES NOT AND HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY AS WELL. THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS $$$ HAVE BEEN SPENT AT THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP AND AT QUALIFIED AUTOMOBILE SERVICE REPAIR CENTERS CONTINUALLY REPLACING PARTS AND SOMETIMES THE SAME PARTS OF THE YEARS, THIS CONTINUES TO THIS DAY EVEN THOUGH THE SUBURBAN IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF. THIS INCLUDES MASTER CYLINDER, BRAKE PADS, CYLINDERS, ETC. THIS BRAKING DEFECT SEEMS TO BE EXPERIENCED BY MANY OWNERS OF THE 1997 GMC SUBURBAN C1500. WHY HASN'T SOMETHING BEEN DONE BY GM ENGINEERS TO LOCATE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA complaint #10177448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT SPEEDS BELOW 5 MPH, THE BRAKING DISTANCE WAS THREE TIMES AS FAR AS IT SHOULD BE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THE ABS SENSORS WERE REPAIRED. THE PROBLEM RETURNED 6 YEARS LATER. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 03/09/06.

NHTSA complaint #10151004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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

DT: THE CONTACT STATE THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, CAMPAIGN 05V379000 REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MODEL YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP.*AK THE BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING DUE TO RUST. UPDATED 02/07/06.

NHTSA complaint #10146346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

DT: THE CONTACT STATE THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, CAMPAIGN 05V379000 REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MODEL YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP.*AK THE BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING DUE TO RUST. UPDATED 02/07/06.

NHTSA complaint #10146346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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

I HAVE OWNED A 1997 GMC SUBURBAN 4X4 SINCE NEW. THE LAST 2 YEARS THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AT SLOW SPEED INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE. I HAVE RECENTLY DISCONNECTED THE POWER TO THE SYSTEM AS IT HAS WORSENED. I KNOW THAT THIS IS WIDESPREAD ON THIS TRUCK AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA complaint #10146023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STOPPING AT LOW SPEEDS THE ABS WILL ACTIVATE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE ABS SENSOR RUSTED. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE. THE PROBLEM WAS THE SAME AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA RECALL 05V379000 IN THE 1999-2002 MODELS.

NHTSA complaint #10141738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

CONSUMERS GMC SUBURBAN HAS A FACTORY INSTALLED HITCH, WITH A CRACK AND TWO SPLITS IN THE HITCH. *TS THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS DEFECT WITH THE HITCH. THE CONSUMER STATED ONE OF THE CRACKS LOOKED AS THOUGH IT HAD BEEN THERE SINCE MANUFACTURING AND THE OTHER SPLIT LOOKED AS THOUGH IT WAS CAUSED BY THIN METAL ON SOFT STEEL.

NHTSA complaint #10142140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT WAS CALLING IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL 05V379000 CONCERNING ABS BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS RECEIVING A FALSE READING WITH ABS BRAKES, AND HER STATE AND MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM SINCE EARLY SUMMER OF THIS YEAR AROUND MAY OR JUNE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FRONT HUB. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE ABS SYSTEM FROM BOTH OF THE FRONT TIRES AND WAS NO LONGER HAVING THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE WINTER. *AK THE ABS WOULD ACTIVATE WHILE BRAKING AT SLOW SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10138043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

DT: REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2005. THERE WAS NO ROAD CONSTRUCTION. ALSO, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT HAD THE TIRE INSPECTED AS OF YET. THE TIRE WAS AN ORIGINAL PART. THE TIRE SIZE IS LT245/75R16, AND DOT # 28671UR BM05327-1. THE TIRE WAS MADE IN CANADA.

NHTSA complaint #10138041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT WAS CALLING IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL 05V379000 CONCERNING ABS BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS RECEIVING A FALSE READING WITH ABS BRAKES, AND HER STATE AND MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM SINCE EARLY SUMMER OF THIS YEAR AROUND MAY OR JUNE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FRONT HUB. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE ABS SYSTEM FROM BOTH OF THE FRONT TIRES AND WAS NO LONGER HAVING THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE WINTER. *AK THE ABS WOULD ACTIVATE WHILE BRAKING AT SLOW SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10138043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.