CarModelProblems.com

1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 2.1× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
555Complaints
2Recalls
30Crashes
13Fires
26Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (15.5% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 2.1× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip86 · 15.5%not available
Steering59 · 10.6%not available
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System49 · 8.8%not available
Power Train:automatic Transmission33 · 5.9%not available
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer32 · 5.8%not available
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump25 · 4.5%RecalledRecall 06E043000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STEERING59 · 10.6%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP25 · 4.5%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR24 · 4.3%
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR14 · 2.5%
SUSPENSION:FRONT14 · 2.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE12 · 2.2%

Percentages are the share of the 555 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 2 campaigns

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 06E043000 · 2006 · reported 05/19/2006

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment

NHTSA campaign 07E088000 · 2007 · reported 10/24/2007

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STOP. THERE WAS A HISSING SOUND FROM BRAKE PEDAL AREA.”NHTSA complaint 840853 — filed 06/22/1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“CONSUMER EXPPERIENCING FROZEN CALIPERS WHICH CAUSE BRAKE PADS TO WEAR OUT AND WARP ROTORS WITHIN 6000 MILES OF WEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED.”NHTSA complaint 830047 — filed 11/03/1998 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“VEHICLE IS WEARING OUT BRAKE PADS TOO SOON FOR NORMAL WEAR AT 28000 MILES. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT NOTHING…”NHTSA complaint 828287 — filed 09/28/1998 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

422003493520051713200786200910102011442013832016112024

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 86 of 555 NHTSA complaints (15.5%), followed by steering (59), steering:hydraulic power assist system (49), power train:automatic transmission (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?

555 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 30 involved a crash, 13 involved a fire, and 26 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have any recalls?

Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E043000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.