CarModelProblems.com

1997 Chevrolet Silverado Problems & Recalls

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

Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 1.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
272Complaints
0Recalls
16Crashes
6Fires
20Injured
0Deaths

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 (13.6% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 1.8× 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 Slip37 · 13.6%not available
Power Train:automatic Transmission29 · 10.7%not available
Steering21 · 7.7%not available
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor19 · 7%not available
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System17 · 6.2%not available
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump11 · 4%not available

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

STEERING21 · 7.7%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR19 · 7%
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM17 · 6.2%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP11 · 4%
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR9 · 3.3%
SUSPENSION:FRONT9 · 3.3%
SUSPENSION9 · 3.3%
TIRES8 · 2.9%

Percentages are the share of the 272 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

No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT AND APPLYING BRAKES, ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICKED IN. THIS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. ALSO, DEALER SAID BEARINGS WERE WORN OUT.”NHTSA complaint 875673 — filed 11/29/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“CONSUMER AS A PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. WHEN HE APPLIES BRAKES PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. PEDAL IS SOFT. HE WILL…”NHTSA complaint 870214 — filed 09/11/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL HARD BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT WILL NOT FLASH. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.”NHTSA complaint 869669 — filed 09/06/2000 · 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

3199723931999564520013821200338342005312008112013712015

Frequently asked questions

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

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 37 of 272 NHTSA complaints (13.6%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (29), steering (21), visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado have?

272 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 16 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 20 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado have any recalls?

No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado'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.