CarModelProblems.com

1997 Chevrolet Tahoe 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 2.2× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
410Complaints
2Recalls
24Crashes
3Fires
9Injured
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 (16.3% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 2.2× 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 Slip67 · 16.3%not available
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System46 · 11.2%not available
Steering37 · 9%not available
Power Train:automatic Transmission33 · 8%not available
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor21 · 5.1%not available
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer20 · 4.9%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

STEERING37 · 9%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER20 · 4.9%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP17 · 4.1%
SUSPENSION14 · 3.4%
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR11 · 2.7%
SUSPENSION:FRONT11 · 2.7%

Percentages are the share of the 410 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

“WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS AND ROUGH ROADS AND GRAVEL, VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP, CAUSING CONSUMER TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE.”NHTSA complaint 844327 — filed 08/04/1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, DURING A NORMAL STOP, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE TRUCK DID NOT STOP. DRIVER USED BOTH FEET TO…”NHTSA complaint 844137 — filed 08/03/1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 15 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, ABS KICKED IN AND THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED THE OTHER VEHICLE.”NHTSA complaint 843436 — filed 07/26/1999 · 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

38200424122006952008212010472012112014312018232020

Frequently asked questions

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

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 67 of 410 NHTSA complaints (16.3%), followed by steering:hydraulic power assist system (46), steering (37), power train:automatic transmission (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe have?

410 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 24 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe 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 Tahoe'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.