CarModelProblems.com

1997 GMC Suburban 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 3.0× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
200Complaints
3Recalls
15Crashes
4Fires
16Injured
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 (22% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 3.0× 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 Slip44 · 22%not available
Steering21 · 10.5%not available
Power Train:automatic Transmission21 · 10.5%not available
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump13 · 6.5%RecalledRecall 06E043000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline12 · 6%not available
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System12 · 6%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 · 10.5%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP13 · 6.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE12 · 6%
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM12 · 6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY8 · 4%
TIRES:TREAD/BELT8 · 4%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER7 · 3.5%
TIRES6 · 3%

Percentages are the share of the 200 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 — 3 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

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

NHTSA campaign 03V159000 · 2003 · reported 04/28/2003

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

NHTSA campaign 03V093000 · 2003 · reported 03/07/2003

IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. 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 TRAVELING 75MPH WITH SPEED CONTROL SET DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DEACTIVATE SPEED CONTOL BY HITTING SWITCH AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES TO…”NHTSA complaint 877705 — filed 01/09/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“WHILE APPLYING BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN A COLLISION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.”NHTSA complaint 877586 — filed 01/08/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.”NHTSA complaint 875472 — filed 11/27/2000 · 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

2219985548200033272002141120041812006432008112010322015

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1997 GMC Suburban?

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 44 of 200 NHTSA complaints (22%), followed by steering (21), power train:automatic transmission (21), fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1997 GMC Suburban have?

200 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 15 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 16 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1997 GMC Suburban have any recalls?

Yes — 3 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 GMC Suburban'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.