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 category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
44 · 22%
not available
—
Steering
21 · 10.5%
not available
—
Power Train:automatic Transmission
21 · 10.5%
not available
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
13 · 6.5%
Recalled
Recall 06E043000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
12 · 6%
not available
—
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
12 · 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.
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.
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
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
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 itPark 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
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.
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