Model Year Problem Record

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

555Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

0Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

47Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Brakes147

Steering146

Visibility80

Power Train63

Fuel and Propulsion System57

Engine38

Seats13

Vehicle Speed Control9

Latches, Locks and Linkages8

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Brakes147 complaints

147 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering146 complaints

146 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility80 complaints

80 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train63 complaints

63 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System57 complaints

57 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine38 complaints

38 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension35 complaints

35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System30 complaints

30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

No recall campaigns cover this model year.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19961

199749

199863

199995

200072

200150

200243

200331

200442

200532

200617

200713

20088

20095

20109

20119

20123

20133

20145

20163

20191

20241

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.