Model Year Problem Record

Chevrolet Silverado 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

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

272Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

0Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

40Complaints 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.

Brakes68

Steering59

Visibility39

Power Train37

Fuel and Propulsion System27

Engine22

Seats13

Vehicle Speed Control8

Latches, Locks and Linkages4

Lighting1

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.

Brakes68 complaints

68 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering59 complaints

59 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility39 complaints

39 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train37 complaints

37 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System27 complaints

27 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting1 complaints

1 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.

19972

199821

199959

200041

200132

200225

200317

200434

200531

20063

20081

20091

20131

20143

20151

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.