1997 GMC Sierra

238 complaints on file, page 1 of 12.

1. Filed Dec 6, 2021Failure Dec 6, 2021Cold Spring, KYEngine

   1997 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED, ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PULL 6,000LB LOAD. BUT, THE VEHICLE MISFIRED, LOST SPEED, AND STALLED WHILE PULLING LESS THAN 4,000LBS. THE FAILURE OCCURED AT SPEEDS OF 55-65MPH.

   NHTSA complaint 11442823
2. Filed Sep 20, 2014Failure Jun 14, 2009145,000 milesPrineville, ORElectrical system, Unknown or other

   ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. REPLACED BATTERY, BATTERY CONNECTIONS, CABLES AND ALTERNATOR BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS OVER THE YEARS. IT IS A DANGEROUS HAZARDOUS SITUATION. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10637750
3. Filed Dec 6, 2011Failure Dec 2, 2011190,000 milesHAM Lake, MNService brakes, Hydraulic

   MY BRAKE LINE FAILED ABOVE THE FUEL TANK, LOST PRESSURE TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM WHICH RESULTED IN NO BRAKES. WHY WOULD CAR MANUFACTURES USE STEEL BRAKE LINES THAT CAN ROT OUT VERY QUICKLY WHEN EXPOSED TO NORMAL DRIVING ELEMENTS. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10438741
4. Filed Apr 7, 2011Failure Mar 22, 2011184,000 milesAlbuquerque, NMElectrical system

   I WAS RETURNING TO ALBUQUERQUE, NM FROM AMARILLO, TX PULLING A TRAILER WITH AN ANTIQUE STOVE IN MY TRAILER. IMMEDIATELY BEFORE LEAVING AMARILLO, I HAD MY FRIEND CHECK ALL OF THE TRAILER LIGHTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONING. THEY ALL WORKED FINE. I TOOK THE SCENIC ROUTE THROUGH HEREFORD ENTERING ONTO INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 40 AT SANTA ROSA, NM AT ABOUT 9:00 PM - IT WAS DARK. BEFORE LONG A SEMI PASSED ME AN HE FLICKED HIS HEADLIGHTS. I WASN'T SURE WHAT THE FLICKING OF HIS LIGHTS MEANT. ABOUT 30 MILES LATER A SEMI PASSED ME RIGHT BEFORE A BIG HILL. HE IMMEDIATELY LOST HIS SPEED GOING UP THE HILL AND IN A FEW MOMENTS I WAS RIGHT BEHIND HIM. I DID NOT WANT TO PASS HIM SINCE I WAS PULLING THE TRAILER, SO I STAYED BEHIND HIM AS HE CONTINUED TO SLOW DOWN TO AROUND 55 MPH. ANOTHER SEMI APPROACHED VERY FAST FROM BEHIND AND THERE WERE OTHER CARS IN THE FAST LANE. AT THE LAST SECOND THE SEMI SWERVED AROUND ME TO THE LEFT AND PASSED ME AND HONKED HIS HORN AT ME. HE NARROWLY MISSED RUNNING INTO THE REAR OF MY TRAILER. THIS TIME I NEW SOMETHING WAS UP, SO I PULLED OUT AT THE CLINES CORNERS EXIT AND STOPPED AS SOON AS I COULD. SURE ENOUGH, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE TRAILER WERE OUT. I PUSHED ON THE WIRING COUPLER AND THEY ALL CAME ON. I WENT ABOUT 10 MORE MILES AND PULLED OFF AT ANOTHER EXIT TO CHECK THE LIGHTS. THEY WERE STILL ON, BUT I PUSHED THE COUPLER TOGETHER TO HELP ENSURE IT WAS WORKING LOOSE. ALL OF THE TRAILER LIGHTS WENT OUT AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH I PLAYED WITH THE COUPLER THEY WOULD NOT COME BACK ON. I SPENT THE NEXT 45 MINUTES LAYING ON THE COLD PAVEMENT WITH A FLASHLIGHT CUTTING THE WIRE TO THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT ON MY TRUCK AND SPLICING IN SOME WIRE TO GET THE LIGHTS ON THE REAR OF THE TRAILER TO LIGHT UP. I ALSO HAD TO CREATE A NEW GROUND WIRE. THE COUPLER SYSTEM IS MADE BY VELVAC NEAR MILWAUKEE, WI. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND YOU THE LEFTOVER JUNK PARTS. DAN

   NHTSA complaint 10396159
5. Filed Aug 14, 2008Failure Aug 14, 200739,000 milesDayton, OHStructure

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS GALVANIZED-BRAIDED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT HAVE CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS MODEL YEAR WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V066000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10238159
6. Filed Nov 8, 2007Failure Nov 1, 200790,433 milesWayne, NJWindshield wiper/washer

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SIERRA. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,433. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECT ORIGINALLY HAPPENED 2 YEARS AGO AND WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONSUMER BY CLEANING THE UNIT AND SEALING THE WARPED COVER WITH SILICON. THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED BY GM DEALER ON NOVEMBER 13, 2007 UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10208425
7. Filed Oct 12, 2007Failure Oct 11, 200711,900 milesBarnesville, GAHigh/low beam dimmer switch

   WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, I TRIED TO SELECT HIGH BEAM WITH THE STEM MOUNTED LIGHT SWITCH. I HEARD A CHATTERING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AREA AND THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED DIMLY ON AND OFF. I ALSO SMELLED ELECTRICAL SMOKE. DESELECTING HIGH RESULTED IN LOW BEAM EXTERIOR LIGHT WITH NO CHATTERING, FLICKERING OR SMOKE. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10205512
8. Filed Oct 23, 2006Failure Sep 27, 2006135,705 milesBeaumont, TXHinge and attachments, Motor

   DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER SIDE DOOR PINS SHATTERED CAUSING THE DOOR TO MALFUNCTION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE REPAIRS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. THE DEALER NEEDED DOCUMENTATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE RECALL WORK. NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE.

   NHTSA complaint 10171614
9. Filed Jul 3, 2006Failure Jan 1, 200656,000 milesTewksbury, MAService brakes, Abs warning light

   DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WAS UNWARRANTABLE ACTIVATING, CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS. THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING THE ABS HOWEVER THE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS OCCURS EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES THAT LEAD UP TO THESE INCIDENCES.

   NHTSA complaint 10161309
10. Filed Jun 21, 2006Failure Aug 1, 2005Brandon, FLManifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED IN AUGUST OF 2005 WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH THE MUFFLER FELL OUT OF THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE A DUAL MUFFLER WAS INSTALLED. THE MUFFLER WAS NOT A ORGINAL PART ON THE VEHICLE; IT WAS INSTALLED BY AN INDEPENTENT REPAIR SHOP.

    NHTSA complaint 10160372
11. Filed Feb 22, 2006Failure Feb 22, 200650,000 milesAtlanta, MIService brakes, Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS ENGAGED AT SPEEDS OF 10MPH AND BELOW. AS A RESULT, THE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 05V379000 CONCERNING THE ABS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

    NHTSA complaint 10150932
12. Filed Feb 13, 2006Failure Mar 4, 200454,310 milesBrighton, MIService brakes, Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT SPEEDS BELOW 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. EXCESSIVE PRESSURE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE ABS WHEEL SENSORS. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 03/22/06. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10150169
13. Filed Feb 13, 2006Failure Feb 11, 200667,000 milesMilford, MIBelts and associated pulleys, Service brakes, Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGED AT 10 MPH. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000, REGARDING THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10150082
14. Filed Dec 30, 2005Failure Jan 2, 200485,000 milesAfton, NYService brakes, Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

    ANTILOCK BRAKES CONTINUALLY SEIZE UP AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ROLL FORWARD AT SLOW RATES OF SPEED. EXACT SAME PROBLEM WE HAD WITH OUR 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE THAT WAS JUST FIXED UNDER RECALL 12/05. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10146527
15. Filed Nov 17, 2005Failure Oct 1, 200583,000 milesFairfield, PAMotor

    DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. HE BELIEVES IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10143054
16. Filed Oct 26, 2005Failure Oct 22, 200578,000 milesBrownsburg, INService brakes, Hoses, Lines/piping, And fittings

    BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS ALONG FRAME RAIL SEVERELY RUSTED AND FAILED UNDER BRAKING, CAUSING ME TO NEARLY REAR END ANOTHER CAR. I REMOVED IT FROM THE TRUCK AND TOOK IT BY THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THIS IS COMMON FOR A VEHICLE WITH 78,000 MILES TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10140876
17. Filed Oct 14, 2005Failure Oct 9, 200538,000 milesNashville, INService brakes, Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

    ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATES AT LOW SPEED AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT STOP. THE "BRAKE" LIGHT STAYS LIT ON THE DASHBOARD. I UNDERSTAND MANY GMC TRUCKS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM, BUT IT BEGINS WITH TRUCKS A COUPLE OF YEARS NEWER THAN MY 1997 SIERRA TRUCK. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10139677
18. Filed Oct 6, 2005Failure Jan 1, 2001Cicero, NYService brakes, Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

    DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SIERRA K1500 PICKUP. THE CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THE ABS BRAKES AS STATED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V379000. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE REPLACED THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AS WELL AS THE WHEEL BEARING SEVERAL TIMES, BOTH WHERE REPLACED IN LESS THAN A YEAR EACH TIME. THE GM MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY SAID THAT THE CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AT THIS TIME AND I SHE WOULD BE RECEIVING A RECALL LETTER. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW OTHER PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. THE CONTACT STATED HAS BEEN HAVING THE ABS BRAKES FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS. THE ABS HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES. SOME OF THESE REPLACEMENTS HAVE BEEN DONE UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY WERE WITHIN A YEAR FROM THE LAST REPLACEMENT. *AK *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10136211
19. Filed Sep 28, 2005Failure Sep 27, 200574,000 milesValley Stream, NYService brakes, Hoses, Lines/piping, And fittings

    AFTER PARKING DURING MY WORK SHIFT, I ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE WORK AT 1530. APPLYING THE BRAKE TO SHIFT INTO "DRIVE",THE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR, AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS UNABLE TO PUMP UP THE BRAKE, AND HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED THE BRAKE LINE HAD ROTTED OUT. THE GAS TANK MUST BE REMOVED TO EFFECT REPAIR. I HAD DRIVEN THE TRUCK FROM LONG ISLAND, NY TO MAYS LANDING , NJ (ABOUT 145 MILES) WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME I COULD HAVE LOST BRAKING POWER AT ANY TIME.*JB

    NHTSA complaint 10137985
20. Filed Sep 9, 2005Failure Mar 16, 2005115,000 milesRichmond, VAService brakes, Hoses, Lines/piping, And fittings

    DT: 1997 GMC SIERRA C1500 PICK UP TRUCK - THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE GMC SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT THE STEERING BOX WORE OUT, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD PLAY IN THE WHEEL. IT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED AS OF YET. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT APPROACHING A STOP, BUT WAS COMING UP ONTO A BIG TRUCK, WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND HAD NO BRAKES. THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED WITH ALL NEW BRAKE LINES, BUT THEY WERE STILL MAKING NOISE AND ID NOT FEEL RIGHT. THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10136029