Chevrolet Silverado Complaints (1997)

955 consumer complaints on file.

#10330940May 18, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS ENGAGES AT LOW SPEED RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. OR WHEN STOPPED AND BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED VEHICLE WILL TRAVEL FORWARD UNLESS BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED FURTHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321989March 23, 2010
POWER TRAIN
1997 CHEVROLET CK1500, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND THE ENGINE REVVED HIGH. AS HE WAS PULLING OVER TO THE SHOULDER, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SOON AFTER, FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS RE-BUILT ONE WEEK PRIOR. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0553-89. *JB UPDATED 04/14/10 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10320531March 17, 2010
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET K1500. UPON CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER TO INQUIRE ABOUT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V159000, VISIBILITY, WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE RECALL COULD NOT BE PERFORMED ON HIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER NO LONGER HAVING RECALL DATA RECORDS. THE RECALL WAS REPORTED BY THE MANUFACTURER APRIL 28, 2003. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 114,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10317871March 8, 2010
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO STEER ON ITS OWN, MOVING RIGHT TO LEFTAND BECOME VERY HARD TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE ELECTRONIC MODULE ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY KNEW THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE REPAIR WAS DONE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89800 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10315233March 1, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 DIESEL TRUCK. THE SENSOR IN THE ENGINE HAS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, AND ALLOW IT TO RESET. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST TWICE A DAY SINCE THE FALL OF 2009. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT EXCEEDED THE 120,000 MILE WARRANTY. HIS VEHICLE CAN BE REPAIRED AT HIS EXPENSE FOR $1200. THE GM MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE THE WARRANTY LIMIT HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,548.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10299116January 12, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1997 CHEVY SILVERADO BRAKE PROBLEM. AT SLOW SPEEDS THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS TO THE FLOOR DURING A SUDDEN STOP WITH GREATLY INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE REQUIRED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND IS APPARENTLY VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING IS COPIED FROM A POST TO THIS SITE WHICH DESCRIBES EXACTLY THE PROBLEM: "I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO TRUCK. OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING RANDOM FAILURE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, THEY ENGAGE IN SITUATIONS WHERE THERE IS NO REASON TO. RECENTLY I VIEWED A REPORT THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION IS INVESTIGATING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 1999 - 2002 MODELS, BUT THE PROBLEM IN THAT INVESTIGATION EXACTLY DESCRIBES MY PROBLEM. SINCE THE PROBLEM IS RANDOM, YOU CANNOT BE PREPARED WHEN YOU DON'T QUITE STOP AS FAST AS EXPECTED. MY TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND I CANNOT EXPECT MY SON TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THIS SITUATION AS HE IS AN IN-EXPERIENCED DRIVER. I WAS GOING TO SCHEDULE SOON TO HAVE IT FIXED WHEN I VIEWED THE ARTICLE ABOUT A POTENTIAL RECALL. I AM AWAITING TO HEAR YOUR DECISION AND HOPING YOU INCLUDE EARLIER MODELS (1997) SUCH AS MINE IF THERE IS A RECALL." I CONCUR WITH THE ABOVE STATEMENT ENTIRELY. IF YOU SEARCH THE INTERNET FOR THIS SAME COMPLAINT, YOU WILL FIND A DISTURBING NUMBER OF CONSUMERS WHO ARE FACING THIS DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY FLAW. THE PROBLEM IS FAR TO COMMON TO BE DISMISSED AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN A DESIGN FLAW IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM OF FAULTY COMPONENTS. THE NEXT PERSON INJURED OR KILLED BY THIS VEHICLE MAY BE SOMEONE YOU KNOW AND LOVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10299557January 12, 2010
VISIBILITY
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED AND THEN WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THIS MAKE AND MODEL MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS THIS IS A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SAFETY DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10298600January 7, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET K1500 WHICH WAS OBTAINED IN 2005. HE STATED THAT THE COOLANT CONTINUED TO LEAK EXCESSIVELY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP; HOWEVER, THE COOLANT CONTINUED TO LEAK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PRESSURE NIPPLE WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 117,100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292938November 19, 2009
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET K1500. WHILE DRIVING ONLY 35 TO 45 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL ACTS AS IF IT IS GOING TO LOCK AND IT ONLY HAPPENS AT THOSE SPEEDS. HE WAS FORCED TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT; HOWEVER, IT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DRIVE IN THE DESIRED DIRECTION. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THEY HAVE REPAIRED THE ECM IN THE STEERING COLUMN FOR SEVERAL CHEVROLET K1500 VEHICLES. THE DEALER GAVE THE CONTACT AN ESTIMATE OF $70 TO REPLACE THE ECM; HOWEVER, DO NOT HAVE THE PART SINCE THE VEHICLE IS 12 YEARS OLD. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,400. UPDATED 12/17/09 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO UNPLUG THE CONNECTION TO THE STEERING PUMP TO DETERMINE IF THE CAUSE OF THE HARD SPOT IN THE STEERING. THE CONSUMER DID SO AND THE CONDITION STOPPED. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED WHILE MAKING A TURN AT ABOUT 35-45 MPH. THE CONSUMER WOULD EXPERIENCE A HARD SPOT AND EXTRA FORCE WAS NEEDED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS EITHER THE SENDING UNIT IN THE STEERING COLUMN OR THE POWER STEERING PUMP. UPDATED 12/21/09
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290706November 2, 2009
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET 3500 PICKUP TRUCK AND A 1997 GMC 2500 PICKUP TRUCK, AND I AM HAVING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEMS WITH BOTH TRUCKS. BOTH TRUCKS HAVE JUST OVER 70,000 MILES ON EACH. THE WIPERS WILL WORK IN LIGHT RAIN MOST OF THE TIME BUT IN A HEAVY RAIN THEY WILL QUIT AND SOMETIMES START AGAIN IF I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. WHEN I TRY THEM ON A DRY DAY THEY MOST OFTEN WILL WORK. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ONTHEM BUT THE DEALER SAY BECAUSE THEY ARE EXTENDED CAB TRUCKS THEY ARE NOT COVERED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278153July 24, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT
COOLING SYSTEM PLUGGED UP ON 1997 CHEVY W/T 4.3 V6 DEXCOOL TOOK TO DEALER- FLUSHED SYSTEM- RUINED TRUCK (USED COOLANT WITH GASOLINE FROM THAT POINT FORWARD HAD TO REFILL COOLANT CONSTANTLY) I GAVE UP ON TRUCK AND TRADED IT IN. AMOUNT OF LOSS- PAID 9000.00- OWNED 13 MONTHS- GOT 4300.00 FOR NET TRADE. 4700.00 LOSS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260196February 27, 2009
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET C1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RECLINER COMPONENT FAILED. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE AND FLOPPED UP AND DOWN. THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 163,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258619February 13, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY 16 YR. OLD SON PURCHASED A 1997 CHEVY K1500/SILVERADO W/ 5.7LITER GAS ENGINE; 160K+ MILES. PREVIOUS OWNER EXPLAINED THE TRUCK WAS ON ITS THIRD FUEL PUMP. SURE ENOUGH, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED ON US ALSO AT 163,000 MILES. FORTUNATELY IT FAILED ONLY 100 FEET FROM HOME AS HE DROVE DOWN OUR RESIDENTIAL STREET. IMAGINE THE HAZARD POTENTIAL HAD IT DIED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TOWING AND REPAIRS TOTALED $800. A REMANUFACTURED PUMP (WITH 1 YR WARRANTY) WAS INSTALLED PLUS A NEW FUEL FILTER. THE DYING FUEL PUMP SHED DEBRIS THAT CLOGGED THE FILTER WHICH STARVED THE ENGINE. A GOOGLE SEARCH DETAILS HOW PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH CHEVY FUEL PUMPS IN TRUCKS RANGING FROM 1991S TO 2002S; PERHAPS NEWER IF I SEARCHED LONGER. I CAN ILL AFFORD TO REPLACE A FUEL PUMP LIKE THAT AGAIN. WITH THE HISTORY OF FUEL PUMP FAILURES WELL DOCUMENTED (REF: GOOGLE SEARCH), WHY HASN'T CHEVY ENGINEERED A FIX YEARS AGO?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255478January 18, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN GOING 10 MPH OR LESS, APPLYING THE BRAKES EITHER PRODUCES A VERY HARD PEDAL OR ANTI-LOCKS KICK IN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON DRY ROADS WITH LIGHT TO MODERATE PEDAL PRESSURE. WAS INSTRUCTED THAT ONLY 1999 AND NEWER SILVERADOS ARE INCLUDED IN A CAMPAIGN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254335January 9, 2009
STEERING
GOING THROUGH A LEFT HAND CURVE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 30MPH TO 60MPH I GET A FEELING OF THE STEERING WHEEL WANTING TO DIVE & A BRIEF LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN GOING AROUND A LONG SWEEPING CURVE. IT HAPPENS ON EVERY LONG SWEEPING LEFT HAND CURVE. IF YOU AREN'T READY FOR IT YOU COULD LOSE CONTROL & HIT AN ONCOMING CAR HEAD ON. TO CORRECT THE FAILURE I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE SENSOR & I WILL KEEP THE OLD PART. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THESE SENSORS IS THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THESE ISSUES & SOME THAT HAD THEM REPLACED UP TO 3 TIMES IN A COUPLE OF YEARS. ALL AGREED THAT IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE PART INVOLVED IS CALLED THE "POWER STEERING SPEED SENSOR" (VARIABLE ASSIST POWER STEERING) & IS LOCATED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE PARTS THAT FAIL BUT THERE ARE NO WARNINGS THAT WOULD LET YOU KNOW THAT THIS PART IS FAILING UNTIL IT HAPPENS & IT IS A STRANGE FEELING. YOU DON'T ACTUALLY LOSE CONTROL BUT IT MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU DO WHICH COULD LEAD YOU TO LOSING CONTROL. IF THE PARTS ARE FAILING AS OFTEN AS I HAVE READ ABOUT THEN SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO MAKE THEM BETTER & TO KEEP THE PEOPLE SAFELY ON THE ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253048December 29, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE SUN SHELL ON MY TRANSMISSION BROKE TAKING OUT REVERSE 2ND AND 4TH GEARS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM TRANSMISSIONS. ITS A 97 CHEVY 1500 Z71 4X4. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252329December 20, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY BRAKES HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. THE DEALER HAS SAID THEY WORK PROPERLY AND ABS SYSTEMS WORK DIFFERENT THAN THE OLD SYSTEMS. IF I HAVE TO HIT THE BRAKE QUICKLY, THE PEDAL GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP. BRAKES NEED TO BE PUMPED TO STOP EFFECTIVELY BUT THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE AT TIMES, ESPECIALLY IN CITY DRIVING. I HAVE HAD MANY MANY CLOSE CALLS AND HAVE BUMPED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME ONCE AND SMASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE ONCE. MY INSURANCE RATES WERE RAISED FOR SEVERAL YEARS AS A RESULT. I HAVE TO DRIVE THIS PICK-UP TRUCK VERY CAUTIOUSLY BUT I'M WORRIED THAT SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS COULD HAPPEN TO ME OR MY WIFE WHILE DRIVING. GM HAS A RECALL ON 1999-2002 SILVERADOS FOR THIS TYPE OF BRAKE PROBLEM. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE THAT I HAVE THE SAME SAFETY HAZARD WITH MY 1997 SILVERADO WITH 44,000 MILES ON IT. WHY ISN'T MY VEHICLE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? THESE BRAKES HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE DAY 1. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245329October 14, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 5 MPH, EACH TIME I APPLY THE BRAKES TO STOP, THE ABS SYSTEMS ENGAGES AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT BRAKE TO AN IMMEDIATE HALT. NUMEROUS TIMES I BARELY AVOIDED COLLISIONS WITH OTHER VEHICLES AND BUILDINGS. I UNDERSTAND THAT GM IS AWARE OF THIS OR A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON 1999 AND LATER TRUCKS AND HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR A REPAIR ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, BUT NOT ALL. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I DISCOVERED THAT BY REMOVING THE ABS SYSTEM FUSE THE ABS DOES NOT ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE WILL COME TO A STOP UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. I HAVE NOW REMOVED THE ABS SYSTEM FUSE TO DISABLE THE SYSTEM. I NOW KNOW THAT THIS IS A VERY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT GM SHOULD STAND BEHIND OR AT LEAST OFFER TO DISABLE THE ABS SYSTEM (AND THE ABS LIGHT) SO THE CONVENTIONAL BRAKES WILL FUNCTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242235September 15, 2008
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET K1500. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE FAILURE SHE IS EXPERIENCING IS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2008, WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK. WHEN HE ARRIVED HOME, HE LIFTED THE HOOD, MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S GARAGE SINCE THE LAST FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241552September 9, 2008
TIRES
1997 CHEVROLET 3500. WRANGLER HT TIRES (LT245/75R16) WERE DRY ROTTED. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES DID NOT HAVE ANY TREAD LEFT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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