Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

1997 Chevrolet C SERIES(LIGHT) problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

132,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior1100.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Steering
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering1

Steering: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2004
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20041

2004: 1

Pattern summary

Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10054916 · 2004-01-26 (January 26, 2004)

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL IN A GRADUAL LEFT BANKING TURN. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 132,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054916 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

100.0%Usable mileage1 / 1 records
100.0%Valid incident date1 / 1 records
100.0%Valid filing date1 / 1 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates1 / 1 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component19841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

114.3%
ODI 487356

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP 3 TIMES, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY. *AK

Look up ODI 487356 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 488545

ANTILOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP TWICE, CAUSING ACCIDENTS. *DSH

Look up ODI 488545 at NHTSA ↗

120.0%
ODI 503541

REAR BRAKES GRAB. *DSH

Look up ODI 503541 at NHTSA ↗

325.0%
ODI 503062

ANTI LOCK BRAKES PERIODICALLY LOCK UP, CAUSING TRUCK TO SKID. *DSH

Look up ODI 503062 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

49.5%
ODI 601257

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCK UP EASILY. *DSH

Look up ODI 601257 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

216.7%
ODI 501810

BRAKES BOOSTER SYSTEM INSUFFICIENT FOR VEHICLE, RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE WHEN VEHICLE LOADED. *DH

Look up ODI 501810 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 489140

FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM. *AW

Look up ODI 489140 at NHTSA ↗

120.0%
ODI 500245

BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE TRUCK WILL STOP. *DSH

Look up ODI 500245 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

311.1%
ODI 481781

MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS.

Look up ODI 481781 at NHTSA ↗

24.8%
ODI 482849

BRAKES DO NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY TO APPLICATION OF PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL. *AW

Look up ODI 482849 at NHTSA ↗

133.3%
ODI 504552

BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WHEN DRIVER TRIED TO STOP VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ENTER INTERSECTION, RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. *DSH

Look up ODI 504552 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

18.3%
ODI 483411

TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY FORWARD GEAR PRIOR TO SERVICE RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY (90C-035). *AK

Look up ODI 483411 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 506813

TRANSMISSION FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL. *DH

Look up ODI 506813 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 490607

DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE. *AK

Look up ODI 490607 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

414.8%
ODI 479604

TRANSMISSION JUMPS FORWARD WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE/DRIVE GEAR. *AW

Look up ODI 479604 at NHTSA ↗

24.8%
ODI 505011

TRANSMISSION COMPUTER CHIP FAILS, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO STICK IN LOW GEAR. *DH

Look up ODI 505011 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Seats
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

216.7%
ODI 500636

THE BOLTS THAT SECURE THE SEAT BACK BEND AND EVENTUALLY SHEAR OFF. *DSH

Look up ODI 500636 at NHTSA ↗

13.7%
ODI 505668

SEAT FRAME BROKE, CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN DRIVERS SEAT PITCHED REARWARD UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP. *DH

Look up ODI 505668 at NHTSA ↗

511.9%
ODI 503628

PASSENGERS SEAT SLIDES FORWARD/BACKWARD DUE TO LOOSE/FAILED TRACK.

Look up ODI 503628 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 482763

SEAT BELT FAILED DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY. *AW

Look up ODI 482763 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

18.3%
ODI 506571

DRIVER'S/MIDDLE SEAT BELTS SLIP. *AW

Look up ODI 506571 at NHTSA ↗

311.1%
ODI 484492

SEATBELT TOO TIGHT. *AW

Look up ODI 484492 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Vehicle Speed Control
150.0%
ODI 481260

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UPON ATTEMPTING TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL, WHICH FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *AW

Look up ODI 481260 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

414.8%
ODI 479542

CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *SKD

Look up ODI 479542 at NHTSA ↗

12.4%
ODI 600619

PROBLEM WITH SEAT.

Look up ODI 600619 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

18.3%
ODI 480551

ENGINE OIL PUMP FAILED, RESULTING IN A BLOWN ENGINE. *AK

Look up ODI 480551 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 487290

IDLER ARM FAILURE. *AK

Look up ODI 487290 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

18.3%
ODI 506589

ROD BEARINGS MISMATCHED, CAUSING NOISE . *AW

Look up ODI 506589 at NHTSA ↗

13.7%
ODI 480014

TRANSMISSION MAKES EXCESSIVE NOISE AFTER 5 REPAIR ATTEMPTS. *SKD

Look up ODI 480014 at NHTSA ↗

12.4%
ODI 601478

ENGINE BLOCK FAILED. *DH

Look up ODI 601478 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

518.5%
ODI 477622

MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED. *SD

Look up ODI 477622 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
SteeringToo few reports for a range132,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10054916 · 132,000 mi

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL IN A GRADUAL LEFT BANKING TURN. *LA

Look up ODI 10054916 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 22 reports

1996: 2 complaints · 1997: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1996222
1997000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
1996300
1997100

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentSteering
Steering—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.