1997 Chevrolet SUBURBAN 1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
130,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 16 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Braking behavior
5
31.3%
Steering behavior
2
12.5%
Fuel system concerns
2
12.5%
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
Electrical System
2
Service Brakes
2
Steering
2
Visibility
2
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
Exterior Lighting
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
Electrical System
2
Service Brakes
2
Steering
2
Visibility
2
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
Exterior Lighting
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Electrical System: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2; Visibility: 2; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
5
150,000 and above
5
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
5
150,000 and above
5
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 1 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 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.
FRONT BRAKES WEARING OUT EVERY 6,000 MI, REAR BRAKES SHOW VIRTUALLY NO WEAR AFTER 138,000 MI. THE ANTILOCK BRAKES FEEL SPONGY AND VEHICLE WON'T STOP PROPERLY. WHY DOES SOME ONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE YOU PEOPLE LISTEN. *AK
EXTREME OVER STEERING AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH. NEARLY CAUSED A FREEWAY ACCIDENT WITH CAR FULL OF KIDS. PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 93 SUBURBAN WITH NO COMPLAINTS. HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS ONE 4 MONTHS AND I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE THE STEERING IS SO ERRATIC. ALSO TRAVEL FREQUENTLY WITH HORSE TRAILER AND WORRY THAT THE OVER STEERING WILL CAUSE THE TRAILER TO SWERVE, CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC. *JB
1997 SUBURBAN - FUEL GAUGE PEGS AT PAST FULL. FUEL PUMP FAILS. I AM NOT SURE OF THE REASON FOR THESE THINGS TO HAPPEN ABUT IT KEEP RECURRING AND I DO NOT HAVE THE CASH TO BE GOING TO A MECHANIC EVERY 2 TO 3 MONTHS. I HAVE LOOKED THIS PROBLEM UP ON THE NET MANY TIMES AND THE LIST OF PEOPLE WITH THIS AND SIMILAR PROBLEMS APPEARS TO BE GROWING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BURNED WIRES NEAR THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 197,000.
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
16 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
93.8%Usable mileage15 / 16 records
100.0%Valid incident date16 / 16 records
100.0%Valid filing date16 / 16 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates16 / 16 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.
The brake system had a failure and the vehicle could not be slowed down. The brakes would come and go until I was able to stop. GM dealership diagnosed it with a failed master cylinder and the part is on national back order.
I recently took my 2023 Chevrolet Suburban in to make sure everything was working properly with the power train... it has been having bucking and stuttering between 15-45mph, which was super concerning to me, as I am transporting 3 children [XXX]. I took in yesterday, and was called back today to confirm that the issue is happening... the problem is that instead of Chevrolet recalling these vehicles to have this computer issue taken care of... they did an update and are charging their clients to have this update done. This is a serious safety h…
OnStar Module factory defaults/Malfunctioning - Power button don’t turn on so there’s no internet connection. This effect all the safety features in the car. Please recall. There has been numerous incidents reported online to this particular default.
1) Both screens (driver display and infotainment) go black intermittently. Sometimes the infotainment comes back on, however, you cannot use all the buttons. The hard buttons under the screen for climate control (aside from the on/off ) wont work. The climate will automatically go to 76 degrees on Max Defrost. The rear climate will shut off when this happens. It also causes the radio controls on the back of the steering wheel to not work. 2) It is extremely dangerous to not have a visual indicator for the speed at which I am driving. It is a…
The 2026 suburban has a loud wind noise coming from the driver window and door side and the passenger side . The wind noise in abnormal and very high and it could be the weatherstripping and the door stripping and latch because the driver door needs a hard push to close completely but there is wind noise coming from the driver and passenger windows and doors . This create a safety issue that the doors if not sealed properly and the could open while driving on the highway . Also for a vehicle that has a price tag of 100,000 dollars the door sea…
While driving on interstate, vehicle's engine turned off and transmission switched to neutral without warning. Vehicle was stopped and immobilized with no ability to shift or start.
The engine in 2025 Suburban (6.2L V8) has failed and the car is not drivable. It is currently in a Chevy dealership service department waiting for parts. The 2025 model is not listed under the recall. However it should be, I know of 3 2025 engines that have recently failed. I was passing a vehicle and as I took my foot off the accelerator the transmission shifted 2 times and then the engine shut off and the car was coasting. We had no indication that the engine shut off, just several messages on the screen. ( Press start button, and conditions…
Car started making weird noises when being driven or accelerating on 2/14. Took it to the dealership on 2/16 first thing when they opened. After 5 hours, it was determined the engine had a catastrophic failure and needed to be replaced. This car has less than 6,000 miles and was purchased brand new.
The windows would go down all by themselves and not roll up . The infotainment system will flash on and off telling you to start strip all by itself. The door locks will lock you out and in not letting unlock the truck . The key fob is the only way to unlock it. I have taken it to the dealer five times to be repaired and they say GM software is not capable of finding the electrical problem. They just keep replacing parts. I filed a complaint with The State AG office and GM said they were not going to address the complaint because the vehicle wa…
The 2026 suburban has a loud wind noise coming from the driver window and door side and the passenger side . The wind noise in abnormal and very high and it could be the weatherstripping and the door stripping and latch because the driver door needs a hard push to close completely but there is wind noise coming from the driver and passenger windows and doors . This create a safety issue that the doors if not sealed properly and the could open while driving on the highway . Also for a vehicle that has a price tag of 100,000 dollars the door sea…
FRONT BRAKES WEARING OUT EVERY 6,000 MI, REAR BRAKES SHOW VIRTUALLY NO WEAR AFTER 138,000 MI. THE ANTILOCK BRAKES FEEL SPONGY AND VEHICLE WON'T STOP PROPERLY. WHY DOES SOME ONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE YOU PEOPLE LISTEN. *AK
ARBITRARY ACTIVATION OF THE ABS BRAKES AT SLOW SPEEDS OR WHEN PARKING. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO NOT STOP AND CONTINUE MOVING FOR A FEW INCHES TO A FEW FEET. VARY HAZARDOUS WHEN PARKING IN TIGHT AREAS OR AROUND CHILDREN IN A PARKING LOT. HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM ON CHEVY 1999 SILVERADO K1500 PICKUP THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL. WOULD SUGGEST THE SAME ON THIS VEHICLE TO AVOID SAME HAZARDOUS SITUATION. *TR
WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN, I TURNED ON THE WIPER SWITCH TO HAVE NOTHING HAPPEN BUT A SOFT BUZZING NOISE. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING AND INTERMITTENT, SINCE IT BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2003. I NOW FIND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS, BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND NOW WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. GM RECALL NO. 03023. GM REFUSES TO HELP AS THE RECALL HAS BEEN "CLOSED", AND THEIR RECORDS INDICATE THE REPAIR WAS MADE. I OWNED THE VEHICLE DURING THAT ENTIRE TIME. IT WAS NOT REPAIRED! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BURNED WIRES NEAR THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 197,000.
BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. AROUND MARCH 2008 I WAS TRAVELING ON THE SOUTHERN STATE PARKWAY IN LONG ISLAND, NY WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND A LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH WAS CAUSED BY BRAKE FLUID HITTING THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED A HOLE IN THE LINE WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. ONLY THAT PARTICULAR LINE WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF REPLACING ALL LINES FROM FRONT TO BACK. TODAY AUGUST…
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ONLY SOMETIMES. SOMETIMES HAVE TO SPIN THE CONTROLLER A FEW TIMES TO GET THEM WORKING. EVEN THEN THEY MAY NOT WORK. FRUSTRATING! *TR
SIDE REARVIEW MIRRORS.....ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER ONLY MOVES THE EITHER MIRROR DOWNWARD. WILL NOT MOVE EITHER MIRROR LEFT, RIGHT, OR UP. HAVE REPLACED THIS CONTROLLER TWICE BEFORE FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. ONE WITH THE DEALER AND ONE ON MY OWN. BOTH TIMES BRAND NEW PARTS. THERE IS ANOTHER RECALL FOR THIS ITEM BUT APPARENTLY DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VIN. !!!! *TR
BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNAL MECHANISM THE WIPERS STOP ON THERE OWN AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND NOW THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AT ALL, PER THE DEALERS INSPECTION. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE YET AS I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL OF A VERY SERIOUS MATTER! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FUNCTION WHEN IN ACTIVATION; AND OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT HAVE QUALIFIED DUE TO THE MODEL YEAR, EXCESSIVE MILEAGE; AND BECAUSE THE…
WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN, I TURNED ON THE WIPER SWITCH TO HAVE NOTHING HAPPEN BUT A SOFT BUZZING NOISE. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING AND INTERMITTENT, SINCE IT BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2003. I NOW FIND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS, BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND NOW WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. GM RECALL NO. 03023. GM REFUSES TO HELP AS THE RECALL HAS BEEN "CLOSED", AND THEIR RECORDS INDICATE THE REPAIR WAS MADE. I OWNED THE VEHICLE DURING THAT ENTIRE TIME. IT WAS NOT REPAIRED! *TR
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)
0
None
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.
2021: 1 complaints · 2023: 17 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2021
1
1
1
2023
0
12
17
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2021
1
0
0
2023
17
0
0
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
Component
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Electrical System
Service Brakes
Steering
Visibility
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
Exterior Lighting
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
—
0
0
0
0
0
1ODI 10172825 · 28,154 mi
ANTI LOCK BRAKES PULSATE AT LOW SPEED ON DRY PAVEMENT. ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD COOLANT LEAK. *NM
WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN, I TURNED ON THE WIPER SWITCH TO HAVE NOTHING HAPPEN BUT A SOFT BUZZING NOISE. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING AND INTERMITTENT, SINCE IT BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2003. I NOW FIND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS, BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND NOW WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. GM RECALL NO. 03023. GM REFUSES TO HELP AS THE RECALL HAS BEEN "CLOSED", AND THEIR RECORDS INDICATE THE REPAIR WAS MADE. I OWNED THE VEHICLE DURING THAT ENTIRE TIME. IT WAS NOT REPAIRED! *TR
WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN, I TURNED ON THE WIPER SWITCH TO HAVE NOTHING HAPPEN BUT A SOFT BUZZING NOISE. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING AND INTERMITTENT, SINCE IT BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2003. I NOW FIND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS, BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND NOW WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. GM RECALL NO. 03023. GM REFUSES TO HELP AS THE RECALL HAS BEEN "CLOSED", AND THEIR RECORDS INDICATE THE REPAIR WAS MADE. I OWNED THE VEHICLE DURING THAT ENTIRE TIME. IT WAS NOT REPAIRED! *TR
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.
2 patterns with matching reports.
Brake response concerns
1 mentions · 6.3% of complaints
Median mileage: 132,000 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10469450 · 132,000 mi
BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. AROUND MARCH 2008 I WAS TRAVELING ON THE SOUTHERN STATE PARKWAY IN LONG ISLAND, NY WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND A LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH WAS CAUSED BY BRAKE FLUID HITTING THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED A HOLE IN THE LINE WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. ONLY THAT PARTICULAR LINE WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF REPLACING ALL LINES FROM FRONT TO BACK. TODAY AUGUST…