Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

1997 Gmc C/K SERIES problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

3 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

50,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: . 2 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 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior133.3%

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
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
1
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering1
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer1
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor1

Steering: 1; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 1; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 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
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

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

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 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.

2003
1
2005
1
2015
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20031
20051
20151

2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2015: 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 10705952 · 2015-04-15 (April 15, 2015)

AFTER DRIVING AT A CONSTANT MODERATE SPEED IN A STRAIGHT LINE, STEERING JERKS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SLIGHT STEERING ADJUSTMENT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10705952 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

66.7%Usable mileage2 / 3 records
100.0%Valid incident date3 / 3 records
100.0%Valid filing date3 / 3 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates3 / 3 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
Component1994199519961997199819992000200120022003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.0%
ODI 10149827 · 90,000 mi

WHEN SLOWING DOWN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICK IN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE WHEEL BEARING. THE CONNECTION GETS CORRODED. I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ON NEWER VERSION. *JB

Look up ODI 10149827 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 10041188 · 112,377 mi

1998 GMC SIERRA. *LA

Look up ODI 10041188 at NHTSA ↗

125.0%
ODI 10139225 · 64,000 mi

MY 1999 GMC SUBURBAN WAS TAKEN IN FOR BRAKING PROBLEMS TO A GMC DEALERSHIP. UPON BACKING AT SLOW SPEEDS A SPRING TENSION RELEASE IS HEARD AND LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITIES OCCUR FOR THREE TO FIVE SECONDS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT FORWARD SPEEDS A FORWARD IMPULSE OCCURS AFTER HAVING FULLY STOPPED WHILE FOOT REMAINS UPON THE BRAKE. YES, AN INVOLUNTARY LURCH FORWARD. DEALERSHIPS RESPONSE? MASTER CYLINDER. SAME CONDITION ON LEAVING DEALERSHIP. RETURNED. MECHANICS RESPONSE. "CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM." GMC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE RESPONSE? ABS RECALL DOESN'…

Look up ODI 10139225 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 10159668 · 60,000 mi

2002 GMC 3500 ANTI LOCK BRAKES. RECALL NUMBER 05V379000 NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THIS TYPE OF TRUCK. VIN# [XXX] NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THIS RECALL. THIS HEAVY DUTY TRUCK REQUIRES MORE OF A STOPPING DISTANCE THEN A NORMAL PICKUP TRUCK ALREADY IN A RECALL. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Look up ODI 10159668 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
0Unavailable

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.

250.0%
ODI 10327697 · 22,329 mi

LOSS OF BRAKES DUE TO CORRODED BRAKE LINES. HAPPENED TWICE. SECTIONS OF BRAKE LINE REPLACED. (ALTHOUGH I INDICATED 15 MPH AT TIME OF "INCIDENT", THE BRAKES WERE ALREADY NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY WHEN, ON THE WAY TO THE SERVICE STATION, I BUMPED A CAR WHICH CUT IN FRONT OF ME.) REPORTED ISSUE TO YOU SINCE I SAW ARTICLE IN 4/11/10 HARTFORD COURANT. HAVE NOT REPLACED ENTIRE BRAKE LINE DUE TO DIFFICULTY IN ACCESSING IT AND RELATED EXPENSE. *TR

Look up ODI 10327697 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 10436484 · 165,000 mi

TWO BRAKE LINES BURSTED WHEN PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. *TR

Look up ODI 10436484 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Seats
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

2100.0%
ODI 10104404

WELL THIS HAPPENED ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND I HAVEN'T HAD THE MONEY TO GET THIS TCHECKED OUT. I WAS GETTING SOME OMNEY OUT OF A FRONT POCKET AND HEARD A SNAP AND CRACK FROM UNDER THE DRIVERS FRONT SEAT. WELL I HAVE TO PUT MY BENCH SEAT (EXTRA CAB SEAT) DOWN TO SUPPORT MY DRIVERS SEAT BECAUSE IT IS BECOMIN G UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH OUT THE BACK SEAT DOWN. NO SUPPORT NOW FOR THE DRIVER. UPON STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP, THE DRIVER IS FORCED BACK AND THE SEAT BACK FOLDS BACK. I KNOW OF ANOTHER COWORKER WHO IS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM ON A 19'94 …

Look up ODI 10104404 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.

Service Brakes
0Unavailable

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.

125.0%
ODI 10567900 · 121,000 mi

I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK NEW IN 1999 AND HAVE WATCHED IT RUST AWAY. WHY THEY DIDN'T USE BETTER METAL OR EVEN STAINLESS STEEL. MY BRAKE LINES HAVE RUSTED SO BAD THAT ONE OR MORE IS LEAKING ALONG FRAME RAIL UNDERNEATH DRIVERS SEAT. MANY OTHER OWNERS IN THIS REGION SEEM TO HAVE SAME PROBLEMS. I'M GLAD IT WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN IT BECAME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. ALSO THE ABS MODULE STOPPED WORKING AND HAD TO PULL THE 60 AMP FUSE TO DISCONNECT AT 60,000 AND TRUCK NOW HAS 121,000 MILES. GMC SIERRA 1500 4WD BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTING AWAY WHAT A SHAME. DRIVESH…

Look up ODI 10567900 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.

125.0%
ODI 10532091 · 62,000 mi

DRIVING WENT TO STOP, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. FOUND OUT THE REAR BRAKE LINE RUSTED THRU. *TR

Look up ODI 10532091 at NHTSA ↗

Steering
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 10705952 · 5,000 mi

AFTER DRIVING AT A CONSTANT MODERATE SPEED IN A STRAIGHT LINE, STEERING JERKS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SLIGHT STEERING ADJUSTMENT. *TR

Look up ODI 10705952 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.

125.0%
ODI 10071180 · 26,132 mi

INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. SAME PROBLEM AS WE HAD REPAIRED ON OUR 1999 GMC 3/4 TON. THE 2003 HAS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. MY SON'S 2001 TAHOE HAS THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH HIS. FLYER ON ALL OF THESE VEHICLES ON INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. 1999 HAS HAD THE SHAFT REPLACED 6 TIMES. TAHOE HAS HAD SHAFT REPLACED 2 TIMES. 2003 HAS SAME PROBLEM AND THEY GREASED IT BECAUSE THEY SAY IT CAME FROM FACTORY WITH NO GREASE!!!! LOOKS AS IF THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM BROTHER-IN-LAW WORKS FOR GM AND SAYS THE 2004 SHOULD BE FIXED, HA,HA.

Look up ODI 10071180 at NHTSA ↗

Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.0%
ODI 10088178 · 65,200 mi

THE NHTSA DOCUMENTED AND ISSUED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 98V150001. THIS CAMPAIGN IDENTIFED SEVERAL GM LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS & SUV'S THAT HAD SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR THAT COULD CRACK AND CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. I OWN A 1996 GMC SIERRA 3/4 TON 4X4 TRUCK VIN # [XXX]. THE VEHICLE HAS 65,324 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THIS VEHICLE QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF A SEVERE RAIN STORM. WHILE SITTING ALONG SIDE THE ROAD FOR AN HOUR THE WIPERS BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. I THOUGHT I HAD A DEFECT WIP…

Look up ODI 10088178 at NHTSA ↗

133.3%
ODI 10124123 · 95,000 mi

DT: CONSUMER HAD A PROBLEM W ITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. HAD IT FIXED AT A FILLING STATION. HE IS COMPLAINING THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WOULD LIKE A REFUND. *AK

Look up ODI 10124123 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.

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch
0Unavailable

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.

1100.0%
ODI 10060601

TAILGATE CABLE RUSTED THROUGH THE TAILGATE DID NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED. WHEN ACCELERATING THE TAILGATE FELL OPEN AND THE PASSENGER SIDE CABLE BROKE AND THE GATE WAS HANGING FROM ONE CABLE AND DRAGGING ON THE ROAD. *JB

Look up ODI 10060601 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.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.0%
ODI 10010179 · 87,090 mi

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 TRANSMISSIONS IN 3 YEARS ON MY GMC K1500 SIERRA. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT GMC KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NEVER TAKEN THE REQUIRED STEPS TO FIX IT OR INFORM THE OWNERS OF THIS PROBLEM. GMC DEALERS SAY TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. THAT DONE, IT WILL BREAK AGAIN. THE ONLY CORRECT FIX IS A SHIFT PACKAGE THAT IS NOW BEING MADE. ALL PROBLEMS ARE RELATED TO THE TC LOCK UP BETWEEN 1-2 OR 3-4 GEAR THAT STICK AND DESTROY THE TRANSMISSION. GMC SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE FIXES ON MINE AND ALL OTHER OWNERS VEHICLES. IF EVERY OWNER W…

Look up ODI 10010179 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

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00.0%

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00.0%

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00.0%

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00.0%

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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 range5,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10705952 · 5,000 mi

AFTER DRIVING AT A CONSTANT MODERATE SPEED IN A STRAIGHT LINE, STEERING JERKS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SLIGHT STEERING ADJUSTMENT. *TR

Look up ODI 10705952 at NHTSA ↗

Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:MotorToo few reports for a range95,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10124123 · 95,000 mi

DT: CONSUMER HAD A PROBLEM W ITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. HAD IT FIXED AT A FILLING STATION. HE IS COMPLAINING THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WOULD LIKE A REFUND. *AK

Look up ODI 10124123 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

2002: 0 complaints · 2003: 2 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2002000
2003222
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2002100
2003400

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
ComponentSteeringVisibility:Windshield Wiper/WasherVisibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
Steering—00
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer0—0
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor00—

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.

1 patterns with matching reports.

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 33.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 5,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10705952 · 5,000 mi

AFTER DRIVING AT A CONSTANT MODERATE SPEED IN A STRAIGHT LINE, STEERING JERKS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SLIGHT STEERING ADJUSTMENT. *TR

Look up ODI 10705952 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b