1997 CHEVROLET CHEVROLET TRUCK Recalls, Complaints & Safety

I HAVE A 1997 CHEVY TAHOE THAT HAS HAD ALL OF THE REQUIRED TUNE-UPS AND SERVICES. I RECENTLY LOST MY TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE NEVER PULLED ANYTHING WITH THIS TRUCK. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT ALMOST 95 OUT OF A 100 BUYERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD THE CHEVY CORP. BE ABLE TO SELL YOU SOMETHING AND MONTHS LATER THAT TRANS GO OUT AND ALL THEY HAVE TO SAY IS IT COMMON. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET Z71. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE DETACHED WHEN HE EXITED THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES. HE HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. HE HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE DEALER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 191,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 191,000. UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR

THIS IS TO INFORM YOU OF A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 4L60E TRANSMISSIONS IN THE 1997 AND UP GM TRUCK TRANSMISSIONS, THE SYMPTOMS INCLUDE THE HARD SHIFT FROM FIRST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR, AND THE SLIPPING OF THE TRANSMISSION IN OVERDRIVE. IN THIS TRUCK THE TACHOMETER USUALLY IS AT 1500-1600 RPMS 65 MPH, BUT WITH THE MIL LIGHT, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT, IT IS RUNNING AT 2000-2100 RPMS, CAUSING MASSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION. *AK THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY VALVE IN THE TRANSMISSION THIS IS ALSO THE MAIN CAUSE IN THE TRANSMISSIONS FAILURE DUE TO OVERHEATING CAUSED BY THE SLIPPAGE. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THIS, GOOGLE CODE P01870 REPRESENTS TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. *AK JUST GO TO ANY TRANSMISSION SHOP AND AKS THEM HOW MANY OF THE 4L60E TRANSMISSIONS THEY HAVE REBUILT... THIS ITEM NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED!!!!! GM SAYS THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT BUT THERE IS A TSB FOR IT THE REMEDY IS A TRANSMISSION REBUILD ONLY TO FAIL AGAIN THE PROBLEM EXISTS IN THE VALVE BODY!! THERE ARE ENOUGH CASES OF THIS PROBLEM TO BE INVESTIGATED A FEW OTHER COMMON ISSUES, THE 4X4 SWITCH, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS LEAKING IN THE 5.7, FUEL INJECTOR "SPIDER" LINES RUBBING TOGETHER, CARRIER BEARINGS, DOOR BUSHINGS , STEERING SPEED SENSOR IS A FAULTY DESIGN CAUSING A FEELING OF THE WHEEL JERKING TO ONE SIDE USUALLY DURING A GRADUAL RIGHT HAND TURN. THIS CAN RESULT IN OVERSTEERING BY THE DRIVER, COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE TAIL LIGHT CIRCUIT BOARD, THESE ISSUES NEED TO BE RESOLVED NOT JUST BRUSHED UNDER THE CARPET LIKE GM IS TRYING TO DO!!! THE TRANSMISSION ALONE CAN COST UPWARDS OF $2000 TO REPLACE AND UNLESS THE SHOP KNOWS WHATS GOING ON THE PROBLEM WILL RETURN COSTING ANOTHER $2000 TO THE OWNER! OR HE WILL JUST SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO WILL HAVE TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!! IF YOU ARE JUST LOOKING THIS UP FOR INFO AND ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM POST IT ON HERE FOR ALL TO SEE. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO SEE REAL NUMBERS TO ACT!!!!

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET PICKUP. A RECALL WAS BEING ISSUED ON GM 1999 -2002 CORROSION ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSORS. THE 1997 CHEVROLET PICKUPS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ANTI LOCK BRAKE CORROSION AS THE 1999-2002 RECALLED VEHICLES. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE $1500 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WHEN STOPPING AT LESS THAN 3 MPH HAD TO PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AS ONE COULD TO GET IT TO STOP. THE CONTACT WAS BACKING OUT THE GARAGE DOOR WHEN THE ANTI LOCKS BRAKES FAILED , AND VEHICLE HIT THE GARAGE DOOR.

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ANTI LOCK BRAKES APPLY ON DRY ROADS WITH NO REASON. THE BRAKES SHAKE WHEN BEING APPLIED. I HAVE REVIEWED INFORMATION ON YOUR DATABASE WHICH HAVE THIS EXACT SAME COMPLAINT. I BELIEVE THERE ARE NOT MORE SINCE THE VEHICLES ARE OVER 5 YEARS OLD AND PEOPLE BELIEVE IT TO BE NORMAL WEAR AND TARE. IT IS NOT NORMAL. THE ANTI LOCKS ARE OVER SENSITIVE. *AK

REAR END ACCIDENT DUE TO ABS RELEASING BRAKING ACTION FOR 3 TO 4 SECONDS, THUS INCREASING MY BRAKING DISTANCE.*AK

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FRONT DASHBOARD CAME LOOSE. *AK

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING IN SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS, 1997 CHEVROLET TRUCK 2500. *YH

FRAME BROKE COMPLETELY. *AK

AT LESS THAN 70,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 1997 CHEV EXT-CAB 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. THAT WAS IN SEPTEMBER OF 2000. NO REAL EXPLANATION FOR THE REASON IT WENT OUT. THEY CALIM MILES DRIVEN. THE PREVIOUS YEAR, JUNE 1999, WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK, THEY TOOK THE TRANSMISSION OUT AND TORE IT APART TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING A SLIPPING PROBLEM. THEY FINALLY SETTLED ON A VALVE THAT HAD GONE BAD. ONE WEEK LATER THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE SAME VALVE AGAIN. IN 2000, I THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION MY OF HAD A PROBLEM DUE TO THE SERVICE PEOPLE TAKING THE TRANSMISSION APART THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THEY DENIED THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. WE HAD TO PURCHASE A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION FOR 2200.00. THIS CAME WITH A 3 YEAR 50,000 MILE WARRENTY. AFTER 30,000 MILES THE BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THIS HAPPENED MARCH 13, 2002. THE TRUCK WAS GIVEN BACK TO US ON MARCH 18TH. IT STILL IS NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY SO WE TOOK IT BACK ON MARCH 21ST. MILLER CHEV STILL HAS THE TRUCK. THEY NOW SAY IT IS A DEFECTIVE NEW TRANSMISSION THAT THEY PUT IN. MY QUESTION IS WHY SHOULD A TRUCK WITH ABOUT 100,000 MILES ON IT HAVE TO GO THROUGH TWO TRANSMISSION ALREADY!!! ARE CHEVROLET'S TRANSMISSION'S DEFECTIVE IN SOME WAY. NOW IF THEY FIX THIS WITH A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION WHY IS IT THAT THE WARRENTY ON IT IS ONLY GOOD FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WARRENTY THAT WE LAST BOUGHT IN 9/2000? THAT LEAVE 20,000 MILES TO GO. WITH CHEVROLET'S TRANSMISSION RECORD, SOME HOW I HAVE A FEELING THAT THIS NEW ONE WILL GO OUT ON US ALSO.*AK

THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS TO THE FUEL PUMP WAS CORRODED AND BURNT, CONSUMER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC IT WAS BURNT TWO INCHES INTO THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. NLM

BRAKES PULL TO THE RIGHT MOMENTARILY UPON EVERY APPLICATION. ALL BRAKE HARDWARE HAS BEEN REPLACED, INCLUDING CALIPERS; HOWEVER, PROBLEM PERSISTS. THIS WILL DEFINITELY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT EVENTUALLY. STEERING BECOMES "SQUIRRELLY" OFTEN WHEN CORNERING OR WHEN NEGOTIATING CURVES. WHEEL TENDS TO "OVERSTEER" BY ITSELF WITH APPARENT MOMENTARY BOOSTS IN POWER STEERING FORCE. THESE EVENTS ARE NOT PREDICTABLE AND WILL ALSO LIKELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AT SOME POINT IN TIME. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING. I HAVE DRIVEN MORE THAN ONE MILLION MILES IN MY LIFE AND CURRENTLY OWN TWO VANS, ONE SUBURBAN, AND ONE PICKUP TRUCK AND ONE AUTO. I DARN SURE KNOW WHEN A VEHICLE IS OPERATING PROPERLY OR WHEN IT HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

ROLL OVER POTENTIAL; TIRE PROPERLY INFLATED; < 2000 MILES ON TREAD( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255R70 15 )

NO SUMMARY

SOMETIME NEAR THE END OF JULY 2000 I NOTICED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WERE ACTIVATING ON MY PICKUP TRUCK. I CONTACTED GM ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND ASKED THEM IF I COULD TAKE IT TO LIBERTY CHEVROLET IN BLOOMSBURG, PA. TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT BECAUSE I DON'T TRUST THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I LEASED THE TRUCK AND THEY SAID GO AHEAD. AFTER LIBERTY CHECKED IT OUT THEY TOLD ME THE LEFT FRONT SPEED SENSOR WAS BAD AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. I THEN CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD PAY FOR 75 % OF THE REPAIRS. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ITEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. I KNOW GM HAS RECALLED OTHER VEHICLES BECAUSE OF ANTI-LOCK PROBLEMS. THE TRUCK IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, OUT OF FIRST GEAR. HAS ONLY 54,000 MILES. WAS NEVER TOLD TRUCK HAD BEEN WRECKED WHEN PURCHASED TWO(2) YEARS AGO. PURCHASED AS A USED TRUCK. HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED THAT WHEN VEHICLE REACHES 40 OR 50 THOUSAND MILES, TRANSMISSION WILL GO OUT. CHECKED BY MACHANIC, USING COMPUTER.

SENDING UNIT IN FUEL PUMP HAD FAULTY WIRING AND FRIED, HAD TO REPLACE PUMP AND SENDING UNIT 575.00 REPAIR MAN SAID IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE AS UNIT IS INSIDE GAS TANK. *AK

MAKES TRUCK TURN SHARPLY TO LEFT AND RIGHT AT ABOUT 1/4 TURN EITHER WAY MOSTLY AT ABOUT 20 TO 50 MPH

WHEN MAKING A LONG SWEEPING TURN TO THE RIGHT, STEERING WHEEL SOMETIMES TURNS UNEXPECTEDLY, MAKING MY TRUCK ADVANCE TO THE RIGHT. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND WOULD NOT FIX DUE TO MILEAGE. I THINK THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO HEARD OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. *AK

SEVERAL VEHICLES HAVE HAD FREQUENT BRAKE PAD FAILURE. ONE SET OF FRONT PADS EXPLODED.

THESTEERING WHEEL SEEMS TOJERK OR MOMENTARY OVERSTEERS AT MODERATE SPEEDS CAUSING THE TRUCK TO MOVE TOWARDS OTHER LANE ALSO DOES IT WHEN THE WHEEL IS HELD TURNED LIKE ON AN ON RAMP OR EXIT RAMP OF HIGHWAYS. THE ANTILOCK BRAKES LOCK IN WET WEATHER WHEN FIRST STARTING OUT WITH VEHICLE.. A REPLY WOULD BE APPRECIATED....

STEERING FEELS LOOSE, AND YOU CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL WILL JUST PULL TO THE LEFT. IT HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT IT COULD . I KNOW OF TWO 1997 CHEVROLET TRUCKS THAT THE STEERING BOX HAS BEEN REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $500.00 PER PART, NOT COUNTING LABOR. I THINK GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD STAND BEHIND THIS AND HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT IS LIKE SOMEONE IS TRYING TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF YOUR HANDS WHEN IT HAPPENS. I COULD SEE HOW THIS COULD CAUSE SOME SERIOUS INJURIES IF IT GETS BAD ENOUGH. MY TRUCK IS JUST STARTING TO DO IT. BUT WILL ONLY GET WORSE IS WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD. *AK

PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURN ONLY. THE STEERING HAS NO FORCE, FOR A SPLIT SECOND, CAUSING YOU TO OVERSTEER. THE STEERING NORMALLY HAS A NORMAL AMOUNT OF FORCE WHICH THE DRIVER HAS TO OVERCOME TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE FORCE TO CEASE, LIKE STEERING IS DISCONNECTED FOR A SPLIT SECOND.

WE WERE TRAVELING ON I80 (OHIO TPK.) WHEN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF CAUSING THE VAN TO LOOSE CONTROL. WE HIT THE HIGHWAY'S CONCRETE CENTER DIVIDER CAUSING INJURY TO MY SONS, MY WIFE AND AUNT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE I OBSERVED THAT ALL OF THE WHEEL LUGS WERE SHEARED AT THE HUB ASSEMBLY. PLEASE, IF THERE IS ANY DEFECT ON THE MATERIAL STRENGTH USED TO MAKE THESE LUGS, THEY SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY ADDRESSED AS MANY LIVES DEPEND ON THESE VEHICLES. WE WERE LUCKY TO GET AWAY WITH JUST INJURIES, IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. THANKS.

Crash 5 injured

THE SHIFTING VALVE HAS FAILED 3 TIME AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THATS TOO BAD,, IT IS NO LONGER UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, BUT IT IS STILL UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, SO HAVE THEM TAKE CARE OF IT,. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT 3 TIMES TELLS ME THEIR IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PART.

INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. CAUSE OF PROBLEM CANNOT BE TERMINED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

ALTERNATOR FAILED. TT

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A TSB (76-30-01) FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC VARIABLE ORIFICE (EVO) SYSTEM AS A RESULT OF LOW VOLTAGE CONDITION OF THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR, WHICH RESULTED IN ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. MJS

AFTER THE GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED THERE IS A 3 TO 5 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE DECELERATES. THIS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL ON SLIPPERY ROADS. BOTH DEALER/MFR REPORT THAT THIS IS "NORMAL" AND RECOMEND USE OF THE CLUTCH TO PREVENT LOSS OF CONTROL IN SLIPPERY SITUATIONS.

SOUNDS LIKE CHEVROLET HAS BEEN REPAIRING ALOT OF THESE LATELY, ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED MY VEHICLE

THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING AT ~34000, THE CAP WAS REPLACED. THIS DIDN'T SOLVE PROBLEM. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THIS SEEMED TO SOLVE PROBLEM. THEN 11,900 MILES LATER, THE MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER A SECOND TIME. I TOOK IT TO TWO OTHER CAR REPAIR PLACES IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS AS THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE I HAVE MORE TRAVEL BEFORE STOPPING BUT THEY DECLINED TO DO ANY WORK ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM SINCE THE DEALERSHIP HAD DONE REPAIRS AND FELT IT MIGHT VOID ANY WARRANTY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE TO SEE IF OTHERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR DIFFICULTIES WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM IN THE 1997 C1500 CHEYENNE PICK UP WITH 4.3L V6. THANK YOU. *AK

AT CONSTANT HIGHWAY SPEED STEERING FORCE DECREASES FOR BRIEF PERIODS UP TO SIX OR SEVEN MINUTES. WHILE IN A CURVE OR HOLDING AGAINST A STRONG WIND VEHICLE MOVES IN DIRECTION OF FORCE BEING APPLIED. ON FIRST REPAIR DEALER STATED THAT POWER STEERING VALVE WAS CHANGED. CONDITION RETURNED WITHIN A WEEK. I HAVE BEEN DERELICT IN ALLOWING CONDITION TO PERSIST WITHOUT REQUESTING REPAIRS. PROBLEM HAS BEEN ALMOST CONTINUOUS SINCE DELIVERY OF VEHICLE. SECOND REPAIR SCHEDULED FOR 13 JUL 1999.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WANTS TO PULL TO THE RIGHT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME, BUT SOMETIMES IT DOES IT ALOT AND WHEN YOUR IN A NARROW SPOT IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS HAD VEHICLE AT A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES SAID THEY CANT FIX IT BECAUSE IT DOESNT DO IT ALL THE TIME(COBRE VALLEY MOTORS)IN GLOBE AZ.I DONT KNOW HOW TO REALLY EXPLAIN IT IT JUST STARTS FLOATING OFF TO THE RIGHT. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

POWER STEERING IS ERRATIC IN TURNS LEFT OR RIGHT - STARTED AT 49000 MILES

THIS VEHICLE WAS REPORTED TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING ASSIST TO EASE THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. IT WOULD TIGHTEN UP AS THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING, HOWEVER NOW, IT SEEMS TO WORK ALL THE TIME MOVING OR NOT.

FRONT SHOCKS BAD, FRONT TIRES CUPPING BAD ORGINAL PAINT.

VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED SINCE NEW AT VARIOUS TIMES, DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL VEHICLE HAS RUN RED LIGHTS. MJS

VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED.

REAR BRAKES DID NOT WORK AT ALL, CAUSING SLIDING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS. FRONT CALIPERS WOULD LOCK UP, AND NO BRAKES/WORE OUT. DEALER CONTACTED SEVEN TIMES. UNDER WARRANTY AND DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK

TRUCK VERES RIGHT AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHICH ALMOST PUT ME IN THE DITCH MANY TIMES

LIGHT DUTY C1 TRUCK, SPEED ASSISTED STEERING "GIVES WAY" AT FAST SPEEDS RENDERING THE VEHICLE VIRTUALLY UNCONTROLLABLE. SPOKE WITH WORKMATE WHO'S TRUCK (SAME YEAR) DID SAME UNTIL REPAIRED. THIS IS SEVERELY DANGEROUS!!!

TRUCK WAS PARKED ON A 14 DEGREE INCLINE WITH ENGINE FACING UPHILL AND THE 4WD WAS IN 4WD-LOW. WITH NO ONE IN THE TRUCK AND AFTER 5010 MINUTES, TRUCK DISENGAGED FROM PARK. THE TRUCK PROCEEDED DOWN THE HILL CAUSING THE DRIVER TO JUMP OUT OF WAY FROM BEING HIT. THE TRUCK CAME TO REST AFTER HITTING THE SIDE OF A HOME. POLICE WERE CALLED TO INVESTIGATE THE ACCIDENT.

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FRONT ROTORS BECAME WARPED AT 9000 MILES,REAR BRAKE SEALS LEAK AT 26000 MILES,FRONT DIFFERENTIALS SEALS LEAK(BOTH)

STEERING PROBLEM CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE TURNING RIGHT.

PLACEMENT OF THE TAIL-STOP LIGHTS ON CHEVROLET AND GMC VANS ARE TOO HIGH ON VEHICLE TO BE SEEN.

BRAKE PROBLEM, BRAKES OVERHEAT TO THE POINT THEIR ABLE TO BE SMELLED.