1997 Chevrolet C Series problems & reliability
22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Chevrolet C Series. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several components.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility → | 12 | 55% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 18% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 18% |
| Steering | 3 | 14% |
| Electrical System | 2 | 9% |
| Power Train | 2 | 9% |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 9% |
| Suspension | 2 | 9% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 5% |
| Equipment | 1 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 15 reported components →Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Windshield wipers stop working when they want to. This has been happening for approx. 7 years. There was a recall on the 1996 model but gm would not cover my 1997 model, said if I pay to replace circuit board and send to them they may or may not pay but was not included in recall although is just as hazardous as year…”
Visibility · filed May 17, 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet cheyenne. When the contact attempted to turn the vehicle to the right he noticed that the vehicle would slightly pull to that direction longer than desired. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer and the contact has noticed the problem since the vehicle was purchased. The…”
Steering · filed Sep 9, 2009
“Consumer winsheild wipers would stop and buzz at times on the 1997 chevrolet cheyenne. *ts the module was replaced and the consumer has not experienced any more problems. *jb”
Visibility · filed Nov 17, 2005
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
56 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1997 Chevrolet C Series. The 10 most recent:
Effect of steering box limiter adjustment on turning radius and possibility of power steering system damage due to improper adjustment. Various 1990-2004 models. *tt
030232044 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2004
Engine stall, no start, hard start condition. *tt
020604052 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2002
Some customers and dealers may comment on accelerated uneven brake pad wear on some vehicle with four-piston fixed caliper rear disc brakes. *tt
020523001A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2002
Subject regarding revised drum brakes component specifications for pickup and utility models. *tt
020524001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2002
Subject regarding revised drum brakes component specifications. *tt
020524001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2002
Subject regarding service diagnosis/recommendations for inoperative air conditioning systems. *tt
020137002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2002
Special policy adjustment for vehicles experiencing a failure of the electronic diesel fuel injection pump, leading to complaints of poor performance of fuel economy, hard/ no starts, hesitation, as well as illumination…
00064B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 2002
Some customers and dealers may comment on accelerated uneven brake pad wear on f6-7 medium duty tilt cab models and h6-7 conventional medium duty models. *tt
020523001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2002
Information used when diagnosing noise conditions such as engine rattle noise, spark knock at 2000 - 2500 rpm range, under a moderate to heavy load with a warmed up engine. *tt
000601023A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2001
Some owners may experience a service engine soon light, misfire, rough idle orhard start due to a deposit build-up on the sequential central port fuel inujector (scpi) poppet valve(s). *tt
99066D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2001
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1997 Chevrolet C Series in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1997 Chevrolet C Series?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.