1997 GMC C/K Pickup problems & reliability
25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 GMC C/K Pickup. Last verified Aug 7, 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 vehicles.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility → | 11 | 44% |
| Steering | 6 | 24% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 16% |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 8% |
| Electrical System | 1 | 4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 4% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 4% |
| Power Train | 1 | 4% |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Brakes failed. I parked with parking brake, looked underneath and noticed fluid leak on pavement. Further inspection showed that rusty brake line developed a pinhole. Other brake lines are rusty. Will likely fail later. Fuel line is also very rusty. Will likely fail later. *tr”
Fuel System, Gasoline · filed Aug 16, 2014
“1997 gmc pick up drivers door caught on fire in the middle of the night location was the electrical mirror switch the truck was unoccupied.*tr”
Visibility · filed Feb 16, 2011
“Everytime I slow down to stop, the brake pedal growls and it feels as if the anti-lock brakes come on. The truck keeps rolling, and I've almost hit the vehicle in front of me numerous times. It's a 1997 gmc sierra. *tr”
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · filed Aug 11, 2008
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA02006 · opened May 31, 2002 · closed Jul 23, 2003 · led to recall 03V210000
- ERRATIC STEERING BOOST WHILE DRIVING
Preliminary Evaluation PE98060 · opened Nov 13, 1998 · closed May 12, 1999
Technical service bulletins
1 manufacturer communication (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1997 GMC C/K Pickup.
Saab/hummer/gm: diagnostic tips/recommendations when power steering pump replacement is necessary. Analysis of returned power steering (ps) pumps that had been replaced for noise, no power assist, no or low pressure and…
SB-06-02-32-013B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 1, 2009
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 GMC C/K Pickup 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 GMC C/K Pickup?
- · 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.