Model year record

1997 Chevrolet Suburban

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 556 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V159000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,755,876
Reported to NHTSA
2003-04-28
Owners notified
2003-06-19

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.

Safety risk

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V093000

Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior

Component
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
507,171
Reported to NHTSA
2003-03-07
Owners notified
2003-04-24

Defect description

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Safety risk

IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip6490,000 mi
Steering4666,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system4479,275 mi
Power train: automatic transmission3680,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery27
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2054,000 mi
Tires14
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer14108,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1480,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar13
Tires: tread/belt13132,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1058,000 mi
Unknown or other1060,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline9
Suspension915,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components8
Suspension: front8
Air bags: frontal6122,105 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system6180,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads612,000 mi
Electrical system5138,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator5
Engine and engine cooling5138,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner5
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery5
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter577,400 mi
Seats5
Service brakes, hydraulic560,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood4
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system4
Power train: driveline: differential unit4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder4
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)4
Electrical system: wiring3
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system3
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors3130,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump379,275 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3
Seat belts3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump3
Air bags2
Electrical system: ignition: module2
Engine and engine cooling: engine2
Fuel system, gasoline298,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Power train: axle assembly2
Power train: driveline: driveshaft2
Service brakes2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2
Structure: body: door2
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar2
Suspension: rear2
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2
Visibility: windshield2
Wheels: hub2
Child seat1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1
Electrical system: ignition1130,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine176,900 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1142,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel1120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Equipment1102,856 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1
Exterior lighting120,000 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights1
Fuel system, diesel: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel/propulsion system1223,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable1
Power train183,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines188,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Power train: driveline: universal joint1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts: front110,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: rear/other110,000 mi
Service brakes, air1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, air: drum: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Steering: electric power assist system190,000 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: rack and pinion190,000 mi
Structure: body1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1154,600 mi
Tires: sidewall1
Trailer hitches1
Vehicle speed control1160,000 mi
Visibility199,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer199,880 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1130,000 mi

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

DP00001OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING

Equipment

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.