Model year record

1997 Chevrolet Suburban

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

Chevrolet Suburban, 1992–1999 generation
Pictured: the 1992–1999 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

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

Other Chevrolet Suburban model years

All Chevrolet Suburban recalls by year

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.