Model year record

1997 GMC Suburban

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 268 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 slip4460,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2160,000 mi
Steering215,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump13150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline12
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1250,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery8
Tires: tread/belt890,723 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer775,000 mi
Tires6150,619 mi
Air bags: frontal5120,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder5
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor498,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables3
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator346,801 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3
Seats3
Service brakes, hydraulic3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper3
Electrical system2130,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module2
Electrical system: wiring295,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe260,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline2264,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery295,600 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads246,801 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings225,300 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)2
Structure2
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2
Suspension: front2
Tires: sidewall2
Trailer hitches2
Unknown or other2142,000 mi
Child seat1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine1130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys146,801 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Fuel system, diesel: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Power train: driveline1
Power train: driveline: universal joint1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Structure: body1
Suspension1
Suspension: front: hub176,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1
Vehicle speed control1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: windshield1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring175,000 mi
Wheels1
Wheels: hubcap/cover1

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.