RecallRepo

1997 Chevrolet Suburban Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1997 Chevrolet Suburban has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,263,047 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 556 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

VISIBILITY 03V159000 2003-04-28 1,755,876 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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…

VISIBILITY 03V093000 2003-03-07 507,171 affected
Defect

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

Consequence

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.

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…

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
64
8crashes5injuries
STEERING
46
1crashes1fires1injuries
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
44
2crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
36
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
27
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
20
TIRES
14
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
14
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
14
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
13
1crashes
Total complaints556

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The previous owner said the brakes wore quickly but we didn't realize how quickly until we had issues and got the repair information. New brakes about every 4 months are needed. Once they start wearing the pads and rotors are gone within a day. This time I nearly ran into someone they deteriorated…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2020-10-05

“I stopped to get gas anc cut my truck off. I got back in it and cut it on an drove about 30 yards I noticed a smell like burning wires. So I cut it off got out checked the outside the smell is only on the inside. Then I popped the hood an smelled the same smell. I pushed it and parked it. My…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2019-11-28

“My 1997 chevrolet suburban c-2500 is leaking oil from underneath the engine and making engine very "hot". This happens when I'm driving this vehicle.I touch the engine hood and feel that it's very, very hot. I just went home to prevent any fire or accident. My mechanic said it's not ordinary for…”

ENGINE · reported 2014-10-02

“December 2009, replaced ruptured brake lines above the rear differential. Severely rusted. July 15, 2012, ruptured brake line by the driver side floor board and fire wall. Severely rusted. Fuel lines under the vehicle is also severely rusted. Leak can cause fire. Brake failure occurred during…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2012-07-15

“December 2009, replaced ruptured brake lines above the rear differential. Severely rusted. July 15, 2012, ruptured brake line by the driver side floor board and fire wall. Severely rusted. Fuel lines under the vehicle is also severely rusted. Leak can cause fire. Brake failure occurred during…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2012-07-15

“The airbag didn't deployed am veer disappointed my son was injured. *tr”

AIR BAGS · reported 2011-11-21

“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that the windshield wipers and washers failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contact and confirmed that remedy repairs were performed under nhtsa campaign id number:03v159000(visibility:windshield…”

VISIBILITY · reported 2011-09-23

“Erratic power steering assist while driving resulting in erratic control at highway speeds. Started in 2006 and ended in 2009. Vehicle was taken to dealer numerous times to no avail. *tr”

STEERING · reported 2009-08-09

Defect investigations

Investigation DP00001 Opened 2000-01-31 · open

OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING

THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT CRACKS IN THE HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE TRAILER AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

Investigation EA00013 Opened 2000-05-02 · closed 2002-06-28

BATTERY LEAKS ACID

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA02006 Opened 2002-05-31 · closed 2003-07-23

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED…

Investigation EA02006 Opened 2002-05-31 · closed 2003-07-23

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED…

Investigation EA95026 Opened 1995-09-20 · closed 2001-09-20

POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE

POOR PERFORMANCE OF ABS BRAKES

Investigation EA99011 Opened 1999-05-12 · closed 2001-02-27

ERRATIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIV

THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS INVESTIGATED ALLEGATIONS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.FOR DETAILS AND A BASIS FOR THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUSIONS, PLEASE SEE THE CLOSING REPORT IN THE EA99-011 PUBLIC FILE.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.