1997 Chevrolet Tahoe Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 515 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
67
7crashes1injuries
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
46
1crashes
STEERING
37
1crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
33
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
21
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
20
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
17
SUSPENSION
14
2crashes1injuries
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
11
SUSPENSION:FRONT
11
Total complaints515

What owners report

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

“While in motion seat belt would come undone or wouldn't unlock from lock in order to use. Brakes would slip. My boyfriend was killed in an accident because the seat belt malfunctioned which then caused the airbags to malfunction and the brakes stuck so he wasn't able to slow down sufficiently.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2020-09-02

“While in motion seat belt would come undone or wouldn't unlock from lock in order to use. Brakes would slip. My boyfriend was killed in an accident because the seat belt malfunctioned which then caused the airbags to malfunction and the brakes stuck so he wasn't able to slow down sufficiently.”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2020-09-02

“While in motion seat belt would come undone or wouldn't unlock from lock in order to use. Brakes would slip. My boyfriend was killed in an accident because the seat belt malfunctioned which then caused the airbags to malfunction and the brakes stuck so he wasn't able to slow down sufficiently.”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2020-09-02

“1997 chevrolet tahoe. Consumer writes in regard remanufactured engines installed with safety defects. *as *tr”

ENGINE · reported 2019-02-11

“Brake failure due to brake line corrosion. Failure occurred while vehicle in motion at expressway speed, panic stop, brakes failed and nearly caused collision. Brakes do not work”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2018-12-07

“Lower right ball joint on vehicle failed causing truck to lose control side swipe a parked car and travel another 70 feet knocking over a stop sign. Drivers side seat belt did not hold me in seat causing me to go forward hitting head on steering wheel. I cracked a molar tooth and both knees were…”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2015-02-18

“Lower right ball joint on vehicle failed causing truck to lose control side swipe a parked car and travel another 70 feet knocking over a stop sign. Drivers side seat belt did not hold me in seat causing me to go forward hitting head on steering wheel. I cracked a molar tooth and both knees were…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2015-02-18

“I am the original owner of a 1997 chevy tahoe. The other day while listening to the expanding recall of gm vehicles I tried to remove my key from the ignition switch. To my surprise once the vehicle is started I can remove my key, shift into any gear and drive without a key in the ignition. Maybe…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2014-06-18

Defect investigations

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

BATTERY LEAKS ACID

There is no summary currently available

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…

Investigation PE01023 Opened 2001-07-17 · closed 2001-12-20

SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION

ODI HAS RECEIVED ONE (1) COMPLAINT ALLEGING THAT THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASE BUCKLE ANCHOR DETACHED FROM SEAT FRAME DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.DURING THE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WAS THROWN FROM HIS SEAT, PARTIALLY EJECTED THROUGH THE REAR QUARTER WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE.OCCUPANT SUSTAINED INJURY.GM HAS…

Investigation PE99073 Opened 1999-12-03 · closed 2000-05-02

BATTERY LEAKS ACID

ODI HAS RECEIVED 21 COMPLAINTS WHERE OWNERS ALLEGE THAT THE STANDARD GM FACTORY SUPPLIED AC DELCO BATTERY CASE FAILED, RESULTING IN THE LEAKAGE OF SULFURIC ACID.OF THE 21 COMPLAINT VEHICLES, SIX SUBURBAN, THREE TAHOES, AND ONE YUKON OWNER(S) COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID FROM DETERIORATION OF THE RIGHT…

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 Tahoe as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.