Chevrolet Suburban 1500 1997

Model Suburban 1500 made in 1997 by Chevrolet got 28 consumer complains. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system, engine and engine cooling and exterior lighting.

Model 1997

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
06/15/2003139000
 When it began to rain, i turned on the wiper switch to have nothing happen but a soft buzzing noise. this has been ongoing and intermitten, since it began shortly after i purchased the vehicle in may of 2003. i now find there was a recall for this, but i was never notified and now will have to pay for the repair out of pocket. gm recall no. 03023. gm refuses to help as the recall has been closed, and their records indicate the repair was made. i owned the vehicle during that entire time. it was not repaired!
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
05/20/19992815412001/26/1997
 Anti lock brakes pulsate at low speed on dry pavement. engine intake manifold coolant leak. *nm
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS
03/07/200890000999904/10/2000
 Because of problems with the turn signal mechanism the wipers stop on there own at any given time and now the brake lights do not work at all, per the dealers inspection. no repairs have been done yet as i believe this should be a recall of a very serious matter! *tr
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL
03/07/200890000999904/10/2000
 Because of problems with the turn signal mechanism the wipers stop on there own at any given time and now the brake lights do not work at all, per the dealers inspection. no repairs have been done yet as i believe this should be a recall of a very serious matter! *tr
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
07/22/2011197000
 Tl-the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet suburban. the contact stated while the vehicle was started he heard a loud noise in the engine area that caused the vehicle to vibrate. the contact inspected the vehicle and found the fuel pump with burnt wires. the vehicle has not been repaired. the failure and the current miles was 197,000. li
05/06/20091650001
 1997 suburban - fuel gauge pegs at past full. fuel pump fails. i am not sure of the reason for these things to happen abut it keep recurring and i do not have the cash to be going to a mechanic every 2 to 3 months. i have looked this problem up on the net many times and the list of people with this and similar problems appears to be growing. *tr
SEATS
09/15/20071750001
 No real events, no collision, etc. just normal use, getting in and out of the car. driver seat adjusting mechanism, strut(s) controlling front elevation broke and seat front will not raise or lower. seat still moves from rear and forward and back. seat is not stable and pivots back on rear mounting /adjusting points. we no longer seat anyone behind the drivers-side front seat because it could crush the rear passenger if subjected to enough impact. it has been recommended by a body shop that we just re-weld, but they are unwilling to guarantee it will hold with impact. *tr
SERVICE BRAKES
03/15/20081320002
 Brake failure due to rusted brake lines on 2 separate occasions. around march 2008 i was traveling on the southern state parkway in long island, ny when i depressed the brake pedal and it went to the floor and a large cloud of smoke came out of the engine compartment which was caused by brake fluid hitting the hot exhaust manifold. the brake line had rusted through and caused a hole in the line which caused the brakes to fail. only that particular line was replaced due to the high cost of replacing all lines from front to back. today august 6, 2012 i was leaving my house when i depressed the brake pedal and once again it went to the floor and a large cloud of smoke came out due to the brake fluid hitting the hot exhaust manifold. upon inspection i found another brake line that had rusted through and caused a hole in the line which caused the brakes to fail. at the time of the second incident the truck had 141,000 miles on it. *tr
03/15/2008132000
 Brake failure due to rusted brake lines on 2 separate occassions. around march 2008 i was traveling on the southern state parkway in long island, ny when i depressed the brake pedal and it went to the floor and a large cloud of smoke came out of the engine compartment which was caused by brake fluid hitting the hot exhaust manifold. the brake line had rusted through and caused a hole in the line which caused the brakes to fail. only that particular line was replaced due to the high cost of replacing all lines from front to back. today august 6, 2012 i was leaving my house when i depressed the brake pedal and once again it went to the floor and a large cloud of smoke came out due to the brake fluid hitting the hot exhaust manifold. upon inspection i found another brake line that had rusted through and caused a hole in the line which caused the brakes to fail. at the time of the second incident the truck had 141,000 miles on it.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
06/01/2007985002006/01/1998
 Arbitrary activation of the abs brakes at slow speeds or when parking. this causes the vehicle to not stop and continue moving for a few inches to a few feet. vary hazardous when parking in tight areas or around children in a parking lot. had similar problem on chevy 1999 silverado k1500 pickup that resulted in a recall. would suggest the same on this vehicle to avoid same hazardous situation. *tr
01/01/1997200010
 Front brakes wearing out every 6,000 mi, rear brakes show virtually no wear after 138,000 mi. the antilock brakes feel spongy and vehicle won't stop properly. why does some one have to die before you people listen. *ak
05/20/19992815412001/26/1997
 Anti lock brakes pulsate at low speed on dry pavement. engine intake manifold coolant leak. *nm
STEERING
05/24/20081300001
 Power steering surges, uncontrollable. *tr
01/01/20061
 Extreme over steering at speeds over 45 mph. nearly caused a freeway accident with car full of kids. previously owned a 93 suburban with no complaints. have only owned this one 4 months and i am scared to drive it because the steering is so erratic. also travel frequently with horse trailer and worry that the over steering will cause the trailer to swerve, consequences would be catastrophic. *jb
VISIBILITY
07/01/20031000001
 Side rearview mirrors.....electronic controller only moves the either mirror downward. will not move either mirror left, right, or up. have replaced this controller twice before for the exact same problem. one with the dealer and one on my own. both times brand new parts. there is another recall for this item but apparently does not include my vin. !!!! *tr
07/01/20061200001
 Windshield wipers work only sometimes. sometimes have to spin the controller a few times to get them working. even then they may not work. frustrating! *tr
VISIBILITY - REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
04/16/200880000
 Tl-the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet suburban. the contact stated that the windshield wiper motor would intermittently function when in activation; and over a period of time the failure became progressively worse. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. there was a recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number 03v159000 (visibility: windshield wiper/washer). the dealer and manufacturer were notified and they informed the recall was closed. they also stated that the vehicle would not had qualified under the recall due to the model year, excessive mileage; and because the vehicle was purchased used. the contact disagreed with the manufacturer and dealer and stated that the recall summary did not mention those factors as a requirement. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 80,000. js
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
03/07/200890000999904/10/2000
 Because of problems with the turn signal mechanism the wipers stop on there own at any given time and now the brake lights do not work at all, per the dealers inspection. no repairs have been done yet as i believe this should be a recall of a very serious matter! *tr
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - MOTOR
02/10/2008308433202/09/1997
 My windshield wipers quit working during a rainstorm. *tr
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - SWITCH/WIRING
03/07/200890000999904/10/2000
 Because of problems with the turn signal mechanism the wipers stop on there own at any given time and now the brake lights do not work at all, per the dealers inspection. no repairs have been done yet as i believe this should be a recall of a very serious matter! *tr

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