10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,400 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #4

Oct 102006

Silverado

  • 30,000 miles
Approximately in 2006, with only 30,000 miles, I noticed antifreeze pooling under my 1097 Silverado pickup. I took my vehicle to an auto repair shop and was told that it needed a new radiator. The radiator was replaced. Approximately one month later the same problem. The radiator was again leaking. The radiator was replaced three times until the owner of the repair shop stated that he would no longer replace the radiator and explained that the 1997 Silverado pickup was known for a condition called. Electrolysis. It was suggested that I remove the battery cable after each time I drove the vehicle. I started to removing the positive battery cable and within 3 weeks the same problem. I then contacted rudolph Chevrolet dealership in el paso, Texas. They refused to tackle the problem and referred me to emmitt radiator shop, also in el paso, Texas. They advised that they would charge $80 per hour with a minimum of 10 to 12 hours with no guarantee. They did suggest that I remove both positive and negative battery cables. This is where the problem with the exploding battery comes to light. When I would try to remove the battery cables after each trip, even to the movies or out to dinner, the battery would be so hot that it would burn my hands. I also kept replacing the batteries and finally ask a saleswoman at auto zone supply house what was wrong with the batteries and he pointed to the battery and said, "look at the sides of the battery, how it is extending outward it could explode". again I was told me that they did not have the equipment to fix the problem. This falls into the category of a lemon and General Motors knew of this problem or should have known of this problem the 1997 Silverado pickup and have placed consumers in harms way.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #3

Jun 122014

Silverado 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 187,600 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while parked, the driver's side panel caught on fire. Also, the contact mentioned that the power locks and the power windows failed to operate properly. The fire department was not contacted. The vehicle was not destroyed. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The manufacturer had been notified. The approximate failure mileage was 187,600. Updated 9/29/14 updated 2/26/2015

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #2

Apr 032003

Silverado 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles
The turn signals on the vehicle, 1997 Z-71, Silverado have not been working dependably since 1997. We took the vehicle to connel Chevrolet 3 different times to fix the problem and the turn signals still go out sporadically. We did take the vehicle to fort knox ky where the turn signals were working since 1999. And now (April 3 2003) the turn signals are not working properly again. All the fuses are fine and the light bulbs are all brand new and the turn signal is still not working.

- Harker Heights, TX, USA

problem #1

Jul 142001

Silverado

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission went out at 40,000 miles. Consumer was told that transmission was not under warranty. Battery and alternator failed, short circuit fuse caused failure of brake lights and turn signals. Injector failed. Water pump failed. Vehicle jumped out of gear, was towed to dealer who informed consumer that transmission needed replaced, consumer is angry that a vehicle with such low mileage would have transmission failure and Chevrolet will not asist in repairs.

- Sacramento, CA, USA