10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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 Suburban:

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

problem #27

May 092000

Suburban 8-cyl

  • miles
We had two batteries leak acid, caused several hundred dollars in damage to repair wires and hoses that were damaged by the leaking battery acid. We wonder if the dealership in northern Virginia was causing damage to the batteries to generate repair bills for their business.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #26

Apr 012000

Suburban 4WD

  • miles
I think Chevrolet should pay for this factory defect which cost me $160. No safety defect listed.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #25

Mar 092001

Suburban 4WD Diesel

  • miles
Truck stalls, causing loss of power steering and brakes. Dealer has attempted to remedy defect on three separate occassions without success. Accidents avoided thus far, but next time, I may not be so fortunate. Please post these comments, to warn other consumers. GMC is denying responsibility, has flatly refused to repurchase the vehicle, and continues to attempt to repair the problem. I'm scared to death to drive this thing...me and my passengers(very often a troop of girl scouts) are in danger, and so is anyone who might be in front of me when this happens. I hope that no one dies as a result of this defect. Please help me.

- Export, PA, USA

problem #24

Mar 061999

Suburban 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Battery goes dead overnight.

- Bloomfield, NJ, USA

problem #23

Mar 061999

Suburban 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Battery goes dead overnight.

- Bloomfield, NJ, USA

problem #22

Sep 202000

Suburban 4WD

  • miles
Complaint concerns car batteries. In the past three years I have had battery failures with two batteries less than a year old, a delco original equipment on a 1996 Chevrolet car & the 2nd a everstart walmart replacement battery. Battery failures in traffic stalled vehicle.

- Midland, TX, USA

problem #21

Oct 252000

Suburban

  • miles
EA00013; battery leaks acid: Vehicle had to be towed for the second time because of a leaking battery. First time was in March of 1999, at 29,000 miles. Battery will be replaced and repaired at owner's expense.

- Legue, TX, USA

problem #20

Feb 042000

Suburban

  • miles
No summary

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #19

Sep 032000

Suburban 4WD

  • miles
Battery acid leak from pos. Terminal resulting in corroded wires and brake line.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #18

Feb 042000

Suburban

  • miles
No summary

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #17

Sep 032000

Suburban 4WD

  • miles
Battery acid leak from pos. Terminal resulting in corroded wires and brake line.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #16

Aug 162000

Suburban 4WD

  • miles
Battery acid leak from postive post; damage to ac line, brake lines & frame

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #15

Aug 112000

Suburban

  • miles
Vehicle stopped/lost all power during normal driving conditions. Once stopped and in "park" could restart. This happened several times a day with no warning. Upon dealer investigation, battery acid leak which destroyed cables was reported. Vehicle was in shop 1 1/2 months prior for same problem, alternator defect stated at that time. Battery 2 1/2 yrs old/ previously replaced at 11,000 miles for similar problems.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

problem #14

Jul 142000

(reported on)

Suburban 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Apparent unrepairable dangerous steering situation, battery problem, transmission failure. Vehicle does not seem to merchantable for purpose for which it was offered for sale.

- Winchester, KY, USA

problem #13

Jul 301998

Suburban

  • miles
Our Suburban now has its 3rd battery in 3 years. The original battery's post broke off leaking acid, destroying starter wiring, causing associated frame damage. The dealer denied knowledge of any preexisting problems with Suburban vehicles of this type. The dealer replaced the battery, but refused to take care of the acid damage. The second incident was in the fall of 1999. We experienced the same problem and the dealer replaced the battery at full cost to us since the vehicle was out of warranty. Today July 10, 2000, the vehicle refused to start. The tray holding the battery shows evidence of corrosion. In addition, the positive cable terminals are corroded.

- West Monroe, LA, USA

problem #12

Jun 012000

Suburban

  • miles
Positive post of the battery terminal was screwed in too far, and it developed a slow leak inside of the terminal, to fell off.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #11

Jun 302000

(reported on)

Suburban

  • miles
While driving in rush hour alternator went out twice. Vehicle failed to start back up. This, in turn, caused battery to burn out and vehicle died. Vehicle towed to dealership. Bought battery from dealership & it was installed.

- Mandeville, LA, USA

problem #10

Nov 011999

Suburban

  • miles
Yesterday I read in the dallas morning news that you are investigating GM SUV's and battery leaks. I would like to go on record as having had this problem. Fortunately the leak was detected while the vehicle was sitting in my garage and no one was hurt. Although, there was damage done to the vehicle and I had to pay for a new starter cable, auxiliary cable, parts and general cleanup. The Suburban was just over 2000 miles out of warranty. Please keep me posted. Thank you karen yocum.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #9

Mar 151999

Suburban

  • miles
I saw on television that the ntsa was looking into a problem with leaky batteries on the Chevrolet Suburban. My battery did leak causing a power failure. It also leaked down the inside of the engine compartment eating away wires and taking all the paint off the inner fender well and parts of the frame. I tried to complain when it happened and the dealer just ignored me telling me it is the battery manufacurers problem and I would have to find them and complain. This can be a very dangerous problem, please let me know what you find out about this issue. Thank you.

- Indian Trail, NC, USA

problem #8

Jun 022000

Suburban 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
EA00 013/battery leaks acid: Battery leakage from positive post resulted in loss of power. Manufacturer contacted. The battery failed again and was replaced by a new one.

- San Jose, CA, USA

Read the next 7 complaints »