10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,000 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 #10

Apr 152001

Suburban

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
Heater and ac controls went out twice. Factory replaced them @ $125, then 9 months later it went out again. Factory said it was under 12 months, but I had driven over 12,000 miles so it was not under warranty any longer. Windsheild wiper module goes bad. Wipers will suddenly stop or wont turn on. On 3rd module now. Brakes, constant grinding and weak stops. Have replaced rotors 4 times. Same results. Steering loses tension when steering to the left. Problem is still ongoing but has made me almost lose control several times.

- Schertz, TX, USA

Add Complaint
problem #9

Jul 102002

Suburban 4WD

  • miles
Driving on the freeway on 4 different occasions the "engine service light came on. First time at 52,000 miles in July '01, second time at 55,076 miles in Sept. '01, third time at 63,196 miles in June '02 and fourth time at 63,766 miles in July '02. First time it was a transmission code, but transmission performed fine on test drive. Second time unknown code. Third time, no code given. Fourth time transmission code of 1870, internal slippage. We noticed that coming off the freeway after 1/2 hour or so, the transmission shifts abruptly from 1st to 2nd gear. Neither we nor the former owner towed anything with it. We had to get a remanufactured transmission which is good for 50,000 or 3 years.

- Reno, NV, USA

Add Complaint
problem #8

Jun 102001

Suburban 4WD

  • miles
There is a major problem with GM and Chevrolet truck transmissions. Hard shifting is experienced followed by " engine light on panel. A code 0F 1870 is reported when it is serviced. I have had the dealer look at this several times and there appears to be no way to fix it. I have heard of many people paying $3000 for rebuilt trtansmissions and the problem stil is not corrected. GM has been contacted but will not respond.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Add Complaint
problem #7

Mar 262000

(reported on)

Suburban 4WD

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

Add Complaint
problem #6

Mar 142000

(reported on)

Suburban

  • miles
No subbary listed for above vehicle.

- Key West, FL, USA

Add Complaint
problem #5

Mar 142000

(reported on)

Suburban

  • miles
No subbary listed for above vehicle.

- Key West, FL, USA

Add Complaint
problem #4

Mar 142000

(reported on)

Suburban

  • miles
No subbary listed for above vehicle.

- Key West, FL, USA

Add Complaint
problem #3

Oct 071999

Suburban 4WD

  • miles
Engine check light came on 1st then a various other probles began occuring as we tried to get our vehicle home. When we got it to the dealer's repair shop we were told that the #2 fuel injector had started leaking and filled the whole electrical system with gas. This happened again 4 monthes later when the #5 injector started leaking. Both times the dealer told us that we were lucky that the vehicle didn't start on fire.

- Glenrock, WY, USA

Add Complaint
problem #2

Mar 241999

Suburban 4WD

  • miles
No summary listed for this vehicle.

- Harker Heights, TX, USA

Add Complaint
problem #1

Jun 191997

(reported on)

Suburban

  • miles
Consumer complaint that door is too heavy to close without effort.

- Laguna Hills, CA, USA

Add Complaint