Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗GM/FUEL TANK
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE FRONT, INNER CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK CAN CONTACT THE BODY SILL EITHER INTERMITTENTLY OR CONSTANTLY. THIS MOVEMENT CAN CAUSE A DISCERNIBLE NOISE AND, OVER TIME, CAN WEAR A HOLE IN OR CRACK THE FUEL TANK AT POINT OF CONTACT.
- Consequence
- THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AND A DISTINCT FUEL ODOR IF THE TANK WERE FILLED ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE HOLE OR CRACK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK FOR WEAR AND, EITHER INSTALL A SPACER BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER, OR IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.
GM/FMVSS 207
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. ONE OR TWO OF THE FRONT SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
- Consequence
- IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, A SEAT WITH THIS CONDITION WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL CHECK ALL SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND INSTALL ANY MISSING BOLTS.
GM/SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RECLINING SEATS AND THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE. THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH A PINCH POINT EXISTS IN THE RECLINER MECHANISM THAT CAN TRAP AND PINCH A PERSON'S HAND OR FINGER(S) WHEN THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE IS ACTIVATED.
- Consequence
- THIS PINCHING CAN CUT THE HAND OR POSSIBLY SEVER THE FINGER(S) WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (83)
83 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The steering is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 83 |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 25 | 30.1% |
| Service brakes | 18 | 21.7% |
| Visibility | 13 | 15.7% |
| Fuel system | 9 | 10.8% |
| Power train | 8 | 9.6% |
| Suspension | 6 | 7.2% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 4.8% |
| Structure | 3 | 3.6% |
| Air bags | 2 | 2.4% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2.4% |
How 1997 compares with other Sierra 1500 years
Best and worst Sierra 1500 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 13 | 0 |
| 1995 | 3 | 0 |
| 1996 | 5 | 0 |
| 1997 | 83 | 3 |
| 1998 | 59 | 2 |
| 1999 | 158 | 1 |
| 2000 | 181 | 1 |
| 2001 | 140 | 2 |
| 2002 | 166 | 1 |
| 2003 | 180 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 494 g/mi
- EPA class
- Standard Pickup Trucks
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 17 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
| 6.5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 17 / 15 | $6,400 | 679 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 / 17 / 13 | $5,150 | 684 |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 / 17 / 13 | $5,150 | 684 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1997 Sierra 1500 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1997 GMC Sierra 1500 FAQ
How many recalls does the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 98V187000 (fuel system), 97V176000 (seat), 97V037000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?
Owners filed 83 complaints with NHTSA. Steering (25), Service brakes (18), Visibility (13) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 get?
EPA rates the 4.3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 15 city, 21 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1997 Sierra 1500 compare with other years?
Among the 1994–2003 GMC Sierra 1500 model years at least five years old, the 1995 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2000 the most (181). The 1997 drew 83. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.