1997 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
What could happen: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 CHEVROLET TRUCK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E040000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO E SPEED RACING AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS." CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 1997 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (14), Steering (13), Hydraulic (12), Transmission / drivetrain (7), Body / structure (4).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
11/05/2007 · Transmission / drivetrain
I HAVE A 1997 CHEVY TAHOE THAT HAS HAD ALL OF THE REQUIRED TUNE-UPS AND SERVICES. I RECENTLY LOST MY TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE NEVER PULLED ANYTHING WITH THIS TRUCK. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT ALMOST 95 OUT OF A 100 BUYERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD THE CHEVY CORP. BE ABLE TO SELL YOU SOMETHING AND MONTHS LATER THAT TRANS GO OUT AND ALL…
08/28/2007 · Body / structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET Z71. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE DETACHED WHEN HE EXITED THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES. HE HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. HE HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE DEALER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. T…
06/25/2007 · Transmission / drivetrain
THIS IS TO INFORM YOU OF A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 4L60E TRANSMISSIONS IN THE 1997 AND UP GM TRUCK TRANSMISSIONS, THE SYMPTOMS INCLUDE THE HARD SHIFT FROM FIRST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR, AND THE SLIPPING OF THE TRANSMISSION IN OVERDRIVE. IN THIS TRUCK THE TACHOMETER USUALLY IS AT 1500-1600 RPMS 65 MPH, BUT WITH THE MIL LIGHT, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT, IT IS RUNNING…
10/07/2005 · Brakes · crash
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET PICKUP. A RECALL WAS BEING ISSUED ON GM 1999 -2002 CORROSION ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSORS. THE 1997 CHEVROLET PICKUPS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ANTI LOCK BRAKE CORROSION AS THE 1999-2002 RECALLED VEHICLES. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE $1500 TO…
09/02/2005 · Brakes
ANTI LOCK BRAKES APPLY ON DRY ROADS WITH NO REASON. THE BRAKES SHAKE WHEN BEING APPLIED. I HAVE REVIEWED INFORMATION ON YOUR DATABASE WHICH HAVE THIS EXACT SAME COMPLAINT. I BELIEVE THERE ARE NOT MORE SINCE THE VEHICLES ARE OVER 5 YEARS OLD AND PEOPLE BELIEVE IT TO BE NORMAL WEAR AND TARE. IT IS NOT NORMAL. THE ANTI LOCKS ARE OVER SENSITIVE. *AK
09/11/2004 · Brakes · crash
REAR END ACCIDENT DUE TO ABS RELEASING BRAKING ACTION FOR 3 TO 4 SECONDS, THUS INCREASING MY BRAKING DISTANCE.*AK
02/04/2003 · Body / structure
FRONT DASHBOARD CAME LOOSE. *AK
07/31/2002 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING IN SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS, 1997 CHEVROLET TRUCK 2500. *YH