1997 Chevrolet C/k Series

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Visibility4
2. Service brakes, hydraulic1

Latest complaints

• Jun 23, 2006TN99,200 mi
  Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

  Windshield wiper motor fails to operate. Works sometime and all of a sudden stops working. Driving down the highway and wiper stop working. Almost ran off the highway could not see because of heavy rain and no wipers. Gm has had problems with this for several years, only recalling select models. Wiper module IS defective. *jb

• Apr 6, 2006MO129,000 mi
  Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer

  Dt*: the contact stated the windshield wipers work intermittently. the wipers fail more often in wet weather; however the problem has progressively gotten worse. there IS a nhtsa recall, # 03v159000, regarding the windshield wiper/washer. the vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it IS not included in the recall due to the vin.

• Jul 1, 2004MS54,000 mi
  Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
  The windshield wipers work sporadically. on 6/27 during a thunderstorm, the wipers suddenly ceased working and nearly caused an accident. From this site I discovered that there IS a recall on this item for my make and model truck (recall number 03v159000). I contacted chevrolet and they informed…

  The windshield wipers work sporadically. on 6/27 during a thunderstorm, the wipers suddenly ceased working and nearly caused an accident. From this site I discovered that there IS a recall on this item for my make and model truck (recall number 03v159000). I contacted chevrolet and they informed me that the recall did not apply to my truck based on the vin number. although the manifestation of the problem on my particular vehicle would indicate that the scope of the recall was too narrow, chevrolet refused to offer me cost assistance in getting this repaired. *jb

• Jan 2, 2002MI
  Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads

  Front brake pads were making noise, inner brake pads will go out before consumer will notice the problem. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak consumer stated front pads never made any noise, until front pad inner side wore outand fell off, wheel cylinder hit rotor to stop swerve.*slc

Defect investigations

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.

• Vacuum brake booster failure

  EA01013Opened May 22, 2001Closed Dec 15, 2002
  Odi upgraded the preliminary evaluation to conduct a full technical analysis, including testing.the testing and analysis shows that a torn diaphragm IS a slow progressive type of failure.the tear propagates in a slow methodical manner and braking performance IS similar to an untorn unit until the tear exceeds 1/2…

  Odi upgraded the preliminary evaluation to conduct a full technical analysis, including testing.the testing and analysis shows that a torn diaphragm IS a slow progressive type of failure.the tear propagates in a slow methodical manner and braking performance IS similar to an untorn unit until the tear exceeds 1/2 inch.odi's testing indicates that tears greater than 1/2 inch required increased pedal effort.however, as the length of the tear increased beyond 1/2 inch, a hissing sound could be heard emitting into the passenger compartment where the master cylinder plunger passed through the firewall. Odi has determined that a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action in the future if warranted by the circumstances.odi's complete technical analysis with test data IS attached.

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 100041356.5L L49 L56 L57 L65 diesel engine requiring fuel injection pump replacement. Models p32/p42 1994-1999 included.
• 10002567Windshield wiper failure due to cracked boulder joints on the controller circuit board. This special policy covers the condition for a period of seven years or 70,000 miles, whichever occurs first from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service regardless of ownership or for these vehicles currently outside of this coverage until february 29, 2004.
• 10001298Rough idle after start, and/or a service engine soon (ses) light. Various models including the 1995 chevrolet and GMC s/t models.
• 10001125Special policy adjustment - windshield wiper motor failures.
• 635817A failure of the electronic diesel fuel injection pump, leaking to complaints of poor performance or fuel economy, hard / no starts, hesitation, as well as illumination of the service engine soon light.
• 629423Some customers may experience a failure of the electronic diesel fuel injection pump.
• 628393Subject regarding exhaust system rumble / rattle noise.
• 622930Some owners with vehicles built before january 15,1999 may comment on a harsh 1-2 upshift and may also have a check engine light.
• 619393Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on, transmission stuck in third gear, instrument cluster inoperative. Updated 2006 and prior gm passenger cars and light duty trucks.
• 619204Special policy adjustment for vehicles experiencing a failure of the electronic diesel fuel injection pump leading to complaints of poor performance or fuel economy, hard / no starts, hesitation, as well as illumination of the service engine soon light.
• 619170Some vehicles may experience a failure of the electronic diesel fuel injection pump, leading to complaints of poor performance or fuel economy, hard / no starts, hesitation, as well as illumination of the service engine soon light.
• 619065Deductible reimbursement clarification and vin breakpoint correction to 00064 - special policy adjustment - electronic diesel-fuel injection pump failure - repair / replace.
• 619002Some vehicles may experience a service engine soon light, misfire, rough idle or hard start due to a deposit build-up on the sequential central port fuel injector (scpi) poppet valve(s).
• 618141A no reverse, no second gear, or no fourth gear condition. Updated
• 617636Some owners of 1996 - 1999 s/t, M/L, c/k, g, p and W4 trucks may experience a service engine soon light, misfire, rough idle or hard start due to a deposit build-up on the sequential central port fuel injector (scpi) poppet valve(s).
• 617575Some owners of 1996 - 1998 model year s/t, M/L, c/k, g, p and W4 trucks, that are registered in california, equipped with 4.3L, 5.0L or 5.7L engine, and california emissions, may experience a service engine soon light, misfire, rough idle or hard start due to a deposit build-up on the sequential central port fuel injector (scpi) poppet valve(s).

Every Chevrolet C/k Series model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.