Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was returning home when it started raining. I tried to turn on my windshield wipers and they did not come on. The rain became very heavy and I was unable to see. I had no was to turn off or stop so I slowed down to about 10 MPH in a 45 MPH zone, so I could even stay on the road. When I finally had a chance to pull off the road I did. The wipers did not work at any speed, nor did the wiper wash mode work. After I made it home I checked the fuse for the wipers and it was okay. I turned the ignition switch on and the wipers worked. As we have had a lot of rain in our area, this occurred 3 seperate times where the wipers failed to work when I needed them. After I had gotten home, and checked again, they worked. I researched on the web at a Chevy site and found that this was a common problem with the vehicle, mine is a 1997 Chevrolet k pickup truck. …
Recently had wipers fail during heavy storm while on freeway. Nearly caused crash. Condition is intermittent. Checked NHTSA website and found recall (03V159000) and documents showed entire production from my model was included. Took truck to penske chev. Of cerritos, ca. Asked them to check for recall applicability. They told me "the truck was too old" and my VIN number was "not a good VIN". They called GM and got the same info, no record of VIN. I am the original owner (never received owner notifications) and showed them monroney label, original bill of sale and title with this VIN. Service writer told me that without VIN, there would be no repair, despite the paperwork provided and GM recall document with affected range. Dealer acted like I was trying to steal from them.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet c/k pickup. The contact stated when driving approximately 5 MPH in rainy weather conditions the windshied wipers would not operate normally. He would had to drive onto the emergency lane and wait until the rain stopped. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised him that the circuit board to the wiper motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised him that he was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03V159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 02/09/12 updated 02/13/12
1997 k3500 Chevy truck. Have had issues with the wipers not working intermittentialy for the last 2 years. Came across a Chevy bulletin ( 03023 ) and NHTSA 03V159000 that reflects the problem accuratly along with the internal dealer/GM notices that I obtained from alldata.com. I contacted both my local dealer and Chevy corporate customer service about the issue. (ed mwango case 1-379680418 case number from Chevy corporate ). They said that my VIN did not come up in the recall and it was too old for them to consider. According to the internal GM doc this is a safety issue and should be addressed regardless of age or mileage. I would like GM/Chevy to honor this recall.
On 6/12/05, the windshield wipers on my 1997 Chevrolet silverado pickup truck failed during a sudden rainshower. I checked the breaker panel and found that the fuse for the wiper motor had not blown. Prior to taking the vehicle to a dealership for repair, I checked the NHTSA website to research if there had been a recall covering this repair. I located GM recall #03023/ NHTSA campaign id #03V159000 which covered certain Pickups of my model year. The dealership advised that my vehicle was not covered under the recall and I spent $148.95 to have a "faulty circuit board module" replaced. This is the same repair called for under the aforementioned recall. A coincidence???
The windshield wipers on my 1997 Chevrolet c1500 pickup truck will stop working while I am driving. This has happened several times. Today it was raining fairly hard and I was driving along at 55mph and the wipers just stopped. It was like driving blindfolded. Luckily I was able to pull over without hitting anyone. I did some research on the internet to find out what is causing this. I found a recall on the NHTSA.gov site for my year and make truck. NHTSA campaign id number: 03V159000 I went to a Chevrolet dealer and they knew exactly what was wrong, but told me my truck was not included in the recall. I don't understand how this can be.
Intermittent failure of the windshield wipers leading to a complete failure and totally inoperable. Wiper motor module/circuit board was replaced by Chevrolet dealer at full price of $148.15. I was told by the dealer my vehicle was not covered under general motors recall #03023 (NHTSA recall # 03V159000) as my VIN [redacted] was not on the approved GM recall list. Although it was not listed, the failure was the exact same as indicated in the recall description and I feel I should be reimbursed for the repairs. Updated 07/24/2012
Dt: when the consumer would use the windshield wipers they would work off and on. The problem first started on August 13, 2005. The NHTSA recall 03V159000/GM recall 03023 was issued. The consumer took the vehicle to a dealership for recall repairs. The consumer was concerned because he was being charged for the repair work that others were not charged. When the consumer contacted the manufacturer, they told him that this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet k 1500. While driving with the windshield wipers activated, the wipers worked intermittently. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03V159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer). The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The wipers have yet to be repaired. The speed was unknown. The failure mileage was 79,000 and current mileage was 80,000. Updated 01-11-08. Updated 12/12/07
Windshield wipers only work intermittently, a humming sound can be heard, but wipers won't move, then they will start working again. This has been happening for approx. 1 and a half years. I researched the problem and found that Chevy was having a problem with the wiper motor solder joints at the circuit board, but the local dealership insists my truck isn't in that recall, however...I am having the same problem as the recall.
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor May fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on June 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper failure
As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, GM has expanded the population of safety recall 98v-150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details.
Window & Wiper complaints in other C/K Pickups years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups, 42% of the model year's 72 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-159 (windshield wiper/washer, Apr 28, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickups window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.