Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have had a dangerous situation occur with a failure in the fuel injection system, involving the wiring harness and vehicle control module (vcm) of my 1997 Chevrolet k1500. The vehicle was towed into a Chevrolet dealer, for service due to a crank but no-start issue on January 29, 2004. Upon diagnosis by the mechanics, they determined that the fuel injection system had somehow developed a leak, which caused fuel pressure to build-up where the wiring-harness entered the unit. Then, fuel was forced at high pressure between the wires and insulation until it pooled up inside the vcm. The dealer's mechanic, per diagnostic testing, stated that the installation of a new vcm, wiring harness, and injector system is necessary to fix the problem. …
Over the past 5 years and 80,000 miles of owning this vehicle the fuel pump has died on me 5 times. All 5 times the pump was replaced with ac delco parts from GM. The last two times it went out I had it replaced by a Chevy dealer in tampa. The second to the last failure caused a domino effect that ended up being very costly to me. Fragments from the pump traveled to the filter, somehow made it past the filter and ruined the fuel pressure regulator. Fragments from that traveled further along and destroyed the throttle body metering valve and all 8 fuel injectors. After having all this work done, the last fuel pump only worked for about 6 months before it went out again. This time it luckily did not ruin the above mentioned items. There is obviously a problem with the GM part being defective, and it's not something the consumer should have to put up with as routine maintenance. …
This truck was bought new in 1997 and I have owned it and maintained it in good running order since then. I was stopped at a light when the truck suddenly stopped running. After having it towed to my home and doing some trouble shooting I determined the fuel pump was not working. I removed the gas tank and after removing the fuel pump discovered the grey wire to the pump had the insulation burned off for approximately one and a half inches. This damage was on the inside of the gas tank. The plug that the wire goes through was charred and melted away. I have taken pictures of the assembly and damage and have notified GM of the incident. I am amazed that this did not result in an explosion or a fire. The heat generated to melt the wire and plug is extensive. The plug was melted to the point it exposed it internal wiring. …
We are currently having our 4th fuel pump placed in our truck, this time after it died on the interstate. We towed the truck home and tried to diagnose the problem when we got under the hood we discovered the ignition control module was overheating it was so hot my husband burned his finger. We replaced it but that didn't fix it. We sent the truck to the shop and were told it was the fuel pump again, the wires on the pump were burn and melted which was causing the icm to overheat. This is the same thing that was wrong with the original pump that was replaced in sept 01, April 04 the second pumps' fuel level sensing unit (a thin piece of metal sliding across a set of conductors) became corroded and got stuck on empty, and now the 3rd pump has burnt melted wires. All repair were at my cost. We real luck the thing didn't blow up! …
The power supply connector to fuel pump inside the fuel tank at upper end of pickup/fuel pump support tubes burned hot enough to soften the copper connector causing it to open up and shut off fuel pump causing engine to stop running. Approximately 2 inches of wire insulation was melted off at the top connector end. This is inside the fuel tank surrounded by fumes and fuel. If air was introduced there would have been an explosion. This is the factory installed fuel pump and fuse did not blow even though the wire was exposed and near metal components. I've owned the truck since new. Richardson brothers Chevrolet in floresville, texas and other auto part dealers informed me that this is very common and have seen worse damage to wiring. The dealer wanted over $400.00 for the parts which include new pickup tubes with fuel level float and fuel pump. …
My 16 yr. Old son purchased a 1997 Chevy k1500/Silverado w/ 5.7liter gas engine; 160K+ miles. Previous owner explained the truck was on its third fuel pump. Sure enough, the fuel pump failed on us also at 163,000 miles. Fortunately it failed only 100 feet from home as he drove down our residential street. Imagine the hazard potential had it died at highway speeds. Towing and repairs totaled $800. A remanufactured pump (with 1 yr warranty) was installed plus a new fuel filter. The dying fuel pump shed debris that clogged the filter which starved the engine. A google search details how people have experienced problems with Chevy fuel pumps in trucks ranging from 1991s to 2002s; perhaps newer if I searched longer. I can ill afford to replace a fuel pump like that again. With the history of fuel pump failures well documented (ref: google search), why hasn't Chevy engineered a fix years ago??
Truck was running fine with no indication of trouble when parked, upon reentry truck did not even attempt to start, engine would turn spin freely. Towed to shop. Fuel pump supposedly failed according to independent repair shop and was replaced with 46,000 miles on truck. Truck drove less than 500 miles and failed to start with seemingly the same problem. Towed to cheverolet dealership for repairs. Fuel pump sending unit connection inside the tank was burned out. Service manager said this was a common failure for all cheverolet trucks with Vortec engines. He returned the defective sending unit to me and I could plainly see the burned electrical connection at the top of the unit. Under the right conditions an explosion would be possible if sufficient oxygen was in the tank. Fuel pump and component parts should last longer than 46,000 miles.
I have owned the vehicle 3 weeks. On Monday August 6th, the vehicle stalled on a street in a commercial area. I was able to coast to a parking space. The engine restarted and I drove the vehicle ca. 50 yards before another failure, when I coasted to a stop sign. The vehicle did not restart, and I was towed to my home. On Wednesday augus 8th, the vehicle stalled 3x at a discount store parking lot, and finally stalled at work on the same day. The mechanic said that this was the pmd on the Chevy 6.5l diesel engine, and was a common failure. This is a real hazard, as the vehicle does not always restart, and were I going down the hiway (expecially with a trailer), I would have lost accelleration power steering and power brakes. This could easily cost someone their lives.
My 1997 z71 kept dying while I was driving down the road. I talked to a mechanic and he said it sounded like the fuel pump. So I go to change the fuel pump and the fuel pump sending unit had shorted. The power wire and connections were melted. I had to replace the pump and assembly in the tank. Cost me over $700.00 plus labor. I was told I was lucky it didn't explode.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact attempted to start his vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and the contact was informed that the fuel pump failed and burned off the wires inside the gas tank. The current mileage was 53,462 and failure mileage was 53,445. Updated 06/03/08. Updated 05/30/08
Fuel System complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 9% of the model year's 555 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 140,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.