Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 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.
Traveling approximately 25 MPH I began for an upcoming stop sign, two school buses were already stopped as I applied the brakes the peddle went quickly to the floor with little results, I was able to put the truck in low gear, turned onto the shoulder and with the emer. Brake and what little brake that was left I was able to get stopped safely. I would learn the welding on the upper shock bracket had failed allowing movement which allowed metal to rub against the brake line which runs past that area. The line failed with the lose of fluid and the brakes. Repairs included replacing of the upper frt.susp control arm assy misc brackets and shelds and rewelding upper shock bracket. It also included replacement of the brake line.
I have a 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 p/u with 115K miles. The transmission started to make a low roaring noise in low gear and would quiet down as it shifted to a higher gear. Over time the noise got progressively louder and eventually made a clanging sound as I took off from a stop. The noise was louder than I've ever heard, so I drove the truck back home a parked it. I've told friends that I needed another transmission and the more I told the more I realized that there was of the same problems in other Chevrolet trucks. This May be coincidence but it's to large of a scale that's costing many people lots of money.
1997 Chevrolet ck1500, vehicle caught fire. The consumer stated he started to have problems with the transmission slipping and the engine revved high. As he was pulling over to the shoulder, smoke started coming from under the hood. Soon after, fire erupted under the hood. The consumer stated the transmission was re-built one week prior. Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0553-89. Updated 04/14/10
A mark viii, while driving and pulling a trailer, transmission cooling unit line cracked, causing a transmission leak, spraying transmission fluid onto the exhaust manifold, resulting in a fire on the driver's side of the vehicle which burned the wiring harness. Dealer repaired the wiring harness and replaced the transmission system. Please provide further information.
The third door on the vehicle did not open, there was a tear in the seats, and the transmission was shifting late and hard, the transmission was eventually replaced at 56,000, consumer stated the transmission failed on the second vehicle at 126,000 miles.
1997 Chevrolet c-1500 p/u auto trans has hard shift from 1st to 2nd gear. I have researched this and found a large number of g/m owners have experinced this defect and g/m has not or will not recall or repair this problem.
Transmission failure at 87,671 miles lost second gear, reverse gear and overdrive due defective part installed that was not hardened steel as per specialty transmission that did the rebuild of my transmission.
Vehicle never been in a crash, never pulled a load, no tow hith on it, was driving down the highway, heard a weird vibration sound when it happenned, there are other reports of this year transmission failing around 50,000 miles. There is no reason that a transmission should fail on a truck that is not used for heavy use and when Chevy says they are built like a rock, as long as you keep it for 36,000 miles when the factory warranty is up?I have the old part, I purchased th vehicle at 41,000 miles, low milleage as far as I am concerned, the gear sheared off , under normal driving conditions and I think it is a faulty part that the manufacturer is making and when replacing it with the same part it is just going to happen again. Totally senseless ! Obviously there is a problem with this main gear assembly and something needs to be done about it. …
Transmission began shifting very hard(jerking) from first to second gears and from second to third gear. When this occured the check enging light came on. Dealership told me theyiwould have to rebuild or replace the transmission. I had it replace at a cost of $2000.00 out of my pocket. I showed the dealership my maintenance records to verify the truck had been taken care of and asked for assistance and they refused. I contacted GM customer service and I was told by them "we help only those people who have their vehicles regular service done at dealerships". Meaning that since I did not have my oil changed at the dealership at a cost of approx $30.00 a pop verses half that cost for myself they refuse to help me. The purchase cost of $28,000.00 obvisously not enogh for GM. How "stupid" is this? Look at the complaints on "the complaint station". GM needs to recall & reinburse us. …
Transmission complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 10% of the model year's 555 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.