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 Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The wipers just stopped working in the middle of a storm and I had to pull to the side of the road and I tried everything I could to get the wipers to work I called a friend and he said to tap the wiper motor and it did get the wipers to work until I got home and the next day I called and got a new wiper motor and installed it on my truck and I have not had a problem since. The wiper motor was not cheap and I'm on a fixed income. I would like to be reimbursed for the cost of the wiper motor I'm not worried about the time it took me to replace it. I hope that you can help me out with this matter. Thank you
Dt: when consumers vehicle gets wet the windshield wipers quit working. 1997 Chevrolet k1500 pickup with 33000 miles. Vehicle started experiencing this problem about six months ago with 32,000 miles on it. Consumer bought vehicle on 10-14 1997, vehicle was never in a wreck, nor had any body work been done on it. Consumer first noticed problem when he was washing vehicle in driveway and went to turn on the windshield wipers to find that they would not work. Consumer contacted manufacturer on July 20, 2005. Manufacturer stated that they could not find that this problem was covered by anything due to age of vehicle. Consumer said that he had heard that this was a problem on these vehicles with windshield wipers not working due to circuit board. He heard that vehicle could be fixed for free if fitted in a certain time frame. …
On oct 6, 2005, I was driving my 1997 Chevrolet k1500 ext cab truck in a rain storm when the wipers just stopped. I found that there was a safety recall issued # 03V159000 for this same problem in 2003. When I contacted the Chevrolet dealership they requested my VIN number and then told me my vehicle was not effected by this safety recall. I then contacted Chevrolet and they told me my vehicle was not effected by this safety recall even though it might have the same wiper motor part number. They then went on to say that they sent out a bulletin that included my vehicle which stated something to the effect if failure occurs before 7 years or 70,000 miles we will replace it. Since my vehicle is a 1997 and it currently has 73,000 miles on it and no longer qualifies as a candidate for this repair. Please keep in mind the hazard still exists! …
Dt: consumer was driving in the rain July 7, 2005 when the windshield wipers on the vehicle failed. At first the wipers would not work at all, then when the consumer drove for about 20 minutes the wipers came back on. Consumer is aware of a recall for the same problem, however manufacturer told the consumer that her vehicle was not included in the recall. NHTSA campaign id number 03V159000. Consumer had the problem fixed at the dealer today, July 8, 2005, and paid $161.00 . The dealer is pohanka Chevrolet in chantilly, va. Consumer would like a refund for fixing the problem. The consumer wants her vehicle and others like hers included in the recall. Consumer says that her husband just informed her that this happened to him about a year ago. The dealer told the consumer that the problem listed in recall is what they fixed on her vehicle.
I got the truck in 2011 and when the title came in the mail it had a note that the truck had been a dealer lemon law buyback. My problem now is the check engine light is on. I called Chevrolet for some assistance and was told to have a Chevrolet dealer diagnose the problem. The dealer wanted to replace most of the check engine related parts and sensors at a cost to me of about $4000.00. I think that I am being over sold. I paid the $85.00 and had 2 other test and 2 different diagnose cost from $1500 to change injectors. Another.GM recall but mileage problem. Chevrolet declined any help. I think if it was a lemon there must have had a big problem. I would like to keep the truck it still looks good. Also the wipers don't work at times there was a recall on them but age and miles May be a problem. I could use some help. Thank you.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet k1500. The contacted stated that the failure she is experiencing is related to NHTSA campaign id number 03V159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer). On September 1, 2008, while her husband was driving approximately 55 MPH in the rain, the windshield wipers would not work. When he arrived home, he lifted the hood, made some adjustments, and the windshield wipers began working again. While driving approximately 50 MPH during a heavy rainstorm, the windshield wipers would not work again. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer or a mechanic. The vehicle has been parked in the contact's garage since the last failure. The current mileage was 102,000 and failure mileage was 100,000.
Windshield wipers and washer intermittently would not work. It started out the washer wouldn't always work and then the wipers followed suit. The first time my wipers didn't work my visibility dropped significantly and it was a dangerous drive home. I looked up this problem on the NHTSA website and saw that there is a recall on this problem. My vehicle did not get recalled. Other models in my year were recalled and my model in previous years were recalled. Chevy dealership wanted to charge me $175 to replace the wiper motor circuit board. I removed the board cleaned it re-soldered it and reinstalled in 30 minutes. Everything works great now.
Very similiar to GM recall no. 03023, NHTSA campaign number: 03V159000. The windshield wipers fail to operate on random intermitten occasions. This failure occurs randomly and without any leading indicators. The failure occurs in the event when functionality of the wipers are most needed and hence it effects the visibility of the driver during inclement weather. There seems to be a short in the in the wiper circuit module due to crack/structure failure of the pcb (printed circuit board). There has been a recall on this same issue however on the same vehicle but only known failure VIN, not all vehicles.
Windshield wipers stopped working without warning VIN [redacted], with 89,000 miles 1997 Chevy k1500 truck the purchase date and incident date are approximate. We have had several failures. This is intermittent, I checked the fuse box and it is fine. I have read of this complaint on several Chevy vehicles of the model year. My VIN is not covered under the current recall and in my opinion should be. Updated 07/18/2012
Windshield wipers run intermittently, at various speeds, and do not shut off when the switch is moved to the off position. I have written to GM and been to the dealer about this problem. My vehicle is not covered due to a VIN cutoff in the recall program, even though it is the same defect and part as in the vehicles covered in the recall. This is unacceptable.. [redacted].
Window & Wiper complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 77 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 14% of the model year's 555 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (32 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 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.