Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My brakes have not worked properly since I bought the vehicle new. The dealer has said they work properly and ABS systems work different than the old systems. If I have to hit the brake quickly, the pedal goes almost to the floor and the vehicle does not stop. Brakes need to be pumped to stop effectively but that is not possible at times, especially in city driving. I have had many many close calls and have bumped the vehicle in front of me once and smashed into another vehicle once. My insurance rates were raised for several years as a result. I have to drive this pick-up truck very cautiously but I'm worried that something more serious could happen to me or my wife while driving. GM has a recall on 1999-2002 silverados for this type of brake problem. I have the same problem, but they don't seem to care that I have the same safety hazard with my 1997 Silverado with 44,000 miles on it. …
Stopping at a stop light the brakes went to the floor and pulled right. I went into the intersection around 5 feet. Required a master cylinder and left front hub assembly to fix problem. Cost: 808.57 this follows rear brake problems at 27,097 miles that required pads, rotors, and calipers at a cost of 668.27.
I have a1997 Chevrolet 6.5t diesel, I was driving home from work doing about 45 MPH crossing a stop light and the truck just shut off for no reason and a semi was behind me and almost plowed in to the back of my truck but he was able to go around at the last second. I was on the freeway doing 70 MPH and the truck did the same thing just shut off for no reason and a car almost hit me but was able to stop in time. On all occasions I lost all power to everything brakes,steering and engine power. This has happened several times before and after the two above. Found out that GM had put out an under the table recall of the pmd and injector pump on the 6.5t diesel motor 12yr/100,000miles but did not publicly say anything. …
Consumer's mother and father were leaving a parking lot when their brakes failed. Their truck drifted out into traffic that was going approx. 55-60mph, and they were broadsided by a full sized van loaded with lead pipes. The truck is now in bay city michigan towed by tims towing. Consumer doesn't have the number to holder of the truck at this time.
We took delivery of our new ordered pickup on 3/21/97. From the first day we experieced front wheel lockup and skidding of our front tires, it also pulls very hard to the side that locks up. It seems to lock up one wheel at a time, not both at the same time. This is intermittent and we can not tell when it will happen the next time. We have had it in gootee chevrolets repair shop several times and it has been there for many days, they say they can not find the problem so they will not fix it. My wife is now so scared she doesn't want to drive it anymore. She has had many, many close calls by almost hitting other cars. I have asked the dealership if I can use their scan tool and plug it into to truck so that when it happen it will pick it up, but they would do it. They are telling me they can't find it so I should contact GM. …
Brake pedal sank completely to floor and remained at floor for approximately 0.5 to 1 second before brake system began operation and pedal began to return to normal feel. Condition has happened two times on this vehicle. During most recent incident, I had to react quickly to vehicles stopping in front of me, engine load went from maintaining steady 55 MPH to deceleration. Brake booster on this vehicle is hydraulic, driven by the power steering pump. The delay in brake operation is significant enough, in my opinion, that the vehicle could cause an accident. Have not had system serviced because I cannot duplicate the problem.
Upon depressing the brake pedal, consumer noticed pulstation in the brake pedal, pedal traveled to the floorboard, resulting in extended stopping distance. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer stated tha the front brake shoes and pads/rear rotors need to be replaced. Dealer stated to consumer that the brake shoes only last 13000 to 20000 miles.
Whenever the ABS brakes are applied, they feel very hard; also, make noise when applied. Vehicle would stop 1 car length further. Happened 5 times. It's intermittent. Took to dealer to check out. Problem not found. ABS also failed when applied over rough pavement/rail road tracks/bumps, etc.
While driving 50mph, stopped, applied brakes and pedal went to floor, resulting in extended stopping distance . ABS did not kick in. Dealer contacted, and repairwork done at owner's expense. In order for g.m to pay for my truck the would require me to sign a release for all liability.et.
When driving 60 MPH and coming off the ramp, the brakes were applied and the vehicle failed to stop and also made a loud noise. The pedal went to floorboard, causing extended stopping distance. The emergency parking brake was applied in order to stop vehicle.
Brake complaints in other Silverado 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 38% of the model year's 64 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. 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 2500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury and 3 deaths to brakes 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.