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 Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While in motion seat belt would come undone or wouldn't unlock from lock in order to use. Brakes would slip. My boyfriend was killed in an accident because the seat belt malfunctioned which then caused the airbags to malfunction and the brakes stuck so he wasn't able to slow down sufficiently.
Dear NHTSA: I am a senior mechanical engineer and owner of a 1997 Chevy Tahoe 4wd vehicle. I have owned the vehicle since mid-2001. A few months ago I started to notice that periodically, the brakes would not work properly when pulling to a stop. I can hear and feel the ABS system pulsing the brakes rapidly, but it provides extremely poor stopping ability. I have had several close calls with cars in front of me, not to mention pedestrians in crosswalks. This is not correct. I am a former engine designer and have worked for Ford motor company. I understand mechanical systems and can tell you this isn't good...or safe. I noticed in the paper that there is a known issue regarding GM truck anti-lock brake systems. Additional internet research confirmed this. I am logging this complaint so that NHTSA is aware of my problem in the hopes that GM will fix the problem for me. …
I own a 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe which I purchased from a private party about two years ago. The mileage at the time of purchase was in the mid 20,000, and is now just under 35,000. Having driven just 15,00 miles during the past two years makes it evident this vehicle has not been abused. I have recently experienced frequent problems with the anti lock brake system which often is activated for no apparent reason, resulting in a expensive brake job way before that type of repair would normally be anticipated. My mechanic has seen this same problem in several other general motors vehicles, and is convinced the problem is related to the wheel speed sensors. He is also of the opinion that general motors has known of this problem for some time, yet has failed to issue a recall which would correct the problem without cost to the owner. …
No accident yet. My 1997 Tahoe is exhibiting the same symptoms as described in the media for 1999 and newer GM trucks regarding the wheel speed sensor for the antilock brakes. Stopping from speeds under 5 MPH, the brake pedal chatters, the antilock brake unit moans, and the truck is slow to completely stop. This started sporadically last winter and has gotten worse, now about 30% of the time. I called Chevrolet's customer service today (10/13/2005) at 11:10, spoke to bagaya bonner who told me the recall affected 2000-2002 tahoes. Mine would not be included, and if I had the problem fixed, it would be at my expense (GM would not reimburse since there was no recall on my vehicle). I am using today's date as the incident date, but the problem began late fall 2004 and is ongoing.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the ABS engages when the ground is dry and pulsates very hard when stopping the vehicle. The failure was noticed while driving 10 MPH. He stated that this should only happen when there is snow on the ground or when it is wet. In November of 2000, there was a voluntary recall and Chevrolet repaired the brakes. There were no failures for 18,000 miles. Currently, at 40,500 miles, the failure has recurred. The contact called the manufacturer and they stated that there was no recall for the brake failure. The failure mileage was 40,500. Updated 10/16/08. The dealer replaced the left front hub. Updated 10/17/08.
I have been involved / responsible for 2 rear end collisions that have occurred as a result of my ABS system not stopping my vehicle. The first time this happened I felt that the brakes did not operate correctly, but continued to operate the vehicle. Just last week I was involved in an accident at low speed with more than sufficient stopping distance and the vehicle slid into the rear of other. I have not had any accidents in over 20 years with multiple vehicles and to have two similiar accidents within a year of each other for the same cause leads me to suspect something is wrong. Have there been other compliants regarding the ABS capability in Chevy trucks?
Transmission started to shift real hard from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd gears after driving on highway for 30 minutes. Drove this way for 3 years. Had trans rebuilt June 2003 at 68K miles and went on road trip 900 miles and problems started while on my vacation trip. Had to have the valvebody replaced at the cost of $400 while on vacation. I was told that was why my transmission burned up time. Brakes started when the dealer replaced a leaking master cylinder. I brought it back for a spongy / low pedal and was told there was nothing wrong and there was nothing GM would do about it. Still stuck with spongy / low pedal
Dt: the anti-lock brakes do not work properly, when getting below 10 MPH the brakes surge and increased in stopping distance. The consumer could hear the brake pedal pulsating. This happens on dry roads. This started happening on July 1, 2005. It happened intermittently, and now it happen every time when the consumer comes to a stop. Contacted the dealer, they charged the consumer to fix the brakes. There is a recall, but only for Canada.
Started vehicle ,after short warm up,applied brake and foot immediately went to floor. Blow out in rear line near back of fuel tank. Repaired line. In process of bleeding brake line another blow out occurred top of frame near rear of left tire. Purchased prebend stainless steel kit from "classic tube" and installed.$400. [redacted] good thing I wasn't driving.
Dt: the contact complained anti lock (ABS) brake system. The ABS will activate while driving at slow speeds. The speeds when the ABS activate varied from 3-10 MPH. This happened under any driving conditions. No indicator lights came on to indicate there was a brake failure. The dealership was called and asked him to bring the vehicle for repairs at contact's expense. There was a recall but it ddid not include this vehicle.
Brake complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 113 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe, 28% of the model year's 410 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (67 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe. 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 Tahoe brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries and 1 death 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.