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 Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On or about 7/6/02, my wife was loading our three children into the Tahoe (which was parked and running with the ac on due to the heat). After putting the three year old and the four year old in the car, but before securing them in the car seats, the 3 year old went to the drivers seat. He then shifted the car from park to drive without depressing the brake (he is 2 feet tall and can not reach them). The car moved forward striking a retaining wall, causing minor cosmetic damage. Fortunatly, no one in or out of the car was injured, although this could have easily not been the case. I am very concerned about this, and would like it looked into. I have been able to duplicate this event (shifting without depressing the brake) every time I have attempted it since the crash incident. …
After driving 30 miles at highway speed, I stopped to exit the highway. When I began to turn left, I heard a loud clank in the rear of the vehicle. I continued for about 5 more miles and parked the vehicle. After allowing the vehicle to rest for approx. 8 hours, I backed the vehicle out and began driving home. The drive was approx. 30 miles at 75-80 MPH. Iafter stopping to exit the highway, the transmission made a loud whinning noies as though it was slipping, the engine reved to about 3000rpm befor ethe transmission would shift. This happen ever time I excellerated from a stop or from slow coasting (3 more times in 6 miles). When I arrived home, I checked the fluid level, it was fine and there was no discoloration of the oil or any abnormal smell. …
At about 95,000 miles the service engine light comes on intermiittenly after the truck has been driven 20 to 30 miles, after coming to a stop, the auto transmission shifts from 1st to second so hard, it feels like it is going to come out of the truck. Once the truck is put in park and turned off, it is good again until it has been running for 20 to 30 miles. Upon doing some online reseach, calling a dealer and local mechanic, I have fount that it can be one of three things: 1) a sticking shift valve 2) accumulator piston or 3) a servo. No one can tell what it is without tearing the transmission apart. I have also found this is all too commom a problem for this transmission. Should be a recall, wiilll keep me from ever buying another GM product.
My 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission just failed. Have no 2nd, 4th or reverse gears, always worked perfect until now. After a web search found out this problem is happening very much. Sun gear shell breaking on 4l60e transmissions. There is a big defect and GM has done nothing to fix the problems to all the GM owners. Seems they cut back a little much on quality control this time and don't seem to care about it from what I have seen. You probably heard about it before. Please help us get this problem recalled. I have not had any repairs done yet. Keep hearing $2000 to $2500 t0 fix this $40 part. Dealers want to replace transmission with new one just of this porblem. Does it seem right to you?
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
Noticed a humming vibration under acceleration. Had transmission serviced but problem persisted. Then while traveling at highway speed (70) with cruise control engaged the vehicle suddenly lost power and rpms jumped way up. Vehicle was then towed to a local transmission shop where it was found that the transmission cases was cracked. The crack occured due to the u-joint breaking. The u-joint could have been repaired for under $100 but now to fix the truck will cost $1700. Bad design in my opinion.
Automatic transmission failure. Extremely common to my 97 Chevy Tahoe. Required complete rebuild and lots of money. I called probably a dozen transmission repair facilities and almost all said I was lucky I made it to so many miles before this happened as it is very common in this transmission. All say it comes from a structurally flawed in design piece in the trans that breaks and of course completely contaminates the trans with metal and destroys the majority of the remaining parts.
Have a 1997 Tahoe two door 4x4 with 126,000 miles... Transmission housing cracked yesterday. Upon investigation I see that Chevrolet has known about this problem for over ten years and have yet to correct the problem. I am very disappointed with Chevy. And their quality of workmanship. I hope something will be done about this for the American consumer. Should have bought a Toyota like my friends said ha ha. Seriously, quality should come before profit!!!!.
ABS system comes on at low speeds without brake pressed-vehicle then is hard to stop and pulls to the right. I have replaced all pads and calipers.machine bled system and replaced left frt speed sensor. Took to dealer and was told that the front hubs are exposed and most of the time tear apart and cleaning solves. Am upset the dealer charged a diagnostic fee for something he could have told me on the phone!
While driving at highway speed consumer heard a grinding noise. The oil and RPM needles started fluctuating back and front . Also, when this occurred consumer pulled over to investigate. When vehicle was put into reverse it failed to go backwards, hesitated, then jerked into first gear. Prior this incident,transmission was replaced for this same issue.
Transmission complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe, 14% of the model year's 410 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 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.