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 Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The power window on the driver's side of the vehicle will stop working all of a sudden. It is not all of the time, but sometimes, when I have the window down, and I push the power switch to close or open the window it will not work. This could lead to a very serious problem, if for some reason I am unable to open the door and then the window will not go down. We live in michigan and you recently recalled vehicles because of a problem with the master power window switch causing fires in the driver's side door, which ended up melting and/or burning the door. There must be corrosion of the wiring in my vehicle that is causing the problem with my window. …
Tried searching on this website about the recall number but have no clue to what a odi number May be for my truck. I have a 97 Tahoe ls 2wd and basically my wipers stopped working ever since it hit 88,000 miles. Sometimes they work, but now they don't at all. I contacted Chevy / GM and they told me my truck's VIN did not match the recall order. B/s because my brother in law has the same exact year yukon and his wipers also stopped working all of a sudden. Basically what im asking for is for GM to replace my wipers / motor assembly whatever is defective as I am not the only one with this problem as I can tell from cosumeraffairs.com please help as I do live in a rainy state and the hurricane season is approaching. I am a family man that travels periodically.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe. The windshield wipers would operate sporadically for approximately 400 miles and then became completely inoperable. The dealer stated a 50% probability that the failure was caused by the windshield wiper motor controller circuit board. The dealer never made the repairs. The contact felt that this vehicle should be included in recall # 03V159000. The current and failure mileage were 38,000.ak the consumer stated that the car was repaired on 03/02/07 and also states dealer has possession of the old part. Updated 05/22/07
We have a 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe that is esperiencing windshield wiper failure as described in the recall 03V159000. We contacted russ darrow Chevrolet in madison wi, and was told that because of the milage on the vehicle which is 125,000 that it is not covered under the recall. I didn't realize that recalls by manufactorers were limited by mileage. Especially when we are experiencing a visiability problem in rain and snow. They offered to fix it for between $50.00 and $500.00. Could you please let me know what is right in this recall.
Dt: the contact complained about windshield wiper/washer motor problem. The windshield wipers worked intermittently or not at all. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the problem. The contact received a letter from the manufacturer approximately 2 years ago, and it stated there was a problem with the windshield wiper/washer motor for this type of vehicle. At the time of the letter if she was having problems with vehicle she needed to bring it to dealer for service.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe. While driving at speeds of 65 MPH in rainy weather, the windshield wipers would not function when turned on. The vehicle was not taken to an authorized dealer but the contact called the manufacturer and was informed that there were no recalls on his vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.
Windshield wipers work intermittently. Consumer has to get out and pull the windshield wipers to get them working. Recall 03V159000 was issued. However, this vehicle is not included due to VIN. Also, mirror adjustment button on the driver side overheated. The cover came off after it melted. Recall 03V093000 was issued concerning rear mirror failure.
Consumer received a recall letter on windshield wiper problem. The recall stated, if consumer was not experiencing a problem he did not have to take the vehicle to the dealer. Consumer was currently having the same problem as mentioned in the recall. However, dealer and the manufacturer refused to honor recall because the deadline date was February 2004.
Windshield wipers work intermittently if at all, I understand there was a recall for this in the 1997 Chevrolet tahoes and other vehicles, I understand that it only covered certain manufacturing plants, I am flabbergasted that if this is a problem in all the vehicles why they will not fix this problem for consumers. It is a very big safety concern.
I own a 1997 Chevy Tahoe 4wd, and I'm having trouble with the windshield wipers. They seem to not work when they are most needed, heavy rain or snow. I believe this is a safety issue. I have contact my local dealer about any recalls, I was told that many of the GM products have this problem but my Tahoe is not covered under the recall.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe, 12% of the model year's 410 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer › motor (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 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.