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 GMC Sierra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt:consumer owns 1997 GMC k1500 Sierra pickup truck. Found recall apr. 27, 2003 NHTSA campaign id 03V159000 for windshield wipers. Cracked circuit board. Consumer received letter in February 2003 from GM. Letter stated that some vehicles had this defect, but this was not a recall. According to the NHTSA there was a recall. Consumer called manufacturer and they said that his vehicle was part of the special plan. His vehicle was not part of the recall. Consumer asked if they could include his vehicle in the recall. GM told the consumer no, that he could file a statement or report and he done so. Consumer does not have any faith in GM getting back with him.
Tl contact owns a 1997 GMC Sierra. The windshield wipers would not operate. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03V159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer). The current and failure mileages were 90,433. Updated 12/12/2007 the consumer stated the defect originally happened 2 years ago and was repaired by the consumer by cleaning the unit and sealing the warped cover with silicon. The consumer stated vehicle to be repaired by GM dealer on November 13, 2007 updated 12/12/07
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle's driver side door pins shattered causing the door to malfunction when attempting to open it from the inside. Also, the windshield wiper motor malfunctioned as well. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the repairs should be covered under a recall. The dealer needed documentation that would support the recall work. No repairs had been made.
Power steering goes out occasionally. This has been noted many times on the nhsta web site as well as other consumer compliant web sites explaining the same problem. There needs to be a recall on this vehicle series. The windshield wipers were intermittent.
The vehicle stalled 5 times in one morning while driving to work. The weather warmed up outside and the vehicle ran and started fine. The next evening the vehicle started fine, I got 1/2 block down the road it stalled again. I waited for a few minutes and it ran fine. The next morning it started fine and I drove it for miles, had no problems with it stalling. We called GMC to see if there was a recall on windshield wiper motor, because the wipers would work when they wanted to work. Not when you needed them to work. They had told us that there was also an ignition coil problem with this truck-they called the GMC dealer that was to do the recall work. A faulty ignition coil can give the same side effects as a defective fuel pump. We drove the vehicle to the dealer, when we turned the vehicle off it would not restart. …
On the 1997 GMC Sierra extended cab pickup that I own, the windshield wipers fail to operate on numerous occasions. Currently, there is a recall for this problem on a variety of Chevrolet, GMC, and Oldsmobile trucks from 1994-1997, however my type of vehicle is not part of this recall, # 03V159. My vehicle should have been included in the recall; in fact, the 1996 version of my vehicle is included in the recall. I want the recall expanded to include the 1997 GMC Sierra extended cab pickup.
Faulty windshield washer module. Repaired par but it was not apart of the recall due to VIN number. The consumer stated that while driving 65 MPH the windshield wipers stopped working for 5 or more seconds. The consumer stated that the failure was a result of a faulty windshield washer module
When raining windshield wipers stop working, it has happened too many times to count. It started about a year ago. VIN # is not included in present recall. Your afraid to drive anywhere when rain is possible.
While driving in a rain storm, the windshield wipers did not work. They worked fine as long as it was not raining. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but problem was not resolved.
Dt: the contact stated the windshield wipers work intermittently. He believes it is a problem with the wiper motor circuit board. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Sierra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1997 GMC Sierra?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1997 GMC Sierra, 10% of the model year's 238 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 GMC Sierra window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 1997 GMC Sierra. 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 GMC Sierra window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 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.