Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 GMC Yukon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The steering would jerk the wheel left or right while in a turn causing a momentary loss of control of the vehicle. Steering box was replaced before. Finally the evo sensor was replaced. ABS also have never worked felt good, the pedal goes to low before the brakes slow the vehicle down. This has been a complaint since the truck was new. The retailer seems not very concerned with my complaints. Especially knowing that I am an automobile technician they feel I will let the problem go. Their repairs have been unsatisfactory from the beginning. I have had to complain about problems many times before, finally the problems are fixed. With the steering problem I had to contact another dealer tech I knew and ask him the problem which he knew what was wrong immediately. Please do something before all these trucks with this steering and brake problem. …
I have experienced intermittent loss of power steeringi in my 1997 GMC Yukon when making left turns. I took the vehicle in for service on 10/24/2003 (trouble not found). I took it in again on 10/31/2003 and they replaced the power steering evo sensor ($213.60). Still have trouble. Again I took the vehicle for service on 11/19/2003 when the power steering pump was replaced ($648.50). The vehicle still ng. Took it in on 12/1/2003,can't isolate trouble. Again on 12/10/2003, this time they changed the power steering box? So far the trouble seems to be fixed. Then I saw an article showing the exact same trouble I'd been experiencing with other GMC vehicles. However, my vehicle wasn't listed as one of the models they were looking at. This should be checked out.
Steering will suddenly jerk slightly to left or right after turning off highway exit. Steering will also becomes hard or soft for brief moment. My tire inflation is good and the front end has been aligned several times with no affect to steering performance. *akproblem is currently an irrirtant but could pose a safety issue if steering jerked into incoming traffic.
At speed, 20+MPH, the steering will go out for a second or 2 as if it is on ice. I have noticed a recall on 98 GMC yukons,(#97V142000), but not on 97's. I have been told that it could be my steering box. These vehicles should not be driven in this condition. Steering will be lost if steering box fails completely, which in turn causes accidents.
Vehicle keeps pulling to either side of turn on speeds above 25mhp, was told is the steering sensor but have not replace it. Vehicle has been doing this since about 128K. Brake pedal is spongy even after needed adjustments were performed.
Steering wheel and car shake violently between 20 MPH- 55 MPH. Problem started at 100,000 miles. Has been looked at by two different mechanics and repair businesses and one tire business with no resolution.
Erratic power steening control while in turns and highway driving, not always present, but able to reproduce with patients of dealer on test drive. Since new dealer has said it was tire balancing and alignment which they attemped to correct several time. After one of these correction in aug 99, problem became more apparent . Wife is driver and I always took their word for correction until I insisted there is other problem and find it. So far they have replaced steering box, put on 4 new tires and wheels among a host of balancing/alignments etc , no corrections as of yet. Steering wheel pulls eradictly/shudders feels gone at times. Is interm at times but much more pronounced of late. Brakes; there have been many occasions where the brakes lock up when applied heavily, I learned this by asking wife and duplicated it on nurmerous occasions with erratic reaction of the brake pedal.
The steering would jerk the wheel left or right while in a turn causing a momentary loss of control of the vehicle. Steering box was replaced before finally the evo sensor was replaced. ABS brakes also have never felt good. The pedal goes to low before the brakes slow the vehicle down. This has been a complaint sence the truck was new. The retailer seems not very concerned with my complaints. Especially knowing that I am an automobile technician they feel I will let the problem go their repairs haved been unsatisfactory from the begining. I have had to complain about problems many times before finally the preblems are fixed. With the steering problem I haad to contact another dealer tech I knew and ask him the problem which he knew what was wrong imediately. Please do something before all these trucks with this steering and brake pro
Engine: a spark knock has existed since the vehicle was purchased eventually getting to the point that is was very noticeable even at 60 MPH on level ground, continually. Dealer replaced several computer components and eventually service the heads and intake by removing and cleaning carbon. 3,000 miles later the problem is beginning again. Gas mileage has suffered to 3 mpg less than when originally purchased. The drivers seat base had to be replaced due to loosness. A/C idler belt tensioner replaced. Power steering hose leaked. Poser steering control would be lost in right turns and valving had to be replaced. A/C does not cool adequately after engine was last serviced by removing heads and intake, reported to dealer and they said there was nothing they could do.
The first time the power steering unit went into a hyper-super-squirrely(only mometary) mode was at 5000 mi. Vehicle has been to the dealership several times with the same response from the dealership every time, could not duplicate problem. The evo sensor has been replaced but the problem manifested once again after a few hundred miles. Steering has gone "hyper" at speeds above 30 MPH, turning left and right, as well as on straight sections of roadway. It is a very frightening feeling to lose control of several thousand pounds of steel traveling at freeway speeds. Luckily I have always managed to regain control before going off of the road, I hope my luck continues. I suspect GMC will not remedy this situation unless numerous people are killed first.
NHTSA investigations
Erratic power steering assist while driv
The office of defect investigation (odi) has investigated allegations of power steering assist fluctuations in the subject vehicles.for details and a basis for the investigation conclusions, please see the closing report in the ea99-011 public file.odi has not identified a safety-related defect trend in the subject vehicle population.futher expenditure of agency resources on this subject does not appear to be…
Steering complaints in other Yukon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1997 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the steering of the 1997 GMC Yukon, 40% of the model year's 133 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 GMC Yukon steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 1997 GMC Yukon. 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 Yukon steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 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.