1997 GMC Sierra
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Steering
Steering leads by volume: 88 of 321 complaints (27%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 251 in 1996 to 321 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Standard Pickup Trucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,650–6,400 | 3,450–5,950 | 3,450–5,950 | 3,450–5,950 | 3,650–5,200 | |
| Combined MPG | 12–19 | 13–18 | 13–18 | 13–18 | 12–17 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 11–17 / 14–22 | 11–16 / 16–21 | 11–15 / 16–21 | 11–16 / 16–21 | 11–15 / 15–21 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 523–741 | 494–684 | 494–684 | 494–684 | 523–741 | |
| Complaints filed | 264 | 251 | 321 | 249 | 758 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 13 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 19 | 20 | 6 | 22 | 60 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 15 | 4 | 14 | 35 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 42 | 19 | 18 | 11 | 9 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 GMC Sierra have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 GMC Sierra?
Steering: 88 of 321 NHTSA complaints (27%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 GMC Sierra get?
EPA rates it 13–18 MPG combined across 18 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 GMC Sierra?
EPA estimates $3,450–$5,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (18)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 15 mpg (high) | 20 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 4.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 15 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 17 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 13 mpg | 18 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 17 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 17 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 13 mpg | 18 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 11 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 6.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 17 mpg | 15 mpg | $5,950 (high) | 679 g/mi |
| Configuration 15 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 5.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 11 mpg (low) | 17 mpg | 13 mpg (low) | $4,800 | 684 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 16 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 12 mpg | 16 mpg (low) | 14 mpg | $4,450 | 635 g/mi |
| Configuration 17 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 5.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 11 mpg (low) | 17 mpg | 13 mpg (low) | $4,800 | 684 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 18 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 6.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 17 mpg | 15 mpg | $5,950 (high) | 679 g/mi |
Show 3 more configurations
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 12 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 18 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 13 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 4.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 14 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 13 mpg | 17 mpg | 14 mpg | $4,450 | 635 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 36 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 85 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 13 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 17 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
EQUIPMENT · Campaign 07E088000 · Oct 30, 2007
Defect: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 06E043000 · May 22, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · Campaign 98V187000 · Aug 17, 1998
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE FRONT, INNER CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK CAN CONTACT THE BODY SILL EITHER INTERMITTENTLY OR CONSTANTLY. THIS MOVEMENT CAN CAUSE A DISCERNIBLE NOISE AND, OVER TIME, CAN WEAR A HOLE IN OR CRACK THE FUEL TANK AT POINT OF CONTACT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AND A DISTINCT FUEL ODOR IF THE TANK WERE FILLED ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE HOLE OR CRACK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK FOR WEAR AND, EITHER INSTALL A SPACER BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER, OR IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.
SEATS · Campaign 97V176000 · Oct 21, 1997
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. ONE OR TWO OF THE FRONT SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, A SEAT WITH THIS CONDITION WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK ALL SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND INSTALL ANY MISSING BOLTS.
SEATS · Campaign 97V037000 · Mar 24, 1997
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RECLINING SEATS AND THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE. THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH A PINCH POINT EXISTS IN THE RECLINER MECHANISM THAT CAN TRAP AND PINCH A PERSON'S HAND OR FINGER(S) WHEN THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE IS ACTIVATED.
Consequence: THIS PINCHING CAN CUT THE HAND OR POSSIBLY SEVER THE FINGER(S) WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.