1997 Chevrolet Suburban: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 556 complaints
556
Total Complaints
90,000mi
Median Mileage
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Top Issue
27
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

60,000 25th Percentile
90,000 Median Mileage
130,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
64
STEERING
46
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
44
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
36
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
27
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
20
TIRES
14
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
14
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
14
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
13

Severity Assessment

27
Crashes
15
Fires
20
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED , STEERING FAILED, VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY STABLE ON THE THE HWY, CONTINUES TO PULL TO LEFT OR RIGHT, IN FOR REPAIR, NO PROBLEM FOUND, VARIABLE STEERING SYSTEM. *AK"
"'VARIABLE EFFORT STEERING' DOES NOT TIGHTEN UP THE FASTER YOU DRIVE, ALSO STEERING IS TOO SENSITIVE."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28