1997 GMC Sierra Steering Problems

NHTSA component category: STEERING · data through 07/14/2026

30Steering complaints

12.6%Of all 238 complaints

#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How steering ranks on this vehicle

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP39 · 16.4%

STEERING30 · 12.6%

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM19 · 8%

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION18 · 7.6%

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER12 · 5%

Share of the 238 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1997 GMC Sierra overview page.

What owners report

“STEERING BECOMES HARD TO TURN, AND THEN SUDDENLY WILL BECOME LIGHT WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.”NHTSA complaint 877182 — filed 12/29/2000

“WHEN STEERING VEHICLE EITHER TO LEFT OR TO RIGHT STEERING WHEEL MOVES ONE INCH. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE. THE STEERING PROBLEM CAUSED BY A STEERING…”NHTSA complaint 874555 — filed 11/07/2000

“WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN STEERING SENSOR WENT OUT. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE STEERING CONTROL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING SENSOR. PROBLEM WAS…”NHTSA complaint 873081 — filed 10/16/2000

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Steering complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 GMC Sierra have steering problems?

Steering is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 1997 GMC Sierra: 30 of 238 complaints on file (12.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 1997 GMC Sierra have in total?

238 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 6 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 4 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's steering category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the STEERING category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.