1997 GMC Yukon problems
Owners have filed 180 complaints about the 1997 GMC Yukon with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 31.7% of them — the clear leader, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 17.8%.
Complaints180
Crashes13
Fires5
Injuries6
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Steering 31.7% · 57
Service brakes, hydraulic 17.8% · 32
Power train 10.0% · 18
Electrical system 7.2% · 13
Suspension 6.7% · 12
Visibility 5.0% · 9
Fuel system, gasoline 5.0% · 9
Engine and engine cooling 3.9% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 13 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire and 6 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 22 model years of the GMC Yukon in this data, 1997 sits 16th by complaint volume. 2015 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 9 in the last three years against 17 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 100,000 miles.
In owners' own words
When driving at a speed of 30 mph and over , the steering releases for a few seconds and the vehicles wander all over the place . Also the steering feel loose at all times. Also when stepping on the brakes sometimes the truck doesn't stop , I also don't think the abs is working properly. I tried it in slippery conditions and I never felt the pedal shake . I had a 1995 Yukon before and it worked fine. 8Ak Steering
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. Steering · reported at 60,000 miles
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. Steering · reported at 87,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other GMC Yukon years
1995 117 complaints · 23.9% service brakes, hydraulic 1999 262 complaints · 40.8% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 199 complaints · 20.6% service brakes, hydraulic 2001 258 complaints · 22.1% service brakes, hydraulic 2002 187 complaints · 21.4% service brakes, hydraulic 2003 251 complaints · 21.5% electrical system