Fuel Pump problems of the 1997 Chevrolet 1500

Six problems related to fuel pump have been reported for the 1997 Chevrolet 1500. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Fuel Pump problem

Failure Date: 01/07/2003

Truck was running fine with no indication of trouble when parked, upon reentry truck did not even attempt to start, engine would turn spin freely. Towed to shop. Fuel pump supposedly failed according to independent repair shop and was replaced with 46,000 miles on truck. Truck drove less than 500 miles and failed to start with seemingly the same problem. Towed to cheverolet dealership for repairs. Fuel pump sending unit connection inside the tank was burned out. Service manager said this was a common failure for all cheverolet trucks with vortec engines. He returned the defective sending unit to me and I could plainly see the burned electrical connection at the top of the unit. Under the right conditions an explosion would be possible if sufficient oxygen was in the tank. Fuel pump and component parts should last longer than 46,000 miles.

2 Fuel Pump problem

Failure Date: 07/09/2002

On 7/9/02 the truck would not start. Had it towed to the shop. It was found that the wires that attatch to the fuel pump, which is inside the gas tank, were shorted out. There is visible melting and corroding of the connectors. Considering that the whole device, plus the wiring is inside the fuel tank, and since there was a short in the wiring, there could have been a serious fire or explosion. This truck was a bomb waiting to blow up. Upon searching the internet, I have found many, many complaints regarding the gm fuel pumps failing and the wiring shorting out. No one has had any luck getting gm to recall the pumps, and since we just spent almost $500 for the repair, I thought I would inform you of this serious risk of injury. Gm should be concerned with this flaw, and I was told that they are aware of the problem.

3 Fuel Pump problem

Failure Date: 07/19/2000

Reporting seal around fuel pump fail and causing a fuel leakages; dealer / mfr's notified and informed that part was not cover under a recalls and any repairs would be at consumer cost. Please provide any further details:.

4 Fuel Pump problem

Failure Date: 10/07/1999

Wire plug-in on top of fuel pump overheated and melted plug-in and coating off wire going down in fuel tank 3" or 4", and didn't blow a fuse. Could cause an explosion or fire.

5 Fuel Pump problem

Fuel pump which is inside the gas tank causing a no start situation in the vehicle. Dealer has to take gas tank out to get to fuel pump.

6 Fuel Pump problem

Fuel pump is very noisy, advised that pump will soon fail.


Other Gasoline Fuel System related problems of the 1997 Chevrolet 1500



1500 Service Bulletins
1500 Safety Recalls
1500 Defect Investigations