1997 Chevrolet Van Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Chevrolet Van, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure512.5%
- Transmission512.5%
- Fuel system410.0%
- Heating & air conditioning410.0%
- Engine410.0%
- Exterior lighting37.5%
- Brakes37.5%
- Seat belts37.5%
- Steering37.5%
- Tires & wheels25.0%
- Powertrain (other)25.0%
- Visibility12.5%
- Electrical12.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION GASKET FAILED.(CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE)*JB
SIDE CARGO DOOR FROZE AT HINGES, AND DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK THE CONSUMER FEELS THE DOOR WAS UNSAFE. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 1500 VAN. IT SUDDENLY FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE "REVERSE INPUT HOUSING BEARING" FAILED AND HAD SHREDDED INTO METAL SHARDS THROUGHOUT THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. AS SUCH, THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED VS. REPAIRED. $3,000. FAILURE AT 64,920 SEEMS UNREASONABLE FOR A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE THAT IS DRIVEN WITH CARE. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE REPLACEMENT WILL FAIL AND AN ACCIDENT AND INJURIES MAY RESULT. I'VE HEARD THIS TRANSMISSION HAS A HIGH FAILURE RATE. DT
CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION GASKET FAILED.(CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE)*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONSUMER WANTS EITHER TO RETURN THE VEHICLE OR THE DEALER TO REIMBURSE THE REPAIR EXPENSES. *YH
DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR A RECALL ON FUEL FILLER VALVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
A/C LEAKED AT REAR AIR UNIT CORRODING THE CONNECTIONS AND DOES NOT BLOW COLD AIR DUE TO THE COMPRESSOR FAILURE. YH
CONSUMER COMPLAINS THAT DOOR MOUNTED SHOULDER BELTS PROHIBITING ENTERING/EXITING OF VEHICLE WHEN CONNECTED AND WHEN DISCONNECTED HANG LOOSELY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION GASKET FAILED.(CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE)*JB
02 SENSORS KEEP GOING OUT, CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE BLINDING TO OTHER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED ABOUT 10 TIMES.*AK
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE BLINDING TO OTHER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED ABOUT 10 TIMES.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ABS FAILS TO STOP THE VEHICLE DURING SHORT PANIC STOPS AT LOW SPEEDS IN WARM WEATHER BECAUSE ONE OF THE WHEELS PARTIALLY LOCKS UP, CONSUMER STATES HE DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE CAP, THE CAP SEAL WAS NOT SEALING PROPERLY AND A NEW SEAL WAS INSTALLED.*YH
BRAKES PADS ARE TOO SMALL FOR VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO WEAR OUT EVERY 15,000 MILES, AND DRUMS NEEDS TO REPLACED EVERY OTHER TIME. DEALER CLAIMED THIS IS WAS NORMAL.*AK TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED FOUR TIMES. THE THREE KNOBS FOR THE HEATER BROKE. POWER STEERING MAKES NOISE AND LEAK DUE TO FAULTY POWER STEERING PUMP. FRONT BRAKE MAKES NOISE. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER COMPLAINS THAT DOOR MOUNTED SHOULDER BELTS PROHIBITING ENTERING/EXITING OF VEHICLE WHEN CONNECTED AND WHEN DISCONNECTED HANG LOOSELY.
CONSUMER COMPLAINS THAT DOOR MOUNTED SHOULDER BELTS PROHIBIT ENTERING/EXITING OF VEHICLE WHEN CONNECTED, WHEN NOT CONNECTED, THEY HANG LOOSELY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 1997 CHEVY VENTURE. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE RACK AND PINION. THERE IS A RECALL ON THEM BUT CHEVY SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL. I FIRST TALKED TO SOMEONE ON THE PHONE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT YES THERE WAS A RECALL. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER. I TOOK IT AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL. SO I CALLED THE CHEVY 800 NUMBER AGAIN AND NOW THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL. BUT I STILL SEE THE RECALL HERE. SO WHAT CAN I DO. *TR
STEERING LOCKED ON TAKING A LEFT TURN WITHIN A PARKING LOT. REMEMBERED THAT CHEVROLET HAD SERVICED A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE IN FEB 2003. HOWEVER, THEY ONLY REPLACED THE LOWER PINION BEARING, BUT DID NOT REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR. TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. THEIR INSPECTION POINTED TO A WORN STEERING GEAR AS THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING LOCK. THIS HAPPENED WITHIN 17,000 MILES OF THEIR SERVICING THE RECALL. READ ABOUT NUMEROUS FAILURES UNDER INVESTIGATION (PE01038) ALL POINTING TO THE SAME FAILURE. GM DID NOT SERVICE THE RECALL ADEQUATELY - THEY HAVE A FAULTY RACK AND PINION WHICH IS A GLARING SAFETY ISSUE. THEY SHOULD BE REPLACING THE COMPLETE RACK AND PINION AS PART OF THE RECALL. HAD TO PAY FOR NEW RACK AND PINION AND LABOR CHARGES, OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN ONLY FOUR MONTHS, ALL 4 OF MY GOODYEAR REGATTA TIRES WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES ON THEM BLEW OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. (4 DIFFERENT INCIDENTS). THE COMPANY HAD AUDACITY TO TELL ME THAT THESE WERE ALL THE RESULTS OF "ROAD HAZARDS" AND THAT THE SAME COULD HAPPEN TO ANY TIRE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 40 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A BLOW OUT UNTIL ALL FOUR OF THESE TIRES BLEW OUT OVER A PERIOD OF 4 MONTHS. HAS TO BE THE TIRES, NOT THE ROADS. *TR
HUGE LOUD SHIMMY/VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEED, REPLACED DUE TO LARGE SIDEWALL BULGE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: BM05326-1 TIRESIZE: LT24575R16)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIRD FAILURE OF THIS ITEM, DEALER AND CHEVROLET WILL NOT KNOWLEDGE PROBLEM. NO DEFECT STATED IN SUMMARY. *AK
WHILE DRIVING SPEEDOMETER READS IMPROPERLY,PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, ALSO BRAKE ROTORS ARE FAULTY, POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING FLAW. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKES PADS ARE TOO SMALL FOR VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO WEAR OUT EVERY 15,000 MILES, AND DRUMS NEEDS TO REPLACED EVERY OTHER TIME. DEALER CLAIMED THIS IS WAS NORMAL.*AK TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED FOUR TIMES. THE THREE KNOBS FOR THE HEATER BROKE. POWER STEERING MAKES NOISE AND LEAK DUE TO FAULTY POWER STEERING PUMP. FRONT BRAKE MAKES NOISE. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING BECAUSE THE NEGATIVE CABLE FROM THE BATTERY TO THE ENGINE BLOCK WORE A HOLE IN THE METAL BRAKE LINE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .