1997 Chevrolet Van
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1997 Chevrolet Van. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
27 complaints2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Steering › Rack and pinion
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…
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
- Tires
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…
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
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
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
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
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
- Steering › Rack and pinion
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…
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
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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.…
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Exterior lighting › Headlights · Power train › Manual transmission
Consumer stated vehicle experienced a coolant leak.(consumer no longer ownes vehicle)*jb
- Fuel system, other
The fuel gauge malfunctioned several times. The consumer wants either to return the vehicle or the dealer to reimburse the repair expenses. *yh
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
02 sensors keep going out, causing check engine light to come on. *Ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Sirs, I have two express vans (1999 and 1997) both having transmission failures before 50000 miles. hmmmmm I see a pattern here. does anyone else. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Dealership does not have parts available to repair a recall on fuel filler valve. please provide any additional information.*ak
- Fuel system, gasoline · Fuel system, other
While traveling noticed gas gauge reading 1/2 of tank, soon after gas indicator would read a full tank of gas. *ak dealer replaced fuel tank sender unit with pump. *slc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving vehicle completely shutdown without warning, causing loss of steering, and brake control. *Ak check the engine light came on and stayed on before the vehicle stall. the problem was fixed but started stelling again. *yh
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
Side cargo door froze at hinges, and door will not open. dealer has been contacted.*ak the consumer feels the door was unsafe. *yh
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Experienced 2 hard 1st-2nd gear shifts and set trouble code p1870 indicating internal slippage. dealer recommended replacement, or overhaul. other research indicates common problem for gm with the 4l60e transmission quite possibly stemming from switching from a cast iron valve body in earlier models to an aluminum valve body in later models of that transmission. *ak
- Tires › Sidewall
Huge loud shimmy/vibration at highway speed, replaced due to large sidewall bulge. *Ak (dot number: bm05326-1 tiresize: lt24575r16)
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
A/c leaked at rear air unit corroding the connections and does not blow cold air due to the compressor failure. yh
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum · Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element
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
- Fuel system, other
When gas IS used, especially with a full tank, the gas gauge will go down to empty after driving some distance, then when it gets down to about a quarter tank the guage will go back up and register full even though we have not bought any fuel. then vehicle will run out when guage registers full! *Ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables
Brakes failed without warning because the negative cable from the battery to the engine block wore a hole in the metal brake line.
- Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Third failure of this item, dealer and chevrolet will not knowledge problem. No defect stated in summary. *ak
- Power train · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
While driving speedometer reads improperly,problem IS intermittent, also brake rotors are faulty, possible manufacturing flaw. Please provide further details. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving at 70 mph, the vehicle's engine shut down, causing the vehicle to stall. *ak
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Seat belts › Front › Webbing · Structure › Body › Door
Side doors have no gust locks, allowing doors to close on passenger's legs/ankles.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10248444Vehicle Recalls
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10232287This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10082506This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating as intended in colder ambient temperature areas due to calibration concerns.
- 602342Special policy for safety belt guide cover.
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