1997 Chevrolet VAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
127,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 19 complaints (21.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 21.1% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 15.8% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 15.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 3; Fuel System, Other: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
2000: 4; 2001: 7; 2002: 3; 2005: 3; 2007: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 737955 · 2000-12-18 (December 18, 2000)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 737955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 747626 · 2001-06-30 (June 30, 2001)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 747626 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 562152 · 2001-07-20 (July 20, 2001)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 562152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 865933 · 2000-07-25 (July 25, 2000)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 865933 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106289 · 2005-01-13 (January 13, 2005)
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 ADEQ…
Owner-reported narrative. 96,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106289 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 882448 · 2001-03-08 (March 8, 2001)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 882448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 883773 · 2001-03-22 (March 22, 2001)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 883773 at NHTSA ↗