Chevrolet VAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
138 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
73,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1983 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 138 complaints (13.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 36 | 26.1% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 8.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 7.2% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 4.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 19 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 9 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Tires | 6 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 5 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 5 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 19; Tires:Tread/Belt: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 9; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Tires: 6; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 5; Structure:Body:Door: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 7
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 109 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 34 |
| 2001 | 33 |
| 2002 | 13 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 20 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1996: 1; 2000: 34; 2001: 33; 2002: 13; 2003: 10; 2004: 8; 2005: 20; 2006: 4; 2007: 7; 2008: 5; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 36 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 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 10226860 · 2008-05-06 (May 6, 2008)
I HAVE A 1992 CHEVROLET SUV VAN. AS I WAS DRIVING WEST ON I-10 APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION OF I-49, DRIVING AT THE POSTED SPEED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE THE STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. LUCKILY, I DID NOTHING TO BRAKE; I LET IT SLOW DOWN ON ITS ON. UPON EXAMINATION, I DISCOVERED THE STEELING WHEEL WAS MOUNTED USING A THINK PLASTIC WASHER. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE DESIGN, THE CPSC SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS DESIGN DEFECT. I HAVE PHOTOS TO ILLUSTRATE THEIR DEFECT IF YOU NEED THEM. I WILL HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER STEERING WHEEL. YOUR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10226860 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095232 · 2004-10-06 (October 6, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING BRAKES HAD NO PRESSURE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD SHE NEEDED A MASTER CYLINDER. AS SOON AS THE CONSUMER GOT THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE REPAIR SHOP THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS CHANGED TWICE. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10095232 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 717038 · 2000-01-07 (January 7, 2000)
FAILURE OF CLOCK SPRING LOCATED IN STEERING COLUMN, CAUSED A TOTAL FAILURE IN THE HORN,/AIR BAGS, AND CRUISE CONTROL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 860073 · 2000-04-11 (April 11, 2000)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: INTER LOCK SYSTEM FAILED. BRAKES WERE SUPPOSE TO BE APPLIED BEFORE PLACING VEHICLE INTO GEAR. BUT WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860073 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 720532 · 2000-03-23 (March 23, 2000)
THE BEARING INSIDE THE REACTION CARRIER WAS DAMAGED CAUSING DAMAGE TO CARRIER, REACTION GEAR, SUN GEAR, THRUST WASHERS. ALL TRANSMISSION PARTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE SAVED THE DAMAGED PARTS. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE I HAD OVER 36,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE, IS WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND I WOULD RECEIVE NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR WORK. I FEEL THAT A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 65,000 MILES. I NEVER EVEN TOWED ANYTHING WITH THIS VAN. REGARDING THE REAR AIR CONDITIONING IN MY VAN, IT WAS THE ALU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720532 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 550884 · 2000-02-10 (February 10, 2000)
VEHICLE STALLS IN WARM WEATHER BUT RESTARTS AFTER A FEW MINUTES. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 550884 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162289 · 2006-07-13 (July 13, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HARNESS THAT CONNECTS THE POWER TO THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP FAILED CAUSING ARCING THAT BURNS THE CONNECTOR. THIS MELTED THE PLASTIC ON THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TWO FUEL PUMPS WERE INSTALLED. AFTER THE SECOND FUEL PUMP WAS INSTALLED, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE CONNECTOR WAS BAD.
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162289 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 875228 · 2000-11-20 (November 20, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 25-30 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE, CAR ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH. HIT 2 VEHICLES AND A TREE BEFORE COMING TO STOP. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER TOOK KEY OUT OF IGNITION, DID NOT STOP MOTOR FROM RUNNING, FIRE DEPARTMENT SHUT ENGINE OFF BY BLOCKING TAIL PIPE, THEN DISCONNECTED BATTERY. TOOK TO DEALER, TOTAL LOSS, CONTACTED CHEVROLET, WAS GIVEN REQUEST NUMBER, BUT HAS NOT HEARD BACK. *AK ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 875228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017070 · 2003-05-05 (May 5, 2003)
1997 CHEVROLET SW THIS IS ACTUALLY A CONVERSION VAN NOT A STATION WAGON. THE CONVERSION PACKAGE HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE CONVERSION PACKAGE CAME WITH A BRIGHT ORANGE CONSUMER ALERT STICKER. IT ADVISED CONSUMERS TO CONSULT DEALERSHIP FOR DETAILS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017070 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162297 · 2006-07-13 (July 13, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS GASOLINE SPILLING OUT OF THE FILLER NECK OF THE REAR FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE PUMP IN THE REAR TANK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 93V125000, PERTAINING TO THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162297 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1991: 0; 1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0