1997 Chevrolet EXPRESS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
82,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 26 complaints (23.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 23.1% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 15.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 11.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.8% |
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 | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1 |
| Equipment:Electrical | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Tires:Tread/Belt: 3; Wheels: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 1; Equipment:Electrical: 1; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights: 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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 19 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 | 5 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2000: 5; 2001: 9; 2004: 5; 2005: 3; 2006: 3; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10054196 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF WITH THE LUG NUTS STILL ATTACHED TO THE HUB. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE RIGHT AND RAN INTO A WALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054196 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054197 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF WITH THE LUG NUTS STILL ATTACHED TO THE HUB. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE RIGHT AND RAN INTO A WALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067766 · 2004-04-25 (April 25, 2004)
FUEL GUAGE FAILURE ON MY 1997 EXPRESS VAN. GUAGE SHOWED FUEL TANK EMPTY. ESTIMATED REPAIRS= $600.00. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO FRIENDS WITH SAME YEAR CHEVROLETS. INTERNET FULL OF COMPLAINTS FOR 1997 AND 2000 YEARS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND A VERY COSTLY REPAIR THAT MANY CANNOT AFFORD. PLEASE, PLEASE HELP. I AM SUBMITTING THE SAME FUEL GUAGE FAILURE COMPLAINT FOR A 2000 CHEVROLET BLAZER REGARDING AN INCIDENT THAT PUT MY TEENAGER IN SERIOUS JEOPARDY!*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067766 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070875 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS 1996-2002 G-SERIES VANS (CHEVY EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA). THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE/VEHICLE CONTROL MODULE (PCM/VCM) CORRODES OVER TIME AND THE CASE ENCLOSING THE COMPUTER SPLITS OPEN ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM IN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 02-06-04-020, ATTRIBUTING IT TO LOCATION OF THE PCM/VCM AND DESIGN OF THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFLECTOR. THIS DEFLECTOR ACTS MUCH LIKE A "RAIN GUTTER" TO ROUTE WATER AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER. IT WAS POORLY DESIG…
Owner-reported narrative. 83,599 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070875 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095028 · 2004-10-04 (October 4, 2004)
WHILE SHIFTING TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED ON ITS OWN. A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10095028 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121014 · 2005-05-16 (May 16, 2005)
DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT WAS MOUNTED ON MIDDLE CAPTIAN CHAIR, STARCRAFT CONVERSION VAN. CABLE BROKE FROM NORMAL USAGE?
Owner-reported narrative. 185,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121014 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136757 · 2005-09-16 (September 16, 2005)
TAIL LIGHT SOCKET FAILURE, NEW SOCKETS ARE GOING TO BE INSTALLED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10137203 · 2005-09-21 (September 21, 2005)
DT: WHILE DRIVING SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH PANEL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH SHOWED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE DEALER NOTED THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. DUE TO THE COLOR OF THE FLUID IT WAS DETERMINED A NEW TRANSMISSION WOULD BE NEEDED. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONSUMER TO OTHER INDEPENDENT SHOPS, AND THEY TOO CONFIRMED WHAT THE DEALER SAID. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND PARKED IT. NO CORRECTIONS OR REPAIRS WER…
Owner-reported narrative. 78,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10137203 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V110000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2000-04-17 (April 17, 2000)
PASSENGER VANS. THESE VANS EXPERIENCE FUEL ODORS OR LEAKAGE.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED EVAPORATIVE EMISSION PIPE ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗