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1997 Chevrolet Van

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
27Owner complaints

Model-year median: 15

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
11
199420
199528
199627
199716
199815
199922
2000
Compare all Van years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
7Engine And Engine Cooling
4Equipment
4Structure
4Exterior Lighting
3
All reported categories
Fuel System, Other
3Seat Belts
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Steering
3Fuel System, Gasoline
2Tires
2Electrical System
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 2 of 27 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Equipment. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Power Train complaints

7 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2002
Power Train

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #769965

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train

CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION GASKET FAILED.(CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE)*JB

NHTSA ODI #564471

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2001
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #747626

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2000
Power Train

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #737955

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2000
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

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 M…

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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

NHTSA ODI #865933

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 1999
Power Train

THIRD FAILURE OF THIS ITEM, DEALER AND CHEVROLET WILL NOT KNOWLEDGE PROBLEM. NO DEFECT STATED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #703467

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 1998
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING SPEEDOMETER READS IMPROPERLY,PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, ALSO BRAKE ROTORS ARE FAULTY, POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING FLAW. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #824392

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.