Illustration1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE, CAUGHT FIRE AND BECAME FULLY ENGULFED CAUSING TOTAL DAMAGE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE VEHICLE HAD ENGINE TROUBLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0318-89)*JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF
1997 Chevrolet Venture
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Venture do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 220.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Venture years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 91 of 432 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports10 fire reports11 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
85 reportsI HAVE OWNED 3 CHEVY VENTURE MINIVANS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. ALL OF THEM HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS, THE SIGNAL AND HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT, THE WINDOW SWITCH GOES OUT AND FINALLY THE HEAD GASKET GOES. THEY RUN GREAT UNTIL THE DAY IT STARTS OVERHEATING, THEN YOUR OUT A VEHICLE. EVERYONE I KNOW WHO HAS A VENTURE HAS HAD AT LEAST ONE OF TH…
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I HAVE OWNED 3 CHEVY VENTURE MINIVANS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. ALL OF THEM HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS, THE SIGNAL AND HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT, THE WINDOW SWITCH GOES OUT AND FINALLY THE HEAD GASKET GOES. THEY RUN GREAT UNTIL THE DAY IT STARTS OVERHEATING, THEN YOUR OUT A VEHICLE. EVERYONE I KNOW WHO HAS A VENTURE HAS HAD AT LEAST ONE OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE IN HER VEHICLE HAS CORRODED THE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, AND INTAKE VALVE. THIS IS THE COOLANT THAT WAS LISTED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND IS ALWAYS USED IN HER VEHICLE. A RECALL WAS SENT TO CHEVROLET CONSUMERS, BUT IT WAS NOT ISSUED B…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE IN HER VEHICLE HAS CORRODED THE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, AND INTAKE VALVE. THIS IS THE COOLANT THAT WAS LISTED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND IS ALWAYS USED IN HER VEHICLE. A RECALL WAS SENT TO CHEVROLET CONSUMERS, BUT IT WAS NOT ISSUED BY NHTSA. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
NEEDS REPLACED FRONTEND HUBS ,TIEROD,PINION REPAIRS/RECALL THIS VAN NEEDS A NEW OWNER!!! NOTHING BUT COSTLY REPAIRS CHEVY NEEDS TO RECALL ALL THEM VENTURES. *TR
GENERAL MOTORS DEX-COOL RUINED OUR COOLING SYSTEM IN OUR 97 CHEVY VENTURE. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM AND NOW CRANKSHAFT HAS GONE BAD. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 IN REPAIRS. VAN STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AT 80,000MILES. VAN ONLY HAS 110,000 MILES. WE ARE OVERWHELMED AND EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED. WE WOULD HAVE REPLACE THE …
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GENERAL MOTORS DEX-COOL RUINED OUR COOLING SYSTEM IN OUR 97 CHEVY VENTURE. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM AND NOW CRANKSHAFT HAS GONE BAD. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 IN REPAIRS. VAN STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AT 80,000MILES. VAN ONLY HAS 110,000 MILES. WE ARE OVERWHELMED AND EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED. WE WOULD HAVE REPLACE THE COOLANT IF WE WOULD HAVE KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THE DEX-COOL CAUSED. WE FEEL WE HAVE BEEN DENIED VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO MAINTAINING OUR VEHICLE. CONSUMERS NEED TO BE MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH DEX-COOL COOLANT!!!!!!! *TR
HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACED LAST YEAR. RECENTLY THE VAN STALLED AND WAS TOLD THAT ANTI-FREEZE HAD BEEN LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDERS, AND I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE NEW ENGINE NOT ONLY COULD BUT WOULD HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM AT SOME POINT. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THESE VEHICLES.*AK
THIS HAPPENED TWICE THE FIRST TIME THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE OIL DUE TO A INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE. I REPLACED THIS AT A COST OF 25.00, LUCKILY IT WAS COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN JULY OF 2003 I HAD JUST GOTTEN ONTO TO THE HIGHWAY WITH MY TWO 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS SUDDENLY…
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THIS HAPPENED TWICE THE FIRST TIME THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE OIL DUE TO A INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE. I REPLACED THIS AT A COST OF 25.00, LUCKILY IT WAS COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN JULY OF 2003 I HAD JUST GOTTEN ONTO TO THE HIGHWAY WITH MY TWO 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS SUDDENLY THE CAR JUST SLOWED DOWN AS IF TO STALL WHITE SMOKE EVERYWHERE.. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE MANIFOLD GASKET AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THE ENGINE WENT AND I HAD TO GET THE ENGINE REPAIRED AT A PRICE OF $4400.00. MY MECHANIC THOUGH AT LEAST GUARANTEES ME ON THIS ENGINE OF 3 YEARS OR 75000 MILES. MORE OF A WARRANTY THAN GM GAVE ME. I WILL NEVER BUY AMERICAN GM PRODUCTS AGAIN. THE SECOND TIME IT OCCURRED, I WAS ONLY 1,000 MILES OVER ON MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT NOT YET UP ON THE YEARS AND GM AND THE COMPANY OFFERING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME OUT. GM REFUSED TO HELP OUT AT ALL. *JB
INTAKE GASKET LEAKING COOLANT IN MY VAN NOT TO MENTION THE MANY PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THE LIGHTS ON THIS VAN, SO NOW I AM HAVING TO SINK ANOTHER $500 INTO THIS VAN TO GET THE PART FIRST MENTIONED JUST SO MY MOTOR WON'T BLOW UP.*AK
VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE ENGINE. WHEN TAKING THE OIL CAP OFF THERE IS A MILKY MIX. MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE.*AK
MY VEHICLE A 1997 CHEVY VENTURE, SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TEMP LIGHT CAME ON AND I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED TO BE THE DEALERSHIPS EXIT AND I PULLED RIGHT IN TO THE SERVICE BAY. THEY TELL ME I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. WHEN THEY TOOK THE ENGINE APART THE SERVICE MANAGER ALLOWED ME …
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MY VEHICLE A 1997 CHEVY VENTURE, SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TEMP LIGHT CAME ON AND I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED TO BE THE DEALERSHIPS EXIT AND I PULLED RIGHT IN TO THE SERVICE BAY. THEY TELL ME I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. WHEN THEY TOOK THE ENGINE APART THE SERVICE MANAGER ALLOWED ME TO SEE THE ENGINE. THE COOLANT CHANNELS ARE COATED WITH A BROWN GUMMY SUBSTANCE AND THE CYLINDERS WERE FULL OF COOLANT. THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS GIVEN A SAMPLE OF THE SUBSTANCE AND SAID HE WILL GIVE IT TO THE GM REP WHEN HE COMES IN LATER THIS WEEK. COST WILL TOP $2500. PREVIOUSLY I REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND THE WATER PUMP. THIS SEEMS LIKE FAULTY GASKETS OR COOLANT I DON'T KNOW WHICH. I'M JUST GLAD IT DIDN'T STRAND ME OUT SOMEWHERE AWAY FROM TOWN. *NM
Official recalls
604V597000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Dec 22, 2004
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS AND A POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, A PASSENGER USING THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR COULD BE INJURED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER SLIDING DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER OR MANUAL SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER-SIDE, THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FOR APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
02V286000 · Steering:rack And Pinion
Nov 4, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
01V264000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Aug 21, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997-2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA/TRANSPORT, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WERE SERVICED IN CAMPAIGN 01013 (01V-067) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2001. ALSO 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS ASSEMBLED IN JANUARY THROUGH APRIL 2001. THESE VEHICLES HAVE INADEQUATE FRONT WELDS. IF A FRONT WELD FAILS, THE ACTUATOR CAN JAM IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION AND, WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR CLOSES, IT WILL NOT BE LATCHED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, INSTALL A NEW POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
01V067000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Mar 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOOR CLOSES BUT MAY NOT BE LATCHED. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UN-LATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CONTINUED UNDER SAFETY RECALL 01V-264. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
98V145000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
Jun 26, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH BUCKET SEATS OR A SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND (MIDDLE) OR THIRD (BACK) ROW. THE SEAT LATCH MECHANISMS ON BUCKET SEATS AND ON THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROWS DO NOT HAVE PROTECTIVE COVERS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN ACTIVATING THE RELEASE MECHANISM TO ROLL A BUCKET SEAT FORWARD, A CUSTOMER'S FINGER(S) COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED OR SEVERED IN THEY ARE NOT KEPT CLEAR OF THE MECHANISM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS ON THE OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON ALL LEFT AND RIGHT HAND REAR BUCKET SEATS IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW, AND TO BOTH INBOARD AND OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON THE CENTER REAR BUCKET SEAT AND THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT.
98V072000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
Apr 7, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM CAN CONTACT A BRAKE LINE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MODULATOR VALVE. THIS CONTACT CAN CHAFE THE BRAKE LINE RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRAKE LINE CLIP TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE. ALSO THE BRAKE LINES WILL BE INSPECTED TO ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS CONDITION AND WILL REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.
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
8DP04002 · Rack And Pinion Steering Unit Failure
Opened Feb 3, 2004 · Closed Mar 17, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:rack And Pinion:rack
MR. DENNIS FIKE OF ELKRIDGE, MD, SUBMITTED A PETITION TO NHTSA BY LETTER DATED JANUARY 13, 2004, ALLEGING THAT A GM DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VAN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN SAFETY RECALL 02V286 AND CHARGED HIM FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING RACK AND PINION UNIT.MR. FIKE BELIEVES THAT HIS VAN SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED AND THAT THE REPAIR SHOULD HAVE BEEN PERFORMED WITHOUT CHARGE TO HIM.THE RECALL IN QUESTION ADDRESSED STEERING RACK AND PINION UNIT LOWER PINION BEARING FAILURES ON CERTAIN MY 1996 THROUGH 1998 GM VEHICLES.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR PINION BEARING.IF THE INSPECTION INDICATED THAT THE BEARING FAILURE DAMAGED THE STEERING GEAR, THEN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS BE REPLACED.GM INFORMED ODI THAT MR. FIKE?S VEHICLE WAS COVERED AND THAT THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED ON FEBRUARY 25, 2003.THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION UNIT WAS REPLACED.BECAUSE MR. FIKE HAD A SUBSEQUENT FAILURE WITH THIS UNIT, ON JANUARY 20, 2004, ODISUGGESTED THAT HE CONTACT THE DEALER FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE CHARGE FOR REPLACING THE FAILED RACK AND PINION UNIT IN HIS VEHICLE BECAUSE GM WARRANTS ITS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES, WHICH EVER COMES FIRST.MR. FIKE INFORMED ODI ON MARCH 3, 2004, THAT HE HAD RECEIVED AN REIMBURSEMENT CHECK FROM GM.
EA03005 · Rear Axle Trailing Arm Failure
Opened Apr 23, 2003 · Closed Jan 12, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS SUCH AS IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING.ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 19 INCIDENTS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW REPORTS TO ODI OR GM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS. DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND THE ABSENCE OF A CONTINUING TREND IN REPORTED FAILURES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS SUCH AS IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING.ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 19 INCIDENTS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW REPORTS TO ODI OR GM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS. DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND THE ABSENCE OF A CONTINUING TREND IN REPORTED FAILURES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:rear
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS SUCH AS IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING.ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 19 INCIDENTS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW REPORTS TO ODI OR GM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS. DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND THE ABSENCE OF A CONTINUING TREND IN REPORTED FAILURES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
EA02032 · Safety Belt Assembly Failure
Opened Nov 18, 2002 · Closed Nov 21, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
ODI IDENTIFIED 59 REPORTS WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ODI WAS ABLE TO CONTACT 44 OF THE 59 CONSUMERS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE LATCH PROBLEMS.OF THE 44 OWNERS CONTACTED, ODI DETERMINED THAT FOUR FAILURES WERE DUE TO AN OUT-OF-TOLERANCE LATCH PLATE, AND THAT 23 FAILURES WERE DUE TO A DISPLACED BUCKLE HOUSING COVER.THE REMAINING 17 FAILURES HAD INDETERMINABLE CAUSES.OF THE 59 REPORTS, THERE WERE THREE ALLEGED MINOR INJURIES.NO LEGAL CLAIMS OR LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH REGARD TO THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.BASED ON THE LIMITED NUMBER OF REPORTS, AND A DECLINING REPORT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEARED TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ADDITIONAL SUMMARY REPORT.
EA02003 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Apr 4, 2002 · Closed Dec 10, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL.GM WILL RECALL 1997-98 GRAND PRIX BUILT BETWEEN 1-MAR-96 AND 31-OCT-97; AND 1996-98 U-VANS/J-CARS BUILT BETWEEN 1-JAN-96 AND 31-OCT-97.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL.GM WILL RECALL 1997-98 GRAND PRIX BUILT BETWEEN 1-MAR-96 AND 31-OCT-97; AND 1996-98 U-VANS/J-CARS BUILT BETWEEN 1-JAN-96 AND 31-OCT-97.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.
Steering:rack And Pinion
THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL.GM WILL RECALL 1997-98 GRAND PRIX BUILT BETWEEN 1-MAR-96 AND 31-OCT-97; AND 1996-98 U-VANS/J-CARS BUILT BETWEEN 1-JAN-96 AND 31-OCT-97.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.
PE02017 · Shoulder Harness Clip
Opened Feb 11, 2002 · Closed Aug 2, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
No summary supplied.
PE01038 · Steering Rack And Pinion
Opened Nov 14, 2001 · Closed Apr 4, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
ODI HAS RECEIVED 200 COMPLAINTS FROMT CONSUMERS AND 1,238 FROM GM ALLEGING FAILURE OR LOCKUP OF THE STEERING RACK AND PINION UNIT (R&P).THIS ALLEGED CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH CAN RESULT.GM HAS REPORTED SIX CRASHES IN WHICH EIGHT PEOPLE HAVE SUSTAINED INJURIES RANGING FROM BRUISES, AIRBAG BURN, SEAT BELT ABRASION, FACIAL INJURY, NECK AND BACK PAIN.ALL CRASHES WERE SINGLE VEHICLE CRASHES.GM STATES THAT ONE POSSIBLE FAILURE MODE IS FAILURE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE R&P.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN OPENED TO DETERMINE IF A SAFETY DEFECT TREND EXISTS.
SQ00014 · Unexpected Opening Of Sliding Door
Opened Jul 25, 2000 · Closed Oct 22, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE98030 · Finger Cutting/pinching
Opened May 15, 1998 · Closed Jun 30, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
ODI HAS RECEIVED THREE REPORTS INDICATING INJURIES OCCURRED TO CONSUMERS WHILE THEY WER FOLDING A SECOND ROW SEAT TO GAIN ACCES TO THE REAR OR THIRD ROW SEATS.WHEN FOLDING THE SEAT A PORTION OF THE SEAT FRAME MOVES IN A SCISSOR ACTION.TWO OF THE CONSUMERS SEVERED THE END OF THEIR FINGER AND THE THIRD SUFFERED A PINCHED FINGER.ALL REQUIRED EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN OPENED TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.