Chevrolet Van 1997
Model Van made in 1997 by Chevrolet got 42 consumer complains as well as 1 service bulletin. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system and engine and engine cooling. Technical service bulletines regarding seat belts. The car has 4 modeles with engines 4.3, ffs mpfi and 5.0, ffs mpfi.
Model 1997
| Engine [L] | Cylinders | Transmission | Drive | Estimate MPG (city/highway/combined) | Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined) | Fuel | Fuel cost | Class | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3, (FFS) (MPFI) | 6 | Automatic 4 gears | RWD | Regular | 1 - Category 1 Truck | ||||
| 4.3, (FFS) (MPFI) | 6 | Automatic 4 gears | RWD | Regular | 2 - Category 2 Truck | ||||
| 5.0, (FFS) (MPFI) | 8 | Automatic 4 gears | RWD | Regular | 3 - Category 3 Truck | ||||
| 5.0, (FFS) (MPFI) | 8 | Automatic 4 gears | RWD | Regular | 2 - Category 2 Truck | ||||
| 5.0, (FFS) (MPFI) | 8 | Automatic 4 gears | RWD | Regular | 1 - Category 1 Truck | ||||
| 5.0, (FFS) (MPFI) | 8 | Automatic 4 gears | RWD | Regular | P - Passenger Car | ||||
| 5.7, (350 V8) (FFS) (MPFI) | 8 | Automatic 4 gears | RWD | Regular | 2 - Category 2 Truck | ||||
| 5.7, (350 V8) (FFS) (MPFI) | 8 | Automatic 4 gears | RWD | Regular | 1 - Category 1 Truck | ||||
| 5.7, (350 V8) (FFS) (MPFI) | 8 | Automatic 4 gears | RWD | Regular | 3 - Category 3 Truck | ||||
| 5.7, (FFS) (MPFI) | 8 | Automatic 4 gears | RWD | Regular | 1 - Category 1 Truck | ||||
| 5.7, (FFS) (MPFI) | 8 | Automatic 4 gears | RWD | Regular | 3 - Category 3 Truck | ||||
| 5.7, (FFS) (MPFI) | 8 | Automatic 4 gears | RWD | Regular | 2 - Category 2 Truck |
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS - FRONT - ANCHORAGE | |||||
| 98030 | 07/01/1998 | 602342 | Special policy for safety belt guide cover. *yc | 10/26/1998 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY - CABLES | |||
| 06/22/1999 | 1 | ||
| Brakes failed without warning because the negative cable from the battery to the engine block wore a hole in the metal brake line. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||
| 1 | |||
| Consumer stated vehicle experienced a coolant leak.(consumer no longer ownes vehicle)*jb | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||
| 03/01/2000 | 30 | 10/07/1997 | |
| 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 | |||
| 11/09/1997 | |||
| While driving at 70 mph, the vehicle's engine shut down, causing the vehicle to stall. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL | |||
| 07/01/2001 | 02/01/1998 | ||
| 02 sensors keep going out, causing check engine light to come on. *ak | |||
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER | |||
| 05/19/2000 | 1 | 08/01/1997 | |
| A/c leaked at rear air unit corroding the connections and does not blow cold air due to the compressor failure. yh | |||
| 1 | |||
| Control knobs for air conditioner/heater break due to inside plastic stem that joins to the metal rod from the unit splitting. | |||
| 1 | |||
| Control knobs for air conditioner and heater break due to plastic stems that join to the metal rod from the unit splitting. | |||
| 1 | |||
| The inside plastic stem that joins to the metal rod from the heating/cooling unit split, causing control knobs for air conditioner/heater to break. | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS | |||
| 07/06/2005 | 10 | 02/01/2005 | |
| Dt: the consumer stated the headlights were blinding to other vehicles. the headlights have been adjusted numerous times and have been replaced about 10 times.*ak | |||
| 07/06/2005 | 10 | 02/01/2005 | |
| Dt: the consumer stated the headlights were blinding to other vehicles. the headlights have been adjusted numerous times and have been replaced about 10 times.*ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| Consumer stated both headlight lens covers fell out, due to water building inside. (consumer no longer ownes vehicle) *jb | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | |||
| 10/01/2000 | 1 | 02/01/1997 | |
| 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 | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY - FILLER PIPE AND CAP | |||
| 03/29/2001 | |||
| Dealership does not have parts available to repair a recall on fuel filler valve. please provide any additional information.*ak | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | |||
| 2 | |||
| The fuel gauge malfunctioned several times. the consumer wants either to return the vehicle or the dealer to reimburse the repair expenses. *yh | |||
| 10/01/2000 | 1 | 02/01/1997 | |
| 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 | |||
| 05/01/1997 | 125 | 12/01/1996 | |
| When gas is used, especially with a full tank, the gas gauge will go down to empty after driving some distance, then when it gets down to about a quarter tank the guage will go back up and register full even though we have not bought any fuel. then vehicle will run out when guage registers full! *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN | |||
| While driving speedometer reads improperly,problem is intermittent, also brake rotors are faulty, possible manufacturing flaw. please provide further details. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 11/15/2002 | 1 | 03/01/2000 | |
| 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 | |||
| 11/01/1999 | 1 | 07/01/1998 | |
| 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 | |||
| 08/16/2000 | 2 | 10/01/1997 | |
| 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 | |||
| 4 | |||
| 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 | |||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | |||
| 02/14/1999 | 3 | 09/01/1998 | |
| Third failure of this item, dealer and chevrolet will not knowledge problem. no defect stated in summary. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION | |||
| 1 | |||
| Consumer stated the transmission gasket failed.(consumer no longer owns vehicle)*jb | |||
| SEAT BELTS - FRONT - ANCHORAGE | |||
| 1 | |||
| Seat belt attaches to door which blocks entrance and exit of vehicle, also when disconnected they hang loosely in front of entrance/exit. | |||
| SEAT BELTS - FRONT - WEBBING | |||
| 1 | |||
| Consumer complains that door mounted shoulder belts prohibit entering/exiting of vehicle when connected, when not connected, they hang loosely. | |||
| 1 | |||
| Consumer complains that door mounted shoulder belts prohibiting entering/exiting of vehicle when connected and when disconnected hang loosely. | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK | |||
| 3 | 09/23/1997 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 4 | |||
| 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 | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR | |||
| While driving speedometer reads improperly,problem is intermittent, also brake rotors are faulty, possible manufacturing flaw. please provide further details. *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM | |||
| 4 | |||
| 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 | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 4 | |||
| 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 | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 11/19/2007 | 158000 | 1 | 09/22/2006 |
| I have a 1997 chevy venture. i have been having problems with the rack and pinion. there is a recall on them but chevy says there is no recall. i first talked to someone on the phone and they told me that yes there was a recall. they told me to take it to the chevy dealer. i took it and they said there was no recall. so i called the chevy 800 number again and now they say there is no recall. but i still see the recall here. so what can i do. *tr | |||
| 10/20/2004 | 96500 | 5 | 08/12/1999 |
| 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 adequately - they have a faulty rack and pinion which is a glaring safety issue. they should be replacing the complete rack and pinion as part of the recall. had to pay for new rack and pinion and labor charges, out of my own pocket. *jb | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR | |||
| 1 | |||
| Side doors have no gust locks to hold them open, allowing doors to close on passenger's ankles/legs. | |||
| 1 | |||
| Side doors have no gust locks, allowing doors to close on passenger's legs/ankles. | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | |||
| 06/14/1999 | 2 | ||
| Side cargo door froze at hinges, and door will not open. dealer has been contacted.*ak the consumer feels the door was unsafe. *yh | |||
| 1 | |||
| Doors close on passengers legs/ankles. | |||
| TIRES | |||
| 05/09/2007 | 4 | ||
| In only four months, all 4 of my goodyear regatta tires with only 50,000 miles on them blew out while on the highway. (4 different incidents). the company had audacity to tell me that these were all the results of road hazards and that the same could happen to any tire. i have been driving for 40 years and have never had a blow out until all four of these tires blew out over a period of 4 months. has to be the tires, not the roads. *tr | |||
| TIRES - SIDEWALL | |||
| 05/09/2000 | 1 | 12/01/1997 | |
| Huge loud shimmy/vibration at highway speed, replaced due to large sidewall bulge. *ak (dot number: bm05326-1 tiresize: lt24575r16) | |||
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - CONTROLS/WIRING | |||
| 4 | |||
| 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 | |||
Car dealers selling
| State | City | Zip | Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC | RALEIGH | 27675 | SIR WALTER CHEVROLET | 919-787-3700 |