1997 CHEVROLET Express Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

POWER TRAIN

5 complaints

THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWITCH TO "SAFE" MODE. SAFE MODE COMPENSATED THE TRANSMISSION HEAT PROBLEM BY HARD SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALTY REPAIR SHOP WHERE I LEARNED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION. IT WAS THE OPINION OF THE REPAIR SHOP THAT GM KNEW OF THE PROBLEM BUT WOULD NOT ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE THE ISSUE WAS NOT LIFE THREATENING. COST OF MODIFICATION WAS $1,600.*JB

Feb 22, 2006

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

Oct 04, 2004

ON 12-02-01 WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 5 A.M. ON MY WAY TO WORK THERE WAS A VERY LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND I LOST ALL POWER TO THE VAN, TRANSMISSION GONE . VEHICLE TOWED TO MARK BASS CHEVROLET DEALER IN COAL CITY,IL. MILEAGE AT 107060. NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT A COST OF $1863.34 TO CONSUMER PLUS TOW BILL AND RENTAL CAR FOR 1 WEEK. ON 12-29-01 DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH THE CRUISE AGAIN SET AT 68 MPH I AGAIN LOST THE TRANSMISSION. MILEAGE NOW AT 108219 AND VEHICLE AGAIN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A TRANS COOLER WHICH WAS INSTALLED UPON PURCHASE BY THE DEALERSHIP AND HAS TOWED A BOAT FOR A TOTAL OF 30 MILES. 99% OF THE MILES ARE INTERSTATE MILES DUE TO WORK DISTANCE OF 100 MILES PER DAY AND TRAVELING TO VISIT MY CHILDREN AND FATHER WHO LIVE IN TEXAS AND COLORADO. VEHICLE ALSO SEEMS TO GO THROUGH AN EXCESSIVE NUMBER OF BRAKES WHICH SEEM TO BE CONTINUELY GOING OUT AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED ABOUT 6 TIMES ALL THE WAY AROUND. I PURCHAED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE NEED FOR COMFORT AND DEPENDABILITY IN MAKING LONG DISTANCE TRIPS WHERE I AM MOSTLY ALONE. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS AND IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. IT HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN BY ONE OTHER PERSON AND HAS NOT BEEN MIS-USED IN ANY WAY.*AK

Dec 30, 2001

THE REACTION SHELL BROKE IN THE TRANSMISSION, DISABLING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THIS CAUSED MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING IT TO ESSENTIALLY STALL OUT. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT THE REPAIRS TO A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE TOTALED OVER $2200.00. MIGHTY POOR QUALITY. THANKFULLY THE FAILURE DID NOT TAKE PLACE WHILE SHE WAS PASSING SOMEONE, OR GOING UPHILL.*AK

Mar 16, 2001

TRANSMISSION HAS HARD SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND. SETS OFF S E S LIGHT. TOOK TO JERRY BROWN CHEVROLET IN BUFFORD GA, THE TRANSMISSION MAN THERE TEST DROVE MY VAN WITH ME, HE HOOKED A TEST UNIT TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON SAID SOMETHING CALLED STAOR? BUSHINGS AND /OR VALVE BODY, SAID HE SEES THIS ALOT IN THE 1997 AND 1998 MODELS. MY QUESTION IS IF GM KNEW ABOUT IT WHY ARE THEY NOT LETTING OWNERS KNOW AND FIXING THEM. *AK

May 27, 2000

TIRES

3 complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 75 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER INTO THE MEDIAN AND THE TIRE WAS CHANGED. TWO HUNDRED MILES LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER WHICH DETERMINED THE BLOWOUTS WERE A RESULT OF ROAD HAZARDS. UPDATED 4/6/2006 - THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. *NM

Mar 20, 2006

FIRESTONE, 245 75 R16, DOT # AN11B1A517, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, 30000 MILES MOUNTED ON A 1996, CHEVROLET, EXPRESS. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE WAS SOME TREAD SEPARATION ON BACK LEFT TIRE.*AK *SLC

Nov 13, 2001

P300 020;CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 75MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A THUMPING NOISE. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, AND RIGHT REAR SIDE TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED. HE HAS CONTACTED FIRESTONE, HE RECEIVED A NOTICE. FIRESTONE,#STEELTEX R4S, P24575R16. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED 4 OTHER SEPARATIONS, 2 BEING TREAD SEPARATIONS AND THE OTHER BEING BELT SEPARATIONS. *SLC

Oct 02, 2000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

3 complaints

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WILL NOT MAKE A SHORT PANIC STOP AT LOW SPEEDS, EXTREME PEDAL PRESSURE HAS LITTLE EFFECT AS THE VEHICLE APPROACHES 15 TO 10 MPH AND SLOWER, CONSUMER STATED THE ABS CONTROL IS SUPPOSE TO DROP OFF AND PERMIT THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY DEALER HE SHOULD ALLOW FOR GREATER STOPPING DISTANCE WITH ABS AND THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, ALSO CONSUMER DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE CAP SEAL DUE TO IT NOT SEALING PROPERLY. *JB

Aug 22, 2001

ABS BRAKE FAILURE SAME AS FOR 1996/ REPORTED TO DEALER/ TESTED AND NO PROBLEM FOUND. BUT ACCIDENT DID OCCUR DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. *AK

Jul 24, 2000

Crash: 1

STRUCTURE

2 complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A HOOK ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE HOOK, WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT LOSING CONSCIOUSNESS AND HERNIATING TWO DISCS. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A REPRESENTATIVE, WHICH DETERMINED THIS IS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED.

Mar 28, 2006

Injuries: 1

AS THE PASSENGER'S SLIDING DOOR WAS BEING SHUT THE SLIDING DOOR JAMMED AND HIT THE CONSUMER ON THE HEAD WHILE TRYING TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Jun 24, 1997

SEAT BELTS

2 complaints

DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT WAS MOUNTED ON MIDDLE CAPTIAN CHAIR, STARCRAFT CONVERSION VAN. CABLE BROKE FROM NORMAL USAGE?

May 16, 2005

REAR SEAT BELTS FAIL TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. MIDDLE LAP BELT FAILS TO STAY BUCKLED. ALSO, SHOULDER BELT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE IN REAR FAILS TO PULL OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

May 16, 2001

WHEELS

2 complaints

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

Jan 15, 2004

Crash: 1

Jan 15, 2004

Crash: 1

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 complaints

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL ID 00V110000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00031. PLUG ON EMISSION PIPE ASSEMBLY IS CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK FROM VCM WIRING. IT'S ALLOWING FUEL TO COME BACK UP THROUGH TUBE.*AK

Mar 14, 2001

VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN SHOP FOR PLUG ON EMISSION FUEL LEAKING INTO VCM WIRING, ALLOWING FUEL TO COME BACK UP. A RECALL ID # 00V110000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL #00031 HASN'T BEEN ANNOUCED TO SEE IF OTHER COMPANY VEHICLE ARE AFFECTED.*AK

Mar 14, 2001

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FUEL ODOR CAME FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/22/16*LJ UPDATED 05/31/18*JB

Feb 22, 2016

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

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 WERE MADE. THE CONSUMER CALLED CHEVROLET MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHEVROLET AGAIN, AND THEY ESCALATED HIS CONCERNS BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. *AK UPDATED 05/06/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILED. UPDATED 05/06/08

Sep 21, 2005

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

TAIL LIGHT SOCKET FAILURE, NEW SOCKETS ARE GOING TO BE INSTALLED. *JB

Sep 16, 2005

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

1 complaint

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

Apr 25, 2004

EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

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 DESIGNED AND INSTEAD DUMPS WATER DIRECTLY ON TO THE COMPUTER TRIGGERING CORROSION. THE CORROSION MAY ALSO BE THE RESULT OF GALVANIC ACTION (TWO DISSIMILAR METALS GENERATING AN ELECTRICAL CHARGE) AS THE COMPUTER CASE IS ALUMIONUM AND SCREWS HOLDING IT TOGETHER ARE STEEL. A SMALL CLAIMS COURT ACTION FILED AGAINST GM AND THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY RESULTED IN AN OFFER FROM GM TO PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS (PRIOR TO ANY HEARINGS). THIS LEADS US TO BELIEVE THEY ARE VERY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND MAY IN EFFECT HAVE A "SECRET WARRANTY" IN PLACE. TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS $1,400 BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SINCE WE CHOSE TO "DRY OUT" THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RATHER THAN REPLACE THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS (MORE THAN $2,000 PARTS AND LABOR).

Jan 15, 2004

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

OUTSIDE MIRRORS VIBRATE. BECAUSE OF VIBRATION DRIVER CANNOT SEE VEHICLE IN THE REAR. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED ITWAS A NON REPAIRABLE ITEM. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

Dec 04, 2001

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ON MAY 07,2001 IN REFERENCE TO RECALL# 00V110000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00031. DEALER STATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE ,AND NO FUTURE DATE WAS GIVEN ON WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE.*AK

Jun 07, 2001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE VAN; WATER GETS INTO FUSE BOX. IT RUSTS OUT! POTENTIAL FIRE DANGER IS VERY HIGH. THE VAN IS A "CONVERSION" TO A MOTOR HOME. WE UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THESE VANS IN TEXAS.

Aug 30, 2000

STEERING

1 complaint

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED CAUSING FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A CURVY CITY ROAD DURING TRAFFIC (PHONE #48 22-848-8055). NLM

Feb 22, 2000

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THEIR RIGHT COIL SPRINGS WOULD MAKE A THUMPING NOISE WHEN YOU MANUEVER THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GET IT SERVICED THEY SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

Nov 13, 1998

STRUCTURE,SEATS

1 complaint

SIDE DOOR HINGE DOES NOT HOLD DOOR OPEN PROPERLY; WILL SHUT UNEXPECTEDLY. SEAT RAIL PROTRUDES THROUGH FLOOR; CREATES TRIPPING HABIT. *AK

Mar 19, 1997

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4.2/5.0

53 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1997 CHEVROLET Express have?

The 1997 CHEVROLET Express currently has 30 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 1997 CHEVROLET Express?

The most common problems reported for the 1997 CHEVROLET Express are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 1997 CHEVROLET Express problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1997 CHEVROLET Express comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.