Skip to content
Chevrolet ExpressModel year report

1997 Chevrolet Express Problems

Complaints
29filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
82,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
14 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 13 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Chevrolet Express (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Express. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 6 complaints (21% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and engine cooling (3). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 82,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 24 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10137203, filed 2005-09, 78,900 miles

Brakes: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #562622, filed 2001-08

Engine cooling: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #882976, filed 2001-03

Fuel system: “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!”

NHTSA complaint #10067766, filed 2004-04, 80,750 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 80,750 and 83,599 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5014%50–7557%75–1000%100–15029%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (7 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 82,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

199719982000200192004200520062016
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1997 Chevrolet Express version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Express 1500/2500 2WD4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141715$4,450
Express 1500/2500 2WD5.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131714$4,800
Express 1500/2500 2WD5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121714$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1997 Chevrolet Express → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 24 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 24 bulletins →

Other model years of the Chevrolet Express

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20211311,5002———Not enough data
20201762,3761———Rising
201985,3924———Not enough data
2018119,9426———Not enough data
20172118,0006—13—Rising
20161521,2536—13—Stable
2015824,0003—13—Not enough data
20141430,9507—13—Not enough data
20132219,6628—14—Falling
20121338,5006—13—Not enough data
20111294,0365—12—Not enough data
20101547,8505———Falling
20091051,0007———Not enough data
20081442,47510—14—Not enough data
20071865,0004—15—Falling
20061262,52916—15—Not enough data
20052385,9348—15—Falling
20042187,0006—15—Falling
20035946,82410—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20025633,0000—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20014545,0002—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20008455,8751—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19996868,6121—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19982361,1251—14—Stable
19972982,0001—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19961558,5002—14—Stable

All Chevrolet Express model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Chevrolet Express have?

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Express as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Chevrolet Express is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 6 complaints (21% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.

Has the 1997 Chevrolet Express been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Chevrolet Express get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Chevrolet Express (Express 1500/2500 2WD, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Express reported?

Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 82,000 miles and the middle half falls between 80,750 and 83,599 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.