1997 Chevrolet Van Problems
- Complaints
- 27filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 127,250miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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
- 15 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 14 city / 17 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Chevrolet Van (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Van. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 7 complaints (26% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and equipment (4). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 127,250 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling 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.
- Engine cooling4 15%
- Equipment4 15%
- Fuel system4 15%
- Body and structure4 15%
- Brakes3 11%
- Exterior lighting3 11%
- Seat belts3 11%
- Steering3 11%
- Tires2 7.4%
Also reported: Electrical system (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “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 complaint #769965, filed 2002-11Engine cooling: “While driving vehicle completely shutdown without warning, causing loss of steering, and brake control. Check the engine light came on and stayed on before the vehicle stall. The problem was fixed but started stelling again.”
NHTSA complaint #882448, filed 2001-03Fuel system: “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!”
NHTSA complaint #716055, filed 1999-12Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 96,500 and 158,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1997 Chevrolet Van version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van 1500/2500 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Van 1500/2500 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Van 1500/2500 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Chevrolet Van in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.
- 10232287Feb 21, 2023Equipment. This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10082506Aug 26, 2016Equipment. This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating as intended in…
- 10248444Jun 30, 2014Equipment. Vehicle Recalls
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Other model years of the Chevrolet Van
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 11 | 73,000 | 0 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 14 | 55,340 | 0 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 22 | 51,484 | 0 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 15 | 73,000 | 0 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 16 | 120,250 | 0 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 27 | 127,250 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 28 | 133,140 | 0 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 20 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 11 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 19 | 156,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 8 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Chevrolet Van have?
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Van as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Chevrolet Van is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 7 complaints (26% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.
Has the 1997 Chevrolet Van been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Chevrolet Van get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Chevrolet Van (Van 1500/2500 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Van reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 127,250 miles and the middle half falls between 96,500 and 158,000 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.