1997 Chevrolet Venture Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 85about this part
- Share
- 20%of 432 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 85 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Chevrolet Venture, 20% of the 432 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10329161, filed 2010-05, 99,998 miles“Mechanic informed me that I will soon need my intake manifold gasket replaced because that is why I have an oil leak they cannot stop. I pad a lot of money for a diagnostic to determine the oil leak. And have been charged for so many oil changes because of the diagnostic tests etc. I was told there is a techniocal service bullitin re. This problem but I think it should be a recall based on my research of this widespread problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10056516, filed 2004-02, 76,000 miles“On 11/18/2003 I took my 1997 Chevrolet Venture van, with 64,000 miles, to my service shop telling them I was getting a fluid leak on my driveway looking like a mixture of oil and anti-freeze. I was told it was my intake manifold gaskets and also that I could have engine damage as a result. It turns out I did have engine damage and now may need to replace my engine. This shouldn't happen with so few miles. Chevrolet should back their product.”
NHTSA complaint #10062233, filed 2004-03, 64,000 miles“On my 1997 chevy Venture the manifold gasket is leaking! And I don't have that kind of money to fix that it, because of GM poor engineering. There are thousands of complaints online about this defect and no one seems to be doing anything about it. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #10000439, filed 2002-12, 65,000 miles“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!!!!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10261694, filed 2009-03, 90,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 | 7% |
| 2004 | 9 | 7% |
| 2003 | 23 | 12% |
| 2002 | 42 | 19% |
| 2001 | 44 | 20% |
| 2000 | 82 | 23% |
| 1999 | 114 | 33% |
| 1998 | 111 | 27% |
| 1997 | 85 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Venture
76 complaintsExterior lighting
62 complaintsElectrical system
53 complaintsBody and structure
44 complaintsBrakes
42 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
32 complaintsSeat belts
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsSeats
13 complaintsTires
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Venture
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology