1997 Chevrolet Venture Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 6%of 432 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,888miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Chevrolet Venture, 6% of the 432 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,888 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 1997 Chevrolet Venture and I have had a lot of transmission problems since I bought it. I got the vehicle in 2003 used. The day I bought it the transmission failed. I had it taken to the dealer and watched them take a new transmission out of a crate and put it in. After that it was back in the shop 3 more times over the next year for problems. When I would go through a yield requiring me to speed up such as getting on the interstate it would rev up as if it were in neutral , almost causing me to get hit on several occasions. …”
NHTSA complaint #10236318, filed 2008-07, 135,000 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 miles“Had a very loud banging sound in rear of van after turning van off, this has been going on for sometime but we have been unable to pin point the cause. While driving on the expressway may 4, 2003 (at 55 MPH), transmission failed, causing a very violent forward jerk. After doing some research, I found that this seems to be a somewhat frequent occurrence in this model. Please investigate this situation before someone gets severely injured. This occurred 2 days after having the recalled repair done to the rack & pinion steering.”
NHTSA complaint #10017004, filed 2003-05, 110,000 miles“Transmission failure - mechanic stated the transmission failure was due to premature wear of the second drum clutches due to the fourth clutch supports main bearing being out of correct position. Failure was likely due to production error. We have the actual transmission part as proof that it was misaligned when installed from the manufacturer.”
NHTSA complaint #10014531, filed 2003-04, 30,247 miles“The intake manifold failed and needs to be replace, along with the water pump. In addition, there is a problem with the rear braking system causing the ABS and traction contol system not to work. Last month the transmission needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10032849, filed 2003-08, 57,500 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Venture
85 complaintsSteering
76 complaintsExterior lighting
62 complaintsElectrical system
53 complaintsBody and structure
44 complaintsBrakes
42 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
32 complaintsSeat belts
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 31, 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