Most common 1997 Chevrolet Van problems
Share of the 27 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Van complaints by model year
Best Van years: 2002, 2001. Years to avoid: 1996, 1997, 2000. Compare all years →
What 1997 Chevrolet Van owners say
Transmission & 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
Experienced 2 hard 1st-2nd gear shifts and set trouble code p1870 indicating internal slippage. Dealer recommended replacement, or overhaul. Other research indicates common problem for GM with the 4l60e transmission quite possibly stemming from switching from a cast iron valve body in earlier models to an aluminum valve body in later models of that transmission.
A/C & heater
Brakes pads are too small for vehicle, causing it to wear out every 15,000 miles, and drums needs to replaced every other time. Dealer claimed this is was normal. Transmission has failed four times. The three knobs for the heater broke. Power steering makes noise and leak due to faulty power steering pump. Front brake makes noise.
The inside plastic stem that joins to the metal rod from the heating/cooling unit split, causing control knobs for air conditioner/heater to break.
Body & structure
Side cargo door froze at hinges, and door will not open. Dealer has been contacted. The consumer feels the door was unsafe.
Side doors have no gust locks to hold them open, allowing doors to close on passenger's ankles/legs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Chevrolet Van a good car?
Based on 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Van rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Van at the same age. It is one of the Van years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Chevrolet Van?
The transmission & drivetrain — 7 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the a/c & heater (5) and body & structure (4).
How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Van have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Chevrolet Van. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Van?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002 and 2001. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1996, 1997 and 2000. See the full Chevrolet Van years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Van problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 158,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.