Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Chevrolet Venture owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This is a follow up of acomplaint filed on 3/10/1997. After several conversations with Chevy corp. They have advised me that they will offer no assistance in repairing my Venture. The dealership has advised me that repairs will cost a minimum of $2000. Add this to the $7500 that I still owe and I will owe $9500 on this van. I am amazed by the denial of Chevy corp. With all of the complaints by consumers who have blown head gaskets from dex coolant. I am asking that someone please investigate this matter!! This should not have happened with only 75,000 miles on this van. That's an average of 12,000 miles per year, and I have doccumented proof of regular maintenance. I have also had problems with the brakes, sliding door, seat latches, and electrical problems with power windows. I will never by another GM product again!!
From about 40000 milesproblems with the temp gauge indicating engine running hot when in fact it never was and coolant was adequate mechanic never able to figure out 60000 intake manifold replaced 90000 miles engine losing power and stalling engine block cracked possible and head gasket. Brakes noisy with a grinding feel in the pedal lights on dash on & off ABS and coolant low when no problem exists! Car pulls to left and hard to steer in a puddle horn almost impossible to activate. Directional and hazard lights flash when brakes applied.
Summer of 2003 ABS light came on and with depressing brake pedal, the pedal traveled to the floor with little or no braking action. Loud shutter and vibrations were felt from the wheels. Road conditions were dry. Service facility found faulty ABS sensor, cost $580.00. Now the problem has come back. Little or no braking with ABS light illuminating all the time.
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.
Consumer applied brakes at 40 MPH, pedal went to the floor, and vehicle rear ended another vehicle. Dealer stated that the right brake line had a hole. Damage to vehicle unknown at this time. 2 people were injured in the accident.
Dt*: the contact stated the ABS brakes failed to stop the vehicle while traveling 15 MPH. The failure occurred 3 separate times. The service dealer and manufacturer were not notified. Updated 12/05/06.
While driving on highway, I drove over debris (tree limb) on highway while passing semi at approx. 65 MPH. When I ran over branch, all vehicle electrical and braking systems suddenly went off, resulting in loss of lights, power brakes, power steering, signals, and power from engine - a total shutdown. I wrestled van to side of road and had towed to town (while on xmas trip, travelling thru OK). After towed to dealer (closed, at night), I checked under van to find a male and female plug for wiring harness disconnected and hangling down midway from front to rear on drivers side. I plugged two back together and van worked perfectly with no further problems. Altho there were no accidents, injuries, if my wife or daughter had been driving, they probably would not have been able to stay in control, pull van to side of road. …
I am the owner of a 1997 Venture Chevrolet van that I purchased in May of 1997. I have several concerns after reviewing your web site. First, I just charged on my credit card almost $2,000 (December 2003) to fix the rack and pinion steering and to replace the power steering pump. There was a recall in November 2002 that I was not notified for the rack and pinion. Second, I have just learned that there is a recall related to the power pump steering. It is not by chance that both of these items have malfunctioned on my vehicle. I have experienced the exertion on more pressure to make turns and this is some of the issues that are related to the recall. I can not give a specific date of the incidents when the issues first started but it is fair to say it started sometime in 2003. What procedures should I follow to get these charges taken off of my credit card? …
ABS brake system not working properly. Extended stopping distance. Rapid pulsating noise has changed to long grinding noise when system engages. Feels like wheels lock to long before system engages. Then it feels like wheels lock and unlock to long of a time. Dealer claims nothing is wrong. Horn did not work when turned side-ways or up-side down. Took 4 service calls to correct. Horn works but it is still hard to find the "sweet" spot to activate. Audio tape deck housing heats up to 150 degrees when heater is on for 2 hours. Dealer cannot correct after 4 trys. Auto sliding side door would randomly reopen aafter closing. 4 service calls to correct problem. Clips holding rear brake line came off leaving line dragging on street. Rear brakes grind after car has sat for 1/2 hour. Dealer couldn't fix.
The intake manifold gasket blew and filled the engine with water, this is a problem with the 3.4 engine that GM is aware of. The sliding door on the passenger side has fallen off the van 4 times since we have had dealer fixed 3 times then it was out of warrenty. The front and rear brakes started squealing when the van had 1000 miles on it and continue to this day. GM says they are designed like that. The seat belts in the van come unlatched at any time, the belts in the rear will contiually tighten when you hit bumps in the road. GM told us that we were not using the seatbelts properly. The rack and pinion steering started making a growling noise immidiatly following the warrenty running out.
Brake complaints in other Venture years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Venture?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Chevrolet Venture, 10% of the model year's 432 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Venture brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1997 Chevrolet Venture, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Venture brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.