Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
1997 Chevrolet Venture. Headlight lens cover. Last summer I noticed the drivers side lens was loose so I glued it back on with epoxy.(cost $3.00) recently I found out that the passenger side lens had fallen out sometime while driving.(both fell out within 6 months of each other) I went to wash the van and the halogen bulb exploded and flamed when it got wet. Had I been closer to the vehicle I could have been struck by flying glass. If this would have happened during a rain storm I would have been driving without headlights. (the dealership charged me $165 to replace one assembly). The sealant was faulty on the last assembly, I don't feel comfortable with the new one.
Rear brake lamps keep failing, light bar on top works fine but both side rear brake lamps fail continuously. Upon disassembly of brake light one can see the sockets and bulb contacts are melting. This van has already had the entire rear light assembly on each side replaced but problem is recurring. Cleaning/sanding sockets works temporarily but problem returns within a couple of weeks. Bulb replacement alone does not work. Filaments in bulbs are not burnt out but contacts on bulbs and sockets are burnt. This only affects the circuit the brake light filament is on, the taillights (which share the same multifilament bulb) are not affected. Upon further research it's quite apparent this is a problem very common across most or all model years of this van. …
I have had to replace the left rear brake lamp in my 1997 Chevrolet Venture van a total of three times and the right rear once. After removing the bulbs, I noticed the base of the bulbs were charred and melted. I have serious concerns about the charring/melting eventually causing a fire. If the bulb assembly is pulling enough power to melt the base, shouldn't the fuse blow? The last incident occurred when my wife was driving home after work when another motorist told her she had no brake lights. After I checked the van, I determined that both brake lamps were charred and melted. I have not checked any of the other bulbs yet, but noticed another complaint had been filed about the bulbs melting/fusing to the socket.
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.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated that the front driver side headlight bulb continuously failed. The dealer repaired the bulb, however, the failure recurred. The dealer stated that the constant failure was due to moisture entering the fixture, which blew out the bulb and discolored the lens. No repairs were made. The current mileage was 98,000 and failure mileage was 20,000.
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.
Dt: the contact stated the plastic covers on the headlights were glued and not bolted onto the vehicle. When the glue wore out water got inside the headlights, and the plastic popped off, causing the halogen light bulb to burn out. The dealer and manufacturer offered no free remedy. The vehicle has not been repaired.
After the vehicle came from the car wash, both front headlights failed to illuminate. Consumer noticed both headlight lens were missing. The dealer was notified. The dealer informed the consumer that part was not covered under a recall.
Dt: the contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Venture. The headlight covers came off of the vehicle. It costs $178.00 plus tax for each of the headlight covers to be repaired. About six month ago one of the headlight covers came off, and a couple of days ago, the other headlight cover came off. The entire headlight assembly has to be replaced to correct the problem. The GM manufacturer told her that this was the first time that he heard of this problem. Also, the contact had automatic transmission problems. The transmission slipped. The first time it got stuck in second gear. The transmission was replaced twice. The first time at only 26,000 miles, and the second time at 26,100 miles. Both times was replaced under warranty. After the second transmission was replaced it had only 78,000 miles on it. While on vacation and driving on the interstate the transmission quit. …
#1. Stereo panel is extremely hot with lights on & driving a while, there is also a buring smell. It has been worked on twice, replaced once and still you can burn your fingers. #2. Defogger takes forever to defog in the morning, sometimes it makes visibility worse. #3. Interior roof has been hanging down since the day I bought the van and has gotten worse. #4. My headlights have been replaced many times because of condensation(at least 4 times). #5. Brakes. The dealership said I needed new brakes but not under warranty so I had them checked elsewhere. I needed new brakes (front). It cost me over$700 to replace. They said they were grinded down all the way and I should have been able to grind 2 times before replacing. I have the parts. They said the brakes should not have been this far down so soon, too prematurely. …
Headlight complaints in other Venture years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Venture?
NHTSA has 64 complaints about the lights of the 1997 Chevrolet Venture, 15% of the model year's 432 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (51 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Venture headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.