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1997 Chevrolet ExpressProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 29 owner complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Express, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

65
CarFlaw IndexSolid year47% below the Express median · #7 of 24 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints294 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage79kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 22, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Chevrolet Express has problems

29 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train60
Engine and engine cooling30
Tires30
Structure31
Service brakes, hydraulic31
Wheels22
Seat belts20
Fuel system, gasoline10
Electrical system10
8 other systems80

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1997 Chevrolet Express recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 00V-110 · Apr 17, 2000 · 109,239 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Express year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Express median. How we score

'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Express owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWITCH TO "SAFE" MODE. SAFE MODE COMPENSATED THE TRANSMISSION HEAT PROBLEM BY HARD SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALTY REPAIR SHOP WHERE I LEARNED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION.…
Complaint 10150952 · Feb 22, 2006
DT: WHILE DRIVING SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH PANEL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH SHOWED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE DEALER NOTED THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. DUE TO THE COLOR OF THE…
Complaint 10137203 · Sep 21, 2005 · 78,900 miles
WHILE SHIFTING TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED ON ITS OWN. A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Complaint 10095028 · Oct 4, 2004

Own a 1997 Express?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.