MYRModel Year Report

1997 Chevrolet Venture

◆ Worse than typical
1997 Chevrolet Venture
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
432
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

1988: 1 complaint 1988 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 432 complaints 1997 432 1998: 409 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 1999 2000: 350 complaints 2001: 222 complaints 2001 2002: 220 complaints 2003: 185 complaints 2003 2004: 124 complaints 2005: 42 complaints 2005
1988: 1 complaint 1988 1996: 2 complaints 1996 1997: 432 complaints 1997 432 1998: 409 complaints 1998 1999: 349 complaints 1999 2000: 350 complaints 2000 2001: 222 complaints 2001 2002: 220 complaints 2002 2003: 185 complaints 2003 2004: 124 complaints 2004 2005: 42 complaints 2005
1988: 1 complaint 1988 1996: 2 complaints 1996 1997: 432 complaints 1997 432 1998: 409 complaints 1998 1999: 349 complaints 1999 2000: 350 complaints 2000 2001: 222 complaints 2001 2002: 220 complaints 2002 2003: 185 complaints 2003 2004: 124 complaints 2004 2005: 42 complaints 2005

1997: 432 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19881
19962
1997432
1998409
1999349
2000350
2001222
2002220
2003185
2004124
200542

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

22% · 93 reports

Most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and gasoline.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Description : I bought a used 1997 Chevrolet Venture from the norwood group in warwick, ri back in sept 2002. Approximately 5 weeks ago I began experiencing overheating problems.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-13

Steering

18% · 79 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

While driving the vehicle's steering idler arm fell off due to a missing bolt, this caiuses both front tires to point inward and lost control of the car.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-06-13

Steering locked up on '97 Venture VAN while being operated at 70 MPH on a straight highway. Vehicle had to be towed, rack and pinion and steering pump replaced.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-08-06

Exterior lighting

16% · 67 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and concealment devices.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

1997 Chevrolet Venture. Headlight lens cover.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-31

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-18

Electrical system

13% · 54 reports

Most commonly citing horn and front underhood.

FIRE

Service brakes

11% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 432 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1998-04-24Visibility98V072000 Vehicle description: passenger mini vans equipped with traction control systems. The windshield wiper linkage arm can contact a brake line which is connected to the traction control system…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a brake line clip to ensure proper clearance. Also the brake lines will be inspected to any damage caused by this condition and will replace any damaged lines.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1998-05-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1998-06-30 Finger cutting/pinching
  4. R
    1998-08-18Seats98V145000 Vehicle description: passenger mini vans equipped with bucket seats or a split bench seat in the second (Middle) or third (Back) row. The seat latch mechanisms on bucket seats and on the 40%…

    Remedy: Dealers will install protective covers on the outboard latch mechanisms on all left and right hand rear bucket seats in the second and third row, and to both inboard and outboard latch mechanisms on…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2000-07-25SQClosed 2001-10-22 Unexpected opening of sliding door
  6. R
    2001-04-18Latches/locks/linkages01V067000 Vehicle description: minivans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors. The door closes but may not be latched. If this happens, the power sliding door can open while the vehicle is in…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new un-latch actuator assembly to the power sliding door. This recall has been continued under safety recall 01V-264. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2001-10-22Latches/locks/linkages01V264000 Vehicle description: 1997-2001 Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana/transport, and oldsmobile silhouette mini vans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors that were serviced in campaign 01013…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if required, install a new power sliding door unlatch actuator assembly. Owner notification began on October 22, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2001-11-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-04-04 Steering rack and pinion
  9. I
    2002-02-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-08-02 Shoulder harness clip
  10. I
    2002-04-04Engineering analysisClosed 2002-12-10 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  11. I
    2002-11-18Engineering analysisClosed 2003-11-21 Safety belt assembly failure
  12. R
    2003-01-24Steering02V286000 Certain passenger vehicles and mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began January 24, 2003.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. I
    2003-04-23Engineering analysisClosed 2004-01-12 Rear axle trailing arm failure
  14. I
    2004-02-03Defect petitionClosed 2004-03-17 Rack and pinion steering unit failure
  15. R
    2005-05-31Latches/locks/linkages04V597000 On certain minivans equipped with second-row bucket seats or captain's chairs and a power sliding door on the passenger side of the vehicle, a passenger using the interior handle to open the power…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the power sliding door interior handle on the passenger-side. If the vehicle is equipped with a power or manual sliding door on the driver-side, the interior handle will also…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, and FP10027-11B1, sold after January 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The…

    Remedy: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. R
    2009-02-23Steering09E005000 Dorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos. 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's "Oe solutions<sup>tm</sup>" Brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for…

    Remedy: Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on February 23, 2009. Owners may contact…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Chevrolet Venture — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 93 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 79 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 67 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V072000 · Visibility
  • Recall 98V145000 · Seats
  • Recall 01V067000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 01V264000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 02V286000 · Steering
  • Recall 04V597000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E005000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Chevrolet Venture reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Chevrolet Venture is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Venture?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Venture have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.