Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 1997 Chevrolet Express, assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its VIN to decode that exact car, its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment, alongside these records.
Open a VIN recordRecalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Chevrolet Express year.
No EPA fuel-economy match for this model. Naming may differ, or it predates EPA records.
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this make, model and year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car. A dealer can confirm from the VIN.
Issue: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000
Issue: PASSENGER VANS. THESE VANS EXPERIENCE FUEL ODORS OR LEAKAGE.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED EVAPORATIVE EMISSION PIPE ASSEMBLY.
Campaign 00V110000
NHTSA has no NCAP crash-test rating for this model year, which is common for older, low-volume and heavy-duty vehicles.
The parts named most often across 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this make, model and year.
1 crash
1 injured
2 crashes
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so read this as where to look rather than as a defect rate.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FUEL ODOR CAME FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/22/16*LJ UPDATED 05/31/18*JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A HOOK ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE HOOK, WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT LOSING CONSCIOUSNESS AND HERNIATING TWO DISCS. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A REPRESENTATIVE, WHICH DETERMINED THIS IS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 75 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER INTO THE MEDIAN AND THE TIRE WAS CHANGED. TWO HUNDRED MILES LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER WHICH DETERMINED THE BLOWOUTS WERE A RESULT OF ROAD HAZARDS. UPDATED 4/6/2006 - THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. *NM
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. IT WAS THE OPINION OF THE REPAIR SHOP THAT GM KNEW OF THE PROBLEM BUT WOULD NOT ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE THE ISSUE WAS NOT LIFE THREATENING. COST OF MODIFICATION WAS $1,600.*JB
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 FLUID IT WAS DETERMINED A NEW TRANSMISSION WOULD BE NEEDED. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONSUMER TO OTHER INDEPENDENT SHOPS, AND THEY TOO CONFIRMED WHAT THE DEALER SAID. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND PARKED IT. NO CORRECTIONS OR REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONSUMER CALLED CHEVROLET MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHEVROLET AGAIN, AND THEY ESCALATED HIS CONCERNS BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. *AK UPDATED 05/06/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILED. UPDATED 05/06/08
TAIL LIGHT SOCKET FAILURE, NEW SOCKETS ARE GOING TO BE INSTALLED. *JB
DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT WAS MOUNTED ON MIDDLE CAPTIAN CHAIR, STARCRAFT CONVERSION VAN. CABLE BROKE FROM NORMAL USAGE?
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
FUEL GUAGE FAILURE ON MY 1997 EXPRESS VAN. GUAGE SHOWED FUEL TANK EMPTY. ESTIMATED REPAIRS= $600.00. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO FRIENDS WITH SAME YEAR CHEVROLETS. INTERNET FULL OF COMPLAINTS FOR 1997 AND 2000 YEARS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND A VERY COSTLY REPAIR THAT MANY CANNOT AFFORD. PLEASE, PLEASE HELP. I AM SUBMITTING THE SAME FUEL GUAGE FAILURE COMPLAINT FOR A 2000 CHEVROLET BLAZER REGARDING AN INCIDENT THAT PUT MY TEENAGER IN SERIOUS JEOPARDY!*AK
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF WITH THE LUG NUTS STILL ATTACHED TO THE HUB. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE RIGHT AND RAN INTO A WALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF WITH THE LUG NUTS STILL ATTACHED TO THE HUB. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE RIGHT AND RAN INTO A WALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS 1996-2002 G-SERIES VANS (CHEVY EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA). THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE/VEHICLE CONTROL MODULE (PCM/VCM) CORRODES OVER TIME AND THE CASE ENCLOSING THE COMPUTER SPLITS OPEN ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM IN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 02-06-04-020, ATTRIBUTING IT TO LOCATION OF THE PCM/VCM AND DESIGN OF THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFLECTOR. THIS DEFLECTOR ACTS MUCH LIKE A "RAIN GUTTER" TO ROUTE WATER AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER. IT WAS POORLY DESIGNED AND INSTEAD DUMPS WATER DIRECTLY ON TO THE COMPUTER TRIGGERING CORROSION. THE CORROSION MAY ALSO BE THE RESULT OF GALVANIC ACTION (TWO DISSIMILAR METALS GENERATING AN ELECTRICAL CHARGE) AS THE COMPUTER CASE IS ALUMIONUM AND SCREWS HOLDING IT TOGETHER ARE STEEL. A SMALL CLAIMS COURT ACTION FILED AGAINST GM AND THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY RESULTED IN AN OFFER FROM GM TO PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS (PRIOR TO ANY HEARINGS). THIS LEADS US TO BELIEVE THEY ARE VERY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND MAY IN EFFECT HAVE A "SECRET WARRANTY" IN PLACE. TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS $1,400 BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SINCE WE CHOSE TO "DRY OUT" THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RATHER THAN REPLACE THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS (MORE THAN $2,000 PARTS AND LABOR).
Showing 12 of 30 complaints.