1997 Chevrolet Venture problems
Owners have filed 612 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Venture with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 15.2% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of steering at 13.4%.
Complaints612
Crashes11
Fires13
Injuries16
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 15.2% · 93
Steering 13.4% · 82
Exterior lighting 11.6% · 71
Electrical system 8.8% · 54
Service brakes, hydraulic 8.2% · 50
Structure 7.7% · 47
Visibility 5.6% · 34
Power train 4.1% · 25
Severity
Of those complaints, 11 describe a crash, 13 describe a fire, 16 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 8 model years of the Chevrolet Venture in this data, 1997 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 14 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 75,000 miles.
In owners' own words
(1) Car started making knocking noise and then quit in the middle of traffic. (2) The intake manifold gasket failed causing engine coolant to leak into the engine oil. This coolant in the oil ruined the engine bearings and main journal. This caused the engine to quit running in the middle of traffic. (3) The vehicle was brought to a Chevrolet dealership and a complete new engine had to be installed. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 74,338 miles
While driving between 65-70 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. When this occurred the vehicle lost power steering and brakes. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic. The mechanic performed a diagnostic test which indicated that the engine had locked. The engine has to be taken apart to identify what caused the lock. The oil pan was full when this incident occurred. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 112,876 miles
Told dealer that engine is knocking/making a ticking sound. Can hear it clearly from within or outside of the van. Took it to dealer once already and will be taking it again on tuesday, october 17, 2000 for testing. Engine is also taking longer to start...Hard start no matter if hot/cold start. Already had to have new brakes, shocks and struts put on the vehichle. Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Chevrolet Venture years
1998 518 complaints · 22.4% engine and engine cooling 1999 467 complaints · 25.5% engine and engine cooling 2000 464 complaints · 18.1% engine and engine cooling 2001 284 complaints · 15.8% engine and engine cooling 2002 284 complaints · 15.8% engine and engine cooling 2003 231 complaints · 13.9% exterior lighting