Total Complaints
12 filings
CHEVROLET G VAN · model year
1997 CHEVROLET G VAN
12 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997CHEVROLETG VAN carries 12 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 G VAN is power train:automatic transmission with 3 filings, followed by fuel system, other (2) and vehicle speed control:cruise control (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1997 G VAN, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
12
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20050526SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: PROBLEM WITH ABS BRAKES BEGAN IN 2003. AFTER REPLACEMENT OF ABS SYSTEM THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN WARNING WAS LIT THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED. MECHANIC SAID THAT CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, IN RAINY CONDITIONS BRAKES SEEMED TO CAUSE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND PULLED THE VEHICLE TO RIGHT. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT WAS COMING ON DUE TO COMPUTER PROBLEM. CONTACT BELIEVED THE COMPUTER WAS CAUSING THE ,PROBLEMS DUE TO THE COMPUTER BEING PLACED OUTSIDE NEAR THE TIRE. *AK
Mileage: 154,000
20050526ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: PROBLEM WITH ABS BRAKES BEGAN IN 2003. AFTER REPLACEMENT OF ABS SYSTEM THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN WARNING WAS LIT THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED. MECHANIC SAID THAT CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, IN RAINY CONDITIONS BRAKES SEEMED TO CAUSE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND PULLED THE VEHICLE TO RIGHT. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT WAS COMING ON DUE TO COMPUTER PROBLEM. CONTACT BELIEVED THE COMPUTER WAS CAUSING THE ,PROBLEMS DUE TO THE COMPUTER BEING PLACED OUTSIDE NEAR THE TIRE. *AK
Mileage: 154,000
20040621POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PROBLEMS WITH 1997 CHEVROLET G-VAN TRANSMISSION.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE HIS TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES BECAUSE OF LEAKING. CHEVROLET HAS ONLY ISSUED A BULLETIN FOR 1991-1995 GMC TRUCK G VANS REGARDING A LEAK IN THE REAR EXTENSION HOUSING BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING IN THE 97 MODELS. THE CONSUMER IS ASKING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION IN THE AMOUNT OF $1979.45. *CB *JB
Mileage: 68,569
20030920POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 1997 CHEVY CUSTOMIZED VAN. I HAVE JUST HAD TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT WITH JUST 79,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN, MOST DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I'VE REPLACED 2 STARTERS, 2 FUEL PUMPS, 1 SPEEDOMETER, 3 BATTERIES, AND FUEL LEAKS OVER THE YEARS. THERE WERE ALSO 2 RECALL ITEMS, ONE DEALING WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. ALL OF MY WORK HAS BEEN WITH LOCAL CHEVY SERVICE CENTERS, BUT NOT VERY HAPPY. AT AROUND 55,000 MILES, WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION JUMPING OR SHIFTING ROUGHLY AT LOWER SPEEDS IN TOWN, BUT IT WAS INTERMITTENT. THE SERVICE CENTER SAID WE WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT A TREMENDOUS COST AT THAT TIME. MY QUESTIONS AT THE TIME ABOUT WHAT WAS THE CAUSE AND WHY AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE WERE NEVER ANSWERED FULLY, AND I CHOSE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VAN. THE RECENT PROBLEM HAPPENED AT 79,000 WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION, WHICH MY WIFE WAS LUCKY. THERE HAD BEEN A BIG BANG, AND THE RESULT INITIALLY WAS A LOST REVERSE G
Mileage: 79,500
20030920FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
I OWN A 1997 CHEVY CUSTOMIZED VAN. I HAVE JUST HAD TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT WITH JUST 79,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN, MOST DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I'VE REPLACED 2 STARTERS, 2 FUEL PUMPS, 1 SPEEDOMETER, 3 BATTERIES, AND FUEL LEAKS OVER THE YEARS. THERE WERE ALSO 2 RECALL ITEMS, ONE DEALING WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. ALL OF MY WORK HAS BEEN WITH LOCAL CHEVY SERVICE CENTERS, BUT NOT VERY HAPPY. AT AROUND 55,000 MILES, WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION JUMPING OR SHIFTING ROUGHLY AT LOWER SPEEDS IN TOWN, BUT IT WAS INTERMITTENT. THE SERVICE CENTER SAID WE WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT A TREMENDOUS COST AT THAT TIME. MY QUESTIONS AT THE TIME ABOUT WHAT WAS THE CAUSE AND WHY AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE WERE NEVER ANSWERED FULLY, AND I CHOSE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VAN. THE RECENT PROBLEM HAPPENED AT 79,000 WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION, WHICH MY WIFE WAS LUCKY. THERE HAD BEEN A BIG BANG, AND THE RESULT INITIALLY WAS A LOST REVERSE G
Mileage: 79,500
20030920ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
I OWN A 1997 CHEVY CUSTOMIZED VAN. I HAVE JUST HAD TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT WITH JUST 79,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN, MOST DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I'VE REPLACED 2 STARTERS, 2 FUEL PUMPS, 1 SPEEDOMETER, 3 BATTERIES, AND FUEL LEAKS OVER THE YEARS. THERE WERE ALSO 2 RECALL ITEMS, ONE DEALING WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. ALL OF MY WORK HAS BEEN WITH LOCAL CHEVY SERVICE CENTERS, BUT NOT VERY HAPPY. AT AROUND 55,000 MILES, WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION JUMPING OR SHIFTING ROUGHLY AT LOWER SPEEDS IN TOWN, BUT IT WAS INTERMITTENT. THE SERVICE CENTER SAID WE WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT A TREMENDOUS COST AT THAT TIME. MY QUESTIONS AT THE TIME ABOUT WHAT WAS THE CAUSE AND WHY AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE WERE NEVER ANSWERED FULLY, AND I CHOSE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VAN. THE RECENT PROBLEM HAPPENED AT 79,000 WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION, WHICH MY WIFE WAS LUCKY. THERE HAD BEEN A BIG BANG, AND THE RESULT INITIALLY WAS A LOST REVERSE G
Mileage: 79,500
20030920ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
I OWN A 1997 CHEVY CUSTOMIZED VAN. I HAVE JUST HAD TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT WITH JUST 79,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN, MOST DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I'VE REPLACED 2 STARTERS, 2 FUEL PUMPS, 1 SPEEDOMETER, 3 BATTERIES, AND FUEL LEAKS OVER THE YEARS. THERE WERE ALSO 2 RECALL ITEMS, ONE DEALING WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. ALL OF MY WORK HAS BEEN WITH LOCAL CHEVY SERVICE CENTERS, BUT NOT VERY HAPPY. AT AROUND 55,000 MILES, WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION JUMPING OR SHIFTING ROUGHLY AT LOWER SPEEDS IN TOWN, BUT IT WAS INTERMITTENT. THE SERVICE CENTER SAID WE WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT A TREMENDOUS COST AT THAT TIME. MY QUESTIONS AT THE TIME ABOUT WHAT WAS THE CAUSE AND WHY AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE WERE NEVER ANSWERED FULLY, AND I CHOSE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VAN. THE RECENT PROBLEM HAPPENED AT 79,000 WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION, WHICH MY WIFE WAS LUCKY. THERE HAD BEEN A BIG BANG, AND THE RESULT INITIALLY WAS A LOST REVERSE G
Mileage: 79,500
20030920UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I OWN A 1997 CHEVY CUSTOMIZED VAN. I HAVE JUST HAD TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT WITH JUST 79,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN, MOST DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I'VE REPLACED 2 STARTERS, 2 FUEL PUMPS, 1 SPEEDOMETER, 3 BATTERIES, AND FUEL LEAKS OVER THE YEARS. THERE WERE ALSO 2 RECALL ITEMS, ONE DEALING WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. ALL OF MY WORK HAS BEEN WITH LOCAL CHEVY SERVICE CENTERS, BUT NOT VERY HAPPY. AT AROUND 55,000 MILES, WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION JUMPING OR SHIFTING ROUGHLY AT LOWER SPEEDS IN TOWN, BUT IT WAS INTERMITTENT. THE SERVICE CENTER SAID WE WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT A TREMENDOUS COST AT THAT TIME. MY QUESTIONS AT THE TIME ABOUT WHAT WAS THE CAUSE AND WHY AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE WERE NEVER ANSWERED FULLY, AND I CHOSE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VAN. THE RECENT PROBLEM HAPPENED AT 79,000 WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION, WHICH MY WIFE WAS LUCKY. THERE HAD BEEN A BIG BANG, AND THE RESULT INITIALLY WAS A LOST REVERSE G
Mileage: 79,500
20030726POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET G VAN HIGHWAY DRIVEN WITH ONLY 29,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD FROM 1ST TO SECOND GEAR ONLY WHEN HOT. DEALER FOUND A DEFECTIVE VALVE BOBY ASSEMBLY.TIMED OUT OF WARRENTY COST $900 TO REPAIR. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE LASTED DLONGER THAN 29,000 MILES. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH WAS NOT FROM WEARING OUT.*AK
Mileage: 25,000
20030102VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE, INSTEAD OF STOPPING AT DESIRED SPEED. VEHICLE IS A 1997 CHEVROLET CG11405 VAN. TS
Mileage: 42,000
20020514FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WORK WAS COMPLETED, CONSUMER STATED THAT FUEL GAUGE BEGAN FLUCTUATING AFTER THE THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE, THE FUEL GAUGE WILL JUMP FROM FULL TO 1/4 TANK WHILE DRIVING. *YH
20020426FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WORK WAS COMPLETED, CONSUMER STATED THAT FUEL GAUGE BEGAN FLUCTUATING AFTER THE THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE, THE FUEL GAUGE WILL JUMP FROM FULL TO 1/4 TANK WHILE DRIVING. *YH
Compare 1997CHEVROLETG VAN to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1997 CHEVROLET G VAN have?▼
The 1997 CHEVROLET G VAN has 12 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 CHEVROLET G VAN?▼
The most-complained component for the 1997 CHEVROLET G VAN is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL.
Is the 1997 CHEVROLET G VAN safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.