Total Complaints
612 filings
CHEVROLET VENTURE · model year
612 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997CHEVROLETVENTURE carries 612 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 13 fires, 16 injuries, and 2 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 VENTURE is exterior lighting:headlights with 51 filings, followed by steering:rack and pinion (42) and structure:body:door (41). 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 VENTURE, 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.
Total Complaints
612 filings
Crashes Reported
11 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 51 |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION | 42 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 41 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 30 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 28 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 18 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 17 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 15 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 14 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 14 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 13 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 12 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 11 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 10 |
| STEERING | 10 |
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.
Mileage: 58,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WITHIN LESS THAN 30 DAYS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE COOLANT LIGHT RANDOMLY KEPT ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NO SOLUTION FROM THE MECHANIC AND WAS UNCERTAIN OF WHAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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. THIS VAN HAS ALREADY HAD THE ENTIRE REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY ON EACH SIDE REPLACED BUT PROBLEM IS RECURRING. CLEANING/SANDING SOCKETS WORKS TEMPORARILY BUT PROBLEM RETURNS WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS. BULB REPLACEMENT ALONE DOES NOT WORK. FILAMENTS IN BULBS ARE NOT BURNT OUT BUT CONTACTS ON BULBS AND SOCKETS ARE BURNT. THIS ONLY AFFECTS THE CIRCUIT THE BRAKE LIGHT FILAMENT IS ON, THE TAILLIGHTS (WHICH SHARE THE SAME MULTIFILAMENT BULB) ARE NOT AFFECTED. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH IT'S QUITE APPARENT THIS IS A PROBLEM VERY COMMON ACROSS MOST OR ALL MODEL YEARS OF THIS VAN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE OCCUPANTS - THE LIGHTS CAN (AND WILL) FAIL WITHOUT NOTICE LEAVING DRIVER VULNERABLE TO COLLISIONS FROM BEHIND DUE TO INADEQUATE SIGNALING. *TR
Mileage: 156,000
I BOUGHT 4 PEP BOYS DEFINITY TIRES W ROAD HASARD TOTAL WAS 424.58 ON 9/10/201. MILEAGE WAS152156..YESTERDAY 9/1/2011 IHAD A BLOW OUT ON L REAR TIRE. THE MILEAGE WAS158180. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE PRO RATED,ONLY 6,000 MILES AND IT COST ME 41.52 FOR ANOTHER TIRE. IT COULDNT BE FIXED. WHAT WAS THE ROAD HAZZARD FOR? PS THEY OFFERED ME A OIL CHANGE AS A SETTELMENT. I TOLD THEM NO THANKS! *TR
Mileage: 158,180
1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE, UNIT 1 WAS EASTBOUND IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE. THE HOOD APPARENTLY WAS NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, FLEW UP AND BACK, SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD. UPDATED 04/04/2011 *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0175-90)*JB UPDATED 04/22/11 *BF
1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE, CAUGHT FIRE AND BECAME FULLY ENGULFED CAUSING TOTAL DAMAGE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE VEHICLE HAD ENGINE TROUBLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0318-89)*JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF
I HAVE OWNED 3 CHEVY VENTURE MINIVANS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. ALL OF THEM HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS, THE SIGNAL AND HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT, THE WINDOW SWITCH GOES OUT AND FINALLY THE HEAD GASKET GOES. THEY RUN GREAT UNTIL THE DAY IT STARTS OVERHEATING, THEN YOUR OUT A VEHICLE. EVERYONE I KNOW WHO HAS A VENTURE HAS HAD AT LEAST ONE OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLE. *TR
Mileage: 99,998
I HAVE OWNED 3 CHEVY VENTURE MINIVANS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. ALL OF THEM HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS, THE SIGNAL AND HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT, THE WINDOW SWITCH GOES OUT AND FINALLY THE HEAD GASKET GOES. THEY RUN GREAT UNTIL THE DAY IT STARTS OVERHEATING, THEN YOUR OUT A VEHICLE. EVERYONE I KNOW WHO HAS A VENTURE HAS HAD AT LEAST ONE OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLE. *TR
Mileage: 99,998
I HAVE OWNED 3 CHEVY VENTURE MINIVANS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. ALL OF THEM HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS, THE SIGNAL AND HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT, THE WINDOW SWITCH GOES OUT AND FINALLY THE HEAD GASKET GOES. THEY RUN GREAT UNTIL THE DAY IT STARTS OVERHEATING, THEN YOUR OUT A VEHICLE. EVERYONE I KNOW WHO HAS A VENTURE HAS HAD AT LEAST ONE OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLE. *TR
Mileage: 99,998
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE IN HER VEHICLE HAS CORRODED THE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, AND INTAKE VALVE. THIS IS THE COOLANT THAT WAS LISTED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND IS ALWAYS USED IN HER VEHICLE. A RECALL WAS SENT TO CHEVROLET CONSUMERS, BUT IT WAS NOT ISSUED BY NHTSA. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
Mileage: 122,000
NEEDS REPLACED FRONTEND HUBS ,TIEROD,PINION REPAIRS/RECALL THIS VAN NEEDS A NEW OWNER!!! NOTHING BUT COSTLY REPAIRS CHEVY NEEDS TO RECALL ALL THEM VENTURES. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
NEEDS REPLACED FRONTEND HUBS ,TIEROD,PINION REPAIRS/RECALL THIS VAN NEEDS A NEW OWNER!!! NOTHING BUT COSTLY REPAIRS CHEVY NEEDS TO RECALL ALL THEM VENTURES. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
NEEDS REPLACED FRONTEND HUBS ,TIEROD,PINION REPAIRS/RECALL THIS VAN NEEDS A NEW OWNER!!! NOTHING BUT COSTLY REPAIRS CHEVY NEEDS TO RECALL ALL THEM VENTURES. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
NEEDS REPLACED FRONTEND HUBS ,TIEROD,PINION REPAIRS/RECALL THIS VAN NEEDS A NEW OWNER!!! NOTHING BUT COSTLY REPAIRS CHEVY NEEDS TO RECALL ALL THEM VENTURES. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
NEEDS REPLACED FRONTEND HUBS ,TIEROD,PINION REPAIRS/RECALL THIS VAN NEEDS A NEW OWNER!!! NOTHING BUT COSTLY REPAIRS CHEVY NEEDS TO RECALL ALL THEM VENTURES. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
GENERAL MOTORS DEX-COOL RUINED OUR COOLING SYSTEM IN OUR 97 CHEVY VENTURE. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM AND NOW CRANKSHAFT HAS GONE BAD. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 IN REPAIRS. VAN STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AT 80,000MILES. VAN ONLY HAS 110,000 MILES. WE ARE OVERWHELMED AND EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED. WE WOULD HAVE REPLACE THE COOLANT IF WE WOULD HAVE KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THE DEX-COOL CAUSED. WE FEEL WE HAVE BEEN DENIED VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO MAINTAINING OUR VEHICLE. CONSUMERS NEED TO BE MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH DEX-COOL COOLANT!!!!!!! *TR
Mileage: 90,000
GENERAL MOTORS DEX-COOL RUINED OUR COOLING SYSTEM IN OUR 97 CHEVY VENTURE. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM AND NOW CRANKSHAFT HAS GONE BAD. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 IN REPAIRS. VAN STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AT 80,000MILES. VAN ONLY HAS 110,000 MILES. WE ARE OVERWHELMED AND EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED. WE WOULD HAVE REPLACE THE COOLANT IF WE WOULD HAVE KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THE DEX-COOL CAUSED. WE FEEL WE HAVE BEEN DENIED VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO MAINTAINING OUR VEHICLE. CONSUMERS NEED TO BE MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH DEX-COOL COOLANT!!!!!!! *TR
Mileage: 90,000
I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE AND I HAVE HAD A LOT OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I GOT THE VEHICLE IN 2003 USED. THE DAY I BOUGHT IT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I HAD IT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WATCHED THEM TAKE A NEW TRANSMISSION OUT OF A CRATE AND PUT IT IN. AFTER THAT IT WAS BACK IN THE SHOP 3 MORE TIMES OVER THE NEXT YEAR FOR PROBLEMS. WHEN I WOULD GO THROUGH A YIELD REQUIRING ME TO SPEED UP SUCH AS GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE IT WOULD REV UP AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL , ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET HIT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHEN I WOULD TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THEN TRY AGAIN IT WOULD GRAB AND TAKE OFF. ALL THREE TIMES THEY REBUILT THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. NOW THE SHIFT SENSORS ARE GOING OUT AND EVEN THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AT ONLY 35,000 MILES. EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER THAT PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN HAS PURGED THEIR SYSTEM AND MY INFORMATION WAS KICKED OUT AND I CANNOT FIND THE ORIGINAL PAPERWORK. WHAT CAN I
Mileage: 135,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT GOING TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE STEERING RACK AND PINION BECAUSE HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA MANUFACTURER NOTICES TO DEALERS (ETC RCMN-02V286-8630.PDF), THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A RECALL FOR THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE POWERTRAIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,197.
Mileage: 100,197
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB CONTINUOUSLY FAILED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BULB, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONSTANT FAILURE WAS DUE TO MOISTURE ENTERING THE FIXTURE, WHICH BLEW OUT THE BULB AND DISCOLORED THE LENS. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Mileage: 20,000
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
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.