NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Chevrolet Express Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Chevrolet Express has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 29 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Chevrolet Express. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1997 Chevrolet Express owner complaints

Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Chevrolet Express, describing incidents dated February 14, 1997 to December 1, 2015.

Most-cited components

Power Train 6 complaints
Engine 3 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints
Service Brakes 3 complaints
Structure 3 complaints
Tires 3 complaints

Of the 29 complaints on file, 3 report a crash; across all 29 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10837621 · Filed February 22, 2016
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…
ODI #10153907 · Filed March 28, 2006
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.
ODI #10153221 · Filed March 20, 2006
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…

Read all 29 complaints

FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS

NHTSA #09E012000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported April 7, 2009 · SABERSPORT

Potentially affected: 16,270 vehicles

Owners notified May 11, 2009

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

GM/FUEL ODOR/LEAKAGE

NHTSA #00V110000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported April 17, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 109,239 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 00031 · Owners notified March 26, 2001 · Vehicles built September 1, 1995 – June 30, 1997 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

PASSENGER VANS. THESE VANS EXPERIENCE FUEL ODORS OR LEAKAGE.

Safety consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED EVAPORATIVE EMISSION PIPE ASSEMBLY.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN MARCH 26, 2001.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 Chevrolet Express. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

29 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Chevrolet Express.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10837621

Incident: December 1, 2015 · Filed: February 22, 2016

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

Structure

ODI #10153907

1 injury

Incident: March 28, 2006 · Filed: March 28, 2006

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.

Tires

ODI #10153221

Incident: February 13, 2006 · Filed: March 20, 2006

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

Power Train

ODI #10150952

Incident: June 15, 2005 · Filed: February 22, 2006

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Engine and Engine Cooling; Power Train

ODI #10137203

Incident: September 15, 2005 · Filed: September 21, 2005

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

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10136757

Incident: September 13, 2005 · Filed: September 16, 2005

TAIL LIGHT SOCKET FAILURE, NEW SOCKETS ARE GOING TO BE INSTALLED. *JB

Seat Belts

ODI #10121014

Incident: March 2, 2005 · Filed: May 16, 2005

DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT WAS MOUNTED ON MIDDLE CAPTIAN CHAIR, STARCRAFT CONVERSION VAN. CABLE BROKE FROM NORMAL USAGE?

Power Train

ODI #10095028

Incident: October 4, 2004 · Filed: October 4, 2004

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

Equipment

ODI #10070875

Incident: September 15, 2003 · Filed: January 15, 2004

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).

Fuel System, Other

ODI #10067766

Incident: February 10, 2004 · Filed: April 25, 2004

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

Other Chevrolet Express model years

Check your 1997 Chevrolet Express VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Express at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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