1997 Chevrolet Venture from North America - Comments

My Chevy Venture van is a full size conversion van. I have had problems since the first week.

The side passenger windows fell out within the first month. Just this week one of them fell out again.

The air conditioner does not run anymore. When the air conditioner did run it would cause the motor to lurch when the compressor turned on. I was told by the dealership that this was normal. The side passenger door in the rear is a double door. The door started to become increasingly hard to open. Took into dealer who said it just needed oiling. He oiled and worked door back and forth when the hinge snapped in half. That was still under warranty. Now both of these side doors are acting the same way again. The drivers window will not go up if it was put all of the way down. Intermittent problem in the beginning so dealer never could duplicate or repair. Rear door handle quit working and had to be replaced.

There is a strong gas odor inside the van when the tank is filled all of the way up. I have to fill tank all of the way because the gas gauge does not work so I use the odometer. At 77000 miles the transmission had to be replaced.

I will never buy a Chevy van again.

I have had the same problem with a 97 venture (gas gauge not working, gas smell) also suspension problems, had to replace intake manifold for coolant leak which I understand is a common problem in this model. When driving down highway recently, van died - turns out 2 cylinders dead, transmission shot. All this at 76,000 miles. Getting rid of it, won't buy another Chevy product EVER.

I have a 97 Chevy Venture with a 166,800 and only replace the water pump and the intake gasket at a 155,000 and no other problem out of it I would buy another Venture.

I also have a 1997 Chevy Venture. Loved it at first, but now nothing, but problems. The driver side window switch stopped working, the A/C doesn't work, when the gas gage gets to 1/4 tank, it goes back up to the over full mark, the brake light and blinker have a short. What is a person to do?? I don't think I will ever buy another venture.

Hello,

I bought my 1997 venture van new, and have had many problems also. The van has 53,000 miles now. The latest problem is gas leaking out of a very hot fuel line underneath.

Most of the problems happened in the warranty years.

The problems were fuel gage, rack and pinion, air condition compressor, leaking brakes, transmission, power window, power side mirror.

The motor is holding up OK.

Driver side window, on occasion, won't budge, neither up nor down. Then for no apparent reason, it works again.

Other than that, a pretty reliable vehicle. Am taking the car to a dealer tomorrow because the "service engine light soon" came on as I was returning from a long distance drive on mostly highways.

Came on line to read up as to what may have triggered the dummy light

Mari.

I have a 1997 Chevy Venture and have close to 200000 miles on it. The service engine soon light stays on. My air condition just went out about 3 weeks ago without any warning and now its 97 degrees outside. The driver window is offtrack and won't roll up all the way. There are some problems with this vehicle, but then all vehicles carry problems no matter if new or old.

TD.

I too own a 97 Chevy Venture. I have had it about 2 years and I am experiencing the same problems, power windows working when they want to, now the right one won't come up at all, and the a/c is on the fritz. I also have problems with the fuse blowing out all the time, that controls the odometer, and gas gauge. Seeing that I bought it used, I was not aware if some of these problems were due it being used or just defects. Over all, I enjoy the van, but these electrical problems are a constant headache.

I bought my '97 Chevy Venture used about a year ago, and thought it was the best vehicle purchase I had ever made for my family. Even though it had nearly 140,000 miles on it, it had a smooth ride, looked sleek and fashionable, and the engine purred like a kitten. I'm a tolerant man, so when I had to replace normal things like the alternator, or starter, it was no big deal for me. But when it died on me last week and my mechanic told me I now need a new motor, now it's got me wondering. Is it worth it to replace something that expensive on such an old van with now nearly 180,000 miles on it? Is that something that could have been detected before I even purchased it? Should I stop buying used, bite the bullet, and go new?

I have a 97 chevy venture van. we bought it with 162,000 miles and got it for scrap price due to a bad engine. i drove it to the shop with the bad engine and I must say even with a dying engine that van drove better and out acelerated my for windstar!i like it!.that's also the van original engine. from what I am reading they hold up pretty well. all older vehicles are bound to have problems some worst then others.

I've owned over 50 vehicles of all sorts. The one I've had the longest (7 years) is a 97 Venture.

I did have the intake manifold problem, and the window switch has been replaced twice. Those are common/known problems. I've got 107K on mine.

The Vans are mixed bag; but I love it because it gets very good highway mileage (25-27 MPG at moderate highway speeds; 60-65 MPH).

My A/C still works (and NO, it doesn't make the engine lurch at all; that could be a bad motor mount; but the dealer that told you that was likely just trying to placate you--regarding the first comment) and the transmission is great (so far).

We have put an electric brake controller, hitch and air shocks on it for towing. It TOWS WONDERFULLY! I can't believe what it can tow. I towed my 2005 Escape Hybrid on a 7x16' trailer; that's about 6,000lbs and it towed fine. Now, w/o the electric brake controller that would be suicide.

I do one thing many owners of American cars don't--I GET THE MAINTENANCE DONE! Change your tranny fluid every 30-50K and you will really help it out. If you don't you'll be complaining how your tranny went out. $100 or $1500-$2000, your choice. I've towed 15,000 miles with the Van, and the tranny has recall impressed me; I'm on my 3rd fluid change since buying it at 55,000 miles in 2001; now 107,500.

LUCAS transmission fluid additive has served me well too.

Some of the electrical problems above sound like either bad grounds, or elec component failure; check the voltage w a cheap $15 meter from Walmart/Any auto store to make sure it's in the proper range; they are easy to use.

If you do have to get the manifold intake repair done (not necessarily the head gasket--get a compression check) get the plugs changed too!!! (If it's time). Don't use that ORANGE fluid in the radiator; use the green; flush out all the orange, it clogs up after a while.

Happy trails!