Defect
PASSENGER VANS. THESE VANS EXPERIENCE FUEL ODORS OR LEAKAGE.
Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED EVAPORATIVE EMISSION PIPE ASSEMBLY.
1997 Chevrolet Express Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1997 Chevrolet Express has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 109,239 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
Complaints by component
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHEELS
2crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Total complaints35
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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…”
“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.”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“Tail light socket failure, new sockets are going to be installed. *jb”
“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.…”
Sources & methodology
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Chevrolet Express as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.