1997 Chevrolet G Series recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: G VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.5L TURBO-CHARGED DIESEL ENGINES. THE FRONT LEFT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN BE CONTACTED BY THE LOWER ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE CAUSING A HOLE TO BE WORN IN THE BRAKE PIPE.
What could happen: A HOLE IN THE BRAKE PIPE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE BRACKET TO PREVENT THE LOWER ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE FROM CONTACTING THE BRAKE PIPE, AND ALSO INSPECTING THE BRAKE PIPE FOR WEAR. IF NECESSARY, THE BRAKE PIPE WILL BE REPLACED.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 G SERIES.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 97V054000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: G VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.5L TURBO-CHARGED DIESEL ENGINES. THE FRONT LEFT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN BE CONTACTED BY THE LOWER ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE CAUSING A HOLE TO BE WORN IN THE BRAKE PIPE.
Consequence: A HOLE IN THE BRAKE PIPE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE BRACKET TO PREVENT THE LOWER ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE FROM CONTACTING THE BRAKE PIPE, AND ALSO INSPECTING THE BRAKE PIPE FOR WEAR. IF NECESSARY, THE BRAKE PIPE WILL BE REPLACED.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN DURING APRIL 1997. NOTE: 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 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (2), Brakes (2), Wheels / tires (1), Hydraulic (1), Body / structure (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
06/03/2003 · Transmission / drivetrain
SINCE 28,000 MI TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM 1-2; TECHNICIAN FOUND ERROR BUT DEALER REFUSED PROBLEM. ERROR CODE SAYS INTERNAL SLIPPAGE. PROBLEMS GETS MUCH WORSE WITH COLD WEATHER. SOMETIMES DOESN'T SHIFT. HAS TO BE SHIFTED BACK INTO REVERSE AND BACK TO DRIVE. *** TRANSMISSION DIP STICK AND TUBE REPLACED 2 TIMES FROM CORROSION, RUSTED IN HALF AT 60,000 MILES.…
01/22/2001 · Wheels / tires
FIRESTONE STEELTEX R45 TIRES P245/75R16 DOT VN11B1A047 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, BOTH REAR TIRES SPEARATED WITHIN HOURS OF EACH OTHER, RIGHT REAR TIRE ALSO HAD A BROKEN STEEL BELT, CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING PRIOR TO THE BLOWOUT. *SLC
09/16/1999 · Brakes
WHILE MAKING A STOP CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. VEHICLE REQUIRED LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
01/26/1999 · Body / structure
DOORS NOT WELDED PROPERLY CAUSING MISALIGNMENT AND STARTING TO FALL OFF.
01/26/1999 · Brakes
SPEED SENSOR FAILED.
01/26/1999 · Transmission / drivetrain
SHIFT CABLE FAILED.
07/21/1998 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
WHILE DRIVING 60MPH THE EXTERIOR MIRRORS SHAKE VIGOROUSLY WHICH OBSTRUCT THE VIEW, MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK
04/27/1998 · Fuel system
WHEN DRVING OR AT IDLING, IT WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. FUEL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN. DID NOT START RIGHT AFTER SHUTTING DOWN. AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC SAYS NOTHING WRONG. HAPPENED AT LEAST 5-6 DIFFERENT TIMES. *AK