Six problems related to steering have been reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Venture. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I bought my 97 Venture a year ago, ended up getting a recall notice about 3 months later for the rear door handles. Brought to dealer to have fixed, to find out other recalls weren't fixed. I had the steering recall done. Well now not even a year later and it needs to be replaced again. I have 4 children under 6 yrs old and this vehicle is a safety hazard, im afraid to travel in it!! every turn be it right or left I feel the steering kind of pop and stick its scary I think gm needs to reevaluate its so called family safe vehicle and reimburse all of us owners!!.
On 28 July 2003, the chevy dealership replaced the lower pinion bearing in my 97 chevy Venture under a recall scheme. I should have taken it back in, since they left the vehicle with the steering offset to the right by about 15 degrees, but it was such a hassle dealing with them that I didn't bother. Around the start of February 2006, I started to experience intermittent problems when steering to the right. It was as if the power steering wasn't working. When I drive the van, I have to be constantly prepared to wrestle the wheel with both arms, although the fault is still intermittent. I have yet to raise the matter with the dealership, but note that there are many similar accounts, although mostly relating to steering to the left, for similar 97 Ventures and other gm vehicles.
When making a turn at 15 mph steering wheel made a loud grinding noise, and then locked up. With enough force consumer was able to unlock the steering wheel. Dealership was notified, but was unable to resolve the problem.
Defective steering.
Steering intermittently grabbed/stuck and locked. Dealer notified.
While driving steering became tight; then, failed repeatedly. Made left turn and steering locked up and froze. Could not turn steering wheel. Please add VIN.