1997 Volkswagen Eurovan problems
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Common 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan problems
The Volkswagen Eurovan 1997 is known for several common problems that have been reported by its owners. One of the most common issues is the failure of aging plastic components in the cooling system. These components, such as the water pump and thermostat housing, can crack or break due to their age, leading to coolant leaks and overheating. This can be a serious problem that requires immediate attention to prevent engine damage.
Another common issue with the Volkswagen Eurovan 1997 is transmission problems. The transmission is known to fail or have issues, particularly when the van is overloaded and transferring stress on the transmission, which is not designed to handle such loads. To ensure that the transmission is in good condition, there should be no leaks from the transmission pan, and the gear shifting should be smooth.
The Eurovan also faces minor electrical issues with the electrical portion of the ignition switch. This can result in poor running of the VW Eurovan. Additionally, the air conditioning and air compressors can fail or misfire, leading to poor performance and discomfort during hot weather.
The timing chain on the Eurovan is also known to have issues due to a manufacturing fault with the sprocket. This can cause the engine to display an error 1340, even if the drive is smooth and the engine sounds normal. The main cause of this problem is worn-out chain guides, which can cause the chain to move out of time. This problem is more common in Eurovans that have clocked higher miles.
The clutch on the VW Eurovan can also shudder if it is engaged at low RPM, which could mean that the clutch plate is bending, preventing the pressure plate from being released. This problem is usually caused by heat stress.
The check engine light on the Eurovan may not illuminate when there is a problem with the engine, which is a symptom related to a communication issue with the engine control module (ECM). This problem can be caused by a communication issue between the car bus system or faulty wiring, which would need to be traced and replaced.
Finally, the EPC light on the Eurovan can illuminate periodically, indicating a fault with the engine management system. To determine the exact fault, the engine control unit (ECU) would need to be scanned.
In summary, the Volkswagen Eurovan 1997 has several common problems that can affect its performance and reliability. These issues include cooling system failures, transmission problems, electrical issues, timing chain faults, clutch shuddering, communication issues with the ECM, and faults with the engine management system. Owners of this vehicle should be aware of these issues and take appropriate action to maintain their vehicles and prevent further damage.
What was the last year Eurovan was made?
2003
The Eurovan was discontinued in 2003 when the T4 was replaced by the T5, which hasn't been sold in the US. Volkswagen did introduce a rebadged Chrysler Town & Country in 2008 as the very unsuccessful Routan.
What engine is in a VW Eurovan?
Used 2002 Volkswagen EuroVan - Specs & Features
| Engine | |
|---|---|
| Base engine size | 2.8 L |
| Cylinders | V6 |
| Base engine type | Gas |
| Horsepower | 201 hp @ 6,200 rpm |
Is Eurovan FWD or RWD?
Front-wheel-drive
Vehicle type: Front-wheel-drive, front engine, three-door, seven-passenger van.
What is the difference between a vanagon and a Eurovan?
For more information on our GoWesty Eurovan Lift Kit, click here. 2) Turning radius: Vanagons have a 96-inch wheelbase, and turn as tight as a forklift. Eurovan campers have a 136-inch wheelbase. Although this makes for a more comfortable highway ride, they have a very large turning radius.
What engine is in a VW Eurovan?
Used 2002 Volkswagen EuroVan - Specs & Features
| Engine | |
|---|---|
| Base engine size | 2.8 L |
| Cylinders | V6 |
| Base engine type | Gas |
| Horsepower | 201 hp @ 6,200 rpm |
Is Eurovan FWD or RWD?
Front-wheel-drive
Vehicle type: Front-wheel-drive, front engine, three-door, seven-passenger van.
When did VW stop making the Eurovan?
2003
The Eurovan was discontinued in 2003 when the T4 was replaced by the T5, which hasn't been sold in the US. Volkswagen did introduce a rebadged Chrysler Town & Country in 2008 as the very unsuccessful Routan.
Can you sleep in a Eurovan?
When it is time for bed simply stow the tables, fold down the back seat and throw the included sheets, down pillows and comforter on the double bed for a cozy nights sleep. Up above, under the pop top, you can pull out another double bed that is works out perfect for the kids.
1997 Volkswagen Eurovan car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volkswagen Eurovan problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Fuel system problems
- Electrical system problems
- Seat belts problems
- Power train problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1997 Volkswagen Eurovan complaints
The NHTSA has received 21 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-05-14
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
- Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE CONNECTING ENDS OF THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE REPAIR SHOP. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-03-13
- VIN: WV2EH8703VH
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE PLASTIC PIECE ON THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT THAT LATCHES AND UNLATCHES THE BELT BUCKLE BROKE AND THE SPRING POPPED OUT. THE SEAT BELT CANNOT BE USED. *AK *SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-12-08
- Fire: 1
- VIN: WV2EH8704VH
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: MY 1997 VW EUROVAN CAMPER CAUGHT FIRE ON DECEMBER 8, 2002 AS IT WAS BEING DRIVEN ON INTERSTATE 10 NEAR REDLANDS, CA. IT WAS TOTALLY LOST. APPARENTLY THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. VW, AFTER INSPECTION, DENIES RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE AN AFTER MARKET RADIO WAS INSTALLED. THE FIRM WHICH INSTALLED THE RADIO HAS INSPECTED THE CAR AND REPORTS THAT THE FIRE WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS GOOD EVIDENCE OF MUCH MORE HEAT ON THE RIGHT SIDE. WIRE INSULATION JACKETS ARE BURNED OFF THERE AND NOT NEAR THE RADIO. NO WIRES WERE CUT DURING THE RADIO INSTALLATION, BUT RATHER THE RADIO PLUG WAS CONNECTED TO THE VW PLUG. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 45,000 MILES ON IT. ON NOV. 6, 1998, THE DEALER REPLACED THE REGULATOR MOTOR AND THE WINDOW MOTOR IN THE PASSENGER DOOR. ON JUNE 19, 2000, THE DEALER REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR. ON JULY 17, 2000, THE DEALER FOUND A LOOSE WIRE CONNECTION WHEN I REPORTED THAT THE SPEAKERS WERE NOT WORKING SINCE THE JUNE 19 REPAIR.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-05-25
- VIN: WV2EH8707VH
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: PROBLEM IS AN INTERMITTENT, UNNESCESSARY, SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT OF TRANSMISSION WHEN ASCENDING A STEEP, LONG GRADE. AFTER DOWNSHIFTING, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT UPSHIFT EVEN WHEN RPM'S APPROACH 5000, FORCING ME TO SLOW DOWN. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-05-01
- VIN: WV2EH8704VH
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE ROTORS.*AK CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT FRONT AND REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPALCED CONSUMER WAS COMPLAING OF BRAKES BEING NOISY WHEN BRAKING. *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-07-25
- VIN: WV2EH8708VH
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: OIL LEAKING, NOT A PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER TWO YEAR WARRANTY SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, SOME BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED BY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, THIS WORKED FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS, NOW OIL IS LEAKING AGAIN. CJ
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: WV2EH8708VH
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: GEAR LEVER DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. CJ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-08-10
- VIN: WV2EH8708VH
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: STRONG FUEL ODOR, FUEL TANK LEAKING, GAS CAP REPLACED 7/00, A SLACK TUBE TEST DONE 10/12/00, SIGNIFICANT LEAK FOUND, 10/23/00, LEAK FOUND ON THE FUEL FILLER NECK VALVE ASSEMBLY, FUEL TANK, CHARCOAL CANISTER AND VARIOUS CONNECTIONS RELATED TO FUEL TANK REPLACED. CJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: WV2EH8708VH
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKES SQUEAK, OWNER WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE WAS OPERATING TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS, BRAKES STILL SQUEAK. CJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: WV2EH8708VH
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: CIRCUIT BOARD THAT INDICATES FRESH WATER, WASTE WATER AND PROPANE LEVELS NOT WORKING, CIRCUIT BOARD REPLACED. CJ
EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: WV2EH8708VH
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: REFRIFERATOR STOPPED WORKING. CJ
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: WV2EH8702VH
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: DOOR RELEASE LEVER BROKE DUE TO POOR CONSTRUCTION, THIS MEANS THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR RELEASE NO LONGER OPERATES "CLEANLY" AS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. NLM
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-04-15
- VIN: WV2EH8708VH
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: WE HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WE WROTE A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF MANY OF THE PROBLEMS AND SENT IT TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA CONSUMER RELATIONS. THEY WERE NOT THE LEAST BIT INTERESTED IN ANY OF OUR PROBLEMS. WE CALLED THEM SEVERAL TIMES AFTER SENDING THE DETAILED LETTER AND THEY SAID "TOO BAD, NOT OUR PROBLEM." NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: WV2EH8708VH
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: GOODYEAR NO LONGER MAKES A TIRE THAT WILL HANDLE THE MAXIMUM LOAD CAPACITY THAT IS NEEDED FOR THIS VAN. THE GVW IS APPROXIMATELY 5000. ONCE WATER, PROPANE, PASSENGERS, LUGGAGE, CAMPING EQUIPMENT IS ADDED, ANY CURRENT BRAND OF TIRE IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN WEIGHT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SOMEONE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, AND I BELIEVE IT IS VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURER. I'VE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO FIND A MAXIMUM LOAD OF 1500 POUNDS PER TIRE (6,000 TOTAL) WHICH IS NOT SUFFICIENT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 1957015G64 )
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: WV2H8707VH1
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: THE REAR TIRES WEAR OUT BEFORE THE MILEAGE IS EXCEEDED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-05-13
- VIN: WV2EH8707VH
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD GO UP & THEN COME BACK DOWN WITHOUT THE POWER BUTTON BEING PRESSED. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 1998. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES & PROBLEM COULD NOT BE SOLVED. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-11-01
- VIN: WV2EH8704VH
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED. YH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-11-02
- VIN: WV2EH8704VH
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: BATTERY DIED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A DAY. YH
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-11-23
- VIN: WV2EH8704VH
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW. YH
EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: THE PROPANE GAS COMPONENT OF THE NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR DOES NOT FUNCTION IN HIGH ALTITUDE AREAS.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-07-04
- VIN: WV2EH8702VH
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL LEAK FROM KINKED FUEL LINE.
1997 Volkswagen Eurovan recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
- Summary: DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE CAMPER EQUIPMENT, AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED POWER TOOL DRILL BIT PUNCTURED THE FUEL TANK VAPOR CONTAINER.
- Consequence: FUEL VAPORS CAN ESCAPE WHICH COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
- Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS, ON BEHALF OF WINNEBAGO, WILL CHECK THE FUEL VAPOR CONTAINER FOR THE DEFECT AND IF A DEFECT IS PRESENT, THE FUEL VAPOR CONTAINER, WILL BE REPLACED.
Negative 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan car reviews
Positive 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan car reviews
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You've logged an impressive 150,000 miles in your weekender! From Key West to Montana, San Francisco to Maine, it sounds like you've had some amazing adventures. Your traveling machine seems to be a great fit for any terrain, whether it's the beach, desert, or mountains (the standard transmission definitely helps). It's also comfortable and economical, which is always a plus. I'm not surprised that people think it's pretty new when you tell them the mileage. It sounds like you've taken great care of it. Best of luck finding a replacement soon!
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Hi there! I wanted to share with you that I bought this van on 7/3/2003 and I'm already in love with it! I even gave it a nickname, 'TANK'. Although it was in rough shape and looked like it was used as a farm truck, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is as tight as the one I road tested from the dealer two weeks ago. I'm happy to report that there are no rattles and everything works like it was designed to. Although it will take a few weeks to fix the little stuff and clean it up, it runs great and still has lots of useful life. Thanks for letting me share my excitement with you!
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I bought this van for my family. With the rear-facing second row and the table, the kids or guests can converse, play cars, eat dinner, etc. on the run. It has relatively smooth acceleration for being the 5-cylinder model, and sport mode is pretty fun. The ride is excellent. We haven't had an opportunity to sleep in it yet with the curtains drawn.
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I absolutely adore my 17-year-old car, but unfortunately, it has been quite a money pit. Despite my gentle care, it just broke 100,000 miles and is not running as smoothly as it should. I missed out on a $4,500 opportunity, so I am feeling a bit out of luck with my trade-in. I must admit, I am hesitant to purchase another VW due to the high maintenance costs associated with their higher-end models, and the difficulty in finding someone who knows how to work on them. However, if I could replace the engine and eliminate the VW components, I would definitely keep the car.
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I've driven my eurovan across the country and back the first summer I owned it. It was the best vacation I've ever had. This is my favorite VW to date. I drive my VW back and forth to the city every day and it has never let me down. It's a very well-built vehicle.
Other years of Volkswagen Eurovan
Are you having problems with your 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan?
Bryon Rogahn 2024-10-20
This is my company car. It has a manual transmission, which makes it fun to drive. It fits everywhere and is very reliable, with no problems at all, just regular maintenance service.
Cornell Gleichner 2024-01-23
I completely understand Toledo Joe's frustration. I had all the same problems with my CL Eurovan, and even more. Within the first year, the rear A/C unit, battery, horn, and odometer all needed to be replaced. I also had the auto-shift lever get stuck at carparks three times, with the last time resulting in me having to tow it to the dealer. The engine is underpowered and the response is very sluggish. Additionally, there is a big thump every time the automatic gear shifts, and rain seeps through from the window and windshield. While the new Passat looks nice, I don't think I have the courage to try another VW.