This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I have had all the problems that everyone has complained about, but, the worst to me is that I am sitting here in need of a motor in my 1998 Venture van. I thought that I would be able to use to at least 100,000 miles. I started getting the ticking noise like at 50,000 miles and was told that it was the lifters, couldn't believe it, then before it hit 60,000 I had rods bearings and I am not sure what else done and by 70,00 my motor is blown. I am a homemaker with 2 children in college and 2 weddings going on, I can't afford a new car and now I am driving my brothers, it is embarrassing to say the least. I had contacted Chevy and they offered me a little voucher to help pay on a new van. I can't afford a new one, I am not a vain person, I just want a car I can trust and thought that I had one in Chevy. Now I see why people are buying foreign. I saw in the complaints where this has happened to several Venture what are we to do?
December 2002 - manifold gasket failed, allowing dexcool coolant to mix with the oil system. Gasket replaced. November 2004. Replacement gasket failed. Coolant in oil system again. Modified gasket kit installed. Jan 2, 2005. Cam shaft breaks. Bearings/bushing seized due to oil system contamination. On Jan 2, 2005, the van stalled in intersection. Car restarted. Car then stalled on the expressway on the way home and would not restart. The stall occurred on a bend coming out of a tunnel. Approaching cars had little warning that our van was on the side of the highway. Police helped push the van off the side of the road onto the grass. The van cannot be cost effectively repaired. It needs a new engine.
Noticed an engine "tick" couple weeks ago. Problem seemed to disappear once engine came up to temperature. Noticed last night that problem "tick" is more noticeable. Investigated tonight after researching intake manifold gasket problems on the web, and discovered coolant in the engine oil.
Engine failure due to leaking intake manifold gaskets which allowed dextrol coolant to mix with oil. Complete engine failure requiring engine replacement. Appears to be an issue with this engine, but no assistance from General Motors.
After much research with area GM dealerships and your website, it appers that the 1998 Venture mini-van's intake manifold gasket develops a leak at 80000 to 90000 miles. I had this replacement in May 2002. Since my van was out of warrenty by 1000 miles (it was shy 2 weeks of being 4 years old). I spoke with GM's customer service and they stated there was nothing they could do about it. Even though I have maintained my vehicle on schedule for all tune-up/oil changes/tire rotations, etc. I ended up paying $575 to have the intake manifold gasket replaced. Since then my van has never been the same. It is now in the shop in need of a whole new engine with only 82000 miles. It seems a piston rod spun and damaged the crank shaft. After much investigation, I was told that the problem with the intake manifold gasket could have caused all of this. Now I am faced with replacing the whole engine with an used engine with 4,000 miles for $2400 + tax, getting a remanufactured engine for $3865 or trading in the car. I do believe an investigation in the leaking of the intake manifold gasket should definately be pursued. I would really appreciate any assistance. For the headlight, my headlight lens fall off while I was driven on a highway going about 55 mph. I never could found the lens and lucky the lens flying off did not cause a crash. I contacted the GM assistance program and once again was told there was nothing could be done to assist us. This wasn't a known problem. After investigating again, I see this is a known problem. Replacing the lens meant replacing the whole headlight unit at the tune of $328.03. What is the consumer to do??no safety defect listed.
Engine stalls. First year of ownership, 5 times towed three times replaced fuel pump twice. Stalling again, 22may02 at 65 mph, 30may02 at 15 mph, and 04jun02 at 55 mph. Each time will restart after 20 minutes. Dealer says nothing wrong. Have case record with Chevy S1-3066803.
Vehicle stalled while driving on 3 different occasions over past 6 months. Vehicle currently using coolant, but not leaking to ground. When vehicle stalls, makes almost impossible to operate and nearly caused me to have an accident.
Low coolant light came on - slight engine tapping at startup. Dealership service department has determined that the engine is shot. This vehicle has had regular maintenance and has 60,000 miles on it. After doing our own research, it appears that a great number of 1997-2000 Venture vans have a problem with tapping and engine failure. I would like to have an investigation started to confirm of deny that the 3400 V6 engine is defective. Chevrolet rep. Quickly agreed to pay for half of the repair, which is somewhat suspicious.
At 37,000 miles my van should not have needed a resealing of the engine. I am outraged by this and will persue the matter with a lawyer if necessary. (dot number: N/a tiresize: N/a)
Most of the time while being in the middle of an intersection the vehicle will lose all power and shut off without warrning. Dealer has been contacted.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Chelsea, OK, USA