Owners have filed 19 complaints
about the 1999 Chevrolet VAN with NHTSA between 2000 and 2007.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 10 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 37
Against the median year of the Chevrolet VAN. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
26.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1999 Chevrolet VAN
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
526.3%
Median failure at 73,000 miles
Steering
315.8%
Seat Belts
210.5%
Tires
210.5%
Other & Unspecified
15.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Equipment & Accessories
15.3%
Median failure at 73,000 miles
Seats
15.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.3%
Suspension
15.3%
Body & Structure
15.3%
Engine & Cooling
15.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2000peak 4Jun 2007
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Clearwater, FL1 injured
SEAT BELTS
SEAT RETAINING BOLTS "FELL OUT" WHILE BRAKING FOR MAJOR ROADWAY. SEAT PIVOTED ABRUPTLY TOSSING DRIVER INTO STEERING WHEEL AND ONTO FLOOR. DRIVER STOPPED VEHICLE WITH HAND ON BRAKE WITHIN A FEW FEET OF A PASSING SEMI-TRAILER TRUCK TRAVELING AN ESTIMATED 60 MPH. A FRACTION OF A SECOND LATER AND FATALITIES WOULD HAVE BEEN CERTAIN! THE SEATS ARE PART OF A MARK III CONVERSION. THE RETAINING BOLTS APPEAR TO BE FASTENED WITH ALUMINUM WASHERS THAT OBVIOUSLY DO NOT HOLD UP WELL. THE SEAT HAS BEEN REPLACED; HOWEVER, I DO NOT KNOW IF THE DEFECT HAS BEEN APPROPRIATELY RECTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #733048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apex, NCCrash1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #733305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marlboroug, MA1 injured
SEATS
WHILE ACCELERATING THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED DUE TO BOTTOM FRAME BOLT FAILURE CAUSING DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE THE SEAT THEN LUNGED FORWARD THROWING CONSUMER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH CAUSING INJURIES TO HIS CHEST, NECK, BACK AND LEFT LEG, CHEVROLET STATED THAT GLARVILLE CONVERSION WAS THE INSTALLER OF THE SEAT BRACKETS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #553620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Highland, CA1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
DRIVER MADE A HARD SUDDEN STOP AND SIDE SHOULDER BELT DID NOT LOCK OR HOLD DRIVER IN PLACE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT STEERING WHEEL WITH FACE , CONSUMER SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE AND NECK INJURIES. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #859679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 73,000 milesNorth Tonawanda, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
AIR CONDITIONING DRAIN TUBE BENT, CAUSING CONDENSED WATER TO LEAK UNDER CARPET, CAUSING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS LIKE AIRBAG/ABS/TURN SIGNAL/ ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK . WATER CORRODED THE WIRES IN WIRE HARNESS LOCATED UNDER CARPET JUST IN FRONT OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS.
NHTSA complaint #10193775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesNorth Tonawanda, NY
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONING DRAIN TUBE BENT, CAUSING CONDENSED WATER TO LEAK UNDER CARPET, CAUSING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS LIKE AIRBAG/ABS/TURN SIGNAL/ ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK . WATER CORRODED THE WIRES IN WIRE HARNESS LOCATED UNDER CARPET JUST IN FRONT OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS.
NHTSA complaint #10193775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
WE RECENTLY MOVED FROM NY TO TEXAS, AND WE TRANSPORTED OUR VAN THROUGH A AUTO CARRIER. WHEN THE VAN ARRIVED, WE WENT TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR AND THIS ONE ALMOST FELL TO THE GROUND. WE WERE GOING TO SEND IT TO FIX, AFTER GETTING A SMALL CHECK FROM THE AUTO CARRIER, BUT MY HUSBAND HAPPENED TO HEAR A REPORT ON THE TV IN NY ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH THE SLIDING DOORS IN CHEVROLET VANS, THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. I NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN WHO ARE AT RISK. WE ARE UNABLE TO USE THIS DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #10108474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE STEERING PUMP SHAFT BROKE OFF. *MR
NHTSA complaint #10073328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nashotah, WI
SUSPENSION:FRONT
RUST CAUSED THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO FAIL. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10020150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ctr. Conway, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
FUSE PANEL, WIRE HARNESS, AND VEHICLE CONTROL MODULE (INTERIOR) WERE CORRODED. THIS CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL SURGE WHICH SHORTED OUT THE IGNITION MODULE AND BLEW A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE COIL. HOW DOES CORROSION ENTER THE VCM MODULE? WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING THERE WAS A HEAVEY ODOR OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #764680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ctr. Conway, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FUSE PANEL, WIRE HARNESS, AND VEHICLE CONTROL MODULE (INTERIOR) WERE CORRODED. THIS CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL SURGE WHICH SHORTED OUT THE IGNITION MODULE AND BLEW A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE COIL. HOW DOES CORROSION ENTER THE VCM MODULE? WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING THERE WAS A HEAVEY ODOR OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #764680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ctr. Conway, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
FUSE PANEL, WIRE HARNESS, AND VEHICLE CONTROL MODULE (INTERIOR) WERE CORRODED. THIS CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL SURGE WHICH SHORTED OUT THE IGNITION MODULE AND BLEW A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE COIL. HOW DOES CORROSION ENTER THE VCM MODULE? WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING THERE WAS A HEAVEY ODOR OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #764680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ctr. Conway, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
FUSE PANEL, WIRE HARNESS, AND VEHICLE CONTROL MODULE (INTERIOR) WERE CORRODED. THIS CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL SURGE WHICH SHORTED OUT THE IGNITION MODULE AND BLEW A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE COIL. HOW DOES CORROSION ENTER THE VCM MODULE? WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING THERE WAS A HEAVEY ODOR OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #764680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER FOR ENGINE STALLING, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT HEAT SHIELD FOR EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS THE SOURCE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8002136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hattiesburg, MS
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD CAME OFF FIRST TIRE. STARTED SEPARATING ON SECOND TIRE.*AK (TIRESIZE: 75R16E)
NHTSA complaint #749760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sagamore Beach, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT, ENGINE REVVED AND VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A WALL. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clearwater, FL1 injured
SEAT BELTS
SEAT RETAINING BOLTS "FELL OUT" WHILE BRAKING FOR MAJOR ROADWAY. SEAT PIVOTED ABRUPTLY TOSSING DRIVER INTO STEERING WHEEL AND ONTO FLOOR. DRIVER STOPPED VEHICLE WITH HAND ON BRAKE WITHIN A FEW FEET OF A PASSING SEMI-TRAILER TRUCK TRAVELING AN ESTIMATED 60 MPH. A FRACTION OF A SECOND LATER AND FATALITIES WOULD HAVE BEEN CERTAIN! THE SEATS ARE PART OF A MARK III CONVERSION. THE RETAINING BOLTS APPEAR TO BE FASTENED WITH ALUMINUM WASHERS THAT OBVIOUSLY DO NOT HOLD UP WELL. THE SEAT HAS BEEN REPLACED; HOWEVER, I DO NOT KNOW IF THE DEFECT HAS BEEN APPROPRIATELY RECTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #733048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apex, NCCrash1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #733305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marlboroug, MA1 injured
SEATS
WHILE ACCELERATING THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED DUE TO BOTTOM FRAME BOLT FAILURE CAUSING DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE THE SEAT THEN LUNGED FORWARD THROWING CONSUMER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH CAUSING INJURIES TO HIS CHEST, NECK, BACK AND LEFT LEG, CHEVROLET STATED THAT GLARVILLE CONVERSION WAS THE INSTALLER OF THE SEAT BRACKETS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #553620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #729757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE SERVICED FOR RECALL REPAIR FROM DEALERSHIP, OWNER HAD TO DRIVE ONE HOUR AWAY TO RECEIVE REPAIR WORK (00V-085). *MJS
NHTSA complaint #552763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garland, TX
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN
SIX ATTEMPTS WITHIN 24K MILES TO CORRECT SERIOUS ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS PULLED SEVERELY TO RIGHT SINCE DELIVERED NEW. CHEVROLET SEES NO REASON TO REPLACE OR REPURCHASE VEHICLE. DEALER WILL NO LONGER RETURN PHONE CALLS, SAYS THE VEHICLE IS "WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS." DEALER HAS STATED THAT THIS IS CUASED BY ROAD CROWNS. ALSO STATES IT IS A "SAFETY FEATURE" SO THAT IF YOU FALL ASLEEP YOU WILL NOT GO INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #722842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Highland, CA1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
DRIVER MADE A HARD SUDDEN STOP AND SIDE SHOULDER BELT DID NOT LOCK OR HOLD DRIVER IN PLACE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT STEERING WHEEL WITH FACE , CONSUMER SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE AND NECK INJURIES. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #859679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.