FaultScore

FaultScore report

1999 Chevrolet Venture problems

Owners have filed 467 complaints about the 1999 Chevrolet Venture with NHTSA between 1999 and 2018. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 9 worst.

D

FaultScore 65/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Chevrolet Venture.

How this is worked out

The numbers

467

Complaints

28

Crashes reported

5

Fires reported

37

Injuries reported

2 complaints report a death.

60,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

18%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 69 vs 50 Severity 80 vs 50 Early failure 30 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 69
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Venture. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 80
15.4% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 30
18% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1999 compares with every other Chevrolet Venture

Click any bar to open that year's report.

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 Venture

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 120 25.7%

2 crashes, 1 fires · median 60,000 mi

Airbags 42 9.0%

13 crashes, 0 fires · median 74,750 mi

Median failure at 65,400 miles

Median failure at 20,000 miles

Brakes 35 7.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 59,000 mi

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 60,000 mi

0 crashes, 3 fires · median 64,000 mi

Median failure at 65,000 miles

Lights 18 3.9%

Median failure at 49,000 miles

Suspension 15 3.2%

Median failure at 93,056 miles

Median failure at 37,158 miles

Steering 12 2.6%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 44,000 mi

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 69,000 mi

Tires 11 2.4%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 37,158 mi

Seat Belts 10 2.1%

4 crashes, 0 fires

Acceleration & Cruise Control 9 1.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 107,000 mi

Seats 8 1.7%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 75,829 mi

Child Seats 5 1.1%
Wheels 2 0.4%

Median failure at 82,000 miles

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Door 27 18.2%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 25 16.9%
Engine 20 13.5%
Automatic Transmission 20 13.5%
Cooling System 18 12.2%
Latch 13 8.8%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 13 8.8%
Frontal 12 8.1%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 0.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 10 5.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 20 10.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 42 21.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 60 30.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 41 20.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 21 10.7%
150,000+ miles 2 1.0%

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.

Jan 1999 peak 41 May 2018

NHTSA investigations into the 1999 Chevrolet Venture

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE04064 Opened 17 Sep 2004 Closed 22 Dec 2004 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

POWER-SLIDING DOOR

SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE AVAILABLE WITH AN OPTIONAL POWER SLIDING DOOR.THE INTERIOR HANDLE IS ORIENTED IN THE VERTICAL POSITION IN THE DOOR PANEL AND LINES UP AT THE ELBOW LEVEL WHEN THE OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE 2ND-ROW OUTBOARD POSITION.IF THE OCCUPANT HOLDS THE INTERIOR HANDLE IN THE THUMB UP POSITION DURING POWER-ASSISTED OPENING, THE ARM/WRIST CAN BE PUSH BACK WITH FORCE AGAINST THE 2ND-ROW BUCKET SEAT OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIR SEAT BACK CREATING A RISK OF INJURY (OTHER SEATING CONFIGURATIONS HAVE AMPLE SEAT TO DOOR CLEARANCE TO AVOID ENTRAPMENT OF THE LOWER ARM).AMONG THE 103 TOTAL REPORTS, THERE W...

EA03005 Opened 23 Apr 2003 Closed 12 Jan 2004 SUSPENSION

REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE

ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED A...

PE02086 Opened 18 Nov 2002 Closed 9 Apr 2003 SUSPENSION

REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE

ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 14 INCIDENTS OF REAR TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 THROUGH 1999 GM U-VANS, INCLUDING TWO THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES IS USED IN THE U-VANS FROM MY 1997 THROUGH 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS CAN CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS (E.G., IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING).GM IDENTIFIED A PARTS HANDLING CONCERN THAT WAS CAUSING SOME TRAILING ARMS TO BE DAMAGED PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.TO ADDR...

PE02017 Opened 11 Feb 2002 Closed 2 Aug 2002 SEAT BELTS

SHOULDER HARNESS CLIP

PE00045 Opened 3 Nov 2000 Closed 11 Jan 2001 AIR BAGS

AIR BAG TEAR DURING DEPLOYMENT

SQ00014 Opened 25 Jul 2000 Closed 22 Oct 2001 STRUCTURE

UNEXPECTED OPENING OF SLIDING DOOR

Recalls on the 1999 Chevrolet Venture

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2004446 105,755 units in Canada

Other

On certain vehicles equipped with second-row bucket seats or captain's chairs and power sliding door on the passenger side, if a passenger uses the interior handle to open the power sliding door and holds onto the handle while it is being opened by the motor, the passenger's arm may be pushed into the seat back or armrest and a wrist or lower arm injury may result. Correction: Dealers will replace the original interior power sliding door handle. The original handles are offset from the door panel and a passenger can wrap his or her fingers around them. The replacement door handles are essentially flush with the door trim, preventing a passenger from gripping them in the same fashion.

Recall 2001236 38,064 units in Canada

Other

Certain 1997-2001 Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana/ Trans Sport, and Oldsmobile Silhouette mini vans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors that were serviced in campaign 01013 (01v-067) from April to August 2001. Also 2001 Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana, and Oldsmobile Silhouette mini vans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors assembled in January through April 2001. These vehicles have inadequate front welds. If a front weld fails, the actuator can jam in the unlatched position and, when the sliding door closes, it will not be latched. If this happens, the power sliding door can open while the vehicle is in motion, particularly when the vehicle ascends a hill, makes a turn, or travels over a rough road surface. An unrestrained occupant could fall out of the van and be injured. Correction: dealers will inspect the actuators for certain date codes and, if necessary, replace the actuators.

Recall 2001059 54,759 units in Canada

Structure

Certain vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the power sliding door closes, but is not latched, If this happens the power sliding door can open while the vehicle is in motion, particularly when the vehicle ascends a hill, makes a turn, or travels over a rough road surface. An unrestrained occupant could fall out of the vehicle and be injured. Correction: Dealers will install a new power sliding door un-latch actuator assembly.

Recall 2000080 200,580 units in Canada

Accessories

On certain vehicles operated in areas of high salt use, the spare tire hoist cable may corrode and eventually break. This would allow the spare tire to fall off the vehicle possibly resulting in a road hazard for other vehicles. Correction: A letter will be sent to owners of affected vehicles with maintenance and inspection instructions for spare tire hoist cable assemblies. Additionally, the letter will advise the owner that, if the cable breaks during that inspection, their dealer will repair the assembly. This policy will be in effect until December 31, 2002.

Recall 1999067 34 units in Canada

Steering

Certain vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the left and/or right front lower insulator to cradle centre metal sleeve is collapsed, which can result in loss of clamp load in the joint. If the clamp load is reduced or lost, the bolt can be lost or broken and the joint can separate. If not repaired, separation of the opposite side joint could occur and result in steering shaft separation. If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result without prior warning. Correction: Dealers will replace the left and right front lower cradle to suspension insulators and the attaching bolts.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Grand Rapid, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. SHE THEN NOTICED WHITE SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGERS IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAITED FIFTEEN MINUTES TO ALLOW THE DOOR TO COOL DOWN BEFORE ACCESSING. THE INNER DOOR PANEL WAS DETACHED. THE PLASTIC PARTS INSIDE OF THE DOOR PANEL WERE MELTED AND OTHER INNER COMPONENTS WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10356193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland Heights, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE, WHILE TRAVELING A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0260-91) UPDATED 07/22/10

NHTSA complaint #10340098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 114,500 miles Elizabethtown, KY 1 injured

SEATS

DAUGHTER ENTERED PASSENGER SIDE OF VAN THROUGH LARGE SLIDING DOOR. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS FULLY FORWARD. FELL ON EXPOSED SEAT ADJUSTMENT RAILS. REQUIRED 13 STITCHES TO CLOSE WOUND JUST BELOW KNEE. RAILS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SHARP 90 DEG CORNERS AND NO PROTECTION. RAILS ARE EXPOSED BY APPROX 4 INCHES WHEN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS FULLY FORWARD. SAME PROBLEM EXISTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10192318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Fayetteville, NC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT DURING WET ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 45 MPH. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND COLLIDED WITH 3 OTHER VEHICLES CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHOLE FRONT END AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEG, SHOULDER, AND CHEST. THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN, AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AND PICTURES WERE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND WAS DEEMED TOTALED. UPDATED 1/26/2007 -

NHTSA complaint #10171335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Glendale, AZ 1 injured

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE PINCH WELDS BEHIND THE SIDE SLIDING DOORS (LEFT AND RIGHT) ARE BADLY CORRODED COMPROMISING THE OVERALL STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THIS UNIBODY VEHICLE. WHENEVER A PASSENGER WEIGHING OVER 150 LBS. SITS IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT, THE RIGHT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR ALARM SOUNDS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE DOOR SOMETIMES NOT CLOSE OR WILL OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. WITH THE INTEGRITY OF THE STRUCTURE COMPROMISED, IT HAS ALSO RESULTED IN A CRACKED WINDSHIELD. THIS IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS BUT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FATALITY. THE DEFECT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT GM DEALERSHIPS OF WHICH NONE WERE OF ANY ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10169944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,000 miles Hillsborough, NJ Crash

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE WHICH MY HUSBAND PURCHASED NEW FOR ME IN DECEMBER 1998. LAST YEAR I EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYING ON, COOLANT LEVEL CONSTANTLY DROPPING NO MATTER HOW OFTEN WE ADDED DEX COOL, AND THEN IN THE SPRING I HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED DUE TO ENGINE OIL IN THE COOLANT. HE TOLD ME HE HAS HAD SEVERAL CUSTOMERS WITH CHEVY VENTURE AND OLDS SILHOUETTES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER THIS REPAIR WHICH COST ME OVER $1,000.00 MY CAR SUDDENLY STALLED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON ROUTE 22 ON MY WAY TO WORK. I MANAGED TO GET IT TO THE SHOULDER BEFORE IT STOPPED ROLLING DESPITE LOSING POWER AND CALLED MY MECHANIC. HE TOWED ME TO HIS SHOP AND HAS INFORMED ME THAT MY CAMSHAFT IS BROKEN AND HE HAS NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE! WELL, AFTER FINDING THIS SITE WHILE RESEARCHING WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THIS SITE AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE ALL THE SAME COMPLAINTS AND SINCE AT LEAST 2001 CHEVROLET HAS KNOWN ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS AND DIDN'T CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS ENOUGH TO WARN THEM OR OFFER TO REPLACE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE WE HAD MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE LIKE MINE. I AM LUCKY I WAS NOT KILLED ON THE HIGHWAY BY A TRUCK REAR ENDING ME OR SOMETHING! I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH 4 KIDS AND I STILL OWE MY MECHANIC OVER $800.00 FOR MY LAST REPAIRS AND NOW THIS! NO WAY CAN I AFFORD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE! BESIDES, ANOTHER VENTURE ENGINE WOULD JUST HAVE MORE PROBLEMS! AND NOW I'M READING ABOUT OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE AIR BAGS NOT WORKING AND WINDOWS EXPLODING AND TRANSMISSION FAILURES, TAIL LIGHTS AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS! THESE CARS ARE DEATH TRAPS! AND MOST PEOPLE WHO PURCHASE MINI VANS HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN! GM SHOULD BE ASHAMED!

NHTSA complaint #10132957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 239,137 miles Merced, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I NEED TO KNOW WERE I CAN FIND OUT WHO I TEX TO RECALL THIS VAN THERE ARE TO MANY THINGS THATS GOING WRONG WITH IT I FIX ONE THING AND SOMETHING ELSE GO WRONG WITH IT LOOK I HAVE CANCER AND NEED A GOOD CAR TO GO TO STANFORD CANCER PLEASE CAN U HELP ME.

NHTSA complaint #11097733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,500 miles OLD Hickory, TN

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD FLASH 7 TIMES THEN REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE FOR THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,500.

NHTSA complaint #11010181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Canton, MO

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CPSC: I1480097A. 1999 CHEVY VENTURE. CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HAS A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10666949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,000 miles Ludlow, MA

ENGINE

IN SEPTEMBER OF 2013 I NOTICED OIL IN COOLANT RESERVOIR. TOOK TO THE MECHANIC. CLOSER INSPECTION SHOWED HEAD GASKETS WERE DESTROYED. HAD THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED AND THE COOLANT FLUSHED OUT AS WELL AS CHANGED ALL COOLANT HOSES, WATER PUMP, AND THERMOSTAT TO THE TUNE OF $900.00 DOLLARS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 84000 MILES ON IT. PURCHASED NEW IN 1999. USED THE VEHICLE DAILY FOR FOUR MONTHS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GAGE STARTED FLUCTUATING FROM HOT TO COLD AND FOUND THERE WAS VERY LITTLE HEAT. VEHICLE WOULD THEN IDLE ROUGH. BROUGHT BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND IT APPEARS THE SAME ISSUE IS OCCURRING. YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. ANOTHER $800-$1000 NO WAY. MECHANIC ADVISES THIS IS COMMON FOR VENTURES. THANKS CHEVY LOOKS LIKE I'LL BE SHOPPING FOR A HONDA.

NHTSA complaint #10561774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Nikiski, AK

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE AND FUEL TANK MELTED DUE TO THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT PATCHED UP THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL LINE SINCE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #10559371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 101,000 miles Staten Island, NY

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY WIFE SMELLED GASOLINE UPON ENTERING THE CAR ON OCTOBER 7, 2012. I CHECKED UNDER THE CAR FROM WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM, AND SAW GASOLINE DRIPPING FROM A PIPE NEAR THE GAS TANK. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO REPLACE FOUR FUEL AND EVAPORATION LINES DUE TO CORROSION. IT COST ME OVER $1,000 TO REPLACE THESE LINES. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE A DISASTER COULD HAVE OCCURRED. I COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH GASOLINE LEAKING ONTO MY EXHAUST PIPE. I THINK THAT THESE VANS SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. IT IS AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE THAT CHEVY WOULD PUT IN FUEL LINES THAT HAD ANY POSSIBILITY OF CORRODING. THEY SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM AND CORRECT IT IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA complaint #10479979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,000 miles Waterbury, CT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PURCHASED VEHICLE BRAND NEW. MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK AT 35,000 MILES REPAIRED BY GM. FAILED AGAIN AT 70,000 MILES BUT GM WOULDN'T COVER THE COST, PAID $900 OUT OF POCKET. NOW AT 112,000 MILES AND SUSPECT THAT IT IS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AGAIN. THE LIFTERS ARE ALSO MAKING NOISE. THE MECHANICS ARE TELLING ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW IN THEIR ENGINE. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP IN AND ORDER A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10380996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grand Rapid, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. SHE THEN NOTICED WHITE SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGERS IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAITED FIFTEEN MINUTES TO ALLOW THE DOOR TO COOL DOWN BEFORE ACCESSING. THE INNER DOOR PANEL WAS DETACHED. THE PLASTIC PARTS INSIDE OF THE DOOR PANEL WERE MELTED AND OTHER INNER COMPONENTS WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10356193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Shirley, NY

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR WOULD OPEN INVOLUNTARILY. HE HAD TO PULL OVER, TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR AND LOCK IT IN ORDER TO KEEP IT CLOSED. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY HAD THE DOOR REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALLS 01V067000 & 01V264000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT HE WOULD HAD TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10352681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland Heights, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE, WHILE TRAVELING A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0260-91) UPDATED 07/22/10

NHTSA complaint #10340098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Terrehaute, IN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR. SHE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE FAILURE WAS STILL PRESENT.ALSO THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE FRONTAL FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY AND A MECHANIC REPLACED THE HEATER CORE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RE-INSPECTED IN WHICH THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

NHTSA complaint #10283507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Terrehaute, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR. SHE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE FAILURE WAS STILL PRESENT.ALSO THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE FRONTAL FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY AND A MECHANIC REPLACED THE HEATER CORE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RE-INSPECTED IN WHICH THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

NHTSA complaint #10283507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clio, MI

VISIBILITY

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING IN THE UPWARD POSITION.

NHTSA complaint #10261914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Rochester Hills, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

I HAD TO REPLACE INTAKE AND HEAD GASKETS AT 105,000 MILES ON MY 1999 CHEVY VENTURE. THEY ARE LEAKING AT 180,000 MILES. I AM VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10249472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 139,000 miles Williamson, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

I OWN A 99 CHEVY VENTURE THE PROBLEM IS THE TEMP GAUGE GOES BACK AND FORTH FROM HOT TO COLD I WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BAD. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING WITH A MAJORITY OF THESE VEHICLES WHY ISN'T GM DOING A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10245416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,000 miles Upper Darby, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

BALL BEARING ON VEHICLE REPLACED 2007, NOW 2008 WON'T PASS INSPECTION MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN, PLUS THE ENGINE MANIFOLD.

NHTSA complaint #10234560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,000 miles Upper Darby, PA

STEERING

BALL BEARING ON VEHICLE REPLACED 2007, NOW 2008 WON'T PASS INSPECTION MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN, PLUS THE ENGINE MANIFOLD.

NHTSA complaint #10234560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,000 miles Upper Darby, PA

SUSPENSION

BALL BEARING ON VEHICLE REPLACED 2007, NOW 2008 WON'T PASS INSPECTION MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN, PLUS THE ENGINE MANIFOLD.

NHTSA complaint #10234560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,585 miles Conroe, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT LOST HER KEY TO THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO USE THE PASS KEY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED, BUT THEN SHUT OFF. SHE MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT FOUND THE ORIGINAL KEY AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. SHE INSERTED THE KEY AND HEARD A BEEPING SOUND, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS FUNCTIONING. SHE CALLED SEVERAL DEALERS AND MECHANICS, WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE ISSUE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,585.

NHTSA complaint #10229348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Dearing, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

WHEN ENTERING AN INTERSECTION AFTER LEAVING A STOP SIGN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND THE VAN BEGAN JERKING AND LURCHING IN INTERSECTION UNABLE TO MOVE THROUGH INTERSECTION FOR ATLEAST 10 SECONDS BEFORE THE LURCHING STOPPED. ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN COMING FROM A STOP SUCH AS A RED LIGHT, WHEN ENTERING STREET FROM SIDE ROAD. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, MORE OFTEN WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. HAVE COME CLOSE TO BEING HIT MANY TIMES, OTHER DRIVERS HAVE HAD TO SLAM THEIR BRAKES TO STOP FROM HITTING ME BECAUSE IT CAN LURCH AND JERK NOT GOING ANYWHERE FOR UP TO 30 SECONDS AT TIMES WHILE VAN IS IN INTERSECTION OR ENTERING A ROAD. ABS MOTOR WAS FOUND TO BE WEAK, BUT MECHANIC CANNOT FIND PROBLEM WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM IN ORDER TO FIX IT.

NHTSA complaint #10223153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Chesapeake, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE DETERIORATED MY INTAKE GASKETS OF MY 99 CHEVY VENTURE, SLUDGED UP MY ENGINE AND CAUSED MY CAR TO OVERHEAT AND LEAK DEXCOOL CONTINUOUSLY. THE DEALER JUST TOLD ME SORRY BUT IT WILL BE ABOUT 1500 TO 2000 TO REPAIR. THAT ANTIFREEZE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE NEVER CHANGED AND WORK UNTIL 150K MILES. MY VAN IS A LEAKING RELIABILITY PROBLEM THAT COULD STRAND US ON THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE DEX COOL THEY PUT IN THE FACTORY. THERE WILL BE A RECALL IF YOU INVESTIGATE THIS. THE PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE WEB AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT ABOUT IT IN CALIFORNIA. IT AFFECTS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

NHTSA complaint #10220324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Chesapeake, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE DETERIORATED MY INTAKE GASKETS OF MY 99 CHEVY VENTURE, SLUDGED UP MY ENGINE AND CAUSED MY CAR TO OVERHEAT AND LEAK DEXCOOL CONTINUOUSLY. THE DEALER JUST TOLD ME SORRY BUT IT WILL BE ABOUT 1500 TO 2000 TO REPAIR. THAT ANTIFREEZE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE NEVER CHANGED AND WORK UNTIL 150K MILES. MY VAN IS A LEAKING RELIABILITY PROBLEM THAT COULD STRAND US ON THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE DEX COOL THEY PUT IN THE FACTORY. THERE WILL BE A RECALL IF YOU INVESTIGATE THIS. THE PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE WEB AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT ABOUT IT IN CALIFORNIA. IT AFFECTS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

NHTSA complaint #10220324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charleston, SC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES

1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE HEADLAMPS HAVE A ROUGH FEELING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LIGHTING HAS BEEN REDUCED BY THE DIFFUSION.

NHTSA complaint #10209468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Marietta, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER HAS ENTERED THE HEADLIGHT LENS, WHICH SOMETIMES CAUSES THE BULBS TO BURN OUT. ALSO, THE LENS HAVE BECOME FOGGY AND BLURRY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE COMPONENT. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA complaint #10198641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 114,500 miles Elizabethtown, KY 1 injured

SEATS

DAUGHTER ENTERED PASSENGER SIDE OF VAN THROUGH LARGE SLIDING DOOR. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS FULLY FORWARD. FELL ON EXPOSED SEAT ADJUSTMENT RAILS. REQUIRED 13 STITCHES TO CLOSE WOUND JUST BELOW KNEE. RAILS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SHARP 90 DEG CORNERS AND NO PROTECTION. RAILS ARE EXPOSED BY APPROX 4 INCHES WHEN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS FULLY FORWARD. SAME PROBLEM EXISTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10192318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.