555 of the
3,069 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Venture
are about the engine —
18% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
In January 2022, I noticed white smoke coming from the engine and a mechanic said it was the water pump that needed to be replaced, so I have it replaced. Recently, I noticed the same white smoke coming from the engine and took it back to the same mechanic who installed the water pump. The mechanic said it was the intake manifold that caused the white smoke. I decided to take it to another mechanic to see if the first diagnosis was correct and that mechanic confirmed the first mechanic's diagnosis and my previous experience with another GM vehicle (1997 Vhevy Lumina) that had the exact same problem: water pump went out and intake manifold also started to fail until the Lumina's engine was fried.
NHTSA complaint #11488379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BLOWN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE AN OVERHEATING ISSUE, AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED SINCE I'VE OWNED IT. DROVE ACROSS A STEEP 7 MILE HILL, TEMP GAUGE STARTED MOVING ABOVE NORMAL. I STOPPED AND LET IT COOL DOWN, MOTOR GOT TO ABOUT 245 DEGREES WELL BEFORE ANY WARNING LIGHTS WERE ABLE TO COME ON. STARTED THE MOTOR AND IT SOUNDED DIFFERENT SO I POPPED THE HOOD AND THE COOLANT OVERFLOW WAS BUBBLING. NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD STARTED STEAMING UP, AND A VERY ROUGH IDLE. SHUT THE MOTOR OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN. WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE. TURN IT OFF AGAIN AND OPENED THE OIL CAP AND IT HAD THE MAYO LOOK AND SMELLED OF ANTIFREEZE. PULLED THE DIPSTICK AND THE OIL WAS BROWN AND SEPARATED. GOT IT HAULED HOME. DID AN INSPECTION AND ANTIFREEZE WAS ALL DOWN THE BLOCK. TOOK THE MOTOR APART AND THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS JUST DETROYED. CHEVROLET HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS OUT OF THESE 3.4 GEN 3 MOTORS. THEY ALL NEED TO BE RECALLED AND THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU KEEP THE COOLANT FLUSHED AND OIL CHANGED. HEAD GASKETS WERE IN THE SAME SHAPE I CHANGED THEM TOO. ALL TOGETHER COST ME OVER $1000 BETWEEN GASKET KITS, HEAD BOLTS, INTAKE BOLTS, COOLANT, OIL, FILTER, FLUSH, AND THAT WAS CHANGING THE HEAD GASKET, LOWER AND UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET COMPLETELY BY MYSELF. THESE MOTORS ARE SO HARD TO WORK ON, I JUST COULDN'T AFFORD TO HAVE SOMEONE DO IT FOR ME. IT'S JUST BAD TO BUY A VEHICLE AND HAVE THIS PROBLEM. MOST VENTURE OWNERS HAVE CHANGED HEAD GASKETS OR INTAKE GASKETS MORE THAN ONCE. TOYOTA RECALLED THEIR 3.0 MOTORS FOR THIS PROBLEM, WHY IS GM NOT MADE TO RECTIFY THIS CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. THE VAN HAS ALOT OF OTHER PROBLEMS AS WELL, BODY RUST, HEADLIGHTS YOU CANNOT SEE WITH, OIL SEAL LEAKS, STEERING KNUCKLE PROBLEMS, SLIDING DOOR ISSUES, RADIO PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, SIGNAL LIGHTS, ABS PROBLEMS. FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS. IT'S A LEMON
NHTSA complaint #11378031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
(XXXXXXXXX) CRAIGSLIST LEMON LAW PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11133260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ENGINE RPM SURGES WITHOUT PUSHING THE GAS. THE ENGINE WILL GRADUALLY PROPEL THE VEHICLE TO AROUND 50-60 MPH WITH NO MECHANICAL MOVEMENT OF THE GAS PEDAL. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY DAY OR TWO. HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL OR FIRMLY PRESS THE BRAKES TO GET THE VELOCITY DOWN. THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY. CHANGING ALL TYPES OF PARTS AND STILL NO RESOLUTION. I ALSO SEE ALOT OF THE SAME ISSUES ON LINE WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11080807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD HEAD GASKET CRACKED OR RUPTURED RESULTING IN THE ANTI- FREEZE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE MOTOR OIL. REQUIRED REMOVAL OF ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY AND REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE RUPTURED HEAD GASKET. COST 9 HOURS MECHANIC LABOR AND $ 975.00 FOR PROFESSIONAL REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10969221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WITHIN LESS THAN 30 DAYS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE COOLANT LIGHT RANDOMLY KEPT ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NO SOLUTION FROM THE MECHANIC AND WAS UNCERTAIN OF WHAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10892584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 04/19/2016.
NHTSA complaint #10810976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TEMP GAUGE TRYS GO HOT HAD CHECK NOTHING ENGENE MISFIRE HAD CHECK 7 TIMES NOW. REPLACE MASS AIR TEMP SENSORE TWICE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS. PLUGS AND WIRES TWICE IN ONE MONTH HAS WIRE SHORTAGE FOR AC AND WE HAVE PAID OUT ALOT OF MONEY FROM DAY 2 OF OWNING THIS WAS GOING SELL BUT I WOULD SELL THIS CRAP TO NO ONE.. NOW SAYS O2 SENSORE LEFT WHEEL SENSOR AND MUCH MORE CODES JUNK LIKE THIS DONT NEED TO BE SOLD..
NHTSA complaint #10745619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 CHEVROLET VENTURE. AFTER BEING PARKED FOR TWO DAYS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CAUSED A GARAGE LOCATED NEXT TO THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #10705572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I GOT MY MINI VAN THE FUEL GAUGE QUIT WORKING, THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED STAYING ON IN THE START POSITION, AND I'VE GOT A RATTLE IN THE ENGINE THAT NOBODY CAN SEEM TO FIND. ALL OF MY FRIEND'S HAVE HEARD THIS SOUND IN THE ENGINE, BUT THE TECHS KEEP TELLING ME IT'S NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #10639215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND NOTICED THE HEAT GAUGE STARTING TO RISE VERY QUICKLY TO THE RED ZONE. THE ENGINE STALLED AND ONCE THE TEMP CAME DOWN WE PROCEEDED TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE. THERE WE PURCHASED A THERMOSTAT, RADIATOR CAP, AND 2 GALLONS OF PREMIX DEX-COOL. WE INSTALLED THE NEW CAP AND FILLED SYSTEM WITH THE DEX-COOL. WE DROVE ABOUT 7 MILES TO A LAKE FOR A DAY OF FISHING. THE INACCESSIBILITY OF THE THERMOSTAT, I COULD NOT CHANGE THE THERMOSTAT THAT DAY. AFTER SITTING (NOT RUNNING) WE STARTED FOR HOME (60 MILES). WE HAD ONLY GONE ABOUT 10 MILES WHEN IT OVERHEATED FOR THE FIRST TIME. WE COULD ONLY GO ABOUT 10 MILES BEFORE WE'D HAVE TO STOP AND LET THE VAN COOL DOWN AND ADD MORE COOLANT AND WATER. IT TOOK 6 HOURS TO GET HOME. OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM CONTINUED. ON 28APR2014 WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO A LOCAL (REPUTABLE) AUTO SHOP. THE NEXT DAY WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE THEY COULD PRESSURE TEST THE SYSTEM TO CHECK THE OTHER COMPONENTS (RADIATOR, RADIATOR CAP, ETC.) THE COST OF JUST THE INTAKE REPAIR WAS ESTIMATED AT $1500-$2500. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VANS BECAUSE OF THE DEX-COOL BEING A PLASTICIZER AND AN ALUMINUM CORROSIVE. ALSO FOUND OUT THAT GM HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAVE CHOSE NOT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD RECALLS ON OTHER VEHICLES (FOR A LESS PROBLEM) BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURERS SAID OK WE HAVE THIS PROBLEM SO TO KEEP OUR CUSTOMERS WE'LL FIX IT, BUT NOT GM. IT WOULDN'T BE SO BAD IF GM EVEN TRIED TO FIX THIS ISSUE. WE ARE MIDDLE-CLASS AND HAVE A HARD TIME MAKING ENDS MEET AND CAN'T AFFORD THIS KIND OF EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #10587711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE RECENT GM RECALL OF 2004 - 2007 COBALT AND OTHER VEHICLES FOR IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS NOW MAKES MY ISSUES IN MY 2004 CHEVROLET VENTURE VAN POTENTIALLY MAKE SOME SENSE. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES OF THE PROBLEM OVER THE YEARS BUT IT SOUNDS SIMILAR TO THE ABOVE RECALL. SOME OF THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY (70 MPH), SOME HAPPENED ON THE DIRT ROADS WE LIVE ON (25 - 35 MPH). THE ENGINE SIMPLY STOPPED - NO POWER OF ANY KIND. THE ENGINE COULD BE RESTARTED BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE KEY. IT DID NOT REQUIRE A COMPLETE VEHICLE STOPPAGE (ALTHOUGH IT DID OCCASIONALLY CAUSE A NASTY SQUEAL FROM WHAT I ASSUMED WAS THE STARTER MOTOR). THE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A DEALER SO I DO NOT KNOW IF THE ISSUE OCCURRED DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF SO OF THE VEHICLES USE. I THINK THE GM INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO OTHER MODELS. VIN CAN BE PROVIDED IF NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #10566482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
CAR WILL SPEED UP ON ITS OWN AND ACCELERATE. THE VENTURE WILL ALSO OVER HEAT AFTER RUNNING FOR 10 MIN. OR SO. THIS VAN LIKES TO STALL WHILE DRIVING AND YOU MUST KEEP YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR GAS TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING SINCE I GOT THE CAR. ONLY OWNED IT LESS THAN A YEAR, NOW IT MADE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE LAST NIGHT AND NOW IT WILL NOT GO IN DRIVE ONLY IN REVERSE. YOU HAVE TO SHIFT GEARS ON THE STEERING COLUMN ONLY AND EVEN THEN IT'S DEBATABLE IF IT WILL RUN.
NHTSA complaint #10505442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE METAL UNDERSIDE SUPPORT BRACKET THAT HOLDS UP BOTH THE ENGINE COOLANT RADIATOR AND A/C RADIATOR HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LEFT (DRIVER) SIDE OF THE BRACKET COMPLETELY FAILED AND ALLOWED THE RADIATORS TO TILT DOWN AND DROP APPROX. 4" ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE PRIMARY SUPPORT IS NOW ONLY THE COOLANT HOSES. HAD I NOT NOTICED, WHILE VIEWING THE CAR FROM THE FRONT THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM; BOTH THE RADIATORS COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF WHILE DRIVING, THEY CERTAINLY COULD HAVE WEDGED TO IMPEDE THE STEERING CONTROL AND /OR RUN OVER BY THE TIRES TO MOST CERTAINLY BE A SAFETY ISSUE TO US OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD. MY CALL TO A DEALERSHIP STATED THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THIS PARTICULAR RUST ISSUE AND THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF RECALL BY GM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO REPAIR A CORROSION ISSUE OF THIS SUPPORT COMPONENT THAT IS A SAFETY INTEGRITY ISSUE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10502065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS STRUCK FROM THE BACK, WHILE TAKING FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, I ATTEMPTED TO PROCEED FROM A STOP SIGN IN SHOPPING MALL. DUE TO DELAY, FROM A BAD TRANSMISSION FROM DAY 1 WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM FELIX CHEVROLET, LA CA IT HOLDS UP TRAFFIC. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF BRAKE AFTER STOPPING AT STOP SIGN AND IT APPEARED TO DRIVER THAT I WAS MOVING FORWARD. YET, THE DELAY CAUSES DANGER FROM BEHIND AND I'M STILL ENCOUNTERING DELAYS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE, 2006 UP UNTIL NOW. FELIX DENIED ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH AFTER I COMPLAINED AND HAD THEM TEST TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASE. I'VE BEEN VERY DISSATISFIED WITH PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY OF VEHICLE FROM DAY ONE. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE SEVERELY JERKS. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH NO CHANGE IN THE CONDITION. THE VEHICLE HAD AROUND 60,000 MILES WHEN I PURCHASED.
NHTSA complaint #10490520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOWER INTAKE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,600.
NHTSA complaint #10464765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MOTOR ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
NHTSA complaint #10454007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THE GASKETS FOR THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10453016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.