64 of the
3,069 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Venture
are about the suspension —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was making a rattling sound coming from the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the wheel bearing hub assembly, brakes, rotors, struts, and tires. The failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle to another certified mechanic who performed a front-end alignment however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a third mechanic who identified that the noise seemed to be coming from the steering wheel; however, the mechanic could not verify the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 236,000.
NHTSA complaint #11490992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION--BOTH TIE RODS IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED--MECHANIC SAID THAT BOTH TIMES IT WAS NEAR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. OTHER--AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER CRACKED DUE TO DESIGN FAILURE. 2002 SERVICE BULLETIN TOLD THAT GM WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT KEPT QUIET UNTIL THE WARRANTY PERIOD WAS OVER, AND THEN REFUSED TO HELP. BRAKES--FRONT BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR (4) TIMES, ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE HAS 83,000 ORIGINAL MILES. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #10451984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE OWN A 2000 CHEVY VENTURE THAT WE BOUGHT USED ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO. WHEN WE BOUGHT IT, THE BUTTON FOR THE DOORS TO OPEN AUTOMATICALLY DIDN'T WORK AS WELL AS THE GAS GAUGE. SINCE, WE HAVE REPLACED THE HEADS, THE WATER PUMP, RACK AND PINION, WHEEL HUB, TIE ROD END, AS WELL AS REPLACING THE HEAD LIGHTS EVERY COUPLE MONTHS AND NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS.WHEN WE HAD THE HEADS REPLACED, THEY FLUSHED THE RADIATOR AND WE ARE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT COMING ON AND THE FLUID LOOKING CLOUDY. THEY TOLD US THAT THE CLOUDINESS SOMETIMES HAPPENS, BUT STILL DOESN'T EXPLAIN THE LIGHT COMING ON SAYING ITS LOW!!! WE WERE ALSO NOTIFIED THAT THE ABS BOX IS BAD AND NEEDS REPLACED...ALSO, SOMETIMES THERE IS WATER THAT LEAKS FROM THE WEATHER GAUGE OR THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO THE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON AND ACTUALLY SHUTS THE SYSTEM OFF WHEN YOU TURN THE VAN ON, THIS MAYBE DUE TO THE BAD ABS BOX BUT HAS BEEN DOING THIS LONGER THEN THE ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON. THERE IS ALSO RUST ALONG THE VAN BELOW THE SLIDING DOORS. THE LOCKS ALSO SOMETIMES STICK WHEN USING THE KEYPAD OR THE ELECTRICAL LOCK BUTTON INSIDE THE VAN. WE CAN'T WAIT TO GET RID OF THIS VAN! JUST HOPE WE HAVE BETTER LUCK WITH OUR NEXT VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10365536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER FAILED, GM NEW OF THE PROBLEM IN DECEMBER, 2002, BUT KEPT THEIR MOUTH SHUT UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK, IT FLIPS FROM FULL TO EMPTY, I HAVE TO KEEP A MILEAGE NOTEBOOK IN ORDER TO KNOW WHEN TO FILL UP. MY WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH CONTINUES TO FLASH "REAR HATCH AJAR, SIDE DOOR AJAR, LOW BRAKE FLUID." THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ANY OF THE ITEMS. THE FRONT BRAKES WENT BAD AT 32,000, REQUIRING NEW PADS AND ROTORS. THE WINDOW BUTTON ON THE DRIVER SIDE WILL PUT THE PASSENGER WINDOW DOWN, BUT NOT UP. THE REAR WINDOW WASHER DOES NOT WORK. I AM SO GLAD THAT GM IS GOING BANKRUPT. I BOUGHT AN AMERICAN CAR, TO TRY AND HELP THE WORKERS STAY EMPLOYED, BUT NOW REALIZE THAT ALL I DID WAS TO KEEP SOME OVERPAID, LAZY SLOBS ON THE JOB FOR MUCH LONGER THAN THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN A COMPLETE LOSS, WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE HAVING THE ATTITUDE THAT, "SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, YOU CAN STICK IT, BECAUSE WE DON'T CARE.
NHTSA complaint #10268960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE WERE DAMAGED AND SMASHED IN OVER THE BRAKE LINES. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE MAKES STRANGE CRUNCHING NOISES, THE VEHICLE SHIMMIES SEVERELY, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILS TO DEACTIVATE WHEN IT SHOULD. FURTHERMORE, THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS AND THE HEADLIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE CONTACT PLACED TWO NEW FRONT TIRES ON THE VEHICLE, AS WELL AS A NEW SET OF BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY IN A CRASH, IN WHICH THE HOOD, FENDER, AND UNDERCARRIAGE WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #10265878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEEDS REPLACED FRONTEND HUBS ,TIEROD,PINION REPAIRS/RECALL THIS VAN NEEDS A NEW OWNER!!! NOTHING BUT COSTLY REPAIRS CHEVY NEEDS TO RECALL ALL THEM VENTURES.
NHTSA complaint #10261898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON LEAVING THE PARKING LOT AT SOUTHERN MARYLAND HOSPITAL, I HEARD A SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VAN. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE VAN. THE FRONT FRAME HAD DROPPED TO THE ROAD AND I FOUND THAT THE STEERING WHEEL NOW TURNED 360 DEGREES. FORTUNATELY, I HAD NOT ENTERED A HIGH SPEED ROAD SO I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OUT OF HARMS WAY BEFORE ANYTHING DRASTIC HAPPENED. I HAD IT TOWED TO JACK WINEGARDNER CHEVROLET. THEY LOOKED IT OVER AND SAID THE BOLT HOLDING UP THE FRAME HAD SHEERED OFF. THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY IT HAPPENED. THE VAN HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT; THERE WAS NO RUST (THE VAN WAS WELL MAINTAINED). I ASKED THAT IT BE REPAIRED AND CALLED THE GM HEADQUARTERS TO ASK FOR RELIEF ON THE COST OF THE REPAIRS SINCE I FELT IT WAS PROBABLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DISTRICT MANAGER, TERRY LYNN, CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND SAID THEY DID NOT CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE VAN WAS TOO OLD (8-1/2 YEARS OLD) AND HAD 75,000 MILES ON IT. (THE 75,000 WAS MY ESTIMATE AT THE TIME. WHEN I GOT THE VAN BACK, THE MILEAGE WAS ACTUALLY 63,700.) THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP HAS ASSURED ME THAT THERE WOULD BE O.K. TO DRIVE THE VAN, THAT IS CONSIDERED SAFE. I HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE, BUT I BELIEVE AN ALERT SHOULD BE ISSUED. (I DROVE MY CHEVY CAVALIER FOR 17 YEARS AND OVER 400,000 MILES BEFORE TRADING IT IN ON THE 2000 VENTURE. AND NEVER ONCE DID THE FRAME "FALL TO THE GROUND".) I DID NOT ASK FOR THE RUINED PARTS TO BE RETURNED. SORRY!
NHTSA complaint #10231571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE WITH 80,000 MILES AND THE WHEEL BEARING HUBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE LAST TIME WAS TWO MONTHS AGO AND THE LIGHT IS BACK ON AGAIN. THE LAST TIME THE DEALER CHANGED THE HUB ASSEMBLY, THEY SAID THAT THEY CHANGE THEM ALL THE TIME. THE AIR CONDITIONING ALSO LEAKING AND DOES NOT WORK. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS INTERNAL BROKEN DISKS AND DOES NOT WORK. WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VENTURE AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10199880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 70 MILES PER HOUR, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE ROD BROKE ALONG WITH THE FRONT RIGHT CONTROL ARM. THE DEALER (IN GRANTS PASS, OREGON) STATED THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO ASSIST HIM WITH THE FAILURE SINCE IT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT INVOLVED A CRASH. THE FRONT TIRES WERE WORN AND THAT DOESNT OCCUR DURING AN ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,2000.
NHTSA complaint #10188347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE STABILIZER BAR ON BOTH SIDES (FRONT)WAS FOUND TO BE BROKE COMPLETELY THROUGH. SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY VENTURE. THIS PROBLEM WAS JUST IDENTIFIED TODAY, SO I HAVE NOT YET ATTEMPTED TO OBTAIN REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10172384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS WILL BE A LIST OF MOST OF THE PROBLEMS. I HAVE COMPLAINED OF SMELLING ANTI-FREEZE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VAN NEW. IT CURRENTLY HAS 94K ON IT AND I HAVE DONE ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON IT. I THINK THE CLOCK WORK OIL CHANGES IS THE ONLY REASON IT STILL RUNS. MANIFOLD GASKETS, INTAKE, HEAD...HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND NEED IT AGAIN, REALLY BAD. BUT I JUST DO NOT HAVE 5-800 BUCKS LAYING AROUND TO DO A GASKET JOB AGAIN SINCE I JUST DID IT A YEAR AGO. THE ANTI-FREEZE DILUTING THE OIL HAS MESSED UP A COUPLE PISTONS. THEY SLAP VERY BAD OK HERE IS MY LIST (I HAVE DEALER INVOICES FOR EVERYTHING FIXED THE FIRST TIME AND RECEIPTS FOR PARTS AND LABOR THE SECOND TIME, OR MY HUSBAND GOT SICK OF PAYING FOR THE SAME CRAP SO HE WOULD FIX THINGS) (HE IS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE TESTING AND DESIGN FIELD)
NHTSA complaint #10163941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE WAS A VIBRATION AND NOISE FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10154499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 1999 CHEV VENTURE HAD THE BOTTOM SUSPENSION FRAME MEMBER THAT HOLDS THE WHEEL AND STEERING ASSEMBLIES,ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FAIL WHILE DIRIVING. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. SOME ONE COULD BE KILLED IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. NO FRAME SHOULD EVER BRAKE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN DRIVEN WITHIN NORMAL OPERATION ON THE HIGHWAYS. IT HAS NEVER HAD MORE THAN 6 PASSENGERS IN THE VEHILCE. THEIR HAD TO BE A FLAW IN THE PART WHEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED OR IT IS A VERY POOR DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #10144916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT:THE CONTACTS STATES THE GAS TANK SCRAPES THE GROUND WHEN TWO OR MORE PEOPLE SIT IN THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DAMAGED, CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE HEAT SHIELD THAT COVERS THE GAS TANK. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY STATED THE REAR SPRINGS WERE CAUSING THE SCRAPPING. THIS WOULD BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK THE DOOR DOESN'T CLOSE PROPERLY. UPDATED 01/19/06.
NHTSA complaint #10143057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HAD A SUSPENSION RATTLE AND DEALER INSPECTED IT ON 6/28/05 AND FOUND TWO BAD TRAILING ARM BUSHINGS AND A BAD SHOCK ABSORBER (DEALER REPLACED THE PARTS). ON 8/24/05 I HAD A BANGING NOISE AGAIN IN THE REAR AND THE DEALER FOUND THE OTHER SHOCK ABSORBER NO GOOD (DEALER REPLACED). ON 9/8/05 I STARTED HAVING A BAD RATTLE THAT SOUND LIKE METAL ON METAL IN THE REAR. THE DEALER CHANGED THE REAR HATCH SHOCK ABSORBERS BUT THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. IT WAS BROUGHT BACK IN THE SAME DAY TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE AND THE FIXED THE COOLING LINE FOR THE REAR AC UNIT UNDER THE TRUCK BUT THAT WAS NOT THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN APART INSIDE ANDS DRIVEN AND WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE SHOCK TOWERS ARE BAD AND HAVE MOVEMENT IN THEM AND THERE IS NO FIX FOR A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM OF THIS KIND. I WAS GIVEN THE TRUCK BACK A TOLD THAT IS ALL THEY CAN DO. IF I WAS UNSATISFIED TO CALL GM AND DISCUSS IT WITH THEM. GM REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR A MINIVAN TO MAKE THAT SEVERE NOISE THAT PEOPLE CAN HEAR IT IN THE STREET BESIDES IN MY SON HEAD IN THE BACK SEAT WHERE MY CHILDREN SIT. THERE IS SOMETHING STRUCTURALLY LOOSE UNDER THIS TRUCK AND IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR SOUND.
NHTSA complaint #10136600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: THE CALLER HAS A BROKEN REAR SWAY BAR. WHILE DRIVING THE CALLER TURNED A CORNER AND HEARD A POP. HE ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS ONLY GOING 10 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CALLER SAID WHEN HE CALLED THE DEALER HE WAS SWITCHED TO A FAX MACHINE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE CALLER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10135812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE REAR AXLE BROKE WHILE CONSUMER WAS COMING TO A STOP. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, HEARD A SOUND, THEN WAS UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. A CRACK WAS FOUND AND THE COMPONENT WAS RUSTY. THERE WERE SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED BREAKS IN THE TRAILING ARM OF THE REAR AXLE. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10125856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.