10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,021 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #11

Sep 172010

Venture

  • miles
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.

- Grand Rapid, MI, USA

problem #10

May 282007

Venture 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,000 miles
The passenger power sliding door of my 1999 Chevy Venture stopped working in the closed position. When this happened the horn quit, and the low coolant light blinks on frequently. A local mechanic said that there was a bulatin out to reprogram the computer on this vehicle, and that it was a programming error. I am disabled and I depend on this door for my wheelchair ramp, etc.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #9

Oct 152006

Venture 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,900 miles
I have experienced numerous electrical problems, including the ABS, tcs, and air bag lights coming on intermittently, and the dealer has said there's nothing wrong and reset it. My electric passenger side door would open for no reason when I'm trying to shut it. Now, my brake light was out, so I replaced the bulb. That did not solve the problem. My husband then looked at it and determined that the wire pins/plugs are burnt and exposed on both sides. Now I have no brake or tail lights, no blinkers, no reverse lights, and at night the top brake light is the only light and it stays on all the time. When I put the brakes on the dash lights dim and the radio lights turn off, the emergency lights come on, and the blinker goes at different speeds. When I called the dealer, they told me to call GM. When I called GM I explained even though it's out of warranty, I feel electrical problems that I haven't done anything to make, should be covered by the manufacturer. They said I need to pay for a diagnosis, and they may reimburse me, if they feel it's a manufacturers defect. Then call them back and they'll determine if they will cover any repairs. In the mean time, I'm concerned about a fire if the wire plugs/pins are burnt and exposed.

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #8

Apr 281999

Venture 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles
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)

- Ellettsville, IN, USA

problem #7

May 122006

Venture 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles
I have had so many problems 1. the inner brake pads wore down to the steel ruining the inside of both rotors about 3,000 miles. Under warranty. But the brake pads. 2. battery acid is corroding about 4,000 miles the dealership pay all still under warranty 3. battery again but it turn out to be the alternator about 6,500 the dealership pay under warranty. 4. the tread completely separated from the sidewall. P215/70R15, fire stone on all four tires. Dealership did not cover tire have no warranty on new vehicle 7,000 miles 5. water leak, and carpet is wet every time it rains I feel it is coming from the windshield. Warranty does not cover. 8,000 still does it at 50,256. 6. lighter keep shorting out and ac keep mess up under the warranty 7. while driving the check oil light and the battery line came on. The vehicle shut off, loosing all power the intake manifold under warranty 38,000 miles. 8. intake manifold fix came home my lights was mess up when put on my brakes the four way flasher came on when I put my left turn signals the right one would came on put the right turn signals the left one would come on took it back they had to repaired entire wiring system because of over hearted burn it up under warrant 9. battery acid is corroding the battery pan and surrounding components, positive cable connected to battery has fallen off,38,500 not cover 6 year was up. 10. power steering fluid spraying fluid onto the engine and serpentine belt the dealership did not put cap back on power steering. 11. power locks will not operate from door switches only from the remote power window. Back ac does not work. 12. connector left and right melt tail lights, stop lights, turn signals about 42,000. 13. there is a thump noise when stopping and taking off. 14. strong smell of fuel when parked. 15. clouding of lens 16. Serpentine belt replace at 50,256 17. Leaking from lower intake manifold gasket. At 50,000.

- Port Salerno, FL, USA

problem #6

May 122001

Venture 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,334 miles
Day of purchase, major engine failures replacement of nearly everything then some. Continues to arc electrical sparks under the hood. Electrical shorting of all components within the van internal engine issues not correctable just bandaiding fuel issues with oil coolant and arcing constitutes a fire and possibly death. I have all serviced repair documents if one should need to view them.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #5

Aug 042004

Venture 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles
Numerous intermittent electrical problems. The air-bag light indicator on the instrument panel would stay on after starting, but only intermittently. Instrument panel air-bag light would intermittently stay on. I took the vehicle to a Chevrolet service center on 3 different occasions. Onboard computer was replaced at my expense, left rear tail light was replaced at my expense.battery corroded and was replaced at my expense. Problems went away briefly after service but came back instrument panel ABS & tcs (traction control system) lights will come on and stay on after vehicle has been driven for 5 minutes or so, but not on every trip only intermittently. Also when applying the brakes the emergency flasher / turn signal lights will come on. Vehicle has 55K miles and is no longer under warranty, this vehicle is dangerous in my opinion.

- Scotts Valley, CA, USA

problem #4

Sep 132002

Venture 6-cyl

  • miles
Van caught on fire driver's side rear (by the gas tank) while we were travelling about 65 mph, at night time, on a crowded freeway. There was no warning, the only indication I had that something was wrong was that the ABS light came on. Other people on the freeway were honking etc because they could see what I could not. By the time I got down to about 40 mph, all the lights went out. I got it over to the side of the road. Smoke filled the passenger compartment. We got out and ran. A wrecker driver put out most of the fire before the fire dept. Got there. I had the van picked up and brought home. I contacted General Motors and asked that they come take a look at this thing. They declined to be responsible and refused to send anyone. I took it to an electrical shop and they determined that the fire started at the plug in the back where you can plug in a tv or whatever. I was told that this couldn't/shouldn't happen but it did. I have had other electrical as well as mechanical problems with this thing. I bought it new, no one else has ever driven it so I know the history. I had the wiring redone bypassing that plug but I now have a check engine, pass key & airbag llights coming on. The vehicle is totalled to me as both I and my kids are afraid to ride in it. Unfortunately I still have to drive it some because it is our only vehicle.

- Montgomery, TX, USA

problem #3

Feb 142003

Venture 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles
Windsheild wipers come on by there self at random, and on different settings. Headlights will work at random. I keep hearing a popping sound coming from under the dash, but of course service tech cannot find a problem with this vehicle.

- Goldsboro, NC, USA

problem #2

Jan 082002

Venture

  • miles
There was an electrical short in the vehicle"S fuel tank sender and system. The fuel tank was replaced. The low fuel warning light had failed. The fuel gauge fluctuated and the vehicle"S lamp malfunctioned.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #1

Jul 182002

Venture

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving ABS light illuminated, turn signal performed erratically due to pig-tail, circuit board socket failure. Consumer stated that bad seal on pig tail caused moisture to enter circuit board.

- Summerville, SC, USA