1997 Chevrolet Venture, caught fire and became fully engulfed causing total damage. According to the police report, the vehicle had engine trouble. (Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0318-89) updated 09/13/10

- East Lansing, MI, USA

I have owned 3 Chevy Venture minivans over the past 10 years. All of them had the same problems, the signal and head lights go out, the window switch goes out and finally the head gasket goes. They run great until the day it starts overheating, then your out a vehicle. Everyone I know who has a Venture has had at least one of these problems with their vehicle.

- Marshfield, WI, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated that the antifreeze in her vehicle has corroded the radiator, water pump, thermostat, and intake valve. This is the coolant that was listed in the owner's manual and is always used in her vehicle. A recall was sent to Chevrolet consumers, but it was not issued by NHTSA. The manufacturer stated that they could not assist with the repairs. The failure mileage was 122,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Needs replaced frontend hubs, tierod, pinion repairs/recall this van needs a new owner!!! nothing but costly repairs Chevy needs to recall all them Venture.

- Hayward, CA, USA

Had head gasket replaced last year. Recently the van stalled and was told that anti-freeze had been leaking into the cylinders, and I needed a new engine. Was also told that the new engine not only could but would have this same problem at some point. Was also told that this is a common problem among these vehicles.

- Portland, IN, USA

This happened twice the first time the coolant was leaking into the oil due to a intake manifold gasket failure. I replaced this at a cost of $25, luckily it was covered under my extended warranty. The second time this happened was in July of 2003 I had just gotten onto to the highway with my two 5 year old daughters suddenly the car just slowed down as if to stall white smoke everywhere.. it turned out to be the manifold gasket again but this time the engine went and I had to get the engine repaired at a price of $4400. My mechanic though at least guarantees me on this engine of 3 years or 75000 miles. More of a warranty than GM gave me. I will never buy american GM products again. The second time it occurred, I was only 1,000 miles over on my extended warranty, but not yet up on the years and GM and the company offering an extended warranty didn't do anything to help me out. GM refused to help out at all.

- Branford, CT, USA

Vehicle was leaking antifreeze into the engine. When taking the oil cap off there is a milky mix. Manufacturer offered no assistance.

- Roanoke Rapids, NC, USA

My vehicle a 1997 Chevy Venture, suddenly lost power while cruising on the highway. The temp light came on and I pulled off the highway. Luckily it happened to be the dealerships exit and I pulled right in to the service bay. They tell me I have a blown head gasket. When they took the engine apart the service manager allowed me to see the engine. The coolant channels are coated with a brown gummy substance and the cylinders were full of coolant. The service manager was given a sample of the substance and said he will give it to the GM rep when he comes in later this week. Cost will top $2500. Previously I replaced the intake manifold gasket and the water pump. This seems like faulty gaskets or coolant I don't know which. I'm just glad it didn't strand me out somewhere away from town.

- Universal City, TX, USA

Defective intake manifold gasket repaired 4-times reply directly to the constituent. The dealer refused to repair the consumer's A/C until the manifold gasket was repaired. The vehicle transmission fluid burned and the PCV valve was gummed with dexcool. The serpentine was worn out.

- Berwyn, IL, USA

While driving, the vehicle shut down. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The camshaft sensor was defective. The manufacturer stated that they will reimburse for part of the repair.

- Eagle, ID, USA

The following is a letter sent to GMC on 1/18/03. GMC did not do a thing to help out with the defect. Note that [xxx] is the owner of the vehicle. My name is [xxx] - his son - I am filing the complaint on his behalf. ----- sir / madam: Due to a significant manufacturer's defect in my GMC Venture, I was forced into a dangerous situation where I could have been seriously injured. At an intersection on hastings street - one of the busier streets in vancouver - my vehicle unexpectedly stalled leaving me helpless, without power. Several mechanics assessed my minivan concluding that, for no normally expected reason, the camshaft snapped in half, rendering the vehicle inoperable and causing significant, irreparable damage to the engine block. Attached to this letter is an analysis of the engine failure conducted by a mechanic with 23 years of experience. Having purchased five new exclusively GM vehicles in the past, specifically a Pontiac sedan, a Pontiac station wagon, a Chevrolet van, an Oldsmobile calais supreme and my present Venture minivan (wolfe Chevrolet Oldsmobile, vancouver), I consider myself a loyal GM customer. Being a lifetime GM customer I'm disappointed and surprised by the extent and magnitude of my minivan failure. I realize that the warranty has expired, but I believe it to be completely unreasonable for a camshaft to snap after only 5 years of light to moderate use. As such, I feel it is only fair and reasonable that GMC, being consumer minded, reimburse me for this manufacturing defect. The total cost for repairs is ~ $4600. Please contact me at [xxx] or [xxx] to discuss further. Sincerely, [xxx] VIN: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Coquitlam, 00, USA

In March 03, I noticed that the van did not have heat. The van was taken to highland Chevrolet, Aurora Ontario for recall work and we asked that they check the no heating problem! the no heat was diagnosed as a problem with the intake manifold gaskets. At the time of replacement the van had 59274 kilometers (37000 miles) on it. The van was repaired with newly designed gaskets that came out in November 2002. The van still did not have heat and the air conditioning was no longer working after the above repair. The van was returned to the dealer, who rechecked the van and stated that the cabin filters were blocked. They took the cabin filters out and told us to try the van for a couple of days. This did not work and van still did not have heat or A/C. the van was returned to the dealership again, we addressed our complaints with the service manager, who agreed to take the van back in for a third time. This time they back flushed the heater and heater now works moderately better. Service manager informed that there was a build up of grunge, which was preventing the heater from working. As for the A/C that still does not work, we were told that there are pin hole leaks in the pipe that runs under the van.this pipe operates the rear air. We were also told that there is leak with the end seal on the tie rod, which causes power steering fluid to leak. To date we have not had these items repaired. In July the headlight lens cover came off! I sent a registered letter to Mr. Grimaldi, president G.M. Canadian division, asking for full reimbursement. I also talked about the tsb that was released for the 1999 vans with the same problem that essentially extended the warranty coverage for vans with less than 80,000 kilometers. Verna, a customer service representative telephoned me in response to my correspondence. However she indicated that GM did not see it as a problem but told me to hang onto my receipts. We purchased our van brand new in August 1997.

- Newmarket, UN, USA

Our van suddenly overheated coming home from work a couple weeks ago and totally shut down. Our dealership says that we need new gaskets and the heads are warped due to the engine getting so hot. There if oil in the coolant and boiled the coolant and overheated the engine!! we have only had our van for 11 months with no extended warranty and we know of a lot of other people having the same problem. GM has not so far done anything to help!!! our dealership has been very nice, but they say there is no recall at this time for this problem!!! sincerely. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Mansfield, OH, USA

Two months ago I took my Chevrolet Venture(with 53,000 miles)to a certified Chevrolet repair shop complaing that the low coolant light was on, and that my van was experiencing a loss of power. After having my car in the shop for 8 days I was told that they couldn't find any problems. I was charged $153 for the diagnostic test and an oil change. A week ago my car started to overheat. I again took the van to the shop. I was told that I need a brand new engine at a cost of $5,000. I just finished paying off this $27,000 van. Now it is worthless. I don, T understand. To add insult to injury I can not role up my window on the drivers side, as the power switch has failed

- Woodland, CA, USA

This all started in Dec of 2002, the coolant was leaking into the oil due to a intake manifold gasket failure. I replaced this at a cost of $850. After reading all the complaints on this from other websites I decided to write the BBB also who wrote back stating not gms fault since they have not had any complaints. Thats a lie, because there is a thousand of them on the internet including a petition-on-line. Anyway though, after only one month after I fixed the manifold gasket the engine went anyway and since I still have a large "balance due" on the car I had to get the engine repaired at a price of $4300. My mechanic though at least guarantees me on this engine of 3 years or 75000 miles. More of a warranty than GM gave me. I also want to note that before I got the gasket replaced, I went to the Chevrolet dealership I bought the van from...he didnt even look under the engine but knew immediately that I had this gasket problem and offered me only $1000 for the van for a trade in...he knew we still owed $7000 on it. I will never buy american GM products again.

- Woodbine, NJ, USA

Over the past year the low coolant light has been coming on. Recently I noticed coolant on the floor of my garage so I decided to take the vehicle in for diagnosis. Leaking intake manifold gasket and possible lifter problems. I have also had to have the brakes replaced a couple of times and have had the vehicle in for several recall related issues. A web site has been set up to petition GM to recall this issue www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?gmcnsmrs&1.

- Big Lake, MN, USA

Manifold gasket leak

- Marion, OH, USA

Engine required replacement because of a broken camshaft. Camshaft broke due to engine coolant leaks into engine via damaged intake manifold. Repair cost estimated at $5180. This incidence is similar to many cases reported by owners of vehicles (Venture, Montana, Grand Am, etc.) with either the 3.1L or 3.4L GM engine. There is no prior warning before engine failed, except for the low coolant light turned on a while back. Coolant was topped off to recommended level at that time. Owner of these vehicles should visit www.gmintakeleak.com/ for more information.

- Troy, MI, USA

Intake manifold failed on van. Vehicle became hot quickly and stopped running. Had Chevy dealer replace intake. Vehicle still overheats. Problem has not been resolved after spending over $1100. I appears that this is a very common problem with the 3.1, 3.4 and 3.8 GM motors. Very dissappointed in this product.

- Northfield, OH, USA

This is a follow up of acomplaint filed on 3/10/1997. After several conversations with Chevy Corp. They have advised me that they will offer no assistance in repairing my Venture. The dealership has advised me that repairs will cost a minimum of $2000. Add this to the $7500 that I still owe and I will owe $9500 on this van. I am amazed by the denial of Chevy Corp. With all of the complaints by consumers who have blown head gaskets from dex coolant. I am asking that someone please investigate this matter!! this should not have happened with only 75,000 miles on this van. That's an average of 12,000 miles per year, and I have doccumented proof of regular maintenance. I have also had problems with the brakes, sliding door, seat latches, and electrical problems with power windows. I will never by another GM product again!!

- Corinth, NY, USA