My 2000 Chevy Venture van had an overheating problem when the coolant was full. I researched on google and found there to be complaints about this specific van problem on this make and year. Is there a recall or any way that the problem can be fixed for no charge? the repair shop says it has seen this on this vehicle as will and the cost to fix the cracked head gasket is $1200 I appreciate any help that you can give me with this matter. I signed up for printout of research but please disregard as this complaint form is what I needed. Thanks.

- Naples, FL, USA

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.

- Toledo, OH, USA

Last winter I left my 2000 Chevrolet Venture van (with a 3.4 liter V6 engine) idling for about 10-15 minutes while I worked outside it. When I got back inside, the heat gauge was about 3/4 the way to hot, and neither of the (2) electric radiator cooling fans were running. The engine ran cool for normal unconjested traffic after this. In mid summer the heat gauge again went 3/4 hot while I was in slow moving stop-and-go traffic. To prevent heat damage, I ran the heater full blast in mid 80's weather; -no fun! I troubleshoot the radiator fans control system and found that the PCM (power-train control module; (computer)) wasn't working properly. I replaced the PCM myself with an after-market, reflashed (reprogrammed with GM up-to-date software) unit, but I couldn't get the PCM to do its 'crankshaft variation relearn procedure' with my equipment, so I took the van to my GM dealership to have it done, and also to have the cooling fans tested. My dealership tested the fans and found they now worked, finished the PCM work, but they also said that it overheated and blew coolant right out of the reservoir; they diagnosed it with blown head gaskets on both front and rear parts. (it doesn't sound blown, have coolant in the oil, or put exhaust in the coolant that I can see.) they quoted $1147.50 labor & $390. Parts, & whatever it cost for a machine shop to correct any head warpage, to correct the problem. They also advised my wife (who brought in the van), that the van should not be driven until the head gasket problem is fixed. I have talked with several people who told me that most everyone who had this 3.4 liter GM engine has had to have the head gasket replaced. One person said that they thought the government should do something since the problem appears to be so wide spread. I suspect that the PCM failing to turn on the cooling fans was what caused this head gasket failure in my case. Do you have other people reporting head gasket problems?

- Pittsfield, NH, USA

Was loosing coolant a month out of warr.(less than 36K miles in 2003) dealer replaced head gasket (same on a '97 Venture I had) and squeaked it under warr. Now 5 years later at 63K mile, the same head gasket, same spot. Dealer said that this is common and replace them all the time with these engines but no recall at all.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

Intake manifold leaking antifreeze onto the ground and into the environment. Known issue that GM refuses to address - affects all 3800cc engines prior to about 2004. Known defect.

- Mead, WA, USA

Intake manifold gasket failed causing coolant to mix with engine oil.

- Sparks, NV, USA

We have spent 3 years flushing radiator with dexcool--still having overheating which causes problems with our transmission--every time seeing sludge in overflow tank within a month after fresh flush--this month we have replaced water pump, and replacing radiator, oil cooler, and going back to regular green antifreeze after hearing of similar problems and worse in Chevrolet models using dexcool!! unknown if damage has been caused to transmission for 3 summers of overheating...can't drive in stop/go traffic safely in warm weather knowing that cooling system/transmission will fail in those conditions. We've spent several hours stopped under shade trees to let engine cool down enough to get to destination.

- Ringgold, GA, USA

Noticed coolant leaking brought into my mechanic he diagnosed " replace intake manifold gaskets", brought van to Chevy to see if perhaps a recall because I was told by mechanic that this problem is common with this engine, but I was told no recall and they are unaware of a problem with this engine. So I paid $1,265 to Chevy to repair their defect on a 2000 Chevy Venture with just under 25K miles. And they wonder why people are buying foreign made cars!!!!!

- Staten Island, NY, USA

I noticed red fluid on one of the lines below in the area of the coolant reservoir. I do have dexcool in the system. I have not diagnosed the problem as to where the coolant is leaking from but I notice the reservoir gets low periodically. I fear it is leaking from the gasket but not sure yet. I have nothing but problems with this vehicle. I have had to spend $600-$1000 every year which a couple of the repairs GM took care of after reaming them out. Their product is terrible and I will never buy another GM again.

- Albany, NY, USA

The vehicle developed a smell that was foul, with a slight odor of antifreeze. Dealer replaced the filters. However, the smell was still there. Currently, a coolant light came on and the antifreeze was leaking into the oil.

- Waterford, CT, USA

2000 Chevy Venture V6 47000miles. I recently had leaking intack manifold gasket repaired at dealer ($700). Apparently this is a common problem across the GM product line with this engine. I contacted corporate GM complaint department but they offered no assistance. The van has been in shop once each year for low coolant indication. Had temp switch changed twice. Last year I notice sludge on oil filler cap indicating moisture in oil but dealer did not think it was a problem. I feel this is a common and serious problem GM should be made to recognize and compensate it's customers for.

- Kenmore, NY, USA

We are experiencing failure of the intake manifold gasket at about 42000 miles. This is a known problem by Chevrolet and thousands upon thousands of people are having this issue. This is a potentially catastrophic failure, as it can lead to severe engine damage by coolant mixing with engine oil. Chevrolet is charging upwards of $1000 for repairs for this known design problem.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

Dex-cool in my 2000 Venture failed. Turned to a solid and resulted in intake repalacement.

- Lancaster, CA, USA