1997 Chevrolet Venture Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Chevrolet Venture, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine8615.1%
- Steering7713.5%
- Exterior lighting6010.5%
- Electrical519.0%
- Body & structure488.4%
- Brakes457.9%
- Visibility335.8%
- Interior & seats284.9%
- Seat belts254.4%
- Fuel system244.2%
- Transmission183.2%
- Airbags152.6%
- Tires & wheels132.3%
- Driver assistance132.3%
- Suspension122.1%
- Other / unspecified91.6%
- Powertrain (other)81.4%
- Heating & air conditioning40.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE, CAUGHT FIRE AND BECAME FULLY ENGULFED CAUSING TOTAL DAMAGE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE VEHICLE HAD ENGINE TROUBLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0318-89)*JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING LOCKED UP ON '97 VENTURE VAN WHILE BEING OPERATED AT 70 MPH ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, RACK AND PINION AND STEERING PUMP REPLACED.
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. *TR
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR BRAKE LAMPS KEEP FAILING, LIGHT BAR ON TOP WORKS FINE BUT BOTH SIDE REAR BRAKE LAMPS FAIL CONTINUOUSLY. UPON DISASSEMBLY OF BRAKE LIGHT ONE CAN SEE THE SOCKETS AND BULB CONTACTS ARE MELTING. THIS VAN HAS ALREADY HAD THE ENTIRE REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY ON EACH SIDE REPLACED BUT PROBLEM IS RECURRING. CLEANING/SANDING SOCKETS WORKS TEMPORARILY BUT PROBLEM RETURNS WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS. BULB REPLACEMENT ALONE DOES NOT WORK. FILAMENTS IN BULBS ARE NOT BURNT OUT BUT CONTACTS ON BULBS AND SOCKETS ARE BURNT. THIS ONLY AFFECTS THE CIRCUIT THE BRAKE LIGHT FILAMENT IS ON, THE TAILLIGHTS (WHICH SHARE THE SAME MULTIFILAMENT BULB) ARE NOT AFFECTED. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH IT'S QUITE APPARENT THIS IS A PROBLEM VERY COMMON ACROSS MOST OR ALL MODEL YEARS OF THIS VAN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE OCCUPANTS - THE LIGHTS CAN (AND WILL) FAIL WITHOUT NOTICE LEAVING DRIVER VULNERABLE TO COLLISIONS FROM BEHIND DUE TO INADEQUATE SIGNALING. *TR
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. *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *TR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AND BUSTED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE INSPECTOR DETERMINED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT HER RESIDENCE. *AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS: 1. HEADLIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY; 2. WHEN HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD, HEADLIGHTS CAME ON; 3. ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO LEAKING RADIATOR , AND 4. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, SUCH AS IGNITION AND POWER DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED REGULARLY. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO START. THE DOOR PANELS WERE LOOSE. THE WINDSHIELD LEAKED. THE ANTI THEFT ALARM MALFUNCTIONED. REAR WINDOW WASHER MALFUNCTIONED. *NM
THE PAINT HAS PEELED OFF AND YET GM CANADA CLAIMS NO PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO HEAR OUR COMPLAINT LET ALONE ACKNOWLEDGE IT YET WE CAN SEE FOR OURSELVES ON THIS SITE THE U.S. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT! THE FLOORBOARD CRACKED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND IT'S BEEN A DAY AND WE HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM OUR LOCAL RETAILER!
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 3 SEPARATE TIMES. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. UPDATED 12/05/06. *JB
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *TR
MY 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE VIN [XXX], WIPERS WOULD NOT PARK IN CORRECT POSITION. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME HE FOUND A CAMPAIGN LISTED (97005 FEB 97) FOR THE PROBLEM. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIPER CRANK ARM BECAUSE IT WAS BENT. THIS PARTICULAR PART WAS PART OF THE CAMPAIGN. IT COST ME $234.43 TO GET IT REPAIRED. THE WIPERS USED TO PARK WHEN IT FIRST STARTED IF YOU TURNED THEM ON AND OFF ENOUGH TIMES. FINALLY, THEY JUST STARTED STOPPING WHERE THEY WERE WHEN YOU TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THIS WAS OVER PROBABLY A YEARS TIME PERIOD. I JUST FOUND A REPAIR INVOICE FROM MAR 98 WHERE WE HAD TAKEN IN THE VAN BECAUSE WIPERS WOULD NOT PARK. I FEEL MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE CAMPAIGN AND SHOULD BE COVERED AND I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. *JB UDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE, UNIT 1 WAS EASTBOUND IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE. THE HOOD APPARENTLY WAS NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, FLEW UP AND BACK, SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD. UPDATED 04/04/2011 *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0175-90)*JB UPDATED 04/22/11 *BF
1997 CHEVY VENTURE ,POWER SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR THE DOOR POPS OPEN WHILE DRIVING.THE DEALER STATES DOOR HAD BEEN REPAIRED ONCE IN 2002 AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FURTHER REPAIRES ON THE LATCHING OF THIS DOOR
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SEAT BELT CLASP ON THE MIDDLE BENCH SEAT HAS COME APART, PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT FROM SAFELY CONNECTING AND STAYING CONNECTED.
THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT WORK, THEY WERE DEFECTIVE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, BUT THEY WANTED CONSUMER TO PAY FOR IT. CONSUMER FELT THAT MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. ALSO, THE SLIDING DOOR MOTOR ON 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE IS DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER PAID FOR REPAIRS 3 DIFFERENT TIMES, BUT IT KEPT BREAKING.*AK PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCH FAILED. WIPER MODULE SHORTED OUT. THE VEHICLE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER FOUND A BAD CONNECTION AT THE EBCM. ALSO FOUND BOTH TRACTION BULBS WERE MISSING. *NM
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL PUMP FAILED WITH ONLY 65,000 MILES ON THE CAR.*AK
THE VEHICLE LEAKED COOLANT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. *AK ALSO THE FUEL INJECTORS FAILED AND THE SLIDING DOOR DID NOT SHUT PROPERLY. *JB *NLM
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE AND I HAVE HAD A LOT OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I GOT THE VEHICLE IN 2003 USED. THE DAY I BOUGHT IT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I HAD IT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WATCHED THEM TAKE A NEW TRANSMISSION OUT OF A CRATE AND PUT IT IN. AFTER THAT IT WAS BACK IN THE SHOP 3 MORE TIMES OVER THE NEXT YEAR FOR PROBLEMS. WHEN I WOULD GO THROUGH A YIELD REQUIRING ME TO SPEED UP SUCH AS GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE IT WOULD REV UP AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL , ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET HIT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHEN I WOULD TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THEN TRY AGAIN IT WOULD GRAB AND TAKE OFF. ALL THREE TIMES THEY REBUILT THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. NOW THE SHIFT SENSORS ARE GOING OUT AND EVEN THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AT ONLY 35,000 MILES. EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER THAT PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN HAS PURGED THEIR SYSTEM AND MY INFORMATION WAS KICKED OUT AND I CANNOT FIND THE ORIGINAL PAPERWORK. WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP FROM HAVING TO PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE INTERNAL TRANSMISSION PART THAT IS EXPENSIVE TO HAVE PUT IN. *TR
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE HEADLIGHT COVERS CAME OFF OF THE VEHICLE. IT COSTS $178.00 PLUS TAX FOR EACH OF THE HEADLIGHT COVERS TO BE REPAIRED. ABOUT SIX MONTH AGO ONE OF THE HEADLIGHT COVERS CAME OFF, AND A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, THE OTHER HEADLIGHT COVER CAME OFF. THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE GM MANUFACTURER TOLD HER THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT HE HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, THE CONTACT HAD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE FIRST TIME IT GOT STUCK IN SECOND GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME AT ONLY 26,000 MILES, AND THE SECOND TIME AT 26,100 MILES. BOTH TIMES WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER THE SECOND TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IT HAD ONLY 78,000 MILES ON IT. WHILE ON VACATION AND DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE TRANSMISSION QUIT. HAD TO COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THAT TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED TRANSMISSION, AND AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE PROBLEM DID NOT RECUR. ALL THE DEALERSHIPS THAT THE CONTACT CHECKED TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION SAID THAT THERE WHERE NO TRANSMISSIONS AROUND BECAUSE THEY WERE REDESIGNING ALL OF THE TRANSMISSIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. SHE CONTACTED GM MANUFACTURER, AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD OVER 100,000 MILES. *AK
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THIS CAUSED THE HORN TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK. VEHICLE WA SRECALLED FOR STEERING RACK AND PINION REPLACEMENT. AFTER IT WAS REPLACED THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND COULDN'T BE RESET, THE SENSOR UNIT SHORTED OUT AND BURNE DALL TAIL LIGHTS. CONSUMER TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. CONSUMER CLAIMED HE WAS 68 YEARS OF AGE AND WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE COULDN'T BE DRIVEN WITHOUT AIR BAGS BEING USED IN WHICH CASE THEY WERE WRONG.CONSUMER DRIVES ABOUT 3000 MILES PER WEEK AS A DELIVERY PERSON FOR A FURNACE COMPANY AND ALWAY USED SEAT BELTS. *AK
MY 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY NO ONE IN IT AND NOT RUNNING WHEN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A WIRING DEFECT AND WOULD COST MORE THAN THE CAR WAS WORTH TO FIX IT!! APPARENTLY WATER GOT INTO THE WIRE HARNESS. HOW IS THIS MY FAULT? THANK GOD MY KIDS WERE NOT IN THE CAR!!!*AK
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT 4 PEP BOYS DEFINITY TIRES W ROAD HASARD TOTAL WAS 424.58 ON 9/10/201. MILEAGE WAS152156..YESTERDAY 9/1/2011 IHAD A BLOW OUT ON L REAR TIRE. THE MILEAGE WAS158180. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE PRO RATED,ONLY 6,000 MILES AND IT COST ME 41.52 FOR ANOTHER TIRE. IT COULDNT BE FIXED. WHAT WAS THE ROAD HAZZARD FOR? PS THEY OFFERED ME A OIL CHANGE AS A SETTELMENT. I TOLD THEM NO THANKS! *TR
WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT SIDE VIEW MIRROR FELL COMPLETELY OFF. THE SEAT BELT WAS DAMAGED ON THE SECOND ROW PASSENGER SIDE. THE HEAD LIGHT COVERS CONTINUOUSLY FELL OFF. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE BULBS CONSTANTLY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC TO HAVE THE TIRES CHANGED AND WAS TOLD THE TIRE ROD WAS BENT AND THAT IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. CAR WAS AT FULL THROTTLE AND CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC AHEAD. CONTINUED PLACING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, BRAKING, AND PUTTING IT BACK IN DRIVE UNTIL I COULD PULL OVER TO A SAFE SPOT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. ACCELERATOR CABLE HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT DON'T KNOW IF DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED TO THE TRANSMISSION.
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE. THE CONSUMER FELT BINDING IN THE GAS PEDAL, AND THE VAN STARTED DECELERATING. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE CAUSE OF THE BROKEN ACCELERATOR CABLE IS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *NM
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *TR
THE REAR AIR RIDE PUMP CONTINUES TO INFLATE REAR SHOCKS MORE OFTEN AND ALSO RUNS WHEN THE VAN IS OFF THE KILLS THE BATTERY. CONNECTED AIR PUMP IN THE LEFT REAR UNDER THE VAN AND REPLACED REAR AIR SHOCKS WITH AFTERMARKET NON AIR SHOCKS.*AK
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAMPAIGN 02049 WAS COMPLETED ON 30 APRIL 2003 THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING BEARING. THE VEHICLE STEERING SLOWLY BECAME STIFF AND GAVE RESISTANCE IN MAY 2004 WHEN TURNING OR MAKING STEERING CORRECTIONS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN JUNE OR JULY AS IT WAS GETTING WORSE. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER IT REQUIRED A LOT OF EXERTION TO STEER. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACED. I ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL TO CHECK THE GEAR AND IF IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL. HE STATED NO NOT RELATED. AFTER THE REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS BEHAVING ERRATICALLY ON THE ROAD. STEERING CORRECTIONS WERE SLOPPY YOU HAD TO MOVE IT LEFT OR RIGHT 3 OR MORE INCHES TO TURN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER HE HAD SOME ADJUSTMENT DONE AND THE STEERING SEEMED FINE. ONLY NOW A GROANING CLUNK UPON TURNS AND ACCELERATION. I WAITED A FEW DAYS THEN A COMPONENT FELL FROM THE UNDERSIDE ONTO MY DRIVEWAY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK AGAIN AND VOICED MY CONCERNS OVER THE COMPONENT AND THE NOISE. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE NOISE AND THAT THE COMPONENT WAS NO PROBLEM ONLY A LOOSE WIRE BRACKET. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE MECHANIC AND DROVE AROUND TO SHOW HIM THE NOISE. HE HEARD THE NOISE AND WOULD BE ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. NEXT THE SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME THE STRUT BRACKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I REQUESTED THE MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE STRUTS FOR DAMAGE FROM THE FAULTY STRUT BRACKETS AND LET ME KNOW IF THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE WRITER CALLED AND SAID THE STRUTS WERE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. I HAD PURCHASED LIFETIME REPLACEMENT FROM FIRESTONE SO I HAD IT PUT BACK TOGETHER AND I PAID FOR THE REPAIRS AND DROVE OVER TO FIRESTONE TO HAVE THE STRUTS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC AT FIRESTONE SAID THE STRUTS WERE FINE BUT REPLACED THEM ANYWAY. THE ONLY ABNORMALITY THE FIRESTONE MECHANIC NOTED WAS THAT THE STRUT SPRINGS WERE NOT PROPERLY SEATED. AFTER THE STRUT REPLACEMENT THE SAME NOISE WAS PRESENT. IT IS STILL BEING REPAIRED. NOT SURE OF THE START ORIGINAL DATE). *AK
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS: 1. HEADLIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY; 2. WHEN HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD, HEADLIGHTS CAME ON; 3. ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO LEAKING RADIATOR , AND 4. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, SUCH AS IGNITION AND POWER DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED REGULARLY. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO START. THE DOOR PANELS WERE LOOSE. THE WINDSHIELD LEAKED. THE ANTI THEFT ALARM MALFUNCTIONED. REAR WINDOW WASHER MALFUNCTIONED. *NM
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
GENERAL MOTORS DEX-COOL RUINED OUR COOLING SYSTEM IN OUR 97 CHEVY VENTURE. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM AND NOW CRANKSHAFT HAS GONE BAD. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 IN REPAIRS. VAN STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AT 80,000MILES. VAN ONLY HAS 110,000 MILES. WE ARE OVERWHELMED AND EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED. WE WOULD HAVE REPLACE THE COOLANT IF WE WOULD HAVE KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THE DEX-COOL CAUSED. WE FEEL WE HAVE BEEN DENIED VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO MAINTAINING OUR VEHICLE. CONSUMERS NEED TO BE MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH DEX-COOL COOLANT!!!!!!! *TR
WHEN THE CAR IS RUNING FOR MORE THAT ONE HR THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON, WHEN I STOP AND TRY TO LEAVE THE CAR IS MOVED WITH LOSS OF DRIVE. I CHANGE NEW TRANSMISSION FROM THE SAME DATE, BUT NOTHING CHANGED,EVERY TIME THE LIGHT COME ON THE READING IN THE COMPUTER SCANER, ALWAYS IS A FAULT IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE SHOP CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE SHOP JUST RESET THE LIGHT. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S THE PROBLEM.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPAIRED 4-TIMES REPLY DIRECTLY TO THE CONSTITUENT. *BF 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. *NM
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING CAR, HEADLIGHTS FILLED WITH MOISTURE CAUSING LIGHTS TO BURN OUT. DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WERE NO REPLACEMENTS EVEN MADE YET. AT ALMOST 100,000 MILES ENGINE DIED, POWER STEERING FAILED, BELT SLIPPED AND AC WENT OUT WITHIN DAYS OF EACH OTHER. 1800CHEVUSA REP "JASON" SAID "CHEVY ONLY BUILDS THEIR VEHICHLES TO LAST 100,000 MILES". NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY CHEVY. NOT AFTER WHAT JASON SAID.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .