1998 Chevrolet Venture Owner Complaints

VAN WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX 65 MPH..FORD QUAD CAB TRUCK PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME..I LOCKED THE BRAKES, SOME SKID MARKS DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND COMPLETELY BROADSIDED THE TRUCK. DAMAGE TO TRUCK WAS ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR, AND FRONT CORNER PANEL. SEVERAL OF TRUCKS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IMPACT WAS AT A HIGH SPEED. INJURIES TO MYSELF AND PASSENGER, NECK, SHOULDER, KNEE, WRIST, ANKLE, NOT FATAL, THANK GOODNESS. PASSENGER OF TRUCK, INJURIES UNKNOWN. TRUCK WAS AT FAULT IN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

10819198

Incident

Jan 4, 2016

Mileage

136,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09E005000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

NHTSA ID

10807166

Incident

Nov 25, 2015

Mileage

122,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V131000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,817. UPDATED 5/18/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE CABLE END THAT CONNECTS TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 7/1/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID

10701077

Incident

Mar 13, 2015

Mileage

159,817 mi

GOODYEAR ASSURANCE COMFORTRED 215/70 R15 98T. BELTS SEPARATED AT BEAD, GIANT GOITER IN SIDEWALL. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THIS WAS A MOUNTING ERROR. NO TEARING OF INNER EDGE ON BEAD. THE OTHER THREE TIRES ALL HAVE BULGES STARTING IN SIDEWALLS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10625982

Incident

Aug 16, 2014

SUDDEN AND COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED TO THE POINT OF FAILURE. NO WARNING...JUST COMPLETE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10439236

Incident

Dec 9, 2011

Mileage

67,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR AUTOMATICALLY OPENED ON ITS OWN AFTER IT WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V067000(LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE SLIDING DOORS A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 163,000.

NHTSA ID

10395712

Incident

Apr 1, 2011

Mileage

163,000 mi

I BACKED THE VAN OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME AND PLACED THE CAR INTO DRIVE. AS I STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD, THE GAS PEDAL FELT HARDER THAN NORMAL BUT I ATTRIBUTED THAT TO BEING LEFT OUTSIDE ALL WINTER. I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL HARDER TO GET TO CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. AND IMMEDIATELY I FELT THE PEDAL UNSTICK . AT THAT SAME MOMENT, THE ENGINE RACED TO FULL THROTTLE AND RACED FORWARD WITH THE VAN CONTINUALLY GOING FASTER AND FASTER RACING INSTANTLY TO 50 MILES AN HOUR AND STILL ACCELERATING. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION, I TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT COULD NOT STOP THE VAN OR STOP THE ACCELERATION. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND FINALLY BRAKED THE VAN TO A STOP. THIS ALL HAPPENED ON THE SIDE STREET OF MY SUBDIVISION BEFORE I COULD GET ONTO THE MAIN ROAD. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO CARS OR PEOPLE IN MY WAY AND I WAS ABLE TO GET CONTROL OF THE VAN WITHOUT HURTING MYSELF OR OTHERS, THE VAN WAS BROUGHT BACK TO MY DRIVEWAY WHERE IT REMAINS. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AT THIS POINT AS I DO NOT WANT TO PAY TO HAVE THIS 12 YEAR OLD VAN REPAIRED AT MY COST NOR DO I EVER WANT TO DRIVE THIS VAN AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10303433

Incident

Jan 9, 2010

Mileage

88,000 mi

1998 CHEVY VENTURE. REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE. BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED THROUGH-MIDWAY FROM FRONT TO BACK ON BOTH REAR BRAKE LINE'S. THESE LINES ARE MADE OF METAL AND HAVE SEVERAL 90 DEGREE BENDS ALONG THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO EQUIPMENT FAILURE. I WAS BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND LOST ALL RESISTANCE. SHOULD THIS HAVE OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT LEGAL SPEED LIMIT AND PROPER FOLLOWING DISTANCE THE RESULTS COULD BE CATASTROPHIC FOR THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND OTHER MOTORIST INVOLVED. STAINLESS STEEL MATERIEL SHOULD BE USED FOR EQUIPMENT AS IMPORTANT AS THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10265223

Incident

Apr 14, 2009

Mileage

143,468 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO PARK AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY WHILE SHE WAS ASSISTING A CHILD WITH EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RAN TO JUMP INTO THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS VERY UNSTABLE AND HAD A LOT OF "PLAY" OR WIGGLE. SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE, THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED IN FEBRUARY OF 2007. AT THAT TIME, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT SHE NEEDED NEW CIRCUIT BOARDS. WITHIN A YEAR, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE CIRCUIT BOARDS BURNED OUT AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PLUG FOR THE BOARDS WAS BURNED OUT AS WELL, WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE FAILURES TO CONTINUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

NHTSA ID

10262259

Incident

Jan 10, 2007

Mileage

130,000 mi

SMELL OF GAS, INSIDE AND OUT. EVEN WHEN VAN WAS SITTING ALL NIGHT AND ALL DAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10236320

Incident

Jul 8, 2008

SEAT BELTS FAIL TO LATCH ON REAR REMOVABLE PASSENGER SEATS (7 PASS. OPTION) 3 SEATS USABLE OUT OF 5. 2ND ROW RH OUTER BELT WILL NOT RELEASE FROM RETRACTOR - IT'S STUCK. INQUIRED WITH CHEVROLET DEALER, SADLER MOTORS - S.S.M. MI GM SAID NO RECALLS ISSUED, OR WILL BE ISSUED. I TOOK THE LATCH FROM THE SEAT 2ND ROW RH OUTER SEAT AND PUT IT ON THE CENTER SEAT SO THE RETRACTABLE BELT COULD BE USED - GIVING ME 3 SAFE SEATS. NO HELP FROM DEALER OR GM. WE HAVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT IS PRIMARILY USED TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN TO/FROM SCHOOL - NOW WE HAVE TO LIMIT THE CHILDREN WE CAN SAFELY TRANSPORT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10229913

Incident

Jun 17, 2005

Mileage

85,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC OR ON AN INCLINE, THE HEAT TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLUCTUATES. THE VEHICLE IS ALSO LOSING ANTIFREEZE. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN ADDING ONE HALF GALLON OF ANTIFREEZE PER MONTH AND DOES NOT KNOW WHY. WHEN THE WEATHER BECOMES WARMER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES SPORADICALLY. THE LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE IN THE WINTER. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

10220267

Incident

Feb 28, 2008

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNLOCKED, SHE WOULD CLOSE ANY DOOR, AND THE VEHICLE LOCKED ALL THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 5-6 TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID

10215790

Incident

Jul 12, 2006

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V286000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HE IS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,000.

NHTSA ID

10215369

Incident

Jan 15, 2008

Mileage

132,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10201838

Incident

Aug 31, 2007

Mileage

138,000 mi

DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT. IT KEEPS BURNING OUT THE BULBS. IT MELTS THE PLASTIC AROUND THE METAL LINE, THE PART THAT IT PLUGS INTO. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ID

10199739

Incident

Jan 30, 2007

1998 CHEVROLET VENTURE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. CONSTANT CONDENSATION/MOISTURE INSIDE DRIVE AND PASSENGER SIDE UNITS CAUSING A FOGGY OR BURNED EFFECT AND RENDERING HEADLIGHTS VIRTUALLY USELESS. AFTER MANY YEARS, I'VE NOTICED MANY DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS OF THE VENTURE AND ITS OLDSMOBILE COUSIN HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE REPLACED, AT NO CHARGE, FORM THE AUTO MAKER. *JB

NHTSA ID

10199585

Incident

Jan 1, 1998

STEERING MAKES NOTICEABLE THUMPING WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT TIMES, ESPECIALLY WHEN BACKING UP AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT'S THE PROBLEM..THE STEERING IS FAILING AT THIS TIME.... *TR

NHTSA ID

10194040

Incident

May 1, 2007

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVY VENTURE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHEN APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE AUSE OF THE PROBLEM , AND RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE BE DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A BAR INSIDE THE ENGINE THAT BROKE, AND THEREWAS ALSO CORROSION IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 14, 4000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID

10186370

Incident

Mar 21, 2007

Mileage

144,000 mi

MY HEADLIGHT LENSES HAVE FALLEN OFF ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THIS IS CLEARLY A FAULTY DESIGN AS THE LENSES ARE MERELY GLUED ON THE FRONT OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. BECAUSE OF THE GLUE WEARING AWAY ON THE HEADLIGHT COVER, WATER GETS INTO THE ASSEMBLY AND CAUSES THE HALOGEN LIGHTS TO SHORT OUT. THIS TO ME IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. I THINK THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ADMIT TO THIS AND RECALL THE VANS AND REPLACE WITH A NEW DESIGN. WHY DOES IT ALWAYS TAKE SOMEONE'S DEATH AND A LAWSUIT TO GET SOMETHING TAKEN CARE OF. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS THREE TIMES. THE LAST TIME I PUT DUCT TAPE AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE LENSES TO KEEP THEM ON. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO DO THAT??? *JB

NHTSA ID

10174757

Incident

Jul 28, 2005

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND STRAIGHTENING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE STEERING WHEEL RACK AND PINION FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. SOON AFTER, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO CONFIRMED THE STEERING RACK AND PINION FRACTURE. THE REPAIR SHOP ALSO DETERMINED DUE TO THE UNIQUE FRACTURE OF THE RACK AND PINION AND THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT, THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

NHTSA ID

10168524

Incident

Sep 5, 2006

Mileage

140,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. THERE WAS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 98V131000 REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID

10164168

Incident

Aug 2, 2006

Mileage

80,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT LATCH PROPERLY. WHILE THE DOOR WAS BEING SHUT, IT SIMPLY ROLLED BACK OPEN UPON MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. A SERVICE DEALER WAS CALLED, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10160756

Incident

Jun 24, 2006

Mileage

125,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT 20 MPH THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THERE WAS FAILURE TO THE LOWER BEARING PLATE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 02V286000, REGARDING THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ID

10159931

Incident

Jun 12, 2006

Mileage

130,153 mi

VENTURE WAS MAKING A SMELL THAT I REMEMBERED FROM MY 95 CHEVY LUMINA. PULL OVER REALIZED THE SAME THING WAS GOING ON WITH THIS VAN. COOLANT GOING INTO ENGINE. THIS VAN ONLY HAD 51,652 MILES ON FOR A 98 THAT IS GREAT I TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF IT AND CHEVY LOST A CUSTOMER FOR LIFE. WE WERE LOOKING A TAHOE BUT I WOULD EVEN LOOK AT IT NOW CHEVY IS THE WORST CAR MAKER OUT THERE BUT THEN AGAIN THEY ARE MAKING ME NOW LOOK A TOYOTA,HONDA IN A WHOLE NEW LIGHT. *NM

NHTSA ID

10152942

Incident

Feb 20, 2006

Mileage

50,652 mi