1998 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 1998 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
- Engine11123.3%
- Exterior lighting5611.8%
- Steering367.6%
- Interior & seats326.7%
- Electrical306.3%
- Body & structure306.3%
- Fuel system285.9%
- Airbags275.7%
- Brakes265.5%
- Seat belts255.3%
- Visibility234.8%
- Transmission112.3%
- Driver assistance102.1%
- Tires & wheels91.9%
- Other / unspecified81.7%
- Suspension81.7%
- Powertrain (other)61.3%
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
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
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.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE HAZARD LIGHTS TURNED ON ITS OWN AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED. THE ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE DRIVER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *AK THE RIGHT TAIL LIGHT DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, WHEN THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL FLASHED TWICE AS FAST AS NORMAL, BUT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL FLASHED NORMAL, ALSO WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BOTH DIRECTIONAL INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STAYED ON UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE ABS AND TCS WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON AND STAYED ON UNTIL IT WAS RESET, AROUND THE SAME TIME THE BLOWER FOR THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONING LOST BOTH THE FIRST AND SECOND SPEEDS, THE DOOR LOCK CYCLE WAS INTERMITTENT AND THE CONSUMER WAS LOCKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE BRAKES FAILED MANY TIMES. *SC *JB
ANTI-LOOK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. OTHER LIGHTS ARE NOW FLASHING WHEM BRAKES ARE USED. THE MAIN BRAKE, SIGNAL AND RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE STIPPED WORKING. THE ONLY BRAKE LIGHTS WORKING NOW ARE THE LED LIGHTS ON THE REAR DOOR. SYSTEM IS ACTING LIKE IT HAS A SHORT OR GROUNDING CONDITION. UNABLE TO USE THIS VEHICLE AND IS PARKED.*AK UNABLE TO REPAIR THIS DUE TO BEING ON A FIXED INCOME. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND PAST THE LAST PART OF APRIL 2004.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE POWER SLIDING DOOR WONT OPEN OR CLOSE AT TIMES. HAS HAD ALL OF THE RECALS DONE. TODAY THE DOOR CLOSED ON MY SONS LEG AND WOULD NOT STOP MOVING OR REVERSE CAUSING A LARGE BRUISE TO HIM.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS ANTIFREEZE WAS MIXED IN WITH THE OIL. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO BREAK. THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE RUBBER TRIM HAD FALLEN OFF, WATER WOULD GET INTO THE TRUNK WHEN IT RAINED, AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. *SC
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
SMELL OF GAS, INSIDE AND OUT. EVEN WHEN VAN WAS SITTING ALL NIGHT AND ALL DAY. *TR
AT MORNING START UP I SMELLED GAS. CHECKED UNDER VAN AND SAW PUDDLE OF GAS IN MIDDLE. TOOK VAN TO CHEV. DEALER AND FOUND GAS LINE LEAKING. LEAK IS ONLY ABOUT 18 INCHES AWAY FROM CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IF WIND WAS BOWLING JUST RIGHT A FIRE COULD START. THIS IS 1998 CHEV. VENTURE WITH 13000 MILES. THIS IS THE FORTH TIME I HAVE HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
REAR SEATBELTS FAIL DUE TO THE BUCKLE SLIPPING DOWN EXPOSING THE PARTS INSIDE. THESE PARTS COME APART WHEN EXPOSED. 2 HAVE FAILED SO FAR...RENDERING 2 SEATS AS UNUSABLE AND UNSAFE FOR TRAVEL IN VEHICLE. A THIRD SEAT IS IN PROCESS OF FAILING...BUCKLE HAS TO BE KEPT UP WITH DUCT TAPE.*AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
(1)WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL FAILURE. WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE / OPERATED ERRATICALLY DURING RAINSTORM AT NIGHT. WIPERS WORK AT TIMES, NOT AT ALL AT OTHERS. TURNING THEM OFF, THEN BACK ON MAY GET THEM WORKING AGAIN, OR MAYBE NOT. (2) HAD TO PULL OFF OF THE INTERSTATE. WAS ONLY ABLE TO GET THE WIPERS RUNNING ON INTERMITTENT MODE. CONTINUED DRIVING TO DESTINATION WITH CAUTION (WHITE KNUCKLE DRIVING ALL THE WAY). (3) PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED YET. WILL NOT DRIVE IN THE RAIN, UNTIL PROBLEM IS SUCCESSFULLY DIAGNOSED / REPAIRED. *JB
THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR ON MY VAN AS BROKEN SEVERAL TIMES. IT STARTS BY JUST COMING OF TRACK AND YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE WINDOW TO GET IT TO CLOSE AND SEAL AND EVENTUALLY THE REGULATOR BRAKES ALL TOGETHER AND THE WINDOW SLAMS DOWN OR YOU HEAR A LOUD METAL POP AND THE WINDOW GOES FORWARD AND THE CORNER THAT IS IN THE UPPER LEFT IS NOW IN THE CENTER OF WHERE THE WINDOW SHOULD BE. IT CAME REAL CLOSE TO SHATTERING THE WINDOW. WE REPLACED THE REGULATOR AND IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. *JB
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
ANTI-LOOK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. OTHER LIGHTS ARE NOW FLASHING WHEM BRAKES ARE USED. THE MAIN BRAKE, SIGNAL AND RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE STIPPED WORKING. THE ONLY BRAKE LIGHTS WORKING NOW ARE THE LED LIGHTS ON THE REAR DOOR. SYSTEM IS ACTING LIKE IT HAS A SHORT OR GROUNDING CONDITION. UNABLE TO USE THIS VEHICLE AND IS PARKED.*AK UNABLE TO REPAIR THIS DUE TO BEING ON A FIXED INCOME. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND PAST THE LAST PART OF APRIL 2004.
WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE SNAPPED. *AK *JB
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
I WAS TRAVELING ON I-95 NORTHBOUND ON TUEDAY, MARCH 22ND NEAR THE HASTINGS, FLORIDA EXIT. THE TREAD ON THE LEMANS TIRE, P215/70R15 COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, THE CHEVROLET VENTURE VAN VEERED TO THE RIGHT, NARROWLY MISSING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE TREAD WAS RECOVERED, AND SAVED, BUT IT SMASHED THE HOSES THAT CONNECT TO THE REAR A/C COMPRESSOR AND ALSO DAMAGED MY BUMPER RIPPING SEVERAL BOLTS OUT. THE MAN FROM AAA WHO CHANGED MY TIRE WAS AMAZED THAT I DID NOT ROLL THE VAN. HE NOTICED FLUID LEAKING OUT AND CHECKED TO SEE IF THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING. IT WAS NOT. HE THOUGHT IT WAS EITHER BRAKE FLUID OR COMPRESSOR FREON. I DID NOT HIT ANY DEBRIS IN THE ROAD AND WAS GOING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MPH. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS 32 PSI. THE DOT NUMBER ON THE TIRE IS HYM3 LTB 4100. THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER CODE ON THE TIRE Q09L. I WILL ATTEPT TO GO TO THE FIRESTONE DEALER AND SEE ABOUT REPAIRS. AFTER READING MANY FIRESTONE COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEB SITE, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FIRESTONE DEALERS ARE TRAINED TO SAY THAT TREAD SEPARATION IS CAUSED BY HITTING DEBRIS SO THE DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR DAMAGE. I WILL LET YOU KNOW OF MY EXPERIECE WITH FIRESTONE FRANCHISE AT 10553 SAN JOSE BLVD, JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA 32258.*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
DECEMBER 2002 - MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, ALLOWING DEXCOOL COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE OIL SYSTEM. GASKET REPLACED. NOVEMBER 2004. REPLACEMENT GASKET FAILED. COOLANT IN OIL SYSTEM AGAIN. MODIFIED GASKET KIT INSTALLED. JAN 2, 2005. CAM SHAFT BREAKS. BEARINGS/BUSHING SEIZED DUE TO OIL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION. ON JAN 2, 2005, THE VAN STALLED IN INTERSECTION. CAR RESTARTED. CAR THEN STALLED ON THE EXPRESSWAY ON THE WAY HOME AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE STALL OCCURRED ON A BEND COMING OUT OF A TUNNEL. APPROACHING CARS HAD LITTLE WARNING THAT OUR VAN WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. POLICE HELPED PUSH THE VAN OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ONTO THE GRASS. THE VAN CANNOT BE COST EFFECTIVELY REPAIRED. IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. *NM
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HUTCHINSON RIVER PARKWAY AT ABOUT 2:30 PM WITH MY FAMILY, MY WIFE HEARD A NOISE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. TO OUR HORROR, WE SAW CARS BEHIND US SWERVING TO AVOID A TIRE WHICH WAS SKIDDING ALONG THE ROAD. WE IMMEDIATELY EXITED AND, UPON LOOKING UNDER OUR 1998 CHEVROLET VENTURE MINIVAN, SAW NEITHER OUR SPARE TIRE, NOR THE PLATE THAT HELD IN PLACE. IT APPEARED AS IF THE CABLE THAT HELD THE TIRE IN PLACE HAD COMPLETELY AND CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED, RESULTING IN A POTENTIALLY DEADLY SITUATION. FORTUNATELY FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED THE PAVEMENT WAS (FOR THE MOMENT) DRY, IT WAS DAYTIME, THE DRIVERS BEHIND WERE NOT TAILGATING (AS IS CUSTOMARY ON THE HUTCH) AND THE TIRE CAME TO REST ON THE MEDIAN, OUT OF THE LANES OF TRAFFIC. WE LOOPED BACK AND FOUND THE WHEEL ON THE MEDIAN AND, WHILE WE WERE TRYING TO DECIDE WHOM TO CALL TO REPORT THE INCIDENT (AAA, LOCAL POLICE, ETC) A WESTCHESTER COUNTY POLICE OFFICER STOPPED TO HELP US. HE BRIEFLY STOPPED TRAFFIC AND REMOVED THE WHEEL SO THAT NO ONE WOULD HIT IT. AS FAR AS WE COULD TELL, NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THERE WAS NO MAJOR PROPERTY DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT (WE HAVE YET TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO REPAIR THE WHEEL AND THE SPARE TIRE HOUSING). UPON SEARCHING THIS SITE, WE HAVE NOTICED THAT A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTED (A SPARE TIRE CABLE THAT HAS BECOME VERY CORRODED) AND BELIEVE OUR EXPERIENCE NOT TO BE AN ISOLATED EVENT, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WHERE SALT IS COMMONLY USED IN THE WINTER TO KEEP THE ROADS CLEAR OF ICE. WE RECOMMEND THAT GENERAL MOTORS DEVISE AND IMPLEMENT A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST (AND LIABILITIES ARE INCURRED) AS A RESULT OF THIS FAULTY DESIGN. *NLM
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 5 MPH WHILE TURNING INTO HOME DRIVEWAY. REAR AXLE SEPARATED FROM FRAME AND RIGHT REAR WHEEL ENDED UP UNDER REAR QUARTER PANEL. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL INCIDENT IF THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER AND CHEVROLET BOTH HAVE STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY TYPE OF REPAIR ASSISTANCE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AND HIT A BUMP THE VEHICLE WILL SWAY AND THE LEFT SIDE VIBRATE. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER INDICATED NEEDED SHOCK STRUTS. NLM
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS ANTIFREEZE WAS MIXED IN WITH THE OIL. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO BREAK. THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE RUBBER TRIM HAD FALLEN OFF, WATER WOULD GET INTO THE TRUNK WHEN IT RAINED, AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. *SC
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 .