This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
This will be a list of most of the problems. I have complained of smelling anti-freeze since I purchased the van new. It currently has 94K on it and I have done all scheduled maintenance on it. I think the clock work oil changes is the only reason it still runs. Manifold gaskets, intake, head...have been replaced twice and need it again, really bad. But I just do not have 5-800 bucks laying around to do a gasket job again since I just did it a year ago. The anti-freeze diluting the oil has messed up a couple pistons. They slap very bad ok here is my list (I have dealer invoices for everything fixed the first time and receipts for parts and labor the second time, or my husband got sick of paying for the same crap so he would fix things) (he is in the automotive testing and design field)
We have a 1999 Chevy Venture minivan with 50,000 miles on it. We started having problems about a year and a half ago with it. After many trips to the mechanic, we finally found the main issue causing the numerous problems. A leak in the intake manifold leaking coolant into the engine oil. The GM part is plastic. It is a small part, but takes 7.5 hours to fix, so the average cost to fix it is $800!!. there are literally thousands of complaints about this part used by GM. There is a petition with over 9,000 signatures!! its time for GM to recall the part and make things right for their customers especially when it is usually families with small children riding in these GM minivans.
Vehicle was losing coolant due to defective intake manifold, but there was no leak. All of the repair shops and dealership claimed this intake problem was common with this engine. It took dealership two months to repair vehicle.
Intake manifold gasket failed at 91,000 miles. This is the seond time this gasket has failed on this car. The first time (3 years ago, I think) was replaced by GM under warranty. This problem is endemic to this (3.4 V6 and the GM 3.1 V6) engine. GM should recall and fix these for free.
I own a 1999 Chevy Venture which has been driven 26,000 miles. I took my vehicle in foran oil change and on inspection the dealer found coolant leaking from all four corners of the lower intake manifold gasket. They replaced the lower intake manifold gaket and related gaskets at a cost to me of $753.88. The service supervisor informed me that there was a defect in the gaskets and that they have been seeing and fixing this problem on vehicles with this particular motor. He informed us that if we did not get our vechicle repaired that the engine might seize up. I called the corporate office for Chevrolet and they stated that there was no recall on the faulty gaskets at this time. Iak
- Middleburg Hts., OH, USA
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My 1999 Chevrolet Venture has 59,800 miles. While driving on the highway I noticed the "coolant level low" warning light on; the coolant reservoir was nearly empty but there were no visible leaks. The mechanic told me that the intake manifold was leaking. The service shop replaced worn gaskets. This is an expensive repair which should not be necessary at 60,000 miles. I have a friend who owns a 1999 Venture which has had the same problem, and he told me of two others in his circle of friends.
This complaint is directed at potential safety issue concerning vehicles using the GMC V6 engine. In my case, with a 1999 Chevrolet Venture, a poorly designed intake manifold gasket caused the dex-cool coolant to leak into the engine. This coolant is corrosive and will lead to catastrophic engine failure. The problem is especially serious since the leak cannot be easily detected due to its internal nature. A brief investigation on the internet found well over 5,000 other persons reporting the same failure. GM has refused to issue a recall on this problem, but should do so immediately.
1999 Chevrolet Venture at 60,000 miles had to have intake manifold gasket replaced. Repar cost was $874.66. Upon further research, it is apparent there are thousands of Venture owners who have suffered the same problem and expense.
At 71000 miles intake manifold gasket failed. If not repaired this will lead to engine damage and possibly total engine failure. At my own expense I had it repaired using the proper "re-engineered" gasket. Expense was $550.
I contacted cheverolet for assistance regarding my 1999 Venture van. The intake manifold gasket was leaking causing over heating. Repairs were made at a cost of $706. The representative at cheverolet (1-800-222-1020) said that there was a recall on the the intake manifold gasket, but not for my vehicle. I asked the representative how can the recall not cover my vehicle with the same problem. That does not make common sense. The representative could not answer the reason why my vehicle was not included.
Intake manifold gasket leak. 1999 Chevrolet Venture with 3.4 litre V6 engine. Noticed some coolant loss in resevoir. Few days later loud mechanical noise from engine. Brought to dealer. Dealer diagnosed coolant leaked into engine mixing with oil (from intake manifold gasket) causing top end engine damage (hydralic valve lifters had to be replaced and intake manifold gasket). Mechanic who worked on my van said it was very common problem the 3.4L V6. Had vehicle for little over 3 1/2 years with 36227 miles (cost $862) when problem occurred.
Leaking intake manifold gasket and water pump causing loss of antifreeze over a short period of time. No sign of leak other than low coolant light from vehicle.
Replaced intake manifold gasket on my 1999 Chevrolet Venture in April 2002. Just one year later and my mechanic says I have a leak again. These gaskets have been on national backorder for over a year now which tells me I'm not the only one with this problem.
Noticed that coolant level was slowly going down and needed to be refilled. Took van in for coolant flush. Dealer would not do flush because intake manifold gasket was leaking coolant. Van had 74,853 miles on it but was leaking for at least a year. Paid $936 for repair and flushing of coolant and oil. Spoke to local mechanic. He has encountered this problem many times before with Chevy Venture. Luckily, coolant had not yet leaked into engine oil.
I took my van in for an oil change and they told me I had anti-freeze in my oil. Therefore I needed to have the intake gasket replaced, otherwise the engine would fail. This job cost me $777 to have corrected. I had owned the van for less than one year when these problems occurred. The van had 55,133 miles on it at the time. The funny thing is a few days after I purchased my van my mom purchased one also. About 2 months after she had hers the same problem happened and she had to have her intake gasket replaced also. Apparently there is a problem with these gaskets and GM should replace them. Or at least reimburse us for this money we had to fork out for a problem that is apparently a little more than a coincidence.
Intake manifold gasket on the 3.4L engine in my 1999 Chevrolet Venture failed. This is a pervasive known problem with the 3.4L engine produced and sold by GM. GM has had a nationwide backorder on the gasked involved indicating redesign due to poor initial design. I had to wait 4 months for the gasket to be delivered and there were 2 other Venture in the repair facility unable to be repaired or driven due to the backorder. My cost for repair was $538. Others have had to pay over $4,000 due to engine failure. This should be investigated and GM made to conduct a nationwide recall/reimbursement of said repair costs. If you desire I will provide my repair invoice. Due to the part failure and waiting on gasket delivery and repair, I may have hidden engine damage that may surface at a later time.
My 1999 chev Venture van required the replacement of the intake manifold gasket at about 65,500 miles. Service department stated that this was due to a bad batch of manifold gaskets and that GMC was now getting gaskets from another supplier. This appears to be a major problem within GM products; however, no recall has been issued; nor was there any offer of a discount or refund from the dealer for this apparent defect. This could be considered a safety problem as the engine could get water in it and freeze up. If this happens during the winter, on a backroad in Minnesota when the temperature may be well below zero, serious consequences could follow. I see a pending law suit coming.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ellettsville, IN, USA