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.
Material used for head gasket and exhaust manifold gasket were made from material which deteriorated when exposed to coolant. Manufacturer developed new gasket from aluminum to replace, but no recall was ever issued to acknowledge the problem. This has cost me approximately $2500 in repairs, and could have resulted in major engine damage. The dealer service center seemed to be well aware of the issue, as they acted like this wasn't the first one they had seen. The first repair I had was for the exhaust manifold gasket, and it came to $1300. Less than 4 months and 5000 miles later, it was back in the garage with a defective head gasket. Dealer was kind enough to discount the repair, but still came to another $1300. This was on a vehicle that only has 63000 miles on it.
I have gotten the same problem fixed on my Chevy Venture van (2000) this will be the third time...the intake gasket keeps blowing out...I would hope if any other GM vehicle with this same problem would come forward so there can be a recall on this, so we can get it fixed...trust me it is not a "cheap" fix at all. This has been fixed within the last 4 years...3 times...the car starts leaking antifreeze, and over heating the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Venture. While driving 45 mph, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle began to stall. The current mileage was 157,300 and failure mileage was 153,000. Update 05/13/08 the consumer took the vehicle back to the repair shop on 4 occasions. Updated
Vehicle failed to start. Change fuel filter. Didn't fix the problem. Now my dex-cool is leaking, shorted out cam position sensor. Has had low coolant for at least a year. Can't understand how a vehicle can use so much coolant. Vehicle is still parked, not running, had mechanic check vehicle with a scan tool, says the cam sensor is bad.
We have a 2000 Chevy Venture wb edition and have had problems with the intake manifold. It appears to be leaking and we are in fear that it will do harm to the engine. I have talked with the mechanic and he says that this is a common problem with this vehicle but GM has never issued a recall. Whay is that? if this is so common why not fix it!
- Lake Mary, FL, USA
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The consumer starting experiencing problems with the vehicle on Mar 18th, 2005. The consumer felt a skip or sputter while driving or at a stop sign. The dealer told the consumer to put dry gas in the vehicle which solve the problem. The check engine light illuminated, so the dealer tightened the gas cap. The ABS light illuminated.
I have a Chevy Venture 2000. For the last 6 months I have had oil spots on the ground in the garage, and have had to keep filling up the coolant resevoir tank for a few weeks now. I had the car checked at the dealer for the oil spots after having them do an oil change months ago. They told me not to worry about that small amount of oil. However when I took it in to get checked why I was having to add coolant they found that the intake manifold gasket was leaking. It cost me $600 to have this repaired. My van has 86K miles on it. It has had the gasket replaced twice now. I have researched info for this problem and have found many other vehicle owners of the 3.1L and 3.4L motors in GM's having the same problem. Why does this continue to be a problem? this has to be damaging the engine having coolant being able to leak into it. The service station I went to does several of these a month on 1998 to 2001 models with these engines. They told me that there is a flaw with either the gasket or the dex cool that corrodes the gasket.
The air bag light remained illuminated while driving. The vehicle is at the dealer. The passenger seat belt pretensioner was installed with an activation cable under the seat track. Over time, the wiring in the cable shorted internally requiring replacement. Without replacement the airbag system was inoperative. There was also a coolant leak which was found in the lower intake manifold gasket.
The coolant light keeps coming on and off. We have added coolant throughout the winter and then again a couple of weeks ago (June 2004). We believe there is a defect or a leak.
Engine manifold gasket leak's coolant my 2000 Venture lost coolant on more than one occasion and began to run hot. At the time it had between 55,000 and 60,000 miles on it. I took it to an independent mechanic, who had seen the problem several times before, and he repaired it at a cost of about $600. I have the receipt if you need a copy. He replaced both manifold gaskets and the thermostat. It would be great if you can get GM to take responsibility for this default. I understand it is very common in these engines.
When I started the engine, oil pressure light came on and the warning sounded, so I shut down immediately. Towed vehicle to mechanic.. mechanic said coolant was in the oil pan and parts have failed (bearings, etc..)andi was in need of a new engine, I have no estimates as of yet, nor have I called GM or the dealer that I bought the van from, I decided to investigate on the internet first and have found a petition to sign at (you might want to look here)www.petitiononline.com/gmcnsmrs/petition.html and this site
Leaking intake manifold gasket. Estimated repair costs $625. Management at our dealership admits others having same problem and that GM has a new gasket design, if they are aware of this failure then it should be offered at no charge to replace.
Front evaporator core failure. Dealer stated to me that he had had several similiar repairs on chev. Venture. I would like to know if manufacturer would consider sharing the cost of the repairs.
We purchased this van from a local dealer about 5 months ago. It had just 40,000 miles on it. Since then we have had the oil changed twice and in between oil changes we have had to add over 6 quarts of oil. At 600 miles we had put in 2 quarts of oil. There is no sign of leaking and no sign of smoke from the exhaust. We purchased an extended warranty and will be taking it to the dealer, hopefully, next week.
Venture 3.4L w/49.9K - coolant overflow was empty and has been low several times.after web research, I found many owner (3.4L engine of any model car/van) complaints and an intake-manifold-leak website and on your NHTSA website with complaints of gasket problem and a possilbe relationship to texeco dexcool coolant. At this time, GM has a better intake gasket design and switched to prestone coolant since last year. They seem to address this issue discretely. I also looked more closely at my engine and now see (intake) leaks/wetness but small. March 22, 2004, I have contacted GM assistance - 800.462.8782 (linda cooper - service request #1-200466551) and discussed my surmise of the coolant loss and a pervasive problem which more complaints should occur as more vehichles miles go beyond 40K. Since many websites describes in detail and put up pictures of the leaks, the gaskets defects and related problems if not monitored and allowed to run at point of low coolant warning could likely cause overheating, oil dilution, engine damage and other problems. With all this information, GM would not acknowledged a known problem, problem familiarity, nor allow any warranty repair because there is "no recall" in process. I was then conferenced-called to a local dealer who offer me 10% discount for a ~$600 plus cost of repair to any other problems found. This is not an option I prefer, as this problem occurs out of warranty, 2nd owner of car, I do my own maintenance without use of the dealer services; otherwise I may have gotten this fixed under some/partial warranty but I was not given this option. But if this is a defect which will only occur "after" warranty coverage, eventually everyone will have this problem. If I go to a private shop for a more cost effective repair, GM will only reimburse me, only when and if there is a recall.
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- Mansfield, OH, USA