1999 Chevrolet Venture complaints

TAIL LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON/OFF WHILE IN USE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE IS A 'RECALL CAMPAIGN', ON 2001 MODEL FOR THE DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. CONSUMER BELIEVE A RECALL IS NEEDED FOR SAFETY. REAR MODULES REPLACED AND WIRE HARNESS FOR TAIL LIGHTS BURNT. REPLACE BOTH REAR LIGHT MODULES AND WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPAIRED OF BURNT WIRING. CUSTOMER STATES BRAKE LIGHTS ARE SURGING BRIGHT TO DIM. ADVISE TO REPAIRS NEEDED/PERFORMED ELECTRICAL TEST FOUND BOTH CIRCUIT BOARDS BURNT AND OPEN WIRES SHOWING/REPAIRED WIRES AND REPLACED BOTH TAIL LIGHT CIRCUIT BOARDS. *BF

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER PAWL WILL CEASE TO FUNCTION AND BREAK WHILE USING IN SNOWY CONDITIONS. OWNER HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM DUE TO THIS SMALL PLASTIC PIECE BREAKING EVERY YEAR SINCE OWNERSHIP. *AK

THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING LOW ON RADIATOR FLUID, BUT WE COULD NOT FIND ANY VISIBLE LEAKAGES. WE HAVE BEEN REPLINISHING THE FLUID. WE DID NOT THINK ANYTHING MAJOR. ON A FRIDAY, WE STARTED TO HEAR A KNOCK IN THE ENGINE. WE WERE TOLD TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED/LOOKED AT. AFTERWARDS, THE NOISE CONTINUED EVEN LOUDER. WE HAD THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TOWED. THE PROBLEM INVOLVED THE LIFTERS AND THE INTAKE GASKET. (BOTH PROBLEMS ARE RELATED.) I RESEARCHED AND MANY OTHERS HAD THE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE INTAKE GASKET. REPAIR FOR ALL WILL BE $1,000.*AK

THE LATCH ON OUR POWER SLIDING DOOR IS NOT LATCHING. I WAS ADVISED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED, BUT THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE RECALL WAS SENT OUT FOR IS WHAT THE LATCH IS DOING AGAIN. THE DOOR HAS OPENED UP ON US WHEN WE WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. WE SHUT THE POWER OFF TO THE DOOR, LOCKED THE DOOR AND DO NOT ALLOW ANY ONE OF THE KIDS TO USE THE DOOR. *AK

VEHICLE WAS LOSING COOLANT DUE TO DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD, BUT THERE WAS NO LEAK. *AK ALL OF THE REPAIR SHOPS AND DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THIS INTAKE PROBLEM WAS COMMON WITH THIS ENGINE. IT TOOK DEALERSHIP TWO MONTHS TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *AK

I'VE HAD A 1999 CHEVY VENTURE SINCE NEW. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, UPPER AND LOWER RADIATOR HOSES AT 69500 MILES. REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AT 78400 MILES. AT 78500 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HEAD GASKETS,INTAKE GASKET AND PLENUM GASKET, BOTH VALVE COVER GASKETS AND SEVERAL COLLAPSED LIFTERS, AND THE CYLINDER HEADS NEEDED TO BE RECONDITIONED. THESE REPAIRS COST ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. SOMETHING IS SURELY NOT RIGHT WITH THIS ENGINE. *NM

WE OWN A 1999 CHEVY VENTURE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAS FAILED THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS 1-28-03 AT 55385 MILES. IT WAS LEAKING FLUID IN THE FRONT. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND REPAIRED. THE SECOND TIME WAS ON 10-30-03 AT 67823 MILES. THIS TIME, THE REPAIR SHOP TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CHARGES AS THEY FELT THE ADHESIVE FAILED. THE THIRD FAILURE JUST HAPPENED ON 2-11-05 AT 85500 MILES. *JB

I HAVE MY OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. THE INTAKE GASKET STARTED LEAKING AND GOT IN MY OIL AND CAUSED IT TO DIE ON ME. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE WORST ONE THAT HE HAD SEEN. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE MOTOR, BUT WHAT IS TO SAY THAT THIS ONE WILL NOT DO THE SAME THING? *JB

VENTURE WITH 89,800 MILES HAS BEEN HARD, HARSH SHIFTING FOR SOME TIME, ALSO WHINES. DEALER SAID POSSIBLE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID EPC NEEDS REPLACED, NO ESTIMATE. DEALER SUGGESTED TO RUN VEHICLE UNTIL IT BECOMES A REAL PROBLEM. ALSO DISCUSSED WITH TRANNY SHOP, THEY EXPERIENCED MANY OF THESE TRANNY PROBLEMS, USUALLY CODE 1811, REPLACE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID (EPC) BUT TO CORRECT PROBLEM TRANNY NEEDS TO BE REBUILT, ESTIMATE $1,600 TO $1,900 TO DO. *JB

I WAS PARKING MY CAR AT A MALL, I PUT ON THE BRAKE AND HIT BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL TOGETHER, THE ACCELERATOR ALMOST TOOK MY CAR INTO THE CEMENT PARKING BOLLARD, BUT I MANAGED TO STOP THE CAR 1 1/2 " FROM DAMAGING THE CAR. I HAVE COMPLAINED IN THE PAST ABOUT THIS PROBLEM OF THE HEIGHT OF THE PEDALS TO CHEVROLET DEALER WITH NO SATISFACTION. "THAT'S THEY WAY THEY ARE BUILT, THERE IS NO DEFECT". THIS SITUATION HAS CAUSED ME PROBLEMS IN THE PAST, ALMOST HITTING A CURBSTONE AND THE LIKE. I COULD BE BLAMED FOR HITTING A PEDESTRIAN BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR TAKES OVER BEFORE THE BRAKE PEDAL IF BOTH ARE PUSHED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL SHOULD BE MOUNTED SO THAT IT WILL BE PUSHED FIRST SO AS TO STOP THE CAR AND NOT ALLOW THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BE PUSHED. I GOT NO HELP FROM THE DEALER. I AM AFRAID THAT I COULD GET INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS SITUATION. IN A GREAT HURRY, MY FOOT STRUCK BOTH PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME. THE BRAKE PEDAL SHOULD BE HIGH ENOUGH TO TAKE OVER. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED REGULARLY, I KEEP NEW TIRES ON MY CAR. MY CAR ALWAYS PASSES INSPECTION. I DRIVE A 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE. I BOUGHT IT AT CLAY CHEVROLET ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2002, USED WITH 33963 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT NOW HAS 66650 MILES. *AK

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. *AK

INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK. *NM

WE HAVE A 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE THAT WE PURCHASED IN DEC. 2001. WE DID NOT PURCHASE A WARRANTY. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER THE PURCHASE THE "CHECK COOLANT" LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. WE HAD TO KEEP ADDING COOLANT. I DO NOT WORK ON CARS AND HAD A VERY SICK WIFE, SO THE LIGHT WAS A MINOR STRESS AT THE TIME. I'D TAKEN THE CAR TO GET LOOKED AT AND THEY SAID "THE COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE, AND THE ENGINE IS GOING" WELL FOR A CAR WITH JUST OVER 23,825 MILES ON IT, I WAS VERY STEAMED. IT LASTED TILL 47,359 MILES AND MY WIFE WAS STRANDED ON THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND SAT AT THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP FROM SEPT. 9TH TILL DEC. 12TH 2002. WHILE STILL PAYING $437.00 A MONTH PAYMENT. WE HAD A USED ENGINE PUT IN IT BY THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHICH HAD 20,000 LESS MILES ON IT, AND TODAY HAS 74,000 MILES ON IT.WE PAID $2,400 FOR THIS USED ENGINE. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE O2 SENSOR JUST WENT OUT ON US. BUT IF THERE IS A DEFECTIVE ENGINE OR SIMILAR PARTS ON IT, IS THIS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN- JUST A MATTER OF TIME?

THE RIGHT REAR TRAILING ARM ON MY WIFE'S 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE VAN UNEXPECTEDLY BROKE WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. A SEARCH OF YOUR WEBSITE REVEALED THIS TO BE A COMMON SAFETY DEFECT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL??? ALSO, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOES ON AND OFF IN THIS VEHICLE. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS SAFETY DEFECT??? *JB

AT MY 60000 MILES THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND OIL AND COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE OF OUR 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE WHICH HAS THE 185 HP V-6 ENGINE. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR THE LEAKS WAS $695.39. ACCORDING TO THE SERVCE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE CHEVORLET DEALERSHIP, THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH THIS ENGINE.*AK

A MAJOR GASOLINE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL LINE ALONG THE UNDERBODY OF MY 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE MINI-VAN (MILEAGE 80K). I LOST ABOUT 10 GALLONS OF GAS IN GOING ABOUT 30 MILES, AND MAYBE WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE SUFFERED A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. THE CHEVY DEALER, IN GRASS LAKE MICHIGAN, REPLACED THE FUEL LINE FOR $602. INCLUDING LABOR. I HAVE SAVED ALL OF THE OLD PARTS.*AK

BRAKE LIGHTS FAILURE. FIRST, INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT. DEALER INSPECTED, FOUND NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM. FUSES GOOD. BULB GOOD. DID NOT KNOW BOTH SIDES FAILED UNTIL PULLED OVER BY POLICE. *AK

PURCHASED VEHICLE WITH 99,000 MILES. CURRENTLY HAS 115,000. FOUND THE "SWAY BAR" CRACKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE WHERE IT IS BOLTED TO THE LOWER SWING ARM. THE CRACK IS ON THE BOTTOM SIDE WHERE THE TUBE IS PRESSED TOGETHER. THE CRACK GOES AROUND THE END WHERE IT IS PRESSED, DOWN THE SIDES ABOUT 1.5" AND THENAROUND THE BOTTOM. I FOUND THE PROBLEM DURING A OIL CHANGE AS I WAS INSPECTING THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS.*AK

I HAVE A 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE THAT HAS EXPERIENED 6 CLOGGED FUEL INJECTORS. IT CLOGGES SO OFTEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON.*AK

RECENTLY HAD LOWER ENGINE MANIFOLD INTAKE GASGIT REPLACED DUE TO COOLANT LEAK RESULTING FROM USE OF DEX-COOL COLLANT CORRODING THE PLASTIC GASGIT. ALSO ASSOCIATED WAS THERMOSTAT FAILURE WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED ENGINE OVERHEATING AND FIRE BEFORE THERE WAS ANY MEANS OF KNOWING THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING.*AK

RECALL 01V067000 CONCERNING POWER SLIDING DOORS. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED. SINCE THEN THE SLIDING DOORS DID NOT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. CURRENTLY, DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE CONSUMER $440.00 TO REPAIR WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME. CONSUMER THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. MANUFACTURER REFUSED ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD 133, 000 MILES, AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WEAR AND TEAR. CONSUMER WAS VERY UPSET AND FELT THAT IF THE WORK WAS DONE CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. *AK

DAY OF PURCHASE, MAJOR ENGINE FAILURES REPLACEMENT OF NEARLY EVERYTHING THEN SOME. CONTINUES TO ARC ELECTRICAL SPARKS UNDER THE HOOD. ELECTRICAL SHORTING OF ALL COMPONENTS WITHIN THE VAN INTERNAL ENGINE ISSUES NOT CORRECTABLE JUST BANDAIDING FUEL ISSUES WITH OIL COOLANT AND ARCING CONSTITUTES A FIRE AND POSSIBLY DEATH. I HAVE ALL SERVICED REPAIR DOCUMENTS IF ONE SHOULD NEED TO VIEW THEM. *NM

THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE LS (THAT I PURCHASED IN JANUARY OF 2004), THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE KNOCKING NOISE, AND THEN FROZE UP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. AFTER HAVING TO HAVE IT TOWED AND LOOKED AT BY 2 MECHANICS, THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE, CAUSING THE ROCKER ARMS TO QUIT WORKING, THE VALVES TO BEND AND THE CAM SHAFT TO BREAK IN HALF. THE COST OF A REBUILT MOTOR AND LABOR TO INSTALL IT ADDS UP TO $4,300. GM DOESN'T KNOW IF THEY CAN HELP OR NOT.*AK

1999 VENTURE WITH 3.4 L ENGINE AND 42,000 MILES HAS LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. GM SHOULD RECALL MINIVANS AND REINBURSE OWNERS FOR REPAIR COST. DEALER COST ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS WAS $800.00. *AK

WHILE PARKING, THE CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. *AK *SC THE FUEL LINES WERE CORRODED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING,THE PASSENGER'S TIRE SHEARED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE LUG NUTS AND BOLT NEEDED REPLACEMENT WITH WHEEL. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

BOUGHT AT 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE VAN IN SUMMER OF 2003. WHEN THE CAR WARMS UP, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND CLUNKS. BOUGHT WITHOUT WARRANTY; DIDN'T DO IT UNTIL I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR 30 MILES. PROBLEM DUE TO DEFECTIVE BEARING; SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY GM!!!*AK

NUMEROUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE AIR-BAG LIGHT INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD STAY ON AFTER STARTING, BUT ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. INSTRUMENT PANEL AIR-BAG LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STAY ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ONBOARD COMPUTER WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE, LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE.BATTERY CORRODED AND WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. PROBLEMS WENT AWAY BRIEFLY AFTER SERVICE BUT CAME BACK INSTRUMENT PANEL ABS & TCS (TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM) LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND STAY ON AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR 5 MINUTES OR SO, BUT NOT ON EVERY TRIP ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE EMERGENCY FLASHER / TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WILL COME ON. VEHICLE HAS 55K MILES AND IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS IN MY OPINION.*AK

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

WHILE DRIVING TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS/ABS, AND SRS LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT BE DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

I OWN A 1999 CHEV VENTURE VAN WITH 65,000 MILES. IN MARCH 2004, I HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE GASKETS REPLACE BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE, THIS HAD GOTTEN IN THE CAM SHAFT AND CAUSED THE CAM SHAFT TO BREAK. *JB

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET OF ENGINE FAILED LEADING TO DEX-COOL RADIATOR FLUID LEAKAGE ON GROUND AND INTO ENGINE OIL. REPAIR OF INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, WATER-PUMP, SPECIAL SEALANT FOR BOLTS COST CONSUMER $807.00. THE LEAKAGE OF TOXIC FLUID INTO ENVIRONMENT HAS NO ESTIMATED COST, BUT REPRESENTS HAZARD TO ANIMALS AND ENVIRONMENT. CHEVROLET HAS RECEIVED A HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN RELATED TO REVISED GASKET, SEALANTS, TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS AND ORDER OF TIGHTENING BOLTS, BUT DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL. INTERNAL DAMAGE TO ENGINES IS OFTEN NOT DETERMINED UNTIL COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE DESPITE REPAIR OF MANIFOLD GASKET. DEX-COOL FLUID CITED IN CHEVROLET LITERATURE AS HAVING 100,000 MILE LIFESPAN, BUT FLUID APPEARS TO HAVE DESTRUCTIVE POTENTIAL TO ENGINE BEGINNING AT ANYWHERE FROM 40 TO 60% OF THIS ESTIMATED LIFESPAN. *JB

COOLANT LEAK FROM INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AFTER 36,000 MILES. *AK

EXPERIENCED COOLANT LEAK INTO ENGINE. PERSONAL MECHANIC FOUND THAT DEX-COOL HAD CAUSED EXCESSIVE CORROSION TO INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THAT GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. SPENT IN EXCESS OF $500 TO REPAIR THIS. OTHER PEOPLE I KNOW SAY THAT IF THE CORROSION WAS BAD ENOUGH THAT THE CAM SHAFT MIGHT BREAK. I AM NOT WILLING TO PUT MY FAMILY'S LIVES IN JEOPARDY WITH AN ISSUE THAT GM IS AWARE OF. THE FACT THTA NOBODY HAS DIED FROM THIS IS NO EXCUSE NOT TO RECALL THE GM 3.4L ENGINE VEHICLES TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. ALSO, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DEX-COOL NEEDS TO BE RE-EVALUATED WITH REGARDS TO PERFORMANCE AND THE AFFECT ON ENGINE PARTS LONG-TERM.

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE RIGHT OR LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE INSPECTED AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. *AK *SC *JB

WHEN CLOSING THE PASSENGER POWER SLIDING DOOR, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DOOR WOULD REOPEN. THE CONSUMER HAD THE DOOR REPAIRED BEFORE, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

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. *LA

I BOUGHT A USED 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE WITH 54,500 MILES ON IT. 7 MONTHS AND 32,000 MILES LATER, THE VAN IS AT MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER WITH $1,650 $2,200 OF ENGINE DAMAGE, DUE TO AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE.*AK THE VANS 3.4L ENGINE WAS WELL-MAINTAINED, WITH FREQUENT OIL CHANGES AND INSPECTIONS. THE ONLY WARNING SIGN THAT I GOT WAS THAT THE COOLANT LEVEL HAD TO BE TOPPED OFF ABOUT ONCE A MONTH. A MECHANIC SAID THAT THE COOLANT LOSS WAS DUE TO EVAPORATION. MY MECHANIC OFFERED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A USED ONE FOR $2,200. HE WOULD PUT A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE, SO I WOULD BE LESS LIKELY TO RUN INTO THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. I LEARNED OF GM TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #03-06-01-010, WITH SUBSEQUENT REVISIONS APPENDED A AND B, WHICH DESCRIBES A REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR COOLANT LEAKS ON 3.1L AND 3.4L ENGINES. THE REPAIR PROCEDURE IS INSTALL A NEW DESIGN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THE MATERIAL USED IN THE GASKET HAS BEEN CHANGED IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE SEALING QUALITIES OF THE GASKET. WHEN REPLACING THE GASKET, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLTS MUST ALSO BE REPLACED AND TORQUED TO A REVISED SPECIFICATION. THE NEW BOLTS WILL COME WITH A PRE-APPLIED THREADLOCKER ON THEM. MY SON CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND SPOKE WITH JOHN BROOKS, WHO TOLD HIM THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE MY VAN EVALUATED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF A CHEVROLET DEALER BEFORE HE COULD OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. HE GAVE ME THE FOLLOWING SERVICE NUMBER WITH WHICH I COULD REFERENCE THE CALL: 1

WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER INDICATED THIS VEHICLE'S WIPERS WERE NOT RECALLED. *AK

LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKIT , WHICH HAS BEEN DIRETLY RELATED TO ENGINE FAILURE,WHICH I NOW HAVE WITH MY 1999 CHEVY VENTURE

FRONT END NOISE. THE TIE RODS AND RACK AND PINION STEERING WERE REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK POWER STEERING PUMP AND HOSES REPLACED.*MR

COOLANT LEAK ON 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE 3.4L V6 INTAKE MANIFOLD. SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB FOR THE SAME "EXPENSIVE" PROBLEM! GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT WILL FLASH OR NOT GO OFF ON A DAILY BASIS. HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR 3 YEARS. IN THE PAST, I HAD BEEN TOLD IT WAS JUST DIRTY CONTACTS.THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. JUST HAD MY VAN FOR ALMOST A WEEK DID NOT EVEN MENTION THE LIGHT AS A CONCERN. WHILE LOOKING UP OTHER INFO. I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS VAN HAS A "POOR" FRONTAL CRASH RATING EVEN WITH AIR BAGS!*AK

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AFTER HAVING TO STOP AND REFILL THE VEHICLE WITH COOLANT. SHE WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A MANIFOLD INTAKE VALVE CRACK WHICH CAUSED THE COOLANT TO LEAK. *JB *NM

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.*AK

PLASTIC MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET FAILED ON MY 1999 CHEVY VENTURE MINI VAN.*AK

1 INCH OF SLUDGE IN ENGINE, LOST OF COOLANT, THE ENGINE PINGING AND KNOCKING, STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED UP WHICH CAUSED THE ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING. WE CHANGED THE OIL PUMP, OIL CONNECTING ROD, SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG WIRES, COILS AND STILL ENGINE IS BROKEN. STARTED WITH COOLANT IN THE OIL. UNSURE SYMTOMS LEADING UP TO THE ACCIDENT. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH VEHICLE IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, CAUSING IT TO REAR END THE OTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER SEAT TRACK AND ANCHORAGE CAME UNATTACHED. *AK

EARLY FAILURE OF THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, WHICH CAUSED LOST OF COOLANT. 40,000 MILES ON 1999 CHEVY VENTURE. BELIEVE A POOR DESIGN OF GASKET AND THAT THE RADIATOR LEVEL IS BELOW THAT OF THE MANIFOLD. AN AIR POCKET CAN BE TRAPPED IN THE MANIFOLD AND WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF THE RESIDUAL HEAT OF THE ENGINE COOKS THE GASKET. BELIEVE THIS THEORY IS SUPPORTED BY THE COOLANT SENSOR IS ON EVEN THOUGH THE LEVEL IN THE RADIATOR IS FULL AND THE RESERVOIR IS FULL. *CB

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS STARTED TO LEAK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL OF THESE BEING REPLACED ON THE 3.4L V6 ENGINE.