1999 Chevrolet Venture LS Extended

Summary:

Poor quality vehicle that has potential to leave you stranded

Faults:

Transmission on the Chevrolet Venture is horrible.

Power door lock switches stopped working.

Power window switch stopped working.

Air bag light comes on and stays on.

Low coolant light came on several times even though coolant was not low.

Headlights collect moisture inside.

General Comments:

Simply put this vehicle has been a big super sour lemon.

I thought maybe it was just me who was having transmission problems until I checked up on it on the Internet. Also I work with someone who has the same neck breaking hard shifting that I had on my Venture. My co-worker's is a 2000 model and has less than 75,000 miles on it.

Transmission would act up so bad sometimes it would cause the service engine soon light to come on.

Gas mileage is really low in my opinion. Seemed like we were always putting gas in the thing.

Airbag light would come on at times and stay on. Other times it would go out.

Low coolant light came on several times and when I checked the coolant level was fine.

Good room for hauling a family around, but the problems it had out weighed any good things about this van.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th February, 2005

3rd Aug 2005, 21:32

I can't believe the comments I have read about the Venture, what I have read are exactly the same problems I am having on my 2000. I would also add that I have had to replace: all of the hydraulic lifters, the brake power booster, and the power steering unit. At the moment my transmission goes crazy when my speedometer also goes crazy. I only have 65,000 miles on it. I feel like putting a big bow on it and returning it to Chevrolet!

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1999 Chevrolet Venture LT 3.4 V6

Summary:

A really nice van with a really bad engine

Faults:

The low coolant lamp came on the first winter we owned the van (2000/2001). The dealer filled it up and said it was due to the low outside temperature. The next winter we had the same problem except the heater also stopped working as there was so much coolant missing. There was none on the driveway. I went back to the dealer who added coolant and told us it must of come out of the overflow tube. He asked if the engine was running hot. Three months later there were loud noises coming from the engine at 48,000 miles. The intake manifold had failed and allowed coolant into the engine - damaging the valves. This is a very common problem with this engine. Recently, at 66,000 miles I noticed low coolant again. I just came from the dealer who had told me I have a blown head gasket. I sent my used engine oil out for testing a while ago and they told me that the engine is wearing like an engine with 135,000 miles!

General Comments:

This is a seriously comfortable van. Four captain seats, rear air and heating, power sliding door, headsets and sound system controls in the back seats. I love this van. It is expensive to run, especially with gas prices the way the are. But it is worth it for the comfort for my family.

My first GM and my last GM. An engine that isn't even to need a tune up until 100,000 - and I have had 2 major engine repairs before 2/3rd's of the way there!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th April, 2004

18th Mar 2005, 09:26

It would have been nice if you stated what engine this was that had the coolant leak/manifold problem.

11th Dec 2005, 07:53

It's obvious you had a blown head gasket in 2000/2001 and it's amazing the dealer didn't pick this up.

These cars (which aren't imported into the UK AFAIK) sound like junk.

23rd Feb 2006, 17:34

I have 1999 Venture LT and have had numerous cooling related problems. Coolant light going on and the level was fine. The water pump was replaced about 3 weeks and now I have a failed engine. Dealer has it ripped apart for 4 days and says hasn't found the cause. I'm thinking it's a coolant issue. Dealer states about $5500 for an engine replacement.

2nd Jul 2008, 12:08

I also have a 1999 Chevy Venture, and have had to have the head gasket/intake manifold replaced twice. I have been told by numerous mechanics that there was a known issue with these parts and DexCool. Apparently the design of certain parts of the cooling system do not play well with DexCool, so instead of extending the life of your cooling system, it instead causes extensive sludging and damage, even when doing routine coolant flushes.

After the second replacement, I had the DexCool flushed out and the regular green coolant put back in. I haven't had a bit of trouble (with the cooling system that is) since then.

For those that may be unaware of the class action lawsuit that was pending, you may want to visit http://www.dexcoolsettlement.com/ for more info.

20th Nov 2008, 07:31

I have a 1999 Venture and it drives great. The only problem I have sometimes it won't start, and I live in Florida so whether it's hot or cold weather it doesn't matter. It's like it wants to start and sometimes takes up to 7 times to try to get it going. Then it goes.