12th Aug 2004, 17:22

I have a 99 venture. I like the way it handles and its very comfortable, but.. my door locks quit twice now and are acting up again, the cruise quit, electric mirrors quit, it doesn't want to start (anytime, I have to leave the key in the on position about 2 minutes first) the water pump quit and I blew a head gasket. I never had a Chevy before and I probably won't again. I am looking for a new one as we speak. Theres only 69000 miles on it, but the trouble started about 30,000. I usually keep a car until atleast 125000 but am afraid this one won't make it that long. Atleast I know its just not mine.

31st Oct 2006, 12:23

I bought a 1999 Chevrolet Venture van for my family. When I bought it, it had 112,000 miles on it. I ran it for approximately 3200 miles and then the head gasket blew. I am getting this replaced right now. I am not impressed with this van as everything seems to go wrong with it. The wiper motor is broken, it has one wiper. The rocker panels on it seem to rust easily and the passenger side power window has failed. The electric sliding doors do not work anymore and the trunk has to be shut a certain way. This van is a piece of junk!!! GM should be ashamed of themselves!!

1st Feb 2007, 09:40

We bought our 1999 Chevy Venture LT Extended from a dealer with 32000 miles in 2000. The fuel gauge quit working about 2 years ago and we replaced that. Last year the transmission shifted hard. We changed the transmission fluid and now only happens occasionally. At 195,000 miles our temp gages shows the engine getting hot. When you pull over and stop, pop the hood - nothing. Wait a few minutes - start engine and go on. Temp gauge goes back and forth all the time. Changed the thermostat, water pump (twice), flushed the old coolant and put new back in. Helped for a day then started getting hot again. We have not replaced the radiator cap - probably won't help... We are just lucky this started at nearly 200,000 and not early on. I believe it is a intake manifold gasket problem like the rest of them.

4th Apr 2007, 14:19

I've got a 1999 Venture with 155,000 miles. At around 90,000 problems with the cooling system started, fix one, another would start right away. First was the heater core, then intake manifold gaskets, water pump, and all hoses. Fortunately each problem was caught early, otherwise engine would have been damaged. Transmission shifts rough, and engine runs rough, when fuel level is below 1/4 of a tank.

Power windows are slow, power door doesn't work when weather is cold, but I can't complain since the problem didn't start until 2006. A/C compressor failed in 2006 as well.

It's had Mobil1 oil since new, and engine is like new.

Though I think the quality could be better, it looks like many people have had more problems than me with this vehicle.

4th Apr 2007, 16:26

Bought a new 97 and replaced intake gasket due to oil in coolant bottle at 50,000 miles. Auto doors needing reset all the time. Was totaled out in a parking lot.

Bought a 99 and had same problems along with rusted out rocker panel's at 80,000 miles. Remote outer mirror switch bad. Right driver's window won't go up all the way, track bent, trans line leaking under radiator. Paint behind front wheel's peeling. Rear wheel cylinders leaking. Won't buy another. Great on gas and good ride. Haul's a lot of kid stuff.

30th Jun 2007, 20:43

I have a 1999 Chevy Venture with 72,000 miles on it. I have replaced the power steering pump twice, the intake manifold gasket, the transmission, the struts, the van currently needs rear suspension work. I went on the computer tonight to see if anyone could help me since now both my brake lights don't work. Replaced the fuse, the top brake light works, but not the lower side. I would not give this car away to an enemy. There will never be another Chevy in our garage.

8th Jul 2007, 14:08

After almost 20 years I broke my promise to myself to NEVER buy an American made car again. The reasons for that promise to myself had dimmed with time.

I bought a 99 Venture, and it immediately started reminding me of the reasons for that promise. It has multiple problems just like those mentioned on this list.

It sometimes shifts VERY hard, and then is fine if the ignition is turned off and back on.

The airbag light comes on randomly on startup and stays on. Sometimes restarting fixes this temporarily also.

Numerous interior parts have broken or simply fallen off, such as the ashtray.

I expected to replace shocks and struts at about 100k, and so I can't complain about that. Likewise the engine is smooth and gets good economy (that is the major reason I bought this van).

However, it is sitting in my driveway right now with a water leak, and our family vacation is TOMORROW. It rides like a truck (actually trucks ride MUCH better than it does these days), and the AC simply won't cool enough to be comfortable.

I rented a Sienna for vacation last year, and it was superb in every way one could ask for, and many one would never think of. If I weren't a teacher, I could afford one.

21st Aug 2007, 14:03

I have a 1997 Venture van, and would you know it, transmission solenoid issues. At around 90K, our transmission went out. Spent $1400 on a rebuilt one because the dealer would only give us a junk yard transmission with a 30 day warranty.

Usual problems with the windows. Ugh! Replaced 3 of the motors and brackets.

Side door never worked automatically after 30K miles. Back door hatch just barely closes now.

Springs on the rear went bad if you could believe that. We now list to the left. Another problem...

Air went out at 80K, and had to spend $400+ to replace that.

Mileage is good, and we now have 198,000 miles. So it's a big decision to spend the money to fix the transmission, and wait for the engine to crack, or sell it for the $50 scrap metal.

Mmmmm... I doubt I'll buy a GM car again. Just very disappointing. Just test drove a Mercedes, and if I could afford it, that's a nice car.

Good luck to all who read this.

24th Aug 2007, 21:50

I wish to share our experience. I bought a 2004 Nissan Quest and can top anyone on this forum. The van I bought when I went to pick up was in pieces, something with the security system that was apart for 3 months, so I selected another van.

7 months old it would not start without a jump. We were in Alabama; I called roadside and they wanted to jump start us and drive back to Florida without shutting off the engine. I Walmart replaced the battery, fixed, but Nissan would not honor.

11 months old, the grey paint started to peel like the silver American cars used to do. No help again from Nissan.

All the interior lights have broken, the arm rests are not level, nor can be made to be, the air conditioning day 1 was only coolm never cold; they repaired 7-8 times.

Our theft system went out; a quote of $2000 out of warranty. I will trade for any American vehicle now.