1999 Chevrolet Venture LS Extended 3.4 V6

Summary:

Fairly good van, but needs less cheap parts

Faults:

Before I bought it the transmission was replaced and air intake manifold gasket replaced.

Since I have owned it:

Rear hatch shocks went out.

Driver power window motor replaced.

Power steering pump replaced.

Fuel line had hole in it, (smelled like a gas station when the vehicle was in park).

2 light bulbs on the radio don't work.

General Comments:

I bought it used from a dealership and against my better judgement bought an extended warranty. I'm glad I did!!! I haven't had to pay for any considerable repairs, (as of yet).

The van rides nice and is very roomy and looks good too. Gas mileage is very good. Got close to 28 to 30 from trip from Wisconsin to Florida this summer.

If you buy one GET A Warranty if you can. The liitle things that have gone wrong will add up otherwise.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th September, 2005

1999 Chevrolet Venture LS 3.2

Summary:

Never buy a Chev venture

Faults:

Computer died and was replaced at 65000KM

Oxygen sensor was replaced at 66000 KM

Mass air flow sensor was replaced 67000KM

Transmission was rebuilt at 85000KM

Engine head gasket was replaced at 120000KM

Exhaust gasket was replaced at 140000KM

CV joint was replaced at 90000KM

ABS brake sensors were replaced 180000KM

Transmission was replaced. at 190000KM.

General Comments:

The van is reliable in that with all of the problems that occurred except the CVB joint blowing out. the van was still operable.

The interior is quite comfortable.

This vehicle has cost more than 3 times the original purchase price in repairs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st July, 2005

1999 Chevrolet Venture LX 3-4

Summary:

It is the poorest quality vehicle ever

Faults:

Starter, Manifold Gasket, Transmission, Auto Door opens and closes itself, Engine light is always on, air bag light is intermittent, This is the worst vehicle I have ever had. Chevrolet I will never buy one again. I also would like my money back. prorated of course.

General Comments:

Stay away.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd July, 2005

1999 Chevrolet Venture LX 3.6 Litre V6

Summary:

Based on our experience with this car, we won't even consider purchasing another Chevrolet

Faults:

Mechanically this car has had very serious problems.

At 55,000 miles, the first transmission went out.

At 75,000 miles, the second transmission went out (probably due to a poor quality torque converter installed by the trans. tech. This was not a manufacturer problem).

At 85,000, the lower intake manifold gaskets failed. Be aware!! It is my understanding that this repair is very common to almost all GM late model V6 engines. The materials used to make the gaskets shrink with age and cracks form.

At 98,000, the main piston rod bearings failed. This might be due to coolant from the failed intake manifold gaskets contaminating the oil in the crankcase.

General Comments:

Except for the serious mechanical problems, we really liked the body style, comfort, power and handling of the vehicle. It was a very good van with a really poor engine and transmission.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th April, 2005

1999 Chevrolet Venture

Summary:

Beware of this vehicle and run fast in the other direction

Faults:

Thermostat, Water pump and now the engine.

General Comments:

This car has proved that I will never purchase another from this manufacturer. It has given me more trouble than it is worth. Beware and stay away!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th April, 2005

8th May 2005, 16:08

You state all of these issues with your vehicle, yet you don't mention mileage. That information would lend a lot of credibility to your review, as well pinpoint at what time/mileage these issues occurred.

3rd Aug 2009, 13:14

To add... stating engine size.. makes all the difference in the world.

1999 Chevrolet Venture LT 304 ltr V6

Summary:

Stay away unless you are a mechanic!

Faults:

What hasn't gone wrong? I loved this van when I first bought it. It handles great, has plenty of power, it's roomy and comfortable... when it is running!

The same month I bought it, the speakers would randomly increase/decrease volume. One minute you can't hear it, then next minute you are getting blasted. I took it to the dealership and of course, they could not duplicate the problem. I took it back 2 more times after that and every single time, it would not do it while the service rep was in the vehicle. I gave up on that issue.

Right before my 3 year/36000 mile warranty expired, the temperature guage started running hot. The dealership couldn't find anything wrong with it.

Right after the warranty expired, I took it to have a routine oil change, fluid flush, etc and the guy said that it was leaking coolant. I took it to the shop and it needed gasket/manifold replacement. I was advised by one of the technicians that these vehicles have a lot of problems like this and that I should have the Dex-Cool replaced with regular coolant and then just flush it yearly. They've seen the orange coolant turn to sludge way before the normal coolant does and it is supposed to last a lot longer. Ha! I have always kept up with the routine maintenance on my vehicles, regular oil changes, tire rotations, fluid flushes, etc. I should not have had this type of problem at under 40k miles! That's when I started researching on the Internet and found tons of information on the coolant/cooling system issues these vehicles have. I found class action lawsuit listings and petition listings about this as well.

The front passenger lock sticks and has to be locked and unlocked manually. This happened at about 40,000 miles.

The driver side window started sticking about this time also. I took it to the dealership to get estimates on how much it would be to fix it, and instead of calling me to tell me how much it would be, they went ahead and fixed it and slapped me with a bill that was close to $200.

The automatic sliding door reopens after we close it even after we took it to the dealership to be fixed due to the service bulletin that was released on this. The safety auto-open on the sliding door does not work as it should and closed on my 8 year old's hand.

The air-bag light goes off and on randomly, which the dealer is never able to duplicate.

I just got it out of the shop again. This time it needed a $2000 transmission overhaul.

The funny thing is that I get at least 2 or 3 emails a month from people that see my postings about my experience on message boards, and they are always asking the same question... Can I help them? I answer the same way every time. Donate the thing so you can at least get a tax break (I could not in good conscience sell the piece of junk) and never buy another one!

General Comments:

This is a very comfy and roomy van.

It handles really well.

It just has more issues than I have ever had with all of my other vehicles combined!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th April, 2005

27th Apr 2005, 05:08

My 1999 Venture van has had the following problems bought used with 30,000 miles. Before 50,000 miles, Manifold gasket leaked, expensive repair. Next the fuel pump failed along with the fuel pump regulator. Next the water pump had to be replaced. Vehicle towed numerous times. Electric rear windows stick open. Automatic door reopens or does not shut. Drivers side electric window sticks. At 62000 miles the fuel injectors had to all be replaced as two failed and the others were shortly going too. Total cost of repairs... over $5000.00 in the two years I have owned this lemon. I will never buy another Chevy van or car. Now the rear brake is leaking fluid and I plan to dump this piece of junk before it sends me into bankruptcy. Chevy should be ashamed of this poor quality van.