2004 Chevrolet Venture LT 3.4L OHV V6

Summary:

I must have been lucky or 2004 is a good year

Faults:

Batteries, alternator, brakes, rotors, rear struts, broken sway bar link, glove box latch, dashboard cupholder trim.

General Comments:

All I can really say is that it has exceeded many expectations. Never went through a transmission, head gasket, or intake gasket. No 3.4L piston slap on cold starts. Running Dexcool. Maybe I got lucky? Does need a little suspension work. Very little body rust. Interior is stained from children.

The one I bought must be pretty amazing. DVD player and stereo sound amazing, although the screen is pretty tiny. The heated seats work well. Driver's side power sliding door had some goofy issue with the lock, but I played with the power opening mechanism and lock, and it opened. Glove box latch had broke.

Regular fluid changes and it is still kicking. Especially maintaining clean fluids on the trans is a must from day 1 on these. Have heard the internals get poopy and fail.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th October, 2014

21st Nov 2015, 19:02

Update: I currently have 255,000 miles. The strut bearings are now shot. The tie rods and ball joints are due for replacement.

The engine started climbing in temp this summer and the engine fans weren't turning on. It still tends to heat up sometimes, but only at a stop. Sometimes it does not heat up at a stop.

I had a plug wire get caught in the wiper arm assembly under the hood and cause a misfire.

Traction control will activate sometimes when shifting to drive.

Engine still runs strong.

2004 Chevrolet Venture

Summary:

All in all, it still gets me where I need to go

Faults:

The cup holder face came off.

The seat side that holds up the plastic broke.

The windows have problems going up. I had to replace one window motor, and the window shifts out of place going up; I think it comes off track a little, but not sure.

The back leaks very bad; I think it was in a accident. I saw white paint on the back rubber, and there is mold growing where the carpet has got wet.

The rubber on the door has fallen off.

Once I was in the back and the doors all locked automatically; good thing I wasn't outside, as the keys were laying on the dash and my child was inside.

The transmission I believe has been acting up; it seems to slip and then catch with a clunk while I'm driving, although I was told it could be a torque converter.

I am a single mom on a very tight budget, and I fund raised to get the van for my special needs daughter; she is in a wheel chair, I needed a reliable van, and so far thank god it has been, but I know it's going to need work. I got the van with 38000 on it, and I've now got over 200,000. A lot of these problems happened within the first year.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 16th March, 2010

28th Feb 2022, 06:20

GMs of that period have it by (weird) design to lock the doors if the security transponder detects keys left inside, after 2-5 min depending on option package. Its detection range is pretty short & specifically meant for keys fallen out onto the driver's seat or dashboard. If you always carry the keys in a pocket while working in the back of the van it won't auto-lock because out of range. But some units will due to production variance.

2004 Chevrolet Venture 2004 venture LS V8

Summary:

Cheap

Faults:

Had to have both front wheel bearings replaced at 37,000 miles, GM did pay for half. Had an issue with the driver door, had the whole front fender replaced at the cost of the dealer, but is still not aligned properly. Had another issue with the front windshield seal, after two trips to the dealer it is finally resolved.

Now at 55,000 miles I am having trouble with temperature, replaced thermostat, we'll see what happens now!

General Comments:

Not a bad ride as far as comfort, especially with three kids. I feel like quality was overlooked when building this van.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 23rd June, 2007