1999 Chevrolet Venture Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe coolant loss that turns out to come from failed intake manifold gaskets on the 3.4L V6, frequently leading to coolant mixing with oil and, in some cases, engine damage. Sliding-door latch complaints and airbag warning lights are the next most common themes, and transmission harsh shifting also appears in the sample. Many reports come in between roughly 40,000 and 100,000 miles, and several describe slow coolant loss noticed only through a low-coolant light.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss from intake manifold gasket leak

   • 100 complaints (29%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 4.8 yrs old (77 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $807 (median of 33 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2011

   Owners describe coolant level slowly dropping, sometimes with no visible puddle, and a low-coolant light coming on. Many report that a mechanic or dealer traced the loss to the intake manifold gasket on the 3.4L V6, with coolant entering the engine or mixing with the oil; some describe rough running, ticking or knocking, and a few report engine damage or replacement afterward. Repair costs quoted in complaints generally run from several hundred to over a thousand dollars, and owners frequently note being told the problem is common for this engine. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 100,000 miles, though a few appear as low as the 30,000s and as high as 140,000.

   What to check: Check the coolant reservoir level and look for a low-coolant light on the test drive; ask whether the intake manifold gasket has ever been replaced and whether the coolant and oil have been checked for mixing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a Chevrolet Venture 1999 that has had an intake gasket leak. I have researched this problem on the internet and there have been many similar problems. Many service technicians have also stated that GM has had a problem with intake gaskets. Gm should recall all vehicles affected and pay repair bills on all others already fixed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10018419, filed 2003-05, 78,000 miles

   “The intake manifold gasket failed at 60,000 miles requiring about $800 in repairs. I have been driving vehicles for 35 years and have never seen an intake gasket fail. I understand from my mechanic that this is a common problem and that GM is aware of it. Gm should be required to repair this defect as it could lead to a blown engine which would be very dangerous in traffic.”

   NHTSA complaint #10008115, filed 2003-02, 60,000 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Power sliding door will not latch or opens on its own

   • 40 complaints (11%)
   • median 44,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2010

   Complaints describe the power sliding door closing but not latching, or unlatching and opening while the vehicle is moving, especially on turns or rough roads. Some owners report the door coming off its track or hinges separating, and several mention the same symptom returning after recall work was performed. Dealers are described as installing a latch actuator or telling owners the door was fine. Spread from roughly 20,000 to 110,000 miles, with several reports in the 37,000 to 75,000 mile range.

   Recall 04V597000Recall 01V264000Recall 01V067000

   What to check: Ask whether the sliding-door recall campaigns were completed and whether any follow-up latch work was done; open and close the door several times, including over bumps or an incline, and check that it latches from both the inside and outside handles.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10114762, filed 2005-03, 67,000 miles

   “The passenger power sliding door of my 1999 chevy Venture stopped working in the closed position. When this happened the horn quit, and the low coolant light blinks on frequently. A local mechanic said that there was a bulatin out to reprogram the computer on this vehicle, and that it was a programming error. I am disabled and I depend on this door for my wheelchair ramp, etc.”

   NHTSA complaint #10192014, filed 2007-05, 136,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light on or no deployment in a crash

   • 49 complaints (14%)
   • median 74,750 mi at 6.3 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 20 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2017

   Owners report the airbag warning light staying on or coming on intermittently, sometimes traced to seat belt or wiring components. A few complaints describe airbags not deploying in a collision, and one attributes an intermittent airbag light to water from the air conditioning drain wetting wiring under the front carpet. Dealer diagnoses described in the complaints vary, and in one report a related part was not covered by warranty. Largely reported between about 50,000 and 85,000 miles, with one at 95,000 and one at 64,000.

   What to check: Confirm the airbag warning light comes on with the key and goes out after start; ask whether any airbag or seat belt codes have been read and whether the front carpet or wiring has ever been wet.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Air-bag warning light I just bought another 1999 chevy Venture because I really liked my other one, but it had too many problems. My old one was a ls and this one is a lt. Now the air bag light is on with this one too! I do not understand why such an important component is such a problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10138466, filed 2005-10, 70,500 miles

   “My 1999 Chevrolet Venture minivan has had numerous problems. The one I am most concerned with is the automatic transmission. The transmission makes the car jerk when I either slow down or stop in heavy traffic. This happens when I press on the accelerator to gain speed again. It doesn't happen every time but more often than not. There are also times when driving down the road it whines. Also have a problem with what I figure is electrical. Sometimes the ABS light stays on and then eventually goes off. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10049196, filed 2003-12, 48,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh or slipping transmission shifting

   • 24 complaints (7%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,285 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2009

   Complaints describe hard, harsh shifts, slipping or clunking when accelerating from a stop, and occasional whining while driving. Owners say dealers or transmission shops pointed to low fluid pressure and a pressure control solenoid, with some told to keep driving until it becomes a real problem and others quoted a rebuild. Several report paying for valve, solenoid, filter and fluid work without a lasting cure. Mostly reported in the 60,000 to 100,000 mile range, with one as low as 18,000.

   What to check: Drive the van from cold and note shift quality when accelerating out of stops; ask whether transmission fluid and filter have been serviced and whether any solenoid or rebuild work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Began noticing harsh shifts in automatic transmission of 1999 Chevrolet Venture van in summer of 2003 when van had approximately 85,000 miles. In fall of 2003, harshness of shifting became more pronounced and van was inspected by a transmission repair faciilty. I was advised that my transmission was failing because of insufficient fluid pressure, and if left unaddressed, the transmission would soon fail, leaving me stranded at the location of transmission failure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10045612, filed 2003-11, 92,579 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10108482, filed 2005-02, 89,800 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Corroded fuel lines leaking gasoline

   • 13 complaints (4%)
   • median 72,500 mi at 5.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2014

   Owners describe a gasoline smell around the vehicle or visible fuel dripping from lines near the tank. Complaints say corroded or rusted fuel and evaporation lines were replaced, in one case several lines at a cost over $1,000, and another describes a fuel line and tank damaged by exhaust heat. In one report the fuel gauge also stopped working. Reported from about 80,000 to 140,000 miles, mostly on older, higher-mileage vans.

   What to check: Look under the van along the fuel and brake lines for rust, and check for a fuel smell after sitting; ask whether any fuel lines have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10102218, filed 2004-12, 80,434 miles

   “My wife smelled gasoline upon entering the car on october 7, 2012. I checked under the car from where the smell was coming from, and saw gasoline dripping from a pipe near the gas tank. I brought the car to the local chevy dealership. I had to replace four fuel and evaporation lines due to corrosion. It cost me over $1,000 to replace these lines. I feel very fortunate that I was able to correct this problem before a disaster could have occurred. I could have been driving on the highway with gasoline leaking onto my exhaust pipe. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10479979, filed 2012-10, 101,000 miles

Buying note. Have a mechanic check the coolant and oil for mixing and pressure-test the cooling system, since intake manifold gasket leaks are the most frequently described problem. Also confirm the sliding-door recall work was done, scan for airbag codes, and inspect underbody fuel lines for corrosion.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.