1997 Chevrolet Venture: headlights failing or too dim

Filed May 6, 2010 · Engine, Lights · 99,998 miles · WI

I have owned 3 chevy venture minivans over the past 10 years. All of them had the same problems, the signal and head lights go out, the window switch goes out and finally the head gasket goes. They run great until the day it starts overheating, then your out a vehicle. Everyone I know who has a venture has had at least one of these problems with their vehicle.

Filed Sep 11, 2007 · Lights · 20,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet venture. The contact stated that the front driver side headlight bulb continuously failed. The dealer repaired the bulb, however, the failure recurred. The dealer stated that the constant failure was due to moisture entering the fixture, which blew out the bulb and discolored the lens. No repairs were made. The current mileage was 98,000 and failure mileage was 20,000.

Filed Dec 22, 2005 · Lights · 44,000 miles · OH

Dt: the contact stated the plastic covers on the headlights were glued and not bolted onto the vehicle. When the glue wore out water got inside the headlights, and the plastic popped off, causing the halogen light bulb to burn out. The dealer and manufacturer offered no free remedy. The vehicle has not been repaired.

Filed Aug 31, 2005 · Lights, Transmission · AL

Dt: the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet venture. The headlight covers came off of the vehicle. It costs $178.00 plus tax for each of the headlight covers to be repaired. About six month ago one of the headlight covers came off, and a couple of days ago, the other headlight cover came off. The entire headlight assembly has to be replaced to correct the problem. The gm manufacturer told her that this was the first time that he heard of this problem. Also, the contact had automatic transmission problems. The transmission slipped. The first time it got stuck in second gear. The transmission was replaced twice. The first time at only 26,000 miles, and the second time at 26,100 miles. Both times was replaced under warranty. After the second transmission was replaced it had only 78,000 miles on it. While on vacation and driving on the interstate the transmission quit. Had to coast off to the side of the road. That transmission was replaced with a modified transmission, and as of right now, the problem did not recur. All the dealerships that the contact checked to get a new transmission said that there where no transmissions around because they were redesigning all of the transmissions. The vehicle was towed home. She contacted gm manufacturer, and they would not do anything about it because the vehicle had over 100,000 miles.

Filed Aug 28, 2005 · Lights · NY

The front headlamps on the 1997-2004 chevrolet, pontiac, & oldsmobile vans do not release moisture from the capsule causing the light to glaze over time. I have replaced front lights twice since owning the vehicle. The glaze on the headlights dramatically reduces your visibility at night to see what is out there, potentially able to cause an accident.

Filed Feb 8, 2005 · Lights · PA

The plastic covers of the headlights on the 1997 chevy venture are glued on. Water gets inside the unit and the plastic pops off, then the lights burn out. This is the 5th time I have replaced them at the cost of $185.00 per light.

Filed Jan 18, 2005 · Lights · 55,000 miles · NY

After the vehicle came from the car wash, both front headlights failed to illuminate. Consumer noticed both headlight lens were missing. The dealer was notified. The dealer informed the consumer that part was not covered under a recall.

Filed Nov 1, 2004 · Lights, Seat belts · FL

While driving, the right side view mirror fell completely off. The seat belt was damaged on the second row passenger side. The head light covers continuously fell off. The consumer had to replace the bulbs constantly. The consumer took the vehicle to the mechanic to have the tires changed and was told the tire rod was bent and that it could not be fixed. Please provide any further information.

Filed May 11, 2004 · Lights · 63,000 miles · OH

While driving/paring both frontal plastic headlight lenses detached from the vehicle. Mechanic repaired the problem three times, but problem recurred.

Filed Mar 3, 2004 · Body, Electrical · 74,000 miles · CA

Consumer complained about a multitude of problems: 1. Headlights came on and off intermittently; 2. When hitting a bump in the road, headlights came on; 3. Engine overheated due to leaking radiator , and 4. Electrical problems, such as ignition and power door locks malfunctioned regularly. *ak the vehicle was hard to start. The door panels were loose. The windshield leaked. The anti theft alarm malfunctioned. Rear window washer malfunctioned.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 37,000 miles · UN

In march 03, I noticed that the van did not have heat. The van was taken to highland chevrolet, aurora ontario for recall work and we asked that they check the no heating problem! The no heat was diagnosed as a problem with the intake manifold gaskets. At the time of replacement the van had 59274 kilometers (37000 miles) on it. The van was repaired with newly designed gaskets that came out in november 2002. The van still did not have heat and the air conditioning was no longer working after the above repair. The van was returned to the dealer, who rechecked the van and stated that the cabin filters were blocked. They took the cabin filters out and told us to try the van for a couple of days. This did not work and van still did not have heat or A/C. The van was returned to the dealership again , we addressed our complaints with the service manager, who agreed to take the van back in for a third time . This time they back flushed the heater and heater now works moderately better. Service manager informed that there was a build up of grunge, which was preventing the heater from working . As for the A/C that still does not work, we were told that there are pin hole leaks in the pipe that runs under the van .this pipe operates the rear air. We were also told that there is leak with the end seal on the tie rod, which causes power steering fluid to leak. To date we have not had these items repaired. In july the headlight lens cover came off! I sent a registered letter to mr. Grimaldi, president g.m. Canadian division, asking for full reimbursement. I also talked about the tsb that was released for the 1999 vans with the same problem that essentially extended the warranty coverage for vans with less than 80,000 kilometers . Verna, a customer service representative telephoned me in response to my correspondence. However she indicated that gm did not see it as a problem but told me to hang onto my receipts. We purchased our van brand new in august 1997.

Filed Mar 31, 2003 · Lights · 150,000 miles · IL · fire

1997 chevrolet venture. Headlight lens cover. Last summer I noticed the drivers side lens was loose so I glued it back on with epoxy.(cost $3.00) recently I found out that the passenger side lens had fallen out sometime while driving.(both fell out within 6 months of each other) I went to wash the van and the halogen bulb exploded and flamed when it got wet. Had I been closer to the vehicle I could have been struck by flying glass. If this would have happened during a rain storm I would have been driving without headlights. (the dealership charged me $165 to replace one assembly). The sealant was faulty on the last assembly, I don't feel comfortable with the new one.