Chevrolet Venture headlights problems

Filed Dec 5, 2020 · Engine · KY

Blown intake manifold gasket. Vehicle did not have an overheating issue, and has been well maintained since I've owned it. Drove across a steep 7 mile hill, temp gauge started moving above normal. I stopped and let it cool down, motor got to about 245 degrees well before any warning lights were able to come on. Started the motor and it sounded different so I popped the hood and the coolant overflow was bubbling. Noticed the windshield started steaming up, and a very rough idle. Shut the motor off and started it again. White smoke coming from the tailpipe. Turn it off again and opened the oil cap and it had the mayo look and smelled of antifreeze. Pulled the dipstick and the oil was brown and separated. Got it hauled home. Did an inspection and antifreeze was all down the block. Took the motor apart and the lower intake manifold gasket was just detroyed. Chevrolet has had nothing but problems out of these 3.4 gen 3 motors. They all need to be recalled and the problem corrected. Doesn't matter if you keep the coolant flushed and oil changed. Head gaskets were in the same shape I changed them too. All together cost me over $1000 between gasket kits, head bolts, intake bolts, coolant, oil, filter, flush, and that was changing the head gasket, lower and upper intake manifold gasket completely by myself. These motors are so hard to work on, I just couldn't afford to have someone do it for me. It's just bad to buy a vehicle and have this problem. Most venture owners have changed head gaskets or intake gaskets more than once. Toyota recalled their 3.0 motors for this problem, why is gm not made to rectify this continuous problem. The van has alot of other problems as well, body rust, headlights you cannot see with, oil seal leaks, steering knuckle problems, sliding door issues, radio problems, electrical problems, signal lights, ABS problems. Fuel pump problems. It's a lemon

Filed Aug 24, 2015 · Lights · 100,400 miles · WI

Headlights are dangerously dim at night. New bulbs, new headlight lenses, no solution. Same problem with my 1999 chevy venture.

Filed May 13, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 204,785 miles · KY · fire

I have a 2003 chevy venture and when I purchased it, I noticed that the turn signals would start blinking real fast on the dash. When I would look at them on the outside they were blinking fine, as was the dash lights. This happened several times, so I thought that it was just the bulbs themselves. Then on march 29, 2014, I noticed a little puff of smoke come from the headlight area when my wife pulled into our driveway. I also noticed that the passenger side turn/parking light was out. I luckily had a bulb from another car to replace it, but when I took the assembly out and went to turn the connector to replace the bulb, and noticed it was hot. Thinking that something did not seem right, I let it cool down and then removed it. What I saw was the connector that holds the bulb was black and melted. It actually melted to the bulb itself. I looked at the bulb and it was still good, other than the bottom plastic part. The white smoke I had seen was either the connector catching on fire and melting or the melting of the plastic itself. I never saw any flames. I cannot afford to replace the connector, nor would I risk my family's life, so I have no turn signal. Then worse part is the driver side light was doing the same thing as the passenger, but it has since stopped and is working properly now that the passenger side bulb has been removed.

Filed Apr 1, 2013 · Lights · 68,000 miles · CA

Water enters the headlights. Condensation covers the inside of the headlight lenses and reduces light output.

Filed Jan 20, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 5,000 miles · FL

My mother purchased the vehicle brand new in 2001, it has been a problem since she brought it home. Turn signals have never worked properly, headlights fill up with water causing them to burn out, interior lights don't work properly. I acquired the vehicle after her passing in 2012 . The van only has 66000 miles on it and I've had to replace the lights 6 times since I've had it. When she had it she took it back to the dealership several times only to have the same problems happen again. I recently ran into someone that was in the same make, model and yr vehicle at a gas station, he asked me if I had any electrical issues and of course I said yes..this van is a disaster waiting to happen.. Why is there not a recall on this lemon?

Filed Aug 13, 2012 · Lights · 120,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet venture. The contact stated that the rear brake lights were not functioning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics where the technician advised that there was condensation and moisture throughout the front headlights and the rear brake lights. The technician stated that the headlight cover would have to be replaced but advised that the failure would continue to recur. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Feb 7, 2011 · Electrical · 96,479 miles · MD

2004 chevrolet venture temperature gauge suddenly reads hot. The gauge will not reset. The engine is not hot or running hot. No history of front damage. Van was purchased new and I am the only owner. Problem just started 2 weeks ago during a 5 hour trip. 96,479 miles. Will also complain about water in the head lights. Started around 45k. Have burnt out several bulbs. Poor design, but will known problem for gm.

Filed Jan 4, 2011 · Lights · 183,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet venture. The contact stated that the headlight covers were foggy and impaired her vision while driving at night. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The contact replaced the covers. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000. Updated 4/11/2011

Filed Nov 12, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 120,000 miles · OH

We own a 2000 chevy venture that we bought used about 4 years ago. When we bought it, the button for the doors to open automatically didn't work as well as the gas gauge. Since, we have replaced the heads, the water pump, rack and pinion, wheel hub, tie rod end, as well as replacing the head lights every couple months and now having problems with the brake lights.when we had the heads replaced, they flushed the radiator and we are still having problems with the low coolant light coming on and the fluid looking cloudy. They told us that the cloudiness sometimes happens, but still doesn't explain the light coming on saying its low!!! We were also notified that the ABS box is bad and needs replaced...also, sometimes there is water that leaks from the weather gauge or the top of the windshield. Also the traction system light comes on and actually shuts the system off when you turn the van on, this maybe due to the bad ABS box but has been doing this longer then the ABS light has been on. There is also rust along the van below the sliding doors. The locks also sometimes stick when using the keypad or the electrical lock button inside the van. We can't wait to get rid of this van! Just hope we have better luck with our next vehicle.

Filed Jun 22, 2010 · Lights · 63,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet venture. The contact stated when it would rain, water would enter the head light and directional turn signal lights. The bulbs were continuously burning out due to condensation from the water. The front right directional bulb caused the socket and wires to overheat. The dealer stated the failure was common and recommended drilling a small hole in the bottom of the headlight assembly to allow the water to flow out. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 63,000 and the current mileage was 66,143.