Chevrolet Venture loss of power problems

Filed Sep 17, 2014 · Electrical, Fuel system · 130,000 miles · OH

Please investigate incidents of failure of the gm passkey/passlock/vats security system. Security light would flash and vehicle experienced a total loss of power. Problem occurred intermittently for the next several months, at various speeds. No accidents involved, but several near misses. Problem occurred very frequently in the past week, and now vehicle will not start due to security feature. I am using factory original keys, not replacements. Problem affects this particular make and model, but it is so systemic to gm, an entire aftermarket industry has arisen to bypass this security "feature."

Filed Mar 20, 2008 · Engine · MD

Premature failure of the intake manifold gasket caused my car to lose power while driving.

Filed Mar 12, 2007 · Electrical, Fuel system · TX · crash

Tl*- the contact had a number of stalling problems with the 2000 chevrolet venture minivan stalling. The contact stated that the minivan stalled at any given time. On one occasion the contact's vehicle was hit from behind by another vehicle while driving 35 MPH. When the vehicle stalled there was no prior indication of the vehicle losing power. He noticed that the vehicle decelerated and the instrument panel showed everything had lost power. The contact took the vehicle to the dealership on the first occasion and they couldn't find anything wrong with the vehicle. The dealership informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be tuned up. The contact stated that he was put on a waiting list for one week. He took the vehicle to a mechanic shop for the tune up. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to have the stalling problems. The contact stated that the mechanic shop replaced the fuel pump, fuel relay and the harness. The contact stated that he was no longer having any problems with the vehicle stalling. He stated that the dealership couldn't find what the problem was with the vehicle, but a mechanic shop was able to find the failure on the first attempt.

Filed Aug 29, 2005 · Transmission · 45,530 miles · NY

While driving at 50 MPH, going on i287 north in nj about 4:00 pm about to exit 2a, the car's engine sounded like a strong revving, and lost all power, furthermore it lost all gear, while parked on the side of the road, tried to reverse and change gears d 3 2 1 and it will not move to either direction, the transmission was blown out.

Filed Aug 15, 2005 · Engine · 84,000 miles · NJ · crash

I have had numerous problems with my 1999 chevrolet venture which my husband purchased new for me in december 1998. Last year I experienced problems with the engine light staying on, coolant level constantly dropping no matter how often we added dex cool, and then in the spring I had to have the intake manifold replaced due to engine oil in the coolant. He told me he has had several customers with chevy venture and olds silhouettes with the same problem. Just a couple of months after this repair which cost me over $1,000.00 my car suddenly stalled in heavy traffic on route 22 on my way to work. I managed to get it to the shoulder before it stopped rolling despite losing power and called my mechanic. He towed me to his shop and has informed me that my camshaft is broken and he has never heard of anything like it before! Well, after finding this site while researching what to do about this problem, I found this site and was shocked to see all the same complaints and since at least 2001 chevrolet has known about these problems and didn't care about their customers enough to warn them or offer to replace the source of the problem before we had major engine damage like mine. I am lucky I was not killed on the highway by a truck rear ending me or something! I am a single mom with 4 kids and I still owe my mechanic over $800.00 for my last repairs and now this! No way can I afford to replace the engine! Besides, another venture engine would just have more problems! And now I'm reading about other problems like air bags not working and windows exploding and transmission failures, tail lights and electrical problems! These cars are death traps! And most people who purchase mini vans have young children! Gm should be ashamed!

Filed Jan 24, 2005 · Engine · 116,000 miles · TX

My vehicle a 1997 chevy venture, suddenly lost power while cruising on the highway. The temp light came on and I pulled off the highway. Luckily it happened to be the dealerships exit and I pulled right in to the service bay. They tell me I have a blown head gasket. When they took the engine apart the service manager allowed me to see the engine. The coolant channels are coated with a brown gummy substance and the cylinders were full of coolant. The service manager was given a sample of the substance and said he will give it to the gm rep when he comes in later this week. Cost will top $2500. Previously I replaced the intake manifold gasket and the water pump. This seems like faulty gaskets or coolant I don't know which. I'm just glad it didn't strand me out somewhere away from town.

Filed Aug 12, 2004 · Engine · 112,876 miles · PA

While driving between 65-70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. When this occurred the vehicle lost power steering and brakes. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic. The mechanic performed a diagnostic test which indicated that the engine had locked. The engine has to be taken apart to identify what caused the lock. The oil pan was full when this incident occurred.

Filed Apr 29, 2004 · Engine · 78,000 miles · NE

Own a 97 chevy venture during an oil change was told I had coolant in my oil, so I took van to a local chevy dealer. They informed my the intake gasket was bad and had to be replaced at a cost of 975.00, this was done and no mention was ever made that there could also be engine damage due to this leak. Five months later I was driving down a busy street during 5 o'clock rush hour traffic taking my sick child to the doctor when all of a sudden the oil light came on and I lost all power, I had to leave the vehicle in the curb side lane, get my sick child out and walk to a phone to call my spouse to come get us and the vehicle mind you this was late september and it was chilly outside. We had the vehicle towed to a local chevy dealer (the same one that diagnosed the gasket leak) who told me they did not know what was wrong with the vehicle and that it would be cheaper to replace the motor than to find out what happened, at a cost between $3000.00 to $5200.00 depending on what type of replacement motor I wanted, not being comfortable with this repsonse I had the vehicle taken to a different dealer, who at least could tell that the intake gasket had been replaced, but unfortunatly gave the same result replace motor. I did not have the funds to do this so the vehicle is parked in my garage and of no use to me. I had to go and replace the vehicle.

Filed Feb 16, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · 40,000 miles · NY

From about 40000 milesproblems with the temp gauge indicating engine running hot when in fact it never was and coolant was adequate mechanic never able to figure out 60000 intake manifold replaced 90000 miles engine losing power and stalling engine block cracked possible and head gasket. Brakes noisy with a grinding feel in the pedal lights on dash on & off ABS and coolant low when no problem exists! Car pulls to left and hard to steer in a puddle horn almost impossible to activate. Directional and hazard lights flash when brakes applied.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Visibility · 53,000 miles · CA

Two months ago I took my chevrolet venture(with 53,000 miles)to a certified chevrolet repair shop complaing that the low coolant light was on, and that my van was experiencing a loss of power. After having my car in the shop for 8 days I was told that they couldn't find any problems. I was charged 153.00 for the diagnostic test and an oil change. A week ago my car started to overheat. I again took the van to the shop. I was told that I need a brand new engine at a cost of $5,000. I just finished paying off this $27,000 van. Now it is worthless. I don,t understand. To add insult to injury I can not role up my window on the drivers side, as the power switch has failed