Model year record

1998 Chevrolet Venture

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 518 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V597000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component: Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 717,302
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-12-22
Owners notified: 2005-05-31

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS AND A POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, A PASSENGER USING THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR COULD BE INJURED.

Safety risk

IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER SLIDING DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER OR MANUAL SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER-SIDE, THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FOR APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V286000

Steering: rack and pinion

Component: Steering: rack and pinion
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 1,159,156
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-11-04
Owners notified: 2003-01-24

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V264000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component: Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 248,737
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-08-21
Owners notified: 2001-10-22

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997-2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA/TRANSPORT, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WERE SERVICED IN CAMPAIGN 01013 (01V-067) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2001. ALSO 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS ASSEMBLED IN JANUARY THROUGH APRIL 2001. THESE VEHICLES HAVE INADEQUATE FRONT WELDS. IF A FRONT WELD FAILS, THE ACTUATOR CAN JAM IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION AND, WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR CLOSES, IT WILL NOT BE LATCHED.

Safety risk

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, INSTALL A NEW POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V067000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component: Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 477,011
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-03-08
Owners notified: 2001-04-18

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOOR CLOSES BUT MAY NOT BE LATCHED. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE.

Safety risk

AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UN-LATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CONTINUED UNDER SAFETY RECALL 01V-264. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V145000

Seats: front assembly: recliner

Component: Seats: front assembly: recliner
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 125,990
Reported to NHTSA: 1998-06-26
Owners notified: 1998-08-18

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH BUCKET SEATS OR A SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND (MIDDLE) OR THIRD (BACK) ROW. THE SEAT LATCH MECHANISMS ON BUCKET SEATS AND ON THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROWS DO NOT HAVE PROTECTIVE COVERS.

Safety risk

WHEN ACTIVATING THE RELEASE MECHANISM TO ROLL A BUCKET SEAT FORWARD, A CUSTOMER'S FINGER(S) COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED OR SEVERED IN THEY ARE NOT KEPT CLEAR OF THE MECHANISM.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS ON THE OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON ALL LEFT AND RIGHT HAND REAR BUCKET SEATS IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW, AND TO BOTH INBOARD AND OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON THE CENTER REAR BUCKET SEAT AND THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V131000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component: Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 38,540
Reported to NHTSA: 1998-06-11
Owners notified: 1998-06-26

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE (1) A BROKEN SHIFT CABLE FITTING OR (2) LOOSE SHIFT LINKAGE. CONSEQUENTLY, MOVING THE SHIFT LEVER TO A 'PARK' POSITION MAY NOT SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION TO 'PARK'.

Safety risk

THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE RANGE SELECTOR CABLE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V072000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Component: Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 55,154
Reported to NHTSA: 1998-04-07
Owners notified: 1998-04-24

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM CAN CONTACT A BRAKE LINE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MODULATOR VALVE. THIS CONTACT CAN CHAFE THE BRAKE LINE RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.

Safety risk

BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRAKE LINE CLIP TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE. ALSO THE BRAKE LINES WILL BE INSPECTED TO ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS CONDITION AND WILL REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Exterior lighting: headlights	47	62,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	31	68,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	29	73,000 mi
Structure: body: door	25	110,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	19	82,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	16	56,468 mi
Air bags	14	63,000 mi
Electrical system: horn	14	—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	14	83,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	14	79,500 mi
Steering: rack and pinion	14	90,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	13	71,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	11	58,000 mi
Seats	10	—
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices	9	87,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	9	25,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	9	80,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	9	81,000 mi
Unknown or other	8	74,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage	7	—
Tires	7	—
Visibility: glass, side/rear	7	40,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	5	—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	5	—
Seat belts: front: retractor	5	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	5	69,750 mi
Electrical system	4	89,117 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	4	44,400 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	4	32,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	4	—
Visibility: power window devices and controls	4	80,000 mi
Child seat	3	—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	3	—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	3	—
Electrical system: wiring	3	82,310 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	3	—
Exterior lighting: brake lights	3	93,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery	3	—
Latches/locks/linkages	3	140,000 mi
Power train	3	145,000 mi
Seat belts	3	85,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	3	—
Seat belts: rear/other	3	95,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum	3	—
Steering	3	—
Suspension: rear	3	—
Visibility: windshield	3	—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	2	18,052 mi
Air bags: side/window	2	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	2	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	2	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	2	82,310 mi
Equipment	2	77,000 mi
Equipment: electrical	2	—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system	2	—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	2	—
Seats: front assembly: recliner	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages	2	—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar	2	—
Structure	2	87,600 mi
Tires: tread/belt	2	—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	2	—
Vehicle speed control: cables	2	—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	2	188,888 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor	2	—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	2	—
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing	1	—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	1	—
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack	1	—
Exterior lighting	1	130,000 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights	1	188,888 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch	1	—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights	1	188,888 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights	1	188,888 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal	1	188,888 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors	1	75,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap	1	—
Fuel system, other	1	82,310 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump	1	64,895 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system	1	—
Interior lighting	1	188,888 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock	1	—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter	1	—
Power train: axle assembly	1	—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft	1	—
Power train: driveline	1	—
Seat belts: front	1	—
Service brakes, air: antilock	1	—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor	1	82,310 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light	1	188,888 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic	1	—
Steering: column	1	132,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump	1	—
Steering: linkages	1	—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack	1	—
Structure: body	1	—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments	1	—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	1	—
Suspension	1	—
Suspension: front	1	—
Suspension: front: control arm	1	—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut	1	—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: hanger/bracket	1	—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire	1	—
Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly	1	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	1	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor	1	—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer	1	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages	1	110,000 mi

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.