Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Chevrolet Venture owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This will be a list of most of the problems. I have complained of smelling anti-freeze since I purchased the van new. It currently has 94K on it and I have done all scheduled maintenance on it. I think the clock work oil changes is the only reason it still runs. Manifold gaskets, intake, head...have been replaced twice and need it again, really bad. But I just do not have 5-800 bucks laying around to do a gasket job again since I just did it a year ago. The anti-freeze diluting the oil has messed up a couple pistons. They slap very bad OK here is my list (I have dealer invoices for everything fixed the first time and receipts for parts and labor the second time, or my husband got sick of paying for the same crap so he would fix things) (he is in the automotive testing and design field)
The pinch welds behind the side sliding doors (left and right) are badly corroded compromising the overall structural integrity of this unibody vehicle. Whenever a passenger weighing over 150 lbs. Sits in the passenger front seat, the right side power sliding door alarm sounds. When this happens the door sometimes not close or will open unexpectedly even while the vehicle is in motion. With the integrity of the structure compromised, it has also resulted in a cracked windshield. This is not only dangerous but could potentially result in a fatality. The defect has been brought to the attention of a couple of different GM dealerships of which none were of any assistance.
My 1999 chev Venture had the bottom suspension frame member that holds the wheel and steering assemblies,on the passenger side fail while diriving. This failure resulted in loss of vehicle control. Some one could be killed if it happens again. No frame should ever brake under normal driving. This vehicle has always been driven within normal operation on the highways. It has never had more than 6 passengers in the vehilce. Their had to be a flaw in the part when it was manufactured or it is a very poor design.
As I closed the tail gate the rear windscreen explded outwards resulting in minor cuts and abrasions on face,neck and arms. The whole windscreen just shattered for no reason. When safelite came to replace the glass their technician advised that this is a known issue with Chevy ventures, I believe that GMC should pay for this repair and not the consumer, costing $184.
Tl*- the contact stated that while reversing out the driveway, the sliding door opened on her 1999 Chevrolet Venture. When the contact stopped the vehicle to close the sliding door, the door fell off the track. Two of the door hinges had fallen off. The failure mileage was 98,000 miles.
I have had so many problems 1. The inner brake pads wore down to the steel ruining the inside of both rotors about 3,000 miles. Under warranty. But the brake pads. 2. Battery acid is corroding about 4,000 miles the dealership pay all still under warranty 3. Battery again but it turn out to be the alternator about 6,500 the dealership pay under warranty. 4. The tread completely separated from the sidewall. P215/70r15, fire stone on all four tires. Dealership did not cover tire have no warranty on new vehicle 7,000 miles 5. Water leak, and carpet is wet every time it rains I feel it is coming from the windshield. Warranty does not cover. 8,000 still does it at 50,256. 6. Lighter keep shorting out and ac keep mess up under the warranty 7. While driving the check oil light and the battery line came on. The vehicle shut off, loosing all power the intake manifold under warranty 38,000 miles. …
Sliding side remote door first became inoperative one week after car's purchase. It was fist fixed by original; dealership at no charge. After that it has been back to a different dealership in san francisco over a dozen times and "repaired" (power module replaced, floor plate replaced, switch plate, replaced) over a dozen times, all at the owner's expense. Chevrolet put out a recall for replacement of the power module. When we went to have it replaced they said one of our previous replacements (at out expense) had already taken care of that. Since then the door has been inoperative eight times. Each time the deal does a diagnosis, orders parts and repairs and door breaks down soon thereafter (the same day sometimes). The vehicle is used as a taxi and requires use of this feature for passengers. Each repair requires a one or two day down time for cab at owner's expense. …
Numerous intermittent electrical problems. February 2000, the air-bag light indicator on the instrument panel would stay on after starting, but only intermittently. Took it in for service on 2/22/00 and they cleaned connections to driver side impact air-bag. Problem went away until July 2001. Again instrument panel air-bag light would intermittently stay on. May 2000 - doors would lock and unlock continually and locks would not work with remote or key while this is happening. Interior lights would flash on and off. I took the vehicle to a Chevy service center on 5/11/00 & 5/16/00 and both times they could not reproduce error / failure and nothing was done. …
Automatic sliding passenger door opens while car is in drive and turning a corner. Automatic door has also not locked and been unable to open manually or electronically. The door will also open and close quickly while in the process of loading passengers. The car has been recalled and replacement parts have not fixed the problem. This is a safety issue for my children and general motors refuses to take the car back .
While driving out of neighborhood sliding door opened all of sudden and without warning. Vehicle was parked in the parking lot, and mother-in-law was putting the baby in car seat when the sliding door started to close all by itself. Consumer had to manually stop the door by pushing the button on the visor. Also, sliding door opens and closes even after closing the door with the remote control.
NHTSA investigations
Unexpected opening of sliding door
There is no summary currently available
Power-sliding door
Subject vehicles are available with an optional power sliding door.the interior handle is oriented in the vertical position in the door panel and lines up at the elbow level when the occupant is seated in the 2nd-row outboard position.if the occupant holds the interior handle in the thumb up position during power-assisted opening, the arm/wrist can be push back with force against the 2nd-row bucket seat or captain's…
Body complaints in other Venture years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Venture?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the body & structure of the 1999 Chevrolet Venture, 10% of the model year's 349 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Venture body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1999 Chevrolet Venture, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Venture body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.