Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Chevrolet Venture owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
We purchased the vehicle used in July 2003. A month later, the low coolant light came on for the extent of a 40 mile trip, but has not appeared since. I took it to the dealer and they told me it was a intake manifold gasket, and the repairs would be $750. The van had only 42000 miles! I refused to pay for any repairs. Upon further investigation, I found out that Chevrolet is well aware of this defect, and that many many other drivers have had the same experience with this engine. I am even more upset that the dealership (ed schmidt Chevrolet maumee, ohio) is part of the consipracy. We were told by the salesman and the dealership this was a good vehicle, and would be very reliable. My husband is in georgia for specialized training for 6 months. We purchased the van upon the recommendation of the dealership so that I would have reliable transportation while my husband is out of state. …
When I bought this 2000 Chevrolet Venture van I purchased the mfg.extended warranty up to 75,000 miles. Right after the extended warranty ran out, the van developed a serious head gasket leak and the transmission has been going crazy. I checked around and found out that both these problems are very common on the Venture van! I call the mfg. And was told they would not help! This is the reason buyers feel that they made a mistake buying American made vehicles. These are problems that have occurred in many instances and the mfg. Knows this and are not willing to do a recall. I should have bought a Toyota. General motors knows these problems exist and are due to poor workmanship and do not care about owner loyalty or retaining their customer base for future sales. Both of these problems are more widespread than what is documented due to lack of reporting.. Please help!!!
I have had my van for a while I started notice jerking when changing gears, then the gas gauge quit working on the vans in 2005, the dealer told me I needed to purchase a sensor to make the gas gauge work, I was just sending my son off to college I didn't have any money so I drove on, next the belt broke on the car almost causing my son to wreck,( thank goodness for defensive driving in drives ed.). Then the transmission went out , had to pay to have repaired, just got the car back and the service engine soon light came on. Please help I have read the complaints and it seen we are all having the same problem, what is GM waiting on for someone to die are the car to catch a fire this is a manufacture defect come on fix it or give us something to have it repaired at the dealer. This is your business don't you want people to come back.
We have spent 3 years flushing radiator with dexcool--still having overheating which causes problems with our transmission--every time seeing sludge in overflow tank within a month after fresh flush--this month we have replaced water pump, and replacing radiator, oil cooler, and going back to regular green antifreeze after hearing of similar problems and worse in Chevrolet models using dexcool!! Unknown if damage has been caused to transmission for 3 summers of overheating...can't drive in stop/go traffic safely in warm weather knowing that cooling system/transmission will fail in those conditions. We've spent several hours stopped under shade trees to let engine cool down enough to get to destination.
Transmission failed: - the engagement of automatic transmission was sluggish, and would slip at low speeds (especially after being in park for more than a couple of hrs). - transmission made a whining noise day prior to failure - the transmission would not engage when the lever was operated (failed transmission) - towed to dealership - contacted GM customer service - was told by dealership that the transmission needs to be rebuilt - the transmission was rebuilt - a week after the transmission was rebuilt, the engagement was sluggish again - took it back to dealership - problem has since been fixed.
Transmission shifting very hard to the point of actually making noise. The fuel gauge quit working about 3 years ago, it just goes back and forth to whatever it feels like. Crankshaft pulley separated at highway speed causing the belt to jump and tangle in everything, too the point of actually being pulled into the front main seal causing that to have to be replaced.
My car was in park, not running, keys in the ignition. 5yr old son was in vehicle, trying to turn radio on car shifted out of park with out the brake fully depressed. Owners manual states to shift out of park brake must be fully depressed. Son was in between front bucket seats, unable to reach brake when left arm hit shift bar into neutral. Thanks.
Transmission on 2000 Chevy Venture van needed replacement. The van is not even 5 years old and is under 60, 000 miles. We also had to have cracked gaskets repaired about 6 months ago. I have heard of a number of people having difficulties with their similar vehicals.
I was in a turn lane when my transmission failed with no warning. I had to call the police to move my car out of traffic and have my car towed to the dealership. I truly feel that this is a major safety concern. I just had the 30,000 mile maintenace work done on it 5 months ago. The dealership said that there was no way to detect this failure from happening. It just " happened". That is just unacceptable for me. I drive my children everywhere in that car and this could have easily been a fatality. I have no assurance that this will not happen to the new transmission that I had to buy. I have owned a variety of cars and I have never had any kind of transmission problem with any of them. Our previous car was a 94 Chevy van and we had no problems with it, just your normal wear and tear. I know that I did not cause my transmission to fail. …
My 2000 Chevrolet Venture van, warner brother's edition, had the transmission fail at 47,567 miles. I did not have an extended warranty purchased at the time I bought the van. I had noticed when I first acquired the van, that when I put the van in drive from reverse, the transmission slipped noticebly. Also, from a stop the traction device signal would come on periodically and the transmission slipped as I accelorated. I took the van to the dealer, which they found the fluid was burnt and the bands or torque converter was ready to explode/come off. I had the van serviced every 3,000 miles and had done everything according to the service manual. Nothing was said about burnt fluid. The cost fo replacement was $2710.00 plus tax. I was not a happy camper but needed a vehicle for transportation. …
Transmission complaints in other Venture years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Venture?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Chevrolet Venture, 8% of the model year's 350 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Venture transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2000 Chevrolet Venture, though it has 5 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 2000 Chevrolet Venture transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.