Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chevrolet Venture owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have been trying to get my A/C condenser fixed with GM. I have gone through many different representatives and all they say is that there is nothing wrong with the vehicle that are no recalls or nothing, but would like to give me a $2000 GM certificate to the next purchase of a GM vehicle. I have been researching my 2001 Chevrolet Venture van and have found that there are many others with the same problem as mine. The condenser is cracked on the right side. A faulty part. The service bulletin that I found on this part, that GM states that there is no such thing, states that there is an updated part for this condenser. Would you not think if there is an "updated" part there might be something wrong??? Also it states that it takes 2 hours to fix, the dealership states it takes 5 hours pretty big difference. I like my van and have no other problems with it. …
Intake manifold leaks, causes engine to overheat which resulted heads were warping. My family and I were traveling eastbound on I-10 coming home from our family vacation from disneyland and heading back to phoenix az when the engine overheated on the 2001 Chevrolet Venture minivan. We waited on the side of the road in the desert for the engine to cool to add water into the radiator. 45 minutes later the engine cooled enough to add the water and for some reason it would not draw the water out of the reservoir. The engine would not start. We called the state police and a highway patrolman came out and could not do anything for us. He called a tow truck and we were charged $250.00 to be towed 25 miles from where we were to the truck stop at tonapah. He wanted $700.00 to tow us home to chandler, az. However, a friend came to our rescue by towing us home with a strap from his truck. …
I am currently trying to get GM to honor my warranty for catalytic converter that is bad. I made the original request for a part to be ordered on March 15, 2006. On June 29, 2006, I contacted my insurance company geico because I had a mechanical breakdown insurance on my vehicle and they basically said that there is nothing that they can do at this time because GM will have to replace the part under warranty. It is now 5 1/2 months later and I still do not have a catalytic converter for my vehicle. I have contacted GM on two separate occasions. I could not get an inspection sticker due to the fact that it would fail the emissions test required by east baton rouge parish, louisiana. My sticker is now expired and has been since June 30, 2006. I have contacted mr. …
Consumer complained about an ABS brake system problem. The rear brake cylinder broke, and vehicle leaked brake fluid. Also, intake manifold leaked coolant into the engine. In addition, delco battery broke, and leaked acid. The battery was replaced twice, but problem recurred. March 2002 computer malfunctioned. July 2002 vcr failed and required replacement. Dec 2, 2002 defective battery, dec 10, 2003 electrical controls for outside mirrors. Jan 10, 2003 true;">automatic transmission</a> replaced. July 7, 2003both rear brake cylinders failed. …
When our van (2001 Chevy Venture) reached about 75000 miles, we noticed the temperature on the gauge rising. I contacted our mechanic and he recommended flushing the cooling line and changing the thermostat. I took the van in and had the cooling system flushed and the thermostat changed. At that time he noticed a coolant leak below the intake. Now that the cooling system has been flushed and the thermostat changed I was hoping to not see a fluctuation in the temperature. I was wrong, the temperature is still fluctuating and now I notice when it gets hot the car shifts very rough. He recommended I contact a GM dealer and have them look at it, due to the Venture van being known for this issue and hopefully GM would cover the cost. I have contacted the local GM dealer and have an appointment this week. …
Similar problems with cooling system as reported by other posts. Purchased vehicle new. Serviced at shop regularly. At 60,000 miles the supposed "100,000 mile" cooling system suddenly developed leak in lower intake. As the temperature gauge rose into the hot, I turned the engine off to let it cool off. When I drove it to the shop (maybe driving a total of 10 miles after problem started), shop diagnosed it as lower intake gasket leak. The manual says it has a engine safety feature to alternately fire the cylinders to keep heads from blowing. Didn't work for me. Both head gaskets blown. Warped heads. Had to have heads shaved. $2000 repair bill during a vacation at a GM shop. The shop put on "newer gaskets" this isn't right!
At 35,000 miles, intake gasket failure, coolant leaked into intake, repair covered by warranty. At 68,000 miles intake gasket failure along with head gasket failure, coolant leaked into crankcase contaminating oil. Was recommended by mechanic at the repair shop to replace engine and did. The new used engine had a intake gasket failure along with a head gasket failure 36,000 miles after installation. Informed by mechanic that a new gasket kit came out for this engine to fix the gasket failures with the 3.4 liter. Both engines had the same problem. It is obvious to me that this is a engineering flaw by GM. I feel GM should cover the cost of this gasket failure.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated that the brake pedal extended to the floor when depressed. The vehicle was taken to a brake shop (all tune and lube) and they replaced the brake pads, cylinder, and rotors. The contact also stated that the temperature gauge would move to hot. The contact had the vehicle inspected and was informed that the manifold gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the repair was performed. The transmission was also slipping gears. The contact had the transmission fluid flushed, but that did not correct the failure. The current and failure mileages were 96,000.
Vehicle cooling system is faulty. My research and experience proves this point and Chevy needs to be held accountable! At approx 120K, the engine overheats and the vehicle cannot be driven like that. Mechanical replaced intake gasket for $1100 and recomended changing the head gasket for an additional $1000 but could not afford that. 1 year later, same problem, overheating and cannot drive with that, mechanic tests and finds faulty head gasket, $2000+ estimate, will not pay that for a faulty cooling system. Legal resolve to be sought, please contact me if you can to assist or join a potential class-action suit!
2001 Chevy Venture 12 months old approx 14,000 miles, radiator seam split right lower corner leaking antifreeze. Ac also stopped working, condenser seam split, right lower corner. Replaced by dealer. Vehicle now 18 months old approx 21,000 miles, ac stopped working. Condenser seam split lower right front corner. Dealer replaced. Appears to be a structural defect in design stressing the radiator and condenser via the mounting scheme. Vehicle is a lemon. First time repaired dealer had to order condenser. This time repaired he had 3 in stock!
Engine complaints in other Venture years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Venture?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Chevrolet Venture, 21% of the model year's 222 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Venture engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2001 Chevrolet Venture, though it has 9 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 2001 Chevrolet Venture engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
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.