Window & Wiper complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I bought my van used but noticed right away that the windshield had a defect in the passenger side. If you sit in passenger sit the view is distorted. I took my van to an auto glass company to see what they thought was wrong with the window and if possible how to fix it. I was told that it is a defect inside the glass and the only way to fix it is to replace the entire windshield.. I will not pay for a new windshield because it is a defect in the glass and is in way my fault. According to the auto glass specialist it is a factory defect and I was to notify Chevy. I notified them in 2006 about this and have heard nothing since then. I have tired calling numerous times, all they tell me is to give them the information and someone will call me back but I have yet to receive a call back in 2 years.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated the vehicle would not start and when it did start the vehicle began to shake and fuel fumes were coming from the engine. The service engine light continued to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they replaced the pressure regulator in the front of the engine. Although they repaired the vehicle, it continued to shake and fumes were coming through the air conditioner vents. The vehicle will be taken to another dealer to repaired again. The manufacturer stated there were no recalls and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 112,888. Updated 09/19/11 the consumer stated there was a burning odor coming from the ventilation system. Updated 11/02/11
Consumer complained of rear end problem. Consumer maintained that manufacturer never sealed the back end of the vehicle. As a result, water leaked into the vehicle. The manufacturer refused to repair the defect. However, the manufacturer was willing to dry out the vehicle. Also, a moldy mildew smell lingered within the vehicle. Mold was all through the ceiling as well as blowing through the rear vents, the back end leaked, the roof rail seams and pitch rail were not sealed, water leaked into the rear dome light and leaked onto the floor in the rear, the tires were replaced at 18K miles, the #2 and #3 fan relay shorted, the front end had excessive play, and the front windshield seal had come loose from the glass.
Windshield wipers got tangled up in each other. Ice gets on them and they break instantly. I believe that Chevy knew this would happen but didn't care. My van is a lemon and since I bought it it's been a money pit. It has less than 50,000 miles on it and it stinks. Nothing but trouble. I've also had to get a head gasket at the tender miles of 38,000. It's just a lemon. It's not safe to drive in the rain, or snow if you can't get your wipers to work. Wish they'd design the wipers they are shaped funny, and that's one thing that makes them not work well.
I had a traumatic experience with our 2002 Chevrolet Venture Mini-van. When the van is turned off and the keys are out, the power windows and radio are still functional for several minutes or until the door is opened. My 3 year old son and I were sitting in the van today with the windows rolled down waiting for preschool to start. My son was in the front passenger seat with his head out the window when he accidentally hit the power window switch. The window started to raise up and close with his head still in the window. Fortunately I had the presence of mind to hit the switch to roll the window down. John wasn't hurt, but he was very scared, and I was too. I checked my manual to see if my van has a window locking feature, but it does not appear to have that. …
Air conditioner condenser failed, GM new of the problem in December, 2002, but kept their mouth shut until the warranty expired. The gas gauge does not work, it flips from full to empty, I have to keep a mileage notebook in order to know when to fill up. My warning light on the dash continues to flash "rear hatch ajar, side door ajar, low brake fluid." there is nothing wrong with any of the items. The front brakes went bad at 32,000, requiring new pads and rotors. The window button on the driver side will put the passenger window down, but not up. The rear window washer does not work. I am so glad that GM is going bankrupt. I bought an American car, to try and help the workers stay employed, but now realize that all I did was to keep some overpaid, lazy slobs on the job for much longer than they should have been employed. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Venture. While driving approximately 50 MPH in the rain, the windshield wipers failed to operate properly. After activating the wipers, they became jammed together. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the wiper transmission was faulty. The transmission was replaced, but the contact continued to experience the failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 15,000.
It was raining in louisiana and I was driving to pick up my husband from work. Upon leaving his work. We were traveling east on highway 10 to church on a wendesday evening. The windshield wipers hit each other and the passenger side was laying limp on the side. The drivers side was still attempting to work. We had to turn them off and drive the rest of the way to church with no wipers. The passenger side had been bent and we removed the arm so that we could drive the van with just the driver side wiper. It was still under warranty at the time (11000 miles). We brought it to the local dealership in baker, louisiana. They did not have the parts to fix it so they ordered the parts. We waited three weeks for parts. When we finally called back to see if the parts had come in, they told us that they had and they just forgot to call us. …
Related recalls (1)
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Venture years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (30), 1999 (27), 1998 (21), 2000 (17) and 2001 (17) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Venture window & wiper problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 98V-072 (linkages, Apr 7, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Venture window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 41% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield wiper/washer (35 mentions), followed by the power window devices and controls (33).
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.