Research · Minivan - 2WD

1999 Chevrolet VentureRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 356 owner complaints for the 1999 Chevrolet Venture. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (115) and air bags (40). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Feb 2009
Owner complaints
356
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering

Free remedy

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

SteeringReported Feb 17, 2009NHTSA 09E005000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Exterior lightingReported Aug 11, 2008NHTSA 08E050000

Fuel system

Free remedy

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Fuel system, otherReported Mar 12, 2007NHTSA 07E021000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

356 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 1999 – May 2018
  1. Engine and engine cooling115
  2. Air bags40
  3. Structure35
  4. Power train31
  5. Visibility31
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic29
  7. Electrical system21
  8. Suspension15
  9. Exterior lighting15

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Venture model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997438
1998427
1999356
2000361
2001226
2002233
2003212
2004124
200542
Crashes reported
22
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
34
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

115 reports2 crashes1 fire
“PURCHASED VEHICLE BRAND NEW. MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK AT 35,000 MILES REPAIRED BY GM. FAILED AGAIN AT 70,000 MILES BUT GM WOULDN'T COVER THE COST, PAID $900 OUT OF POCKET. NOW AT 112,000 MILES AND SUSPECT THAT IT IS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AGAIN. THE LIFTERS ARE ALSO MAKING NOISE. THE MECHANICS ARE TELLING ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW IN THEIR ENGINE. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP IN AND ORDER A RECALL. *LN”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2011Engine and engine coolingODI 10380996

Air bags

40 reports12 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD FLASH 7 TIMES THEN REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE FOR THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2017Air bagsODI 11010181

Structure

35 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 18, 2007StructureODI 10188281
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.4L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Venture FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162318$3,550494
  • Venture FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Chevrolet Venture as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4033
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Venture questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet Venture have?

7 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1999 Chevrolet Venture problems?

Owners filed 356 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (115), air bags (40), structure (35). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Chevrolet Venture get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Chevrolet Venture at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026