NHTSA Complaint #10072369 — 2000 CHEVROLET VENTURE

SINCE PURCHASING MY 2000 CHEVROLET VENTURE MINIVAN IN OCTOBER, 2000, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING LOSS OF COOLANT SINCE DECEMBER, 2003. AT THIS TIME THE CAR HAD JUST OVER 75,000 MILES ON IT. NONE THE LESS I HAD KEPT SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON THE VAN. ON EVERY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CHEVROLET PRESCRIBES ( FROM 7,500 MILES TO 90,000+) "CHECK FOR OIL AND COOLANT LEAKS" IS LISTED. I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT AT NO TIME DURING ANY OF THESE CHECK UP THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER DID NOT NOTICE A COOLANT LEAK UNTIL 80,000+ MILES LATER AND AFTER MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. NOW, I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING AND THE REPAIRS ARE GOING TO COST ~$900.00. I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND WAS GIVEN SEVERAL EXCUSES TO JUSTIFY CHEVROLET'S ACTION, (OR LACK THEROF), FROM "THAT'S A LOT OF MILES. AND ANY PART IS GOING TO WEAR OUT AFTER A WHILE" TO "IF THERE NEEDED TO BE A RECALL IT WOULD HAVE TO BE DEMANDED BY THE GOVERNMENT". HOGWASH!!! BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ THIS EVENING, AND EVEN THE VERBAL CONFIRMATION FROM MY SERVICE ADVISOR THAT "WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF THESE", CHEVROLET DOES NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SAY, WE HAVE A PROBLEM AND WE NEED TO FIX IT. *LA