Headlights problems of the 1998 Chevrolet Venture - part 1

The contact stated that the right front headlight lens came off three times and the left once. They replaced the entire head lamp twice on the right side. The problem occurred again.

The contact states when applying the brakes both headlights separated from the vehicle. He replaced the headlights in the vehicle. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine why this happened. He has not contacted the manufacturer. Updated 11/30/05.

While driving at night, the headlight lens fell from the vehicle. This forced the driver to pull off of the road. The consumer contacted the dealer.

1998 Chevrolet Venture-both headlight covers fell off over a one month period. Cost was $180. 00 for replacement components.

Driver's side headlight fell out. Consumer checked passenger's side headlight and noticed it was loose.

Front headlamp assembly lenses for both front l/r fell off vehicle, attempted to have dealer repair. This is a defect, lens should not fall off at 52,000 miles, and to repair have to find lens, unavailable, dealer does not have individual lens, need to replace whole assembly on problem side.

Passenger side headlight lens fell off with out any physical damage to vehicle. Contacted dealer who was not willing to do anything.

I was making a turn and was going no more than 10mph, when I heard a noise. I stopped when I got to my destination and realized that both of my headlight covers had fallen off the van! I went back to the place where it happened and retrieved the, only to find out that the glue had separated the 2 parts. Manufacturer. Said it is not a 2 pc/ part, but now mine is. I have heard from a repair shop that mine is the 19th in my area alone to have this happen to in the past 6 weeks. I feel this is a major proble, b/c if the bulb were to get wet, wouldn't it short out? thus causing the driver to not have headlights?? I feel that the mfr. Should issue a voulentary recall of the Mini vans and fix it at no cost to the consumer.

Lenses separated from headlights. Took vehicle to dealer. Problem was not solved. Consumer is concerned with paying out of pocket when it is clearly a manufactures defect.

I noticed that my headlight cover was missing and couldn't figure out what had happened. I started looking at the other headlight cover and it fell off in my hand. I noticed that they had been glued on and the glue had dried up and was cracked no longer holding on the cover. I came in and called Chevrolet but they wouldn't do anything since it was out of warranty (just barely). They don't make just the cover - you have to buy a whole headlight assembly (ripoff -$90). I went online to a Venture owners message board. I found message after message about this same problem with other 98 Ventures. Obviously Chevrolet/gm is ignoring it. It was pointed out to me how dangerous this can be if the cover is gone and moisture gets to the halogen light it could explode injuring anyone close. Not only that but someone could be injured if the headlight cover flies off while driving. Please investigate this. Chevrolet is being negligent. And people are going to be hurt.

Right headlight cover fell off.

Drivers side, the lens of the headlight fell off. The bulbs keep breaking because of moisture. The dealer said its not covered in the extended warranty. The replacemment will cost app. 269. 00. I have already replaced the bulb 5 times at $8. 99 apiece.

The passenger's side headlight lens cover fell off. Based on website searchs, this apparently has been a recurring problem with the headlights on the Venture, pontiac transport, and Oldsmobile sihouhette due to a breakdown of the adhesive material the retains the lens cover to the housing. This can cause the headlight to burn out if exposed to rain. Gm issued a bulletin (#00-08-42-003) to help reduce the cost of repair but it is still significant (approx. $150). Due to the potential safety issue, I feel that this should be looked in to for a possible recall. Thank you.

I reported the headlights to the dealer while under warranty (under 36000 miles) (condensation on inside of both headlight's lens). They said it was normal. After the 36000 mile warranty was up (at 43,200 miles), the driver's side headlight cover fell off (exposing the inner workings). They said it would cost $275 for a new sealed beam headlight. I think it wasn't sealed under warranty and it failed (fell off because of a bad seal on the assembly).

Driver's side headlight fell out, consumer checked passenger's side headlight and it was very loose. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide any further information.

I believe these lenses will fail virginia safety inspection. No apparent cause - probably defective manufacturing.

Headlight protective covering that is glued to headlight, protective shield continuiously falls off. If something hits bulbs they blowout, once while driving at night headlights blewout, and consumer was not able to see, consumer stated all the repair work has been completed, consumer replaced the headlight himself.

While driving under normal conditions the plastic headlight cover on the driver's side fell off, a new unit was unstalled, three months later the cover over the passenger side fell off, the consumer believes there is a design problem or manufacturing defficiency. Nlm.

Consumer turned on ignition and heard a pop sound. Both headlight lens covers and lights blew out. Consumer was responsible for $600 repair.

Cover of driverside's headlights came off while vehicle was in motion. It appeared to be improperly installed with poor adhesive materials. Passenger side also loose and showing condensation. Both head lights were replaced by the dealer.

The passenger's side headlight lens covers fall off, on 11/1/00 this cause the bulb to short out due to exposure to rain, shortly after, the driver's side headlights lens cover fell off, mechanic discovered glue that holds lens cover to headlight assembly failed. Cj.

Assembly collects water through faulty seals. Condensate reduces illumination. Eventually lens falls off, bulb explodes if hot and rain strkes it, causing headlight to fail.

I spoke to customer service at Chevrolet and they said my car was not in for a recall for moisture being in the lights or the headlight front coming off. I noticed in odi id 714982 someone had submitted a complaint on moisture in the lights. At this point my right head light front cover has come off. With close investigation it looks as if the adhesive had dried up and gone bad. About two months ago I noticed the left headlight had moisture in it. The moisture in the right headlight appeared about 6 months or so ago. I was told by the mechanic that it looks like the adhesive is going bad in the left headlight. I believe this is a manufacturer defect.

The lens on both headlights have now failed. Evidently moisture leaks into the assembly and the heat of the light causes rapid expansion , blowing the lens off. The lens is only held in place with adhesive. Off course this only happens at night when you need lights.

Whenever it rains headlights fill up with water. Then, when turning on headlights and if water is there, they would blow out. This causes lenses to get moisture build up from inside, and cuts off visibility. Consumer has to use high beams. -.

When it rains residue/condensation buildup on headlight lens, causing visual difficulty which could result in a crash. Dealer was aware of the defect, and put out a TSB bulletin in which dealer will blowout the residue/condensation with a "airgun. " but this problem is always occurring. The driver has to take the vehicle to the dealer every time it rains or weather is damp and wait 3-4 hours while the dealer blow ot condensation with airgum.

Excessive water vapor in headlights reduces light. Current fix was to drill holes. Excessive water vapor in front turn signals increases glare and confuses traffic when turning. No fix offered.

When driving the headlights will come on automatically when it gets dark or when driving in a garage. Owner wants to be able to operate the headlights manually, so that they can be switched off in parking garages where they are not allowed to be used.

Headlights come on any time of the day or night without warning under shaded tree or just on a sunny day, which could almost cause a major accident.

No summary provided by consumer.

Vehicle was purchased and one week later found out that the headlights, while driving in the daytime, do not come on. Considers this a safety defect, vehicle is only equipped with parking lights, dealer was contacted and stated that the problem could not be changed, vehicle was made like this.

Consumer' s gas tank is on straps. When stopping there is a 2 second delay, then there is a rumbling noise where as the gas gushes to the back of tank, causing the tank to move against the chassis. The dealer installed rubber bushings between tank and chassis to minimize sounds. Vehicle will do this every time unless the tank is full or low. Vehicle has been serviced at least nine times for this problem, Chevrolet acknowledges the problem, and says they do not have a solution. In addition, the front driver's seat has been replaced. Also, the window fell out from the sliding door because the latch was installed up side down/the headlight assembly was replaced due to loud whistling whenever driving more than 50mph. (dimmitt Chevrolet dealership-813-791-1818).

While driving at 70 mph the vehicles steering wheel locked up. Consumer states' after breaking steering out of the lock mode, consumer drove to a near dealer. Please provide any further information.

While driving headlight lens cover will pop off without warning, unable too just pop it back on. Contacted dealer. Cause unknown.

The head light covers that are to be permanent fall of exposing halogen bulbs to moisture, and insects causes them to blow out unexpectedly and repeatedly causing loss of headlights at night. The part is not covered under warranty.