NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
42 reportsClear category filter143,000 miles · Dec 17, 2015
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMIN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 04/19/2016.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10810976
123,000 miles · Apr 3, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MOTOR ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
NHTSA ODI #10454007
150,000 miles · Mar 26, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THE GASKETS FOR THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD WOULD HAV…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THE GASKETS FOR THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10453016
83,000 miles · Mar 16, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
SUSPENSION--BOTH TIE RODS IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED--MECHANIC SAID THAT BOTH TIMES IT WAS NEAR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. OTHER--AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER CRACKED DUE TO DESIGN FAILURE. 2002 SERVICE BULLETIN TOLD THAT GM WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT KEPT QUIET UNTIL THE WARRANTY PERIOD WAS OVER, AND THEN R…
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SUSPENSION--BOTH TIE RODS IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED--MECHANIC SAID THAT BOTH TIMES IT WAS NEAR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. OTHER--AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER CRACKED DUE TO DESIGN FAILURE. 2002 SERVICE BULLETIN TOLD THAT GM WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT KEPT QUIET UNTIL THE WARRANTY PERIOD WAS OVER, AND THEN REFUSED TO HELP. BRAKES--FRONT BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR (4) TIMES, ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE HAS 83,000 ORIGINAL MILES. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10451984
83,103 miles · May 24, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT NOTICED ANTI-FREEZE AND WATER ON THE GARAGE FLOOR WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET AND INTAKE MANIFOLD WOULD NEED REPLACING. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT NOTICED ANTI-FREEZE AND WATER ON THE GARAGE FLOOR WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET AND INTAKE MANIFOLD WOULD NEED REPLACING. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,103.
NHTSA ODI #10402568
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
JANUARY 4,2011 PHILADELPHIA, PA. I FIRST NOTICE IN AUG 2010 THAT MY 2002 CHEVY VENTURE WAS MAKING NOISE AND OVERHEATING WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC IT WAS MY WHEEL BEARINGS AND MY THERMOSTAT GOT THAT REPAIRED THAT COST ABOUT $425.00 THEN THE VAN KEPT OVERHEATING AND CUTTING OFF WENT BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS MY RADI…
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JANUARY 4,2011 PHILADELPHIA, PA. I FIRST NOTICE IN AUG 2010 THAT MY 2002 CHEVY VENTURE WAS MAKING NOISE AND OVERHEATING WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC IT WAS MY WHEEL BEARINGS AND MY THERMOSTAT GOT THAT REPAIRED THAT COST ABOUT $425.00 THEN THE VAN KEPT OVERHEATING AND CUTTING OFF WENT BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS MY RADIATOR THAT WAS REPAIRED DROVE IT AND HAD TO TAKE THE VAN BACK BECAUSE IT WAS STILL OVERHEATING SO THE WATER PUMP WAS REPAIRED AND THE BOTH OF THOSE REPAIRS WAS ABOUT $275.00 NEEDLESS TO SAY THE VAN WAS STILL OVERHEATING THEN I WAS TOLD THAT THE VAN NEED TO BE PUT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND THEN I FOUND OUT IT WAS MY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND THAT COST ME $500.00. IF GM IS HAVING THIS MANY CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS THIS IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED SO US AS OWNER DON'T BE PUT THROUGH THIS AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10374699
50,000 miles · Jun 14, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED IN JANUARY OF 2005 AT 50,000 MILES. HAD IT REBUILT FOR $3,000.00. FAILED AGAIN AT IN AUGUST 2009 115,000 MILES AND AT THE SAME TIME THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED. HAD IT REPLACED AND THE GASKET REPLACED FOR ANOTHER $3,000.00. STILL OVERHEATS IN CITY TRAFFIC. LEFT RADIATOR FAN NEVER COMES ON I HAVE T…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED IN JANUARY OF 2005 AT 50,000 MILES. HAD IT REBUILT FOR $3,000.00. FAILED AGAIN AT IN AUGUST 2009 115,000 MILES AND AT THE SAME TIME THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED. HAD IT REPLACED AND THE GASKET REPLACED FOR ANOTHER $3,000.00. STILL OVERHEATS IN CITY TRAFFIC. LEFT RADIATOR FAN NEVER COMES ON I HAVE TO RUN THE HEATER TO GET THE TEMP UNDER CONTROL AND I LIVE IN YUMA, AZ. THIS VAN IS A LEMON AND HAS COST ME ABOUT $8,000.00 MORE THAN IT SHOULD TO OWN. NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY A GM PRODUCT. THEY ARE CRIMINALS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10336223
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
I OWN A 2002 CHEVY VENTURE NEEDS A NEW HEAD GASKET I WAS TOLD VERY COMMON WITH THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE I HAVE ALREADY PUT ALOT OF MONEY IN VAN. THE VAN OVERHEATS SO OFTEN I CAN HARDLY EVEN USE IT. I AM FINANCIALLY IN A POSITION WERE I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW CAR DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO WHEN I HAVE TAKEN SUCH GREAT CARE OF THIS VAN.…
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I OWN A 2002 CHEVY VENTURE NEEDS A NEW HEAD GASKET I WAS TOLD VERY COMMON WITH THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE I HAVE ALREADY PUT ALOT OF MONEY IN VAN. THE VAN OVERHEATS SO OFTEN I CAN HARDLY EVEN USE IT. I AM FINANCIALLY IN A POSITION WERE I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW CAR DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO WHEN I HAVE TAKEN SUCH GREAT CARE OF THIS VAN. FURTHER MORE AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE THAT CONSUMERS HAVE HAD WITH 2002 CHEVY VENTURES. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE I NEVER KNOW HOW HOT CAN THE VAN GET BEFORE ITS A DANGER TO ME, MY CHILDREN OR ANYONE ELSE THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO FOR RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10332730
70,000 miles · May 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
I AM STILL PAYING FOR A 2002 CHEVY VENTURE VAN THAT I BOUGHT 2 1/2 YRS AGO. IT HAS 72000 MILES ON IT. I AM HAVING MAJOR COOLING ISSUES ANYWHERE FROM OVER HEATING TO SMELLING THE ANTI FREEZE, IF IT IDLES FOR 10MIN IT WILL GET UP TO ABOUT 220 DEG AND THE FANS WONT KICK ON TILL 285 DEG. WE HAVE HAD IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES NOW FOR REPAI…
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I AM STILL PAYING FOR A 2002 CHEVY VENTURE VAN THAT I BOUGHT 2 1/2 YRS AGO. IT HAS 72000 MILES ON IT. I AM HAVING MAJOR COOLING ISSUES ANYWHERE FROM OVER HEATING TO SMELLING THE ANTI FREEZE, IF IT IDLES FOR 10MIN IT WILL GET UP TO ABOUT 220 DEG AND THE FANS WONT KICK ON TILL 285 DEG. WE HAVE HAD IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES NOW FOR REPAIRS. THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED, THIS TIME THEY JUST REPLACED MY RADIATOR CAP AND FLUSHED MY SYSTEM. 4 DAYS LATER ITS DOING IT AGAIN OVERHEATING TO 3/4 MARK, SMELLING VERY DISTINCTLY LIKE ANTI- FREEZE YET THERE ARE NO LEAKS. ? THEY ARE NOW LOOKING INTO AN ENGINE SENSOR AND SAID IT NORMALLY RUNS 184 DEG AND SHOULD BE AT LEAST 195 DEG SO IT RUNS LOW ON A NORMAL BASIS. ( NORMAL TO ME SINCE I BOUGHT IT) I PAID FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH GM AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.? HOW MANY DEDUCTIBLES DO I HAVE TO PAY BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY FIND THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM I TOLD THEM ABOUT FROM THE BEGINNING? I HAVE THREE CHILDREN I DRIVE AROUND IN THIS VAN AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT OVERHEATING SOMEWHERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10330487
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
2002 CHEVY VENTURE - MANIFOLD INTAKE AND HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT APPROX. 70K MILES DUE TO FAULTY ENGINE DESIGN AND DEX-COOL CORROSION. GM LOST CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2008 ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THESE GASKETS SHOULD NOT BE FAILING ANYWHERE NEAR THIS EARLY. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ENGINE (3.4L V6) AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10291570
Defect investigations
1PE04064 · POWER-SLIDING Door
Opened Sep 17, 2004 · Closed Dec 22, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:door
SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE AVAILABLE WITH AN OPTIONAL POWER SLIDING DOOR.THE INTERIOR HANDLE IS ORIENTED IN THE VERTICAL POSITION IN THE DOOR PANEL AND LINES UP AT THE ELBOW LEVEL WHEN THE OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE 2ND-ROW OUTBOARD POSITION.IF THE OCCUPANT HOLDS THE INTERIOR HANDLE IN THE THUMB UP POSITION DURING POWER-ASSISTED OPENING, THE ARM/WRIST CAN BE PUSH BACK WITH FORCE AGAINST THE 2ND-ROW BUCKET SEAT OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIR SEAT BACK CREATING A RISK OF INJURY (OTHER SEATING CONFIGURATIONS HAVE AMPLE SEAT TO DOOR CLEARANCE TO AVOID ENTRAPMENT OF THE LOWER ARM).AMONG THE 103 TOTAL REPORTS, THERE WERE 102 ALLEGED INJURIES INCLUDING ARM/WRIST, THUMB AND SHOULDER INJURIES.A COUNT OF INJURIES REVEALS THAT 76 INJURIES WERE A FRACTURED OR A BROKEN ARM/WRIST REQUIRING AN IMMOBILIZING CAST FOR FOUR-TO-SIX WEEKS.ALL INJURIES INVOLVE THE RIGHT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR.THE LEFT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR IS ON FAR FEWER VEHICLES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT PRODUCES LESS FORCE.GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY BY LETTER DATED DECEMBER 21, 2004, THAT IT WILL RECALL MODEL YEAR 1997 THOUGH EARLY 2005 GM U-VAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A RIGHT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND WITH 2ND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN CHAIRS (NHTSA RECALL #04V597).AS PART OF THE RECALL REMEDY, GM WILL REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLE WITH A FLUSH MOUNTED HANDLE THAT WILL PREVENT AN OCCUPANT FROM GRASPING THE HANDLE WITH THE PALM BETWEEN THE HANDLE AND DOOR PANEL (THUMB UP ORIENTATION) AND THUS ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR ARM/WRIST ENTRAPMENT.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.