IllustrationTHE LEFT REAR (DRIVER'S SIDE) BRAKE LIGHT (UPPER MOST BULB/3057) KEEPS BURNING OUT. THIS HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST THREE YEARS. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BULB, THERE IS PHYSICAL DAMAGE (MELTING) ON THE MALE BULB CONNECTION. *JB
2002 Chevrolet Venture
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Venture do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 220.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Venture years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
300–25K
3925–50K
2650–75K
1875–100K
19100–150K
8150K+
140 reports with mileage · 80 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports4 fire reports21 injury reports
Exterior Lighting complaints
18 reportsBOUGHT MY VENTURE AS DEALER DEMO WITH 1400 MILE ON 6/18/02. IN APRIL 2004 A/C DID NOT WORK. TRIED RECHARGING SYSTEM FOUND LEAK. TOOK TO CHEVY IN JUNE/JULY 2004 WAS TOLD THERE WAS A BAD WELD ON THE CONDENSER. THEY REFUSE TO COVER $800 REPAIR BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OVER 36,000 MILES. ALSO TOLD ME MY GASKETS NEED REPLACING AT A C…
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BOUGHT MY VENTURE AS DEALER DEMO WITH 1400 MILE ON 6/18/02. IN APRIL 2004 A/C DID NOT WORK. TRIED RECHARGING SYSTEM FOUND LEAK. TOOK TO CHEVY IN JUNE/JULY 2004 WAS TOLD THERE WAS A BAD WELD ON THE CONDENSER. THEY REFUSE TO COVER $800 REPAIR BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OVER 36,000 MILES. ALSO TOLD ME MY GASKETS NEED REPLACING AT A COST OF $1300. ALSO, HAVE REPEATEDLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW NOT GOING UP CORRECTLY. IT GETS STUCK MIDWAY AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT GO UP AT ALL. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM CHECKED AT THE DEALERSHIP FROM THE BEGINNING OF OWNERSHIP. WATER IS ALSO IN TAILLIGHT LENS. THIS WAS ALSO FIXED AT DEALERSHIP ONCE BUT CONTINUES TO OCCUR.
CRANCKING EXTENSVLY, BRAKES FRONT AND REAR, UNEVEN WEAR AND TEAR, HYDROPLANING NOISE, VIBRATIONS, STEERING AND UNALIGNMENTS PROBLEMS, EMMISION REPAIRED AND TREATED, AS THE CREATED SULPHUR ODORS, AND STALLING. UNEVEN DRIVING, ABS LIGHT COMING ON AT SPEED EXCEEDING 60 MPH. *AK
TAIL LAMP BULB BASE AND/OR SOCKETS ON GENERAL MOTORS MINIVANS HEATING UP AND MELTING CAUSING A DISCONNECTION OF THE CIRCUIT AND LOSS OF STOP AND TURN SIGNALS. SAME CONDITION AS WITH THE SUV'S IN RECALL # 04V527000. REPLACING BULBS ARE ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX.*AK
OUR 2002 CHEVY VENTURE VAN HEADLIGHTS KEPT GOING OUT AT NIGHT WHILE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE, THE SCHEMATICS DON'T SHOW HOW TO FIX IT. THEY EVEN SAID THEY CALLED GM ENGINEERS AND THAT THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW T…
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OUR 2002 CHEVY VENTURE VAN HEADLIGHTS KEPT GOING OUT AT NIGHT WHILE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE, THE SCHEMATICS DON'T SHOW HOW TO FIX IT. THEY EVEN SAID THEY CALLED GM ENGINEERS AND THAT THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. SO FOR THE NEXT YEAR THE GARAGE KEPT PUTTING IN DIFFERENT PIECES AND SENDING THE VAN HOME WITH US TO DRIVE. MIND YOU THIS IS NOT SOMETHING LIKE THE FAN MOTOR GOING OFF IT'S THE DAM HEADLIGHTS GOING OFF WHILE AT NIGHT AND GOING DOWN THE ROAD . THE SAME THING HAPPENED TIME AND TIME AGAIN HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. AFTER A YEAR OF THIS, WE TOOK IT TO THE VAN TO THE GARAGE AND THEY KEPT IT FOR 6 WEEKS. WE KEPT GETTING DIFFERENT EXCUSES OF WHY IT WASN'T FINISHED YET, SO AFTER THE 6 WEEKS, THEY STILL DIDN'T CALL, I WAS FED UP ENOUGH I WENT AND GOT THE VAN. THE SERVICEMAN STATED GM STARTED A FORUM WEB PAGE TO WERE IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE, YOU CAN LOG ON THERE AND TRY TO FIND AN ANSWER. THAT'S HOW THEY FOUND THE NEXT PART THEY CHANGED. SINCE WE HAVE GOTTEN THE VAN BACK ON OCTOBER 18TH THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE STAYED ON. THEN WE THINK IT TOOK 13 MONTHS FOR THIS PROBLEM TO OCCUR THE 1ST TIME. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND IT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH ??? I THINK WE SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR BEING THE GUINEA PIGS, IN THIS RESEARCH PROJECT. THE CHEVY SERVICE REP STATED ALL HE COULD DO IS MAYBE GET US 1 FREE YEAR OF SERVICE, I DON'T THINK THIS IS NO WHERE NEAR WHAT IS OWED FOR PUTTING OUR LIVES IN DANGER. PLEASE HELP. *JB
THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT/UPPER TAIL LIGHT KEEP BURNING OUT. THE REAR TAIL LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT (3057) WHEN REMOVED USUALLY HAVE MELTING ON THE BULB CONNECTION. CHANGING THE BULB DOESNOT CORRECT THE SITUATION. THIS IS THE FITH TIME IN TWO YEARS THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I KEEP GETTING TICKETS FOR BURNED OUT …
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THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT/UPPER TAIL LIGHT KEEP BURNING OUT. THE REAR TAIL LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT (3057) WHEN REMOVED USUALLY HAVE MELTING ON THE BULB CONNECTION. CHANGING THE BULB DOESNOT CORRECT THE SITUATION. THIS IS THE FITH TIME IN TWO YEARS THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I KEEP GETTING TICKETS FOR BURNED OUT TAILLIGHTS/STOP LIGHTS. *AK
THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT BULB MELTED INSIDE THE SOCKET, CAUSING THE TAIL LIGHTS TO FAIL. *AK *SC
THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS/UPPER TAIL LIGHTS (NOT THE HIGH 3RD BRAKE LIGHT) KEEP BURNING OUT. THE SERVICE MANUAL REFERENCES A FUSE BUT UPON VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE FUSE BOX, THE BOX WAS NEVER WIRED TO HOLD FUSES FOR THE REAR TAIL LAMPS IN THE PLACES AS INDICATED. ONCE THE REAR TAILIGHT/BRAKE LIGHTS (3057) ARE REMOVED THERE IS USUA…
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THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS/UPPER TAIL LIGHTS (NOT THE HIGH 3RD BRAKE LIGHT) KEEP BURNING OUT. THE SERVICE MANUAL REFERENCES A FUSE BUT UPON VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE FUSE BOX, THE BOX WAS NEVER WIRED TO HOLD FUSES FOR THE REAR TAIL LAMPS IN THE PLACES AS INDICATED. ONCE THE REAR TAILIGHT/BRAKE LIGHTS (3057) ARE REMOVED THERE IS USUALLY PHYSICAL DAMAGE (MELTING) ON THE BULB CONNECTION AND WITHIN THE FEMALE END OF THE PLUG. THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME BUT HAS HAPPEND SEVERAL MORE TIMES. SIMPLY CHANGING THE BULB NO LONGER WORKS FOR THE LEFT SIDE TAIL LAMP.*AK
Official recalls
307V349000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
Aug 8, 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, VARIATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OR EXPOSURE TO HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES MAY LEAD TO FRACTURE OF THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FRACTURE MAY ALLOW FUEL VAPORS TO PASS THROUGH AND ALLOW DROPLETS OF FUEL TO ACCUMULATE ON THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL WILL BE MAILED IN TWO PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 4, 2007. THE SECOND PHASE WILL BE MAILED ON DECEMBER 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668. THE VEHICLE POPULATION INCLUDES BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND PONTIAC AZTEK VEHICLE BUILT IN MAY 2003; CHEVROLET VENTURE AND PONTIAC MONTANA VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE THROUGH AUGUST 2002; AND ALL VEHICLES REGISTERED IN NEVADA, ARIZONA, VIRGIN ISLANDS, PUERTO RICO, AND HAWAII.
04V597000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Dec 22, 2004
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS AND A POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, A PASSENGER USING THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR COULD BE INJURED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER SLIDING DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER OR MANUAL SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER-SIDE, THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FOR APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
02V222000 · Air Bags:frontal
Aug 9, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA 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.