Illustration2002 CHEVY VENTURE, 65000 MILES, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDS REPLACED. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE AN ENGINE GASKET AT 65000 MILES. THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR AND OF COURSE OUTSIDE OF THE CHEVY WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BETTER THAN ADEQUATELY. *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
What owners actually said
220 reportsHEAD GASKET FAILURE, COOLANT LEAKS IN TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENGINE COULD FAIL AT ANY GIVEN TIME CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD FOR DRIVER, PASSENGERS AND OTHER DRIVERS. *JB
2002 CHEVY VENTURE WITH 62000 MILES. HAVE REPLACED RIGHT FRONT HUB AND HARNESS ETC 2 TIMES (JAN 3, 2003 AT 10800 MILES AND FEB 22, 2006 AT 62000 MILES LEFT FRONT HUB, HARNESS ETC JULY 17, 2003 AT 19800 MILES ALL BY DEALERS. ABS INOPERATIVE SHORTED MODULE AWD DISABLE FROM ABOVE. *JB
AUTOMATIC SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR ON MY 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE OPENS FREQUENTLY AFTER CLOSING (WHILE VEHICLE IS IN PARK POSITION) OWNER MUST STAY BY DOOR TO MAKE SURE THAT IT CLOSES SUCCESSFULLY EACH TIME. *NM
COOLANT LEAKING. TURNS OUT GASKETS NEED TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS ONLY 47,000 MILES ON IT. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT. COST APPROXIMATELY $750 TO FIX. I SEE WHERE GM KNOWS ABOUT PROBLEM AND ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, YET CONSUMER MUST PAY. GM SHOULD PAY. *NM
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CONTINUED TO GO ON AND OFF AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHILE DRIVING. HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT HE NEEDED TO PAY A MINIMUM OF $70.00 FOR THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO RUN DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS (GM), AND WAS …
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TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CONTINUED TO GO ON AND OFF AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHILE DRIVING. HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT HE NEEDED TO PAY A MINIMUM OF $70.00 FOR THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO RUN DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS (GM), AND WAS TOLD THAT HE HAD TO PAY FOR THIS SERVICE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GM ON 01/02/06. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS A REGULAR MAINTENANCE ISSUE AND THEY REFUSEDT O CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL ON PAGE 7-16, IT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DIDN'T NEED REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE FILE# WAS 71-464-478231. *AK UPDATED 1/31/2007 - *NM
WITHOUT WARNING, MY 2002 CHEVY VENTURE VAN'S A/C STOPPED WORKING -- A.C. SPECIALIST DETERMINED THAT NOT ONLY DID THE COMPRESSOR STOP WORKING, IT SOMEHOW HAD EXPLODED AND SENT FREON AND METAL SHARDS CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE AND HIGHTER COSTS -- THIS WAS IN JUNE A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE VACATION - WHAT COULD WE DO BUT PAY THE AL…
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WITHOUT WARNING, MY 2002 CHEVY VENTURE VAN'S A/C STOPPED WORKING -- A.C. SPECIALIST DETERMINED THAT NOT ONLY DID THE COMPRESSOR STOP WORKING, IT SOMEHOW HAD EXPLODED AND SENT FREON AND METAL SHARDS CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE AND HIGHTER COSTS -- THIS WAS IN JUNE A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE VACATION - WHAT COULD WE DO BUT PAY THE ALMOST $2,000 COSTS (A LOT OF LABOR!). AN A/C COMPRESSOR GOING WHEN IT'S ONLY 4 YEARS OLD? WHAT A DEFECTIVE PART! SOON AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING - CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER PRICEY REPAIR, SO WE'VE BEEN TRACKING MILEAGE WITH THE TRIP ODOMETER TO TELL US WHEN IT'S TIME TO REFILL. THIS CAR DOESN'T HOLD A CANDLE TO MY OLD 1990 LUMINA VAN THAT LAST TO OVER 200,000 MILES! VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH CHEV -- DON'T KNOW IF I'LL EVER BUY AMERICAN AGAIN!!!
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY VENTURE VAN THAT EARLIER THIS SUMMER STARTED TO LOSE ENGINE COOLANT. WEB RESEARCH SHOWS MANY OTHER FAILS OF THIS TYPE ON THE CHEVY VENTURE VAN. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A COOLANT LEAK CHECK AND FOUND THE HEAD GASKET FAILED IN TWO PLACES. IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN PROBLEM BUT GM REFUSES T…
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I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY VENTURE VAN THAT EARLIER THIS SUMMER STARTED TO LOSE ENGINE COOLANT. WEB RESEARCH SHOWS MANY OTHER FAILS OF THIS TYPE ON THE CHEVY VENTURE VAN. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A COOLANT LEAK CHECK AND FOUND THE HEAD GASKET FAILED IN TWO PLACES. IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN PROBLEM BUT GM REFUSES TO HELP, COST OF THE REPAIR WAS OVER $500. THE VEHICLE JUST CAME OUT OF WARRANTY THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM - DESIGN PROBLEM. WOULD LIKE A RECALL AND GM TO PAY FOR THEIR DESIGN PROBLEM. *NM
COOLANT LEAK. HEAD GASKET WAS DISINTEGRATING DUE TO TYPE OF COOLANT GM USED. HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPAIRED. $750. *JB
THE FIRST YEAR WE OWNED THE VEHICLE WAS GREAT. AFTER THE FIRST YEAR WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, FRUSTRATIONS AND THE RUN AROUND. THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM IS THE ONE I WILL SHARE WITH YOU TODAY. FOR OVER A YEAR NOW, MY BATTERY LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN THE VAN INTO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIME…
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THE FIRST YEAR WE OWNED THE VEHICLE WAS GREAT. AFTER THE FIRST YEAR WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, FRUSTRATIONS AND THE RUN AROUND. THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM IS THE ONE I WILL SHARE WITH YOU TODAY. FOR OVER A YEAR NOW, MY BATTERY LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN THE VAN INTO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES. THEY CAN NEVER DUPLICATE THE INCIDENT. THANK GOODNESS THAT IT HAS NEVER STALLED WHILE DRIVING BUT I AM SURE IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME. I HAVE A SMALL CHILD AND MY HUSBAND IS MILITARY, SO MY HUSBAND IS NOT WITH US WHEN WE TRAVEL. NATURALLY I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT MY CHILD AND I WILL BE ON THE HIGHWAY ALONE. THEY HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS (STARTER, WIRES, THIS TIME THE BATTERY, OTHER TIMES NO PARTS AT ALL) IN THE VEHICLE BUT NOTHING HAS CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM. I KEEP GOING BACK AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEEPS GIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME TEAM. I AM SO FRUSTRATED AND I FEEL LIKE I WAS SOLD A NEW LEMON. *JB
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.