← New search

2003 Chevrolet Venture

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Venture do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 220.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

133 reports with mileage · 52 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.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports4 fire reports22 injury reports

What owners actually said

185 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER STATED FUEL PUMP KEPT MALFUNCTIONING. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO PEP BOYS FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. CONSUMER FELT THAT THERE MUST BE SOME KIND OF A DEFECT IN VEHICLE TO CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO MALFUNCTION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10080062

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

PROBLEMS WITH MALFUNCTIONING DRIVE TRAIN AND OR TRANSMISSION. *MR THE CONSUMER RELEASED THE BRAKE AND ATTEMPTED TO PLACE HIS FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE VAN ROLLED BACKWARDS. THIS OCCURRED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, ONE OF WHICH THE VEHICLE ALMOST STRUCK THE CONSUMERS FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD. (THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE T…

Read full complaint

PROBLEMS WITH MALFUNCTIONING DRIVE TRAIN AND OR TRANSMISSION. *MR THE CONSUMER RELEASED THE BRAKE AND ATTEMPTED TO PLACE HIS FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE VAN ROLLED BACKWARDS. THIS OCCURRED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, ONE OF WHICH THE VEHICLE ALMOST STRUCK THE CONSUMERS FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD. (THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION) *SC THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE WORN OUT AND THE ROTORS WERE MACHINED. *JB *JB

NHTSA ODI #10075843

33,484 miles · May 11, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingStructure

CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF REAR END PROBLEM. CONSUMER MAINTAINED THAT MANUFACTURER NEVER SEALED THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO DRY OUT THE VEHICLE. ALSO, A MOLDY MILDEW SMELL LINGERED WITHIN THE VE…

Read full complaint

CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF REAR END PROBLEM. CONSUMER MAINTAINED THAT MANUFACTURER NEVER SEALED THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO DRY OUT THE VEHICLE. ALSO, A MOLDY MILDEW SMELL LINGERED WITHIN THE VEHICLE. *AK MOLD WAS ALL THROUGH THE CEILING AS WELL AS BLOWING THROUGH THE REAR VENTS, THE BACK END LEAKED, THE ROOF RAIL SEAMS AND PITCH RAIL WERE NOT SEALED, WATER LEAKED INTO THE REAR DOME LIGHT AND LEAKED ONTO THE FLOOR IN THE REAR, THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AT 18K MILES, THE #2 AND #3 FAN RELAY SHORTED, THE FRONT END HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY, AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SEAL HAD COME LOOSE FROM THE GLASS. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10067121

36,200 miles · May 11, 2004
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE STEERING BECAME TOO RELAXED. THE CONSUMER WAS COMPENSATING WITH STEERING, TRYING TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM DRIFTING TO THE LEFT. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE LEFT HUB ASSEMBLY. NOW THE RIGHT HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10065561

8,894 miles · Apr 28, 2004
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. ALSO, UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED CHIN INJURIES, PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT SUSTAINED KNEE INJURIES, AND PASSENGER IN THE SECOND SEAT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. UPON INSPECTION OF THE…

Read full complaint

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. ALSO, UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED CHIN INJURIES, PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT SUSTAINED KNEE INJURIES, AND PASSENGER IN THE SECOND SEAT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT SENSOR THAT CONTROLS THE AIR BAGS WAS DAMAGED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10071733

9,519 miles · Apr 1, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN VEHICLE DIES UNEXPECTEDLY. *AK *MR

NHTSA ODI #10061491

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT IN DECEMBER ODI ID NUMBER 10051011, CONCERNING OUR 2003 CHEVY VENTURE AND THE ENGINE CUTTING OFF, BETWEEN DECEMBER 2003 AND MARCH 3, 2004 THE VAN HAS SINCE HAD DISTURBING NOISES COMING FROM THE UNDER NEATH OF THE VEHICLE, GRINDING SOUNDS AND A THUMPING SOUND. SCHEDULED THE VAN TO THE CHEVY DEA…

Read full complaint

I PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT IN DECEMBER ODI ID NUMBER 10051011, CONCERNING OUR 2003 CHEVY VENTURE AND THE ENGINE CUTTING OFF, BETWEEN DECEMBER 2003 AND MARCH 3, 2004 THE VAN HAS SINCE HAD DISTURBING NOISES COMING FROM THE UNDER NEATH OF THE VEHICLE, GRINDING SOUNDS AND A THUMPING SOUND. SCHEDULED THE VAN TO THE CHEVY DEALER AND WHILE DRIVING IN THE VAN'S ENGINE CUT OFF. THE VAN IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP WAITING TO HEAR WHAT THEY SAY THIS TIME. LAST TIME THEY SAID THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AGIAN, WELL IT DID, AND WE ARE AWAITING A REPLY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10060261

1,600 miles · Jan 19, 2004
Air Bags

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: BATTERY LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. *CB

NHTSA ODI #10054457

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

AWD AND ABS LIGHT ON. REAR HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING TEMPERATURE CANNOT BE CONTROLLED. CAR HORN BEEPED WHEN GAS PEDAL IN DEPRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #10068752

9,254 miles · Jan 7, 2004
Suspension

NOISE IN REAR OF MINI VAN. DEALER HAS HEARD THE NOISE AND CAN'T FIND IT. THEY REFUSE TO SPEND ANYMORE TIME ON IT. TOLD TO LIVE WITH IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10052582

Official recalls

5

07V349000 · 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.

03V250000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

Jul 15, 2003

CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

03V051000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 14, 2003

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. ALSO IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR RUPTURED, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2003. 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, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

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

1

PE04064 · 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.