← 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
75,000 miles · Jun 2, 2010
Exterior Lighting

WE BOUGHT OUR 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE LAST YEAR AND HAVE HAD CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT WHICH DO NOT WORK 80 % OF THE TIME. THE CIRCUIT BOARDS THAT HOLD THE BULBS BURN UP THE PLASTIC AND THE BULBS WHICH CAUSES THEM TO NOT LIGHT UP WHEN I PRESS ON MY BRAKES. THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM AND EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD …

Read full complaint

WE BOUGHT OUR 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE LAST YEAR AND HAVE HAD CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT WHICH DO NOT WORK 80 % OF THE TIME. THE CIRCUIT BOARDS THAT HOLD THE BULBS BURN UP THE PLASTIC AND THE BULBS WHICH CAUSES THEM TO NOT LIGHT UP WHEN I PRESS ON MY BRAKES. THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM AND EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD THE BOARDS REPLACED TWICE AND THE CONNECTOR TO THE BOARDS REPLACED I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE SPENT WELL OVER 500 DOLLARS TO TRY TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ ON SEVERAL FORUMS THAT THIS IS A CONSTANT AND CONSISTENT PROBLEM AMONG HUNDREDS OF OWNERS OF THE CHEVROLET VENTURE OF VARIOUS YEAR MODELS, AND I AM SURE THERE ARE MORE OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL OUT THERE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. ONE OF THESE DAYS I AM GOING TO GET REAR ENDED BECAUSE I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT. I AM GOING TO GET HIT AND THEN EITHER HAVE MYSELF OR ONE OF MY THREE CHILDREN END UP IN THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF A DEFECT ON CHEVROLET'S PART. THIS IS SHAMEFUL THAT THEY HAVE HAD VARIOUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT HAVE YET TO RECALL THIS DEFECT BECAUSE OF SAFETY ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10334276

75,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON ** INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ** FOR THE CHEVROLET VENTURE 2003 ? I REPLACED IT 2 YEARS AGO AND NOW I MUST REPLACE IT AGAIN . THERE ARE LIKE 35 MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. GMC KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. NO ONE DOES ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HOPE YOU GUYS DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE EVERY REPAIR IS AROU…

Read full complaint

WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON ** INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ** FOR THE CHEVROLET VENTURE 2003 ? I REPLACED IT 2 YEARS AGO AND NOW I MUST REPLACE IT AGAIN . THERE ARE LIKE 35 MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. GMC KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. NO ONE DOES ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HOPE YOU GUYS DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE EVERY REPAIR IS AROUND $ 700 TO $1100 . IT DEPENDS WHERE YOU GO. I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU GUYS CAN'T FORCE GMC TO MAKE THIS A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314015

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

CHEVY VENTURE VAN. UNSURE OF EXACT YEAR. DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE HOOD AND GRILL FLEW UP RESULTING IN A COMPLETELY SMASHED WINDSHIELD. EST. DAMAGES AT $1800.00. CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE HOOD LATCH, ETC. *TR DON'T HAVE IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO VIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312455

99,600 miles · Feb 15, 2010
Exterior Lighting

ALL REAR LIGHTS DON'T BURN OUT THEY JUST SHORT OUT THE BASES ARE MELTED AND IM AFRAID THIS WILL CAUSE A ELECTRICAL FIRE WE JUST PURCHASED THE VAN ON THE 18. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310601

65,000 miles · Sep 2, 2009
Exterior LightingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE. HE STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. UPON ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THE LIGHT BULBS, HE NOTICED THE SOCKET AND THE CIRCUIT BOARDS WERE MELTED BECAUSE OF IRREGULAR ELECTRIC FLOW. THE RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH IS INCREASED IF THE ABILITY TO SIGNAL INTENTIONS TO OTHER DRIVERS IS NOT AVAIL…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE. HE STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. UPON ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THE LIGHT BULBS, HE NOTICED THE SOCKET AND THE CIRCUIT BOARDS WERE MELTED BECAUSE OF IRREGULAR ELECTRIC FLOW. THE RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH IS INCREASED IF THE ABILITY TO SIGNAL INTENTIONS TO OTHER DRIVERS IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 72,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10282643

100,200 miles · Apr 20, 2009
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

SIGNAL BULBS KEEP BLOWING OUT, DEFINITE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM - BRAKES NO LONGER WORK - BULBS ARE GOOD, THEY WORK WHEN YOU PULL THE BACK CASES OFF. PUT THEM ON LIKE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE, NO LONGER WORK. CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG TO FIX IT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266097

126,000 miles · Apr 15, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

STRONG SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE AND WAS LOOSING COOLANT. OVERHEATING. SPOKE WITH GM SEVERAL TIMES AND COMPLAINED. THIS COST ME $1000.00 TO REPAIR AND AFTER READING COMPLAINTS OF OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER REPAIRING. ALSO, SIGNAL LIGHT BULBS KEPT BLOWING AND AN ELECTRICAL BOARD HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265535

103,000 miles · Apr 13, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury

I BOUGHT MY CHEVY VENTURE NEW WITH 10 MILES ON IT IN 2003 THOUGHT THIS VAN WAS SAFE HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A TREE 40-45 MILES AN HOUR THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IF NOT FOR WEARING MY SEAT BELT DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED .. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265106

83,000 miles · Apr 2, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK. SHE NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE AND UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. THE GEAR SELECTOR AND SHIFT OPERATION FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONT…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK. SHE NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE AND UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. THE GEAR SELECTOR AND SHIFT OPERATION FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS TEMPORARILY REPAIRED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #10263947

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2008
Electrical System

NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BOTH HEADLIGHTS REPLACED ONE UNDER WARRANTY, BOTH HEATED MIRRORS REPLACED, ONE UNDER WARRANTY, BATTERY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY,, DASH LIGHTS BLINK OFF AND ON GAS GAUGE SHOWS FULL MOST OF THE TIME AND AT OTHER TIMES GOES TO EMPTY, SOMETIMES WILL SHOW CORRECT FUEL LEFT IN TANK. VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY LO…

Read full complaint

NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BOTH HEADLIGHTS REPLACED ONE UNDER WARRANTY, BOTH HEATED MIRRORS REPLACED, ONE UNDER WARRANTY, BATTERY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY,, DASH LIGHTS BLINK OFF AND ON GAS GAUGE SHOWS FULL MOST OF THE TIME AND AT OTHER TIMES GOES TO EMPTY, SOMETIMES WILL SHOW CORRECT FUEL LEFT IN TANK. VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY LOCKS ITSELF, HAVE TO KEEP AN EXTRA KEY HANDY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241759

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.