IllustrationTHE VEHICLE IS A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE SEVERLY JERKS. THE TRANSMISSION FLIUD AND FILTER HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH NO CHANGE IN THE CONDITION. THIS CONDITION STARTED AROUND 65,000 MILES. *TR
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 →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
280–25K
2525–50K
2250–75K
2075–100K
27100–150K
11150K+
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 reportsON 10/30/07, MY 2003 CHEVY VENTURE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE R/S SAFETY DEPLOYMENT MODULE WAS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS WAS NOT A HUGE PROBLEM AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. HE TOLD ME THE REPAIRS COULD WIAT UNTIL I HAD THE …
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ON 10/30/07, MY 2003 CHEVY VENTURE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE R/S SAFETY DEPLOYMENT MODULE WAS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS WAS NOT A HUGE PROBLEM AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. HE TOLD ME THE REPAIRS COULD WIAT UNTIL I HAD THE MONEY IN JANUARY. ON 11/25/07, WHICLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVERS SIDE (SIDE) AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND EXPLODED IMMEDIATELY. I PHONED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS UNRELATED AND THEY WERE NOT RESPONSILBE. I FILED A PRODUCT ALLEGATION COMPLAINT WITH GM. THEY SENT AN INSPECTOR TO THE DEALER WHO REVIEWED THE CAR AND FOUND IT WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNTION OF THE SAFETY DEPLOYMENT MODULE THAT CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. HE STATED THAT THEIR WAS NOTHING THAT I COULD HAVE DONE TO CAUSE THE AIRBGA DEPLOYMENT. THE DEALER ADMITTED TO GM THAT THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT GM DECLINED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR 2 SEPARATE FRONT AIRBAG PROBLEMS. GM STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS NO OPEN RECALLS ON IT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED, AND IS NOW OFF THE ROAD. I AM PAYING THE LOAN OFF AND HOPING TO GET SOME RESOLUTION TO HAVE THIS VEHICLE REPARED SO I CAN CONTINUE TO USE IT.*CN
MY 2003 CHEVY VENTURE HAS A LEAKING FUEL TANK. THE LEAK IS WHERE THE PLASTIC INLET NIPPLE MEETS THE PLASTIC TANK. I CALLED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. THE TANK WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE IS CORRODING AND RUSTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
FOR NEARLY 6 MONTHS MY MINIVAN ENGINE WOULD SHUT-OFF WHILE I WAS IDLING WHILE PARKED, WAITING TO PICKUP AND TRANSPORT CHILDREN TO NEXT STOP. ONCE IT CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY ROAD. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TURN THE WHEEL ENOUGH TO COAST ONTO A SIDE STREET. CURIOUSLY, WHEN VARIOUS TOW OPERATORS CAME TO TOW THE VAN DIREC…
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FOR NEARLY 6 MONTHS MY MINIVAN ENGINE WOULD SHUT-OFF WHILE I WAS IDLING WHILE PARKED, WAITING TO PICKUP AND TRANSPORT CHILDREN TO NEXT STOP. ONCE IT CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY ROAD. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TURN THE WHEEL ENOUGH TO COAST ONTO A SIDE STREET. CURIOUSLY, WHEN VARIOUS TOW OPERATORS CAME TO TOW THE VAN DIRECTLY TO DEALER, THEY TOO WERE NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE--THERE IS NO NOISE, NO CRANK. BY THE TIME THE MECHANICS GOT TO THE VAN IN THE MORNING, THEY REPORTED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FINAL TIME AND APPROXIMATELY 4TH TIME I EXPERIENCED ENGINE CUT-OFF, I HAD MY HUSBAND PICKUP THE CHILDREN AND I. WE ATE DINNER, THEN LATER RETURNED TO THE VAN. IT STARTED JUST FINE AND I DROVE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS INSISTENT THAT THE DEALER FIND AND FIX THE PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER. BECAUSE OF HISTORY OF THE COMPLAINT, I PAID FOR PARTS BUT NOT LABOR, $470. I ALSO PAID FOR A ROUTINE FUEL INJECTION CLEANING, $150. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *TR
ON 3 MILE IN TOWN TRIP, HEAT GAUGE SUDDENLY CLIMBED INTO THE RED. I TURNED OF CAR AND LET IT COOL. DROVE BACK HOME WITH MANY STOPS TO PREVENT OVERHEATING. TOWED IT TO A DEALER. LOWER MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET, A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM--BUT NO US RECALL, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. LABOR COSTS BROUGHT THE DEFECTIVE AND BADLY ENGINE…
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ON 3 MILE IN TOWN TRIP, HEAT GAUGE SUDDENLY CLIMBED INTO THE RED. I TURNED OF CAR AND LET IT COOL. DROVE BACK HOME WITH MANY STOPS TO PREVENT OVERHEATING. TOWED IT TO A DEALER. LOWER MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET, A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM--BUT NO US RECALL, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. LABOR COSTS BROUGHT THE DEFECTIVE AND BADLY ENGINEERED REPLACEMENT TO OVER $900. THERE WAS NO ENGINE DAMAGE, BECAUSE I CAUGHT THE PROBLEM EARLY, AS NO COOLANT HAD YET LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE. *TR
1.) THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REFUELED. DURING THE REFUELING IT WAS NOTICED THAT FUEL STARTED POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. 2.) LOOKING UNDER THE VEHICLE A CRACK COULD BE SEEN WHERE THE MOLDED PLASTIC FILLER NECK INTERSECTED THE FUEL TANK. A FUEL SPILL OF TWO THIRDS OF A TANK OF GASOLINE. 3.) THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK WAS REPLAC…
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1.) THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REFUELED. DURING THE REFUELING IT WAS NOTICED THAT FUEL STARTED POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. 2.) LOOKING UNDER THE VEHICLE A CRACK COULD BE SEEN WHERE THE MOLDED PLASTIC FILLER NECK INTERSECTED THE FUEL TANK. A FUEL SPILL OF TWO THIRDS OF A TANK OF GASOLINE. 3.) THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW FUEL TANK ORDERED FROM GM AT LOCAL GARAGE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK SEVERELY. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TESTED THE TRANSMISSION. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEALS IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THAT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK SEVERELY. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TESTED THE TRANSMISSION. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEALS IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
GM FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THIS RECALL ON A 2003 CHEVY VENTURE FUEL TANK: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/RECALLS/RESULTS.CFM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A FUEL LEAK WHERE THE NIPPLE MEETS THE GAS TANK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF IMPACT AND WAS DUE TO AGE AND MILEAGE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.
Official recalls
507V349000 · 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
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.