← New search

2004 Chevrolet Venture

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 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

90 reports with mileage · 34 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports16 injury reports

What owners actually said

124 reports
125,000 miles · Feb 25, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED ACTING SPORADIC NOT REGISTERING SPEED ACCURATELY THEN STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER ALSO THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER AT ALL SINCE THE PROBLEM BEGAN .THE LOW FUEL LIGHT DOES OPERATE AS OF RIGHT NOW.I HAVE READ THAT ALOT OF VENTURE OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM IT IS AVERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR 500 JUST FOR THE PA…

Read full complaint

THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED ACTING SPORADIC NOT REGISTERING SPEED ACCURATELY THEN STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER ALSO THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER AT ALL SINCE THE PROBLEM BEGAN .THE LOW FUEL LIGHT DOES OPERATE AS OF RIGHT NOW.I HAVE READ THAT ALOT OF VENTURE OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM IT IS AVERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR 500 JUST FOR THE PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449310

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2011
Electrical System

WE HAVE A 2004 VENTURE. THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED BEING ERRATIC FOR A TIME, FOLLOWED BY THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE, AND THE GAS GAUGE. NOW NONE OF THEM WORK. THE SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK ON 45 MPH, THE GAS IS OVER FULL (STRAIGHT DOWN) BUT SOMETIMES MOVES AROUND AT THE BOTTOM, BUT IT GENERALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHETHER OR NOT I HAVE P…

Read full complaint

WE HAVE A 2004 VENTURE. THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED BEING ERRATIC FOR A TIME, FOLLOWED BY THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE, AND THE GAS GAUGE. NOW NONE OF THEM WORK. THE SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK ON 45 MPH, THE GAS IS OVER FULL (STRAIGHT DOWN) BUT SOMETIMES MOVES AROUND AT THE BOTTOM, BUT IT GENERALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHETHER OR NOT I HAVE PUT GAS INTO THE VAN. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE POINTS DOWN AND TO THE LEFT. NONE OF THE CLUSTER HAS WORKED IN OVER 2 YEARS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT I HAVE HEARD HAD THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434280

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

OUR MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THAT PART. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR OUR VAN. THE DEALER WAS. THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER IS EA 07006. WE CALLED GM AND LEFT TWO MESSAGES FOR A REPRESENTATIVE NAMED. PLEASE REQUIRE THE DEALER TO HONO…

Read full complaint

OUR MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THAT PART. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR OUR VAN. THE DEALER WAS. THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER IS EA 07006. WE CALLED GM AND LEFT TWO MESSAGES FOR A REPRESENTATIVE NAMED. PLEASE REQUIRE THE DEALER TO HONOR THE RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

NHTSA ODI #10425867

112,888 miles · Aug 4, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WHEN IT DID START THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND FUEL FUMES WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE PRESSURE REGULATOR IN THE FRONT OF …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WHEN IT DID START THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND FUEL FUMES WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE PRESSURE REGULATOR IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. ALTHOUGH THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, IT CONTINUED TO SHAKE AND FUMES WERE COMING THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONER VENTS. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER TO REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,888. UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. UPDATED 11/02/11

NHTSA ODI #10417107

72,512 miles · May 4, 2011
Electrical System

FEBRUARY 2009 - BEGINNING OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL FAILURE - GAS GAUGE NOT FUNCTIONING. HAVE DOCUMENTATION AT MILEAGE 72,512. CONSEQUENCE - FORCED TO FILL UP AT EVERY GAS PURCHASE AND TRACK MILEAGE UNTIL TIME FOR NEXT FILL UP FOR OVER TWO YEARS. NEVER KNEW FOR CERTAIN HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN THE TANK - VERY STRESSFUL. NOVEMBER 2…

Read full complaint

FEBRUARY 2009 - BEGINNING OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL FAILURE - GAS GAUGE NOT FUNCTIONING. HAVE DOCUMENTATION AT MILEAGE 72,512. CONSEQUENCE - FORCED TO FILL UP AT EVERY GAS PURCHASE AND TRACK MILEAGE UNTIL TIME FOR NEXT FILL UP FOR OVER TWO YEARS. NEVER KNEW FOR CERTAIN HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN THE TANK - VERY STRESSFUL. NOVEMBER 2010 - CONTINUING CLUSTER PANEL FAILURE - SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONING UNTIL COMPLETELY OUT BY JANUARY 2011. CONSEQUENCE - UNABLE TO TELL SPEED - UNWILLING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE LONG DISTANCES AND FULL CONCENTRATION REQUIRED TO JUDGE SPEEDS BY OTHER TRAFFIC. TAKEN IN MARCH 2011 TO LOCAL DEALER, [XXX], FOR REPLACEMENT OF CLUSTER PANEL AT MY EXPENSE OF OVER $550.00 - BEFORE I AGREED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR THEY ASSURED ME THAT THEY WOULD FLAG THE OLD PANEL FOR DIAGNOSIS INTO THE REASON GAUGES FAILED AS THEY WOULD BE SENDING IT TO GM TO BE REBUILT AND RESOLD. THEY WOULD NOT GIVE THE OLD ONE TO ME UNLESS I PAID THEM FOR IT. THE REPORT THAT I WAS CONSEQUENTLY GIVEN OF THE CAUSE FOR GAUGE FAILURES WAS THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STUCK AT 100 MPH AND GAS GAUGE WAS STUCK ON EMPTY. I WROTE A LETTER TO GM EXECUTIVE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD BE REIMBURSING ME FOR NO PART OF THE REPAIR COST. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO WAY OF TRACKING MY OLD PANEL AS I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER. I HAD DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH INTO DEFECTIVE STEPPER MOTORS AND CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS RESULTING IN PARTIAL RECALLS AND KNEW THAT THEY WERE PERFORMING A COVER UP OF OTHER MODELS THAT WERE EFFECTED. THAT IS WHY THEY WERE NOT COOPERATIVE IN DETERMINING THE CAUSE OF MY GAUGE FAILURES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399076

169,000 miles · Apr 27, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

2004 VENTURE BEGAN OVERHEATING A MONTH AGO. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE RADIATOR. HAD THAT CHANGED OUT. STILL OVERHEATED, NEXT THE TEMP GAUGE, THEN THE THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP. STILL OVERHEATING. IT HAS NOW SPENT 2 DAYS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND AGAIN THEY HAVE TRIED OTHER OPTIONS. WHEN THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE THIS AFTERNOO…

Read full complaint

2004 VENTURE BEGAN OVERHEATING A MONTH AGO. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE RADIATOR. HAD THAT CHANGED OUT. STILL OVERHEATED, NEXT THE TEMP GAUGE, THEN THE THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP. STILL OVERHEATING. IT HAS NOW SPENT 2 DAYS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND AGAIN THEY HAVE TRIED OTHER OPTIONS. WHEN THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE THIS AFTERNOON IT OVERHEATED AND THEY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. I BEGAN SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND I AM FINDING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE FOR THE CHEVY VENTURE. SOME OF THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE FOR 2 YEARS. I HAVE ALREADY PULLED OUT $1,300 ON THIS PROBLEM! THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398074

96,479 miles · Feb 7, 2011
Electrical System

2004 CHEVROLET VENTURE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SUDDENLY READS HOT. THE GAUGE WILL NOT RESET. THE ENGINE IS NOT HOT OR RUNNING HOT. NO HISTORY OF FRONT DAMAGE. VAN WAS PURCHASED NEW AND I AM THE ONLY OWNER. PROBLEM JUST STARTED 2 WEEKS AGO DURING A 5 HOUR TRIP. 96,479 MILES. WILL ALSO COMPLAIN ABOUT WATER IN THE HEAD LIGHTS. START…

Read full complaint

2004 CHEVROLET VENTURE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SUDDENLY READS HOT. THE GAUGE WILL NOT RESET. THE ENGINE IS NOT HOT OR RUNNING HOT. NO HISTORY OF FRONT DAMAGE. VAN WAS PURCHASED NEW AND I AM THE ONLY OWNER. PROBLEM JUST STARTED 2 WEEKS AGO DURING A 5 HOUR TRIP. 96,479 MILES. WILL ALSO COMPLAIN ABOUT WATER IN THE HEAD LIGHTS. STARTED AROUND 45K. HAVE BURNT OUT SEVERAL BULBS. POOR DESIGN, BUT WILL KNOWN PROBLEM FOR GM. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10381072

80,000 miles · Feb 2, 2011
Electrical System

2004 CHEVROLET VENTURE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING, WAS GIVING ERRATIC READINGS, THE NEEDLE DROPPED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GUAGE. THE NEEDLE NOW OPERATES IN REVERSE, LIKE A MIRROR IMAGE IF IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE STOPPED WORKING, THE NEEDLE DROPPED TO THE BOTTOM RIGHT AND STAYED …

Read full complaint

2004 CHEVROLET VENTURE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING, WAS GIVING ERRATIC READINGS, THE NEEDLE DROPPED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GUAGE. THE NEEDLE NOW OPERATES IN REVERSE, LIKE A MIRROR IMAGE IF IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE STOPPED WORKING, THE NEEDLE DROPPED TO THE BOTTOM RIGHT AND STAYED THERE. CURRENTLY SPEED AND TEMP. GAUGE NOT WORKING. FUEL GAUGE IS STILL OPERATIONAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379914

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2011
Electrical System

GAS GAUGE AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE DO NOT REGISTER AT ALL ON MY 2004 CHEVY VENTURE. HAD FUEL PUMP REPLACED AS I THOUGHT THAT WAS INITIAL PROBLEM, BUT THEN I WAS TOLD I HAD AN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379284

80,000 miles · Dec 14, 2010
Electrical System

THE TEMP GAUGE IN MY 2004 CHEVY VENTURE SHOWS TO BE HOT ALL THE TIME, ALTHOUGH MY MECHANIC SAYS THE VEHICLE IS NOT OVERHEATING. NOW THE CHECK BRAKE FLUID LIGHT IS ON AND MY MECHANIC SAYS THE BRAKES AND BRAKE FLUID ARE FINE. BOTH PROBLEMS ARE BEING ATTRIBUTED TO A POSSIBLE INSTRUMENT PANEL DEFECY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370514

Official recalls

3

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.

04V177000 · Equipment:other:labels

Apr 8, 2004

CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 213, "CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE TEXT AND FORMATTING ON THE WARNING LABEL ATTACHED TO THE AVAILABLE SECOND-ROW INTEGRAL CHILD RESTRAINT AS SPECIFIED BY AMENDMENTS TO THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REPLACEMENT LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

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.