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 reports
42,560 miles · Feb 16, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES. HOWEVER, THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ANTI-FREEZE IN AN ATTE…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES. HOWEVER, THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ANTI-FREEZE IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, BUT IT STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA ODI #10150405
50,000 miles · Jan 27, 2006
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE DOES NOT CLIP TIGHTLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BUCKLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10148882
36,000 miles · Jan 13, 2006
Electrical System
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED 1 YEAR AGO THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT WITHOUT CAUSE OR WARNING. THIS PROBLEM RECENTLY RESURFACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS PERFORMED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10147686
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2005
Exterior Lighting
THE LEFT REAR (DRIVER'S SIDE) BRAKE LIGHT (UPPER MOST BULB/3057) KEEPS BURNING OUT. THIS HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST THREE YEARS. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BULB, THERE IS PHYSICAL DAMAGE (MELTING) ON THE MALE BULB CONNECTION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10144906
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2005
Fuel System, Other
FUEL GAUGE PROBLEM ON 2002 CHEVY VENTURE. STAYS AT FULL WHEN DRIVING (NEVER MOVES), STAYS AT EMPTY (NEVER MOVES) WITH LOW FUEL LIGHT ON WHEN IDLING. THAT'S IT, THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS NO OTHER AMOUNT OF FUEL. NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY HAPPENED TO SIGNAL THE START OF THIS PROBLEM. HAS CAUSED VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS WITHOUT ANY K…
Read full complaint
FUEL GAUGE PROBLEM ON 2002 CHEVY VENTURE. STAYS AT FULL WHEN DRIVING (NEVER MOVES), STAYS AT EMPTY (NEVER MOVES) WITH LOW FUEL LIGHT ON WHEN IDLING. THAT'S IT, THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS NO OTHER AMOUNT OF FUEL. NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY HAPPENED TO SIGNAL THE START OF THIS PROBLEM. HAS CAUSED VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS WITHOUT ANY KNOWLEDGE. NO REPAIRS HAVE SOLVED THIS PROBLEM. MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS MESSAGE BOARDS ON THE INTERNET FROM OTHER CHEVY VENTURE OWNERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM AND NO LUCK IN CORRECTION OF THE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10142333
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2005
Air Bags
DT: THE CONTACT OWN A 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE AIR BAG SENSOR OR SWITCH UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER'S SEAT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD, LETTING THE CONTACT KNOW THE AIR BAG SWITCH OR SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE LAST REPLACEMENT TOOK PLACE APPROXIMATELY A COUPLE OF YEA…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT OWN A 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE AIR BAG SENSOR OR SWITCH UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER'S SEAT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD, LETTING THE CONTACT KNOW THE AIR BAG SWITCH OR SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE LAST REPLACEMENT TOOK PLACE APPROXIMATELY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF IT WAS A SENSOR OR A SWITCH THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEALER NEVER INDICATED THE REASON FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAG SWITCH OR SENSOR. THE SERVICE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THE LAST REPLACEMENT FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED TO INFORM THEM THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10139478
65,000 miles · Oct 11, 2005
Seats
DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE. SEAT BROKE ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO. THE BACK SUPPORT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10139320
39,000 miles · Oct 4, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
WITH 39,000 MILES WE CAME THROUGH A TOLL BOOTH & WITH NO WARNING THE ENGINE MADE AN AWFUL NOISE & QUIT. AFTER THE EXPENSE OF A TEAR DOWN, THE ENGINE WAS FOUND DEFECTIVE. A SMALL PIECE OF METAL BROKE OFF, BENT THE RODS AND THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION ON ONE SIDE. WE HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW MOTOR AND FEEL AS THIS WAS A DEFECT WHICH GM S…
Read full complaint
WITH 39,000 MILES WE CAME THROUGH A TOLL BOOTH & WITH NO WARNING THE ENGINE MADE AN AWFUL NOISE & QUIT. AFTER THE EXPENSE OF A TEAR DOWN, THE ENGINE WAS FOUND DEFECTIVE. A SMALL PIECE OF METAL BROKE OFF, BENT THE RODS AND THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION ON ONE SIDE. WE HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW MOTOR AND FEEL AS THIS WAS A DEFECT WHICH GM SHOULD MAKE RIGHT WITH US. ( I RETIRED FROM GM, & MAY NEVER BUT A GM VEHICLE AGAIN.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10138461
31,000 miles · Oct 4, 2005
Visibility
WINDOW SWITCHES AND MOTORS HAVE FAILED 4 TIMES THEREFORE NEEDING REPLACEMENT.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10138431
26,000 miles · Sep 9, 2005
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS BRAKE FAILURE WITH AWD DISABLE. ABS LIGHT CAME ON WITH AWD DISABLE MESSAGE, BOTH ARE CONNECTED. WITH ABS FAILURE, AWD IS DISABLES. FAILURE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF PART. NO CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE IT WAS SUMMER AND NO SNOW, WINTER WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT STORY. ONLY PART THAT FAILED WAS REPLACED BUT THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN…
Read full complaint
ABS BRAKE FAILURE WITH AWD DISABLE. ABS LIGHT CAME ON WITH AWD DISABLE MESSAGE, BOTH ARE CONNECTED. WITH ABS FAILURE, AWD IS DISABLES. FAILURE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF PART. NO CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE IT WAS SUMMER AND NO SNOW, WINTER WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT STORY. ONLY PART THAT FAILED WAS REPLACED BUT THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN AND RE-ENGINEERED PART DUE TO OBVIOUS PROBLEMS. BULLETIN IS #03-05-25-004A. CONCERN IS THAT ABS AND AWD FAIL AT SAME TIME, I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IN WINTER DRIVING, THE TYPE YOU BUY A AWD FOR. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THE REFUSE TO REPLACE OTHER PART. *NM
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.
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.
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.
2002 Chevrolet Venture Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration