IllustrationFAILURE OF INTAKE MAINIFOLD AND HEAD GASKET, RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF INTAKE MANIFOLD, HEADS, HEAD GASKET, THERMOSTAT (3 TIMES), WATER PUMP (2 TIMES), RADIATOR, CONDENSER, RADIATOR CAP (2 TIMES), ALL DUE TO DEX COOL AND FAULTY DESIGN. ALL PARTS REPLACED. OLD PARTS NOT RETAINED. *TR
2002 Chevrolet Venture
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 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
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 reportsI FILLED UP THE VAN, 1.5 HRS LATER WE STOPPED TO USE A REST AREA AND IT WOULDN'T START. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WANTS TO START BUT IT JUST WON'T FIRE. WE HAD TO GET IT TOWED, (WE WERE 400 MILES FROM HOME). IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH. THEY HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING. WE HAD A DIAGNOSTIC AT A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID 100%…
Read full complaint
I FILLED UP THE VAN, 1.5 HRS LATER WE STOPPED TO USE A REST AREA AND IT WOULDN'T START. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WANTS TO START BUT IT JUST WON'T FIRE. WE HAD TO GET IT TOWED, (WE WERE 400 MILES FROM HOME). IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH. THEY HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING. WE HAD A DIAGNOSTIC AT A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID 100% IT NEEDED A NEW FUEL PUMP. THEY WANTED $800. I FOUND ONE FOR $300. BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW WE ARE STILL STUMPED. THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT WANT TO HELP ME AGAIN UNLESS I GET IT FIXED THERE. I CAN'T AFFORD THEIR PRICES. *TR
MY CHEVY 2002 VENTURE HAS BEEN BLOWING HEADLIGHTS FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS SEEMS THEY LEAK WATER BUT NOW THEY HAVE TURN YELLOW NOW THE BEAM IS VERY LOW WHERE AT NIGHT I CAN HARDLY TELL IF THERE ON. *TR
LEAK IN GAS TANK WHERE FILLER NECK GOES INTO TANK. REFERENCE NHTSA RECALL # 07V349000. GM AND LOCAL DEALER HAS TOLD ME MY VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR RECALL BECAUSE MY VAN IS LONG WHEELBASE AND RECALL IS FOR SHORT WHEELBASE. THE FRACTURE IN THE TANK IS IN THE SAME LOCATION AS FROM THE RECALL FOR SHORT WHEELBASE CHEVROLET VEN…
Read full complaint
LEAK IN GAS TANK WHERE FILLER NECK GOES INTO TANK. REFERENCE NHTSA RECALL # 07V349000. GM AND LOCAL DEALER HAS TOLD ME MY VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR RECALL BECAUSE MY VAN IS LONG WHEELBASE AND RECALL IS FOR SHORT WHEELBASE. THE FRACTURE IN THE TANK IS IN THE SAME LOCATION AS FROM THE RECALL FOR SHORT WHEELBASE CHEVROLET VENTURES. *TR
THE CONDENSER IS CRACKED ON MY 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURES AIR CONDITIONER. CHEVROLET KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM SOON AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR, AND YET HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY ARE ABOUT TO LOSE THEIR LEADING MARKET SHARE, DUE TO SHODDY CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR
2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE HAS A FAILED AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER. THE PROBLEM WAS OUTLINED IN A SERVICE BULLETIN DATED DECEMBER, 2001, TWO MONTHS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. GM HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE THERMOSTAT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEA…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE THERMOSTAT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,743.
MY 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE HAD A FRACTURED FUEL INLET THAT I HAD REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO THE RECALL (NO. 06230 I BELIEVE). I HAVE SUBMITTED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CHARGES TO CORRECT THE DEFECT AND THE MANUFACTURER IS DENYING THAT THIS IS A RECALL SOLELY BECAUSE I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE.…
Read full complaint
MY 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE HAD A FRACTURED FUEL INLET THAT I HAD REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO THE RECALL (NO. 06230 I BELIEVE). I HAVE SUBMITTED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CHARGES TO CORRECT THE DEFECT AND THE MANUFACTURER IS DENYING THAT THIS IS A RECALL SOLELY BECAUSE I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE. MY VEHICLE CLEARLY FALLS WITHIN THE VIN# FOR A RECALLED VEHICLE BUT SINCE THEY DID NOT SEND ME A NOTICE THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT A DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR CORRECTING ON MY OWN AND PRIOR TO THE RECALL THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE/PARTS. *TR
LAST YEAR I TOOK MY VENTURE INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED OVER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD 3 LIGHTS ON. I HAD NO TRACTION CONTROL OR ABS. AFTER HAVING THE SERVICE DEPT. LOOK AT MY VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD IT WAS A SENSOR IN THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. SINCE I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD …
Read full complaint
LAST YEAR I TOOK MY VENTURE INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED OVER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD 3 LIGHTS ON. I HAD NO TRACTION CONTROL OR ABS. AFTER HAVING THE SERVICE DEPT. LOOK AT MY VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD IT WAS A SENSOR IN THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. SINCE I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, I THINK GM SHOULD GET INVOLVED. THE PART WAS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE SO I'VE HAD TO GO WITHOUT FOR THE LAST YEAR. *TR
THE BRAKE LIGHT HARNESSES KEEP COMING LOOSE AND AND THE TAIL LIGHTS AREN'T WORKING NOW THE HARNESSES HAVE MELTED SO THE ONLY FIX I HAVE IS TO SOLDER THE WIRES TO THE LEADS. *TR
Official recalls
307V349000 · 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.
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.