IllustrationLEFT TURN SIGNAL WIRING SHORTED OUT & AS RESULT ALL LIGHTS ON LEFT FRONT DO NOT WORK NOW. PIGTAILS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS APPLICATION!!!
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
Electrical System complaints
17 reportsTHE BUTTONS FOR MY CONTROL DASH WHERE RADIO AND HEAT ADJUSTMENT ARE, THE PANEL,. GETS BLAZING HOT TO THE TOUCH. EVERYTIME WE DRIVE IT. IT'S OVERHEATING SO MUCH I AM CONCERNED IT WASN'T FIXED BY A RECALL PREVIOUSLY CLAIMED. THE BUTTONS DECALS HAVE MELTED OFF ON SOME BUTTONS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS ON. I RECENTLY PURCHASED T…
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THE BUTTONS FOR MY CONTROL DASH WHERE RADIO AND HEAT ADJUSTMENT ARE, THE PANEL,. GETS BLAZING HOT TO THE TOUCH. EVERYTIME WE DRIVE IT. IT'S OVERHEATING SO MUCH I AM CONCERNED IT WASN'T FIXED BY A RECALL PREVIOUSLY CLAIMED. THE BUTTONS DECALS HAVE MELTED OFF ON SOME BUTTONS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS ON. I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VAN PRIVATELY IN ILLINOIS.
TAMARA INFLATES INCLUDES MY BRAKES AS I HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE VAN WOULD STILL NOT STOP. ALSO MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN.
ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I GOT MY MINI VAN THE FUEL GAUGE QUIT WORKING, THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED STAYING ON IN THE START POSITION, AND I'VE GOT A RATTLE IN THE ENGINE THAT NOBODY CAN SEEM TO FIND. ALL OF MY FRIEND'S HAVE HEARD THIS SOUND IN THE ENGINE, BUT THE TECHS KEEP TELLING ME IT'S NORMAL. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY VENTURE AND WHEN I PURCHASED IT, I NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD START BLINKING REAL FAST ON THE DASH. WHEN I WOULD LOOK AT THEM ON THE OUTSIDE THEY WERE BLINKING FINE, AS WAS THE DASH LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, SO I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST THE BULBS THEMSELVES. THEN ON MARCH 29, 2014, I NOTI…
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I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY VENTURE AND WHEN I PURCHASED IT, I NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD START BLINKING REAL FAST ON THE DASH. WHEN I WOULD LOOK AT THEM ON THE OUTSIDE THEY WERE BLINKING FINE, AS WAS THE DASH LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, SO I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST THE BULBS THEMSELVES. THEN ON MARCH 29, 2014, I NOTICED A LITTLE PUFF OF SMOKE COME FROM THE HEADLIGHT AREA WHEN MY WIFE PULLED INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TURN/PARKING LIGHT WAS OUT. I LUCKILY HAD A BULB FROM ANOTHER CAR TO REPLACE IT, BUT WHEN I TOOK THE ASSEMBLY OUT AND WENT TO TURN THE CONNECTOR TO REPLACE THE BULB, AND NOTICED IT WAS HOT. THINKING THAT SOMETHING DID NOT SEEM RIGHT, I LET IT COOL DOWN AND THEN REMOVED IT. WHAT I SAW WAS THE CONNECTOR THAT HOLDS THE BULB WAS BLACK AND MELTED. IT ACTUALLY MELTED TO THE BULB ITSELF. I LOOKED AT THE BULB AND IT WAS STILL GOOD, OTHER THAN THE BOTTOM PLASTIC PART. THE WHITE SMOKE I HAD SEEN WAS EITHER THE CONNECTOR CATCHING ON FIRE AND MELTING OR THE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC ITSELF. I NEVER SAW ANY FLAMES. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE CONNECTOR, NOR WOULD I RISK MY FAMILY'S LIFE, SO I HAVE NO TURN SIGNAL. THEN WORSE PART IS THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHT WAS DOING THE SAME THING AS THE PASSENGER, BUT IT HAS SINCE STOPPED AND IS WORKING PROPERLY NOW THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE BULB HAS BEEN REMOVED. *TR
PROBLEM WITH THE THE REAR RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY SOCKET BOARD BURNING OUT & CONDENSATION OR WATER LEAKING INTO THE ASSEMBLY ALSO RELATED TO CAUSE. MULTIPLE TIMES ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS REPORTED & REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE & AGAIN ON 09/2011 & 12/2011 FOR SAME REAR BRAKE ISSUE. *TR
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
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…
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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
FIRST WE LOST ONE OF THE SPEEDS ON THE FAN INSIDE THE VAN. THEN ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER WE WERE ON A TRIP AND ALL WAS FINE. WE STOPPED FOR ABOUT 1.5 HOURS AND THEN CONTINUED TO DRIVE. WHEN WE HAD STARTED OUT THE SECOND TIME THERE WAS AN ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING, SO I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THINGS OUT. I LOOKED UNDER THE DASH AND C…
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FIRST WE LOST ONE OF THE SPEEDS ON THE FAN INSIDE THE VAN. THEN ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER WE WERE ON A TRIP AND ALL WAS FINE. WE STOPPED FOR ABOUT 1.5 HOURS AND THEN CONTINUED TO DRIVE. WHEN WE HAD STARTED OUT THE SECOND TIME THERE WAS AN ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING, SO I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THINGS OUT. I LOOKED UNDER THE DASH AND COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING. I ALSO FELT THE DASH COMPONENTS TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY THING THAT WAS HOT, TO WHICH I DID NOT SEE THAT MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE. I STARTED THE VAN BACK UP AND NOTICED THAT I COULD NOT TURN THE INTERNAL FAN OFF AND THE SMELL OF MELTING/BURNING WIRES WAS STRONG. I GOT HOME AND TOOK THE DASH APART AND FOUND THAT THE FAN SWITCH HAD MELTED AND WIRES TO THE FAN SWITCH HAD MELTED THE INSULATION OFF. I TOOK THE SWITCH OUT OF THE CAR SO I CAN ORDER A NEW SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS. IF I DID NOT TAKE THE DASH APART AS SOON AS I GOT HOME, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. *TR
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHEN TURN BLINKER ON IT LOCKS AND UNLOCKS DOORS. WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF THE BUZZER STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY, BEEN TOLD THAT IT COULD POSSIBLY CATCH FIRE.. POSSIBLE GROUND WIRE.. NEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO .. THIS SHOULDN'T BE DOING THIS .. JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE A YEAR AGO.. PAID CASH NO EXTENDED WARRANTY …
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ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHEN TURN BLINKER ON IT LOCKS AND UNLOCKS DOORS. WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF THE BUZZER STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY, BEEN TOLD THAT IT COULD POSSIBLY CATCH FIRE.. POSSIBLE GROUND WIRE.. NEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO .. THIS SHOULDN'T BE DOING THIS .. JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE A YEAR AGO.. PAID CASH NO EXTENDED WARRANTY .. SHOULD THIS BE HAPPENING .. I'M TAKING IT TO YORK FORD IN HOULTON MAINE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE ON IT .. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD .. WHY WOULD IT HAVE ANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *TR
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.