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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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75,000 miles · Feb 7, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE IN WHICH HE HAD TO REPLACE THE CLIMATE CONTROL SWITCH BECAUSE THE FAN SWITCH STAYED ONLY ON THE LOW POSITION, ALLOWING FOR ONLY ONE SETTING. THE CONTACT BOUGHT THE REPLACEMENT PART AND REPLACED THE CLIMATE CONTROL SWITCHES ON HIS OWN. WHILE REPLACING THE SWITCHES HE NOTICED THAT TH…

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TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE IN WHICH HE HAD TO REPLACE THE CLIMATE CONTROL SWITCH BECAUSE THE FAN SWITCH STAYED ONLY ON THE LOW POSITION, ALLOWING FOR ONLY ONE SETTING. THE CONTACT BOUGHT THE REPLACEMENT PART AND REPLACED THE CLIMATE CONTROL SWITCHES ON HIS OWN. WHILE REPLACING THE SWITCHES HE NOTICED THAT THE OLD UNIT HAD MELTED THE PLASTIC AROUND THE WIRE HARNESS. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD TO REPLACED THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY BECAUSE IT HAD COMPLETELY CORRODED WHICH MADE IT INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT IS LOOKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PARTS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO CONSIDER ANY TYPE OF REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE HE DIDN'T TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE FAILUER AND CURRENT MILAGE WERE 75000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10181909

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2005
Electrical SystemFire

DT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CLAIMED IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UP UNDER THE DASH. THIS HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2005. SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT IN THIS AREA IT COULD SMELL LIKE THAT AT CERTAIN TIMES. THE VEHICL…

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DT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CLAIMED IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UP UNDER THE DASH. THIS HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2005. SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT IN THIS AREA IT COULD SMELL LIKE THAT AT CERTAIN TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR AN HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRE. THERE WAS NO FOR EARNING AND NO NOISE. CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP US. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10137820

6,712 miles · Mar 30, 2005
Electrical System

RE DEFECTIVE 2003 CHEVY VENTURE HORN, REQUESTING A DEFECT INVESTIGATION FOR POSSIBLE SERVICE BULLETIN FM NHTSA. *BF THE HORN DID NOT PRODUCE A SOUND SUFFICIENTLY LOUD ENOUGH TO SERVE AS A WARNING TO PEDESTRIANS OR DRIVERS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE HORN BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE HORN WAS OPERATING AS …

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RE DEFECTIVE 2003 CHEVY VENTURE HORN, REQUESTING A DEFECT INVESTIGATION FOR POSSIBLE SERVICE BULLETIN FM NHTSA. *BF THE HORN DID NOT PRODUCE A SOUND SUFFICIENTLY LOUD ENOUGH TO SERVE AS A WARNING TO PEDESTRIANS OR DRIVERS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE HORN BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE HORN WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *NM *JB

NHTSA ODI #10117098

6,712 miles · Mar 29, 2005
Electrical System

2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE INADEQUATE HORN. ****NO ANSWER REQUIRED****. *MR THE HORN DID NOT PRODUCE A SOUND SUFFICIENTLY LOUD ENOUGH TO SERVE AS A WARNING TO PEDESTRIANS OR DRIVERS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT EH HORN BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE HORN WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10117259

27,335 miles · Jan 27, 2005
Electrical System

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE AND WENT OUT. THIS OCCURRED REPEATEDLY FOR ABOUT 45 SECONDS . CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 6 OCCASIONS, AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN TO IGNORE THIS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10109069

33,484 miles · May 11, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingStructure

CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF REAR END PROBLEM. CONSUMER MAINTAINED THAT MANUFACTURER NEVER SEALED THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO DRY OUT THE VEHICLE. ALSO, A MOLDY MILDEW SMELL LINGERED WITHIN THE VE…

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CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF REAR END PROBLEM. CONSUMER MAINTAINED THAT MANUFACTURER NEVER SEALED THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO DRY OUT THE VEHICLE. ALSO, A MOLDY MILDEW SMELL LINGERED WITHIN THE VEHICLE. *AK MOLD WAS ALL THROUGH THE CEILING AS WELL AS BLOWING THROUGH THE REAR VENTS, THE BACK END LEAKED, THE ROOF RAIL SEAMS AND PITCH RAIL WERE NOT SEALED, WATER LEAKED INTO THE REAR DOME LIGHT AND LEAKED ONTO THE FLOOR IN THE REAR, THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AT 18K MILES, THE #2 AND #3 FAN RELAY SHORTED, THE FRONT END HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY, AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SEAL HAD COME LOOSE FROM THE GLASS. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10067121

11,900 miles · Oct 31, 2003
Electrical System

WHILE TURNING VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEM. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10046113

Official recalls

5

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.

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

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.