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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

Structure complaints

27 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2006
StructureVisibility

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING. IT IS CAUSED BY NOT HAVING STOPS IN PLACE THAT KEEPS THE WINDSHIELD FROM SLIDING OUT OF PLACE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. WE FOUND THAT WE HAD LEAK DURING A RAIN STORM. I HAD ANOTHER CARS WINDSHIELD REPLACED AND ASKED THE REPLACEMENT COMPANY TO RESEAL THE WINDSHIELD ON MY CHEVY VENTURE. THEY STATED TO ME…

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THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING. IT IS CAUSED BY NOT HAVING STOPS IN PLACE THAT KEEPS THE WINDSHIELD FROM SLIDING OUT OF PLACE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. WE FOUND THAT WE HAD LEAK DURING A RAIN STORM. I HAD ANOTHER CARS WINDSHIELD REPLACED AND ASKED THE REPLACEMENT COMPANY TO RESEAL THE WINDSHIELD ON MY CHEVY VENTURE. THEY STATED TO ME THAT IT WAS A KNOWN DEFECT BY CHEVY AND THEY WOULD NOT RESEAL IT BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WILL SLIDE OUT OF PLACE AGAIN CAUSING A LEAK OR WORSE DURING AN ACCIDENT. MY WORK AS PARAMEDIC I HAVE SEEN WINDSHIELD DISPLACE , INWARD AND OUTWARD. DOES SOMEBODY HAVE TO BE HURT OR DEATH CAUSED BEFORE A RECALL TAKES PLACE ? IF CHEVY KNOWS THAT THIS IA A PROBLEM WHY NOT FIX IT ? *JB

NHTSA ODI #10155323

100,000 miles · Dec 23, 2005
Structure

WE HAVE 28 BRAUN ENTER VAN THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED FAILURES OF THE ENGINE CRADLE MOUNTS. ONE WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE DURING OPERATION THAT CAUSED THE VAN TO ACCELERATE FULLY WHEN THE FORWARD CRADLE MOUNTS FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING THE VAN. UPON A COMPLETE INSPECTION OF THE ALL 28 VANS WE REVILED SEVERAL WITH FORWARD MOUNT P…

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WE HAVE 28 BRAUN ENTER VAN THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED FAILURES OF THE ENGINE CRADLE MOUNTS. ONE WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE DURING OPERATION THAT CAUSED THE VAN TO ACCELERATE FULLY WHEN THE FORWARD CRADLE MOUNTS FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING THE VAN. UPON A COMPLETE INSPECTION OF THE ALL 28 VANS WE REVILED SEVERAL WITH FORWARD MOUNT PROBLEMS AND ALMOST ALL WITH REAR MOUNT CRACKS. TO DATE BRAUN HAS MADE REPAIRS TO SOME OF THESE UNITS AND WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS BUT TO DATE NO PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10145974

24,000 miles · Jun 3, 2005
Structure

DT: WHEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR SHUT CONSUMER IS AFRAID HIS CHILDREN WILL GET THEIR FINDERS CAUGHT IN THERE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10124134

26,674 miles · May 23, 2005
StructureInjury

DT: WHILE GETTING OUT OF THE VAN ON PASSENGER SIDE BACK SLIDING DOOR A THREE YEAR OLD CHILD GOT HER LEG CAUGHT IN THE V-BAR. THE DOOR WOULD NOT STOP OPENING, THE DOOR DRAGGED HER WHILE IT WAS OPENING. CALLER WAS TRYING TO BRACE THE DOOR SO IT WOULD NOT OPEN ANY FURTHER, AND SOMEONE ELSE WAS TRYING TO GET THE CHILD OUT. THE V…

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DT: WHILE GETTING OUT OF THE VAN ON PASSENGER SIDE BACK SLIDING DOOR A THREE YEAR OLD CHILD GOT HER LEG CAUGHT IN THE V-BAR. THE DOOR WOULD NOT STOP OPENING, THE DOOR DRAGGED HER WHILE IT WAS OPENING. CALLER WAS TRYING TO BRACE THE DOOR SO IT WOULD NOT OPEN ANY FURTHER, AND SOMEONE ELSE WAS TRYING TO GET THE CHILD OUT. THE VAN HAD NO SHUT OFF READILY ACCESSIBLE TO STOP THE DOOR WHILE IT WAS OPENING OR CLOSING. GIRL GOT CUT ON HEAD AND BRUISED ANKLE AND THIGH. HAD 5 STITCHES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10121888

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2005
Exterior LightingFuel System, OtherService Brakes, Hydraulic

FLASHING OF LIGHTS AND FUEL GAUGE FLOATS DRASTICALLY CONSTANTLY. *BF THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH LOW BRAKE FLUID, THE DOOR AJAR, THE REAR HATCH AJAR, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT REMAINED ON. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10112853

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2004
StructureInjury

DEFECTIVE AUTOMATIC DOORS ON THE 2003 VENTURE. THE THIRD TIME WITH AUTOMATIC DOOR NOT STOPPING WHEN IT HIT THE CONSUMER. *BF NO ANSWER REQUIRED - NO CONTACT INFORMATION PROVIDED. *MJJ *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10107061

18,000 miles · Oct 19, 2004
Structure

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED, THE SLIDING DOOR OPENED. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN AN OBJECT WAS IN THE WAY OF THE SLIDING DOOR IT CONTINUED TO CLOSE INSTEAD OF DISENGAGING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THERE IS NO CYLINDER LOCK AND KEY. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10094145

30,080 miles · Sep 24, 2004
StructureInjury

(1) ON 9/7/04 I PURCHASED A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE VAN. IT IS A WB EDITION WITH TWO SLIDING SIDE DOORS. ON 9/19/04 THREE OF MY FOUR CHILDREN AND MYSELF WERE PICKING MY FINACE' UP FROM WORK ON OLD RT. 66 IN OATMAN AZ. I CLIMBED INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, MY 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER GOT INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE, FIRST ROW OF BACK S…

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(1) ON 9/7/04 I PURCHASED A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE VAN. IT IS A WB EDITION WITH TWO SLIDING SIDE DOORS. ON 9/19/04 THREE OF MY FOUR CHILDREN AND MYSELF WERE PICKING MY FINACE' UP FROM WORK ON OLD RT. 66 IN OATMAN AZ. I CLIMBED INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, MY 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER GOT INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE, FIRST ROW OF BACK SEATS, CLOSED THE DOOR, AND BUCKLED HER SEAT-BELT. MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER BEGAN GETTING INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FIRST ROW OF SEATS, AND MY FIANCE INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT. MY 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAD HER RIGHT HAND RRESTING ON THE DOOR HANDLE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR. (2)MY SON, OPENED THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR, ENGAGING THE POWER DOOR RESPONSE, AND BEFORE MY 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ([XXX]) COULD REMOVER HER HAND FROM THE DOOR HANDLE, HER ELBOW WAS PINNED TO THE BACK OF HER SEAT, AND THE DOOR CONTINUED TO OPEN. THERE WAS A "POP" AND HER ARM WAS BROKEN. BOTH BONES IN HER RIGHT FORE-ARM WERE LEFT WITH GREEN STICK FRACTURES. (3) I PHONED THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY, AND REQUESTED A RETURN OF MY VEHICLE AS I NO LONGER FELT SAFE IN IT. THEY DENIED MY REQUEST, AND WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE 30 DAY RETURN LAW, THE SALES MANAGER SAID THERE WAS NO SUCH LAW. I PHONED GM THEN, AND FILED A COMPAINT. I WAS GIVEN A FILE NUMBER OF [XXX], AND TOLD THAT LEGAL *MAY* CONTACT ME IN 48-72 HOURS IF THEY DIDN'T DENY MY CLAIM. LEGAL CALLED THE NEXT MORNING. I SPOKE WITH [XXX], AND SHE TOLD ME THAT CLAIMS WOULD CALL IN 7-10 DAYS. CLAIMS CALLED THE NEXT MORNING, AND I WAS GIVEN ANOTHER FILE NUMBER OF [XXX]. THE WOMAN IN CLAIMS TOLD ME HOW TO DISABLE THE POWER DOORS IN MY VAN, AND I HAVE DONE SO. OPENING THEM NOW WITHOUT THE POWER TAKES A PRETTY STRONG ARM, BUT THIS IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO IT. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE AS OF YET. *AK PE04064.PCO INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10093131

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureVisibility

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND TURNING TO THE LEFT VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, PROBLEM WITH BOTH SLIDING DOORS OPENING AND CLOSING ON THEIR OWN. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10089185

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

PROBLEMS WITH DRIVE TRAIN AND/OR TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONING ON 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE. *MR ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE VEHICLE IS ON DRIVE, IT ROLLED BACKWARDS. REPAIRS WHERE ALSO MADE ON BRAKES, AND SLIDING DOOR. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10081797

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.