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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

Suspension complaints

8 reports
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33,332 miles · Sep 11, 2006
Suspension

LEFT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED AT 33332 MILES ON FEB 18, 2005 RIGHT REAR HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED AT 68781 MILES ON SEP 6, 2006. 8JB

NHTSA ODI #10167827

56,000 miles · Apr 4, 2006
Suspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE WAS A VIBRATION AND NOISE FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10154499

30,811 miles · Sep 15, 2005
Suspension

HAD A SUSPENSION RATTLE AND DEALER INSPECTED IT ON 6/28/05 AND FOUND TWO BAD TRAILING ARM BUSHINGS AND A BAD SHOCK ABSORBER (DEALER REPLACED THE PARTS). ON 8/24/05 I HAD A BANGING NOISE AGAIN IN THE REAR AND THE DEALER FOUND THE OTHER SHOCK ABSORBER NO GOOD (DEALER REPLACED). ON 9/8/05 I STARTED HAVING A BAD RATTLE THAT SOUND …

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HAD A SUSPENSION RATTLE AND DEALER INSPECTED IT ON 6/28/05 AND FOUND TWO BAD TRAILING ARM BUSHINGS AND A BAD SHOCK ABSORBER (DEALER REPLACED THE PARTS). ON 8/24/05 I HAD A BANGING NOISE AGAIN IN THE REAR AND THE DEALER FOUND THE OTHER SHOCK ABSORBER NO GOOD (DEALER REPLACED). ON 9/8/05 I STARTED HAVING A BAD RATTLE THAT SOUND LIKE METAL ON METAL IN THE REAR. THE DEALER CHANGED THE REAR HATCH SHOCK ABSORBERS BUT THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. IT WAS BROUGHT BACK IN THE SAME DAY TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE AND THE FIXED THE COOLING LINE FOR THE REAR AC UNIT UNDER THE TRUCK BUT THAT WAS NOT THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN APART INSIDE ANDS DRIVEN AND WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE SHOCK TOWERS ARE BAD AND HAVE MOVEMENT IN THEM AND THERE IS NO FIX FOR A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM OF THIS KIND. I WAS GIVEN THE TRUCK BACK A TOLD THAT IS ALL THEY CAN DO. IF I WAS UNSATISFIED TO CALL GM AND DISCUSS IT WITH THEM. GM REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR A MINIVAN TO MAKE THAT SEVERE NOISE THAT PEOPLE CAN HEAR IT IN THE STREET BESIDES IN MY SON HEAD IN THE BACK SEAT WHERE MY CHILDREN SIT. THERE IS SOMETHING STRUCTURALLY LOOSE UNDER THIS TRUCK AND IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR SOUND. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10136600

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2005
Suspension

FOR THE FIRST TIME I HAD 6 ADULTS IN OUR CHEVRXOLET MINI-VAN. WE WERE TRAVING ABOUT 35 TO 40 MPH WHEN WE HIT SOME BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE VAN MADE A LOUD NOISE NOT JUST ONCE BUT EVER TIME WE HIT A ROUGH PATCH IN THE ROAD. I'M ALMOST SURE THE VAN BOTTOMED OUT. I WENT TO 3 DEALERSHIPS AND NO ONE SEE'S A PROBLEM WHEN YOU HAVE MORE…

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FOR THE FIRST TIME I HAD 6 ADULTS IN OUR CHEVRXOLET MINI-VAN. WE WERE TRAVING ABOUT 35 TO 40 MPH WHEN WE HIT SOME BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE VAN MADE A LOUD NOISE NOT JUST ONCE BUT EVER TIME WE HIT A ROUGH PATCH IN THE ROAD. I'M ALMOST SURE THE VAN BOTTOMED OUT. I WENT TO 3 DEALERSHIPS AND NO ONE SEE'S A PROBLEM WHEN YOU HAVE MORE THAN 4 ADULTS IN THE VAN. I KNOW THIS IS VERY UNSAFE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10105856

15,000 miles · Oct 7, 2004
Suspension

REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS WORE OUT. UNDE RNORMAL DRIVING IT FELT LIKE THE BOTTOM WAS GOING TO FALL OUT. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT COOPERATE, THEY STATED IT WAS NORMAL FOR SHOCKS TO WEAR. DEALER HEARD THE SAME NOISE UPON DRIVING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10095392

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

36,200 miles · May 11, 2004
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE STEERING BECAME TOO RELAXED. THE CONSUMER WAS COMPENSATING WITH STEERING, TRYING TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM DRIFTING TO THE LEFT. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE LEFT HUB ASSEMBLY. NOW THE RIGHT HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10065561

9,254 miles · Jan 7, 2004
Suspension

NOISE IN REAR OF MINI VAN. DEALER HAS HEARD THE NOISE AND CAN'T FIND IT. THEY REFUSE TO SPEND ANYMORE TIME ON IT. TOLD TO LIVE WITH IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10052582

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.