IllustrationDRIVER'S SIDE WIPER ARM STRIPPED ON THE MOUNT CAUSING THE WIPER BLADE TO CATCH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER BLADE DURING A RAINSTORM. NUT WAS AS TIGHT AS COULD BE. REPLACED WIPER ARM ENTIRELY. OLD PART WAS DISCARDED. *NM
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
What owners actually said
185 reports2003 VENTURA GAS TANK SUFFERED DAMAGE DUE TO THERE BEING NO ROAD HAZARD PROTECTION FOR THE TANK. *TS THE VEHICLE HAS A 25 GALLON FUEL TANK. THIS TANK HAS A METAL SHIELD FROM THE REAR TO WITHIN 24 INCHES FROM THE FRONT. THE FRONT AREA IS UNPROTECTED. *NM
MY 2003 CHEVY VENTURE LT VAN (41,000 MI ON IT) STOPPED AT THE BOTTOM OF MY DRIVEWAY AND WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. MY SON-IN-LAW, ( A MECHANIC) CHECKED THE LEFT BACK BRAKE AND FOUND A LARGE HEAVY DUTY SPRING AND BROKEN IN HALF THAT HELD THE BRAKE SHOE TOGETHER. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS A DEFECT BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS IF I…
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MY 2003 CHEVY VENTURE LT VAN (41,000 MI ON IT) STOPPED AT THE BOTTOM OF MY DRIVEWAY AND WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. MY SON-IN-LAW, ( A MECHANIC) CHECKED THE LEFT BACK BRAKE AND FOUND A LARGE HEAVY DUTY SPRING AND BROKEN IN HALF THAT HELD THE BRAKE SHOE TOGETHER. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS A DEFECT BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE LEFT BACK WHEEL HAD FROZEN UP ON ME. MY SON-IN-LAW PURCHASED A NEW SPRING FROM A PARTS DEALER AS THE CHEVY DEALER (DID NOT HAVE ANY IN STOCK?). HE HAS REPAIRED IT. *NM
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
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED CONDENSATION BUILT UP INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE BULB TO BLOW. THE CONTACT HAS REPLACED THE BULBS THREE TIMES.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALERSHIP NOTICED THE INTAKE GASKET WAS LEAKING WHILE AN OIL CHANGE WAS BEING PERFORMED. THE INTAKE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT STAY SHUT PROPERLY. DEALER HAS WORKED ON IT MANY TIMES RESULTING IN RE-PAINTING DOOR. LAST TIME DEALER HAD THE CAR THEY WERE GOING TO CALL CHEVY TECHNICAL TO HAVE SOMEONE COME LOOK AT IT. I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL TWO HOURS LATER SAYING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED AND TO COME GET IT. ALL THE…
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PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT STAY SHUT PROPERLY. DEALER HAS WORKED ON IT MANY TIMES RESULTING IN RE-PAINTING DOOR. LAST TIME DEALER HAD THE CAR THEY WERE GOING TO CALL CHEVY TECHNICAL TO HAVE SOMEONE COME LOOK AT IT. I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL TWO HOURS LATER SAYING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED AND TO COME GET IT. ALL THEY DID WAS PUT A PIECE OF RUBBER ON THE DOOR TO KEEP IT FROM HITTING. WHEN I ASKED WHY THEY DID NOT CALL CHEVY TECHNICAL AS PROMISED THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO. WHEN I ASKED FOR ANOTHER "RUBBER BUMPER" FOR THE DOOR ON THE OTHER SIDE, THEY SUDDENLY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PRODUCT. THE DOOR WILL NOT ALWAYS LOCK AND UNLOCK AS IT SHOULD AND IT STILL DOES NOT STAY CLOSED PROPERLY. IF WE DO NOT USE IT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WILL BE LOOSE. FIRST COMPLAINT WAS TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. *JB
MY 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE DEVELOPED A STRESS FRACTURE AT THE BEZEL/COLLAR OF THE GAS TANK WHICH CAUSED THE TANK TO BEGIN LEAKING AT A RATE OF 1 GALLON / HR. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, PER THE MECHANIC. HE COULD FIND NO EVIDENCE OF ANY OTHER DAMAGE. THE LEAKING WAS SO BAD THAT I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET, …
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MY 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE DEVELOPED A STRESS FRACTURE AT THE BEZEL/COLLAR OF THE GAS TANK WHICH CAUSED THE TANK TO BEGIN LEAKING AT A RATE OF 1 GALLON / HR. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, PER THE MECHANIC. HE COULD FIND NO EVIDENCE OF ANY OTHER DAMAGE. THE LEAKING WAS SO BAD THAT I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS THE GAS TANK/BEZEL/CONNECTOR HOSE IS AT A LOW POINT OF THE VEHICLE IN THE BACK. IT IS ONLY THROUGH GOOD FORTUNE THAT I DID NOT START A FIRE FROM THE LEAKING FLUID. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RIGHT POWER SLIDING DOOR OF THE VEHICLE LATCHED CLOSE TRAPPING A CHILD'S HAND. THE KEYS WERE LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND AN AMBULANCE WAS CALLED TO ASSIST. A PARAMEDIC HAD TO BREAK A WINDOW TO RELEASE THE CHILD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP TO DETERMINE WHETHE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RIGHT POWER SLIDING DOOR OF THE VEHICLE LATCHED CLOSE TRAPPING A CHILD'S HAND. THE KEYS WERE LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND AN AMBULANCE WAS CALLED TO ASSIST. A PARAMEDIC HAD TO BREAK A WINDOW TO RELEASE THE CHILD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP TO DETERMINE WHETHER THIS INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
EXCEPT FOR CENTER BRAKE LIGHT, MY BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AND AT THE SAME TIME TOOK OUT MY CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS TO BE A FAULTY 'BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH' AND I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING. *JB NO BRAKES MEAN DEFINITE ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND I CURRENT HAVE NO BRAKE LIGH…
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EXCEPT FOR CENTER BRAKE LIGHT, MY BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AND AT THE SAME TIME TOOK OUT MY CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS TO BE A FAULTY 'BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH' AND I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING. *JB NO BRAKES MEAN DEFINITE ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND I CURRENT HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS.
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.