IllustrationDEFECTIVE 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
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 reportsWHEN 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
CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT VEHICLE ROLLED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND WRONG, AND THAT WAS THE NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *TC
WE HAVE FOUND THAT DUE TO THE ANGLE OF THE SEAT BELT RECEIVER, A CHILD SAFETY SEAT CANNOT BE ADEQUATELY IMMOBILIZED IN EITHER OUTBOARD SECOND ROW POSITION. I AM AN EX-NHTSA CAR SAFETY SEAT TECHNICIAN, AND KNOW HOW TO INSTALL VERY WELL. SHORT OF USING A LATCH KIT (WHICH WE ARE NOW USING), THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO PREVENT SIDE T…
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WE HAVE FOUND THAT DUE TO THE ANGLE OF THE SEAT BELT RECEIVER, A CHILD SAFETY SEAT CANNOT BE ADEQUATELY IMMOBILIZED IN EITHER OUTBOARD SECOND ROW POSITION. I AM AN EX-NHTSA CAR SAFETY SEAT TECHNICIAN, AND KNOW HOW TO INSTALL VERY WELL. SHORT OF USING A LATCH KIT (WHICH WE ARE NOW USING), THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO PREVENT SIDE TO SIDE MOVEMENT OF THE CHILD SEAT.*AK
2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE HAS STALLED WITHOUT WARNING TWICE. THIS CAUSED DIFFICULT STEERING AND NEAR COLLISION. WILL CONTACT DEALER FOR INSPECTION / REPAIR. VAN HAS ONLY 22K MILES. *NM
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
(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
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
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
THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. *AK AS THE PERSON OPENED THE DOOR, THEIR WRIST HUNG ON THE INSIDE HANDLE AND CONSEQUENTLY HE/SHE WRIST WAS BROKEN. *SC *JB PE04064.PCO
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.