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2004 Chevrolet Venture

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 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

90 reports with mileage · 34 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports16 injury reports

What owners actually said

124 reports
23,000 miles · Apr 18, 2007
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE BEEN STOPPED & WARNED BY OTHERS CONSTANTLY SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE ABOUT HAVING NO BRAKE LIGHTS, EXCEPT FOR THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT, ABOVE THE REAR GLASS. I REPLACED TWO BULBS 3057 IN THE TAIL EIGHTS AT LEAST EVERY 3 WEEKS. THE BULBS LOOKED FINE. I HAVE TO REMOVE, SOMETIMES REPLACE, SOMETIMES JUST RESET THE BULBS…

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I HAVE BEEN STOPPED & WARNED BY OTHERS CONSTANTLY SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE ABOUT HAVING NO BRAKE LIGHTS, EXCEPT FOR THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT, ABOVE THE REAR GLASS. I REPLACED TWO BULBS 3057 IN THE TAIL EIGHTS AT LEAST EVERY 3 WEEKS. THE BULBS LOOKED FINE. I HAVE TO REMOVE, SOMETIMES REPLACE, SOMETIMES JUST RESET THE BULBS. BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP COUNTLESS TIMES ,TO NO AVAIL! VERY FRUSTRATING & DANGEROUS. WILL CAUSE CRUISE CONTROL TO FAIL - GENERALLY THE FIRST WARNING I HAVE TO ALERT ME OF THE TAIL LIGHT FAILURE. JUST WAITING TO BE REAR ENDED!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10188220

13,000 miles · Apr 12, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE DOOR WAS CLOSED MANUALLY AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR, AND HAS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT INCLUDED A CHECK L…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE DOOR WAS CLOSED MANUALLY AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR, AND HAS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT INCLUDED A CHECK LIST. SEVERAL DEALERS HAVE CLEANED THE CONTACTS ON THE DOOR WHICH DIDN'T CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER MAINTAINED THAT THE ACTUATED CONTROL MODULES COULD BE THE CAUSE. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32239. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10187725

49,500 miles · Mar 30, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET VENTURE WITH 65000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD WAS BAD ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHTS FOUR TIMES, AND HAS HAD FOUR DIFFERENT MECHANICS CHECKING AT THE VEHICLE, AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTA…

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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET VENTURE WITH 65000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD WAS BAD ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHTS FOUR TIMES, AND HAS HAD FOUR DIFFERENT MECHANICS CHECKING AT THE VEHICLE, AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT OF THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10186560

77,000 miles · Mar 20, 2007
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE VEHICLE COMES STANDARD WITH A BUILT-IN CHILD SAFETY SEAT. WHILE FASTENED IN THE CAR SEAT THE CONTACT'S 2 YEAR OLD CHILD WAS ABLE TO REACH THE ADULT SEAT BELT, WRAP IT AROUND HIS NECK, AND BEGAN TO CHOKE. AN AIR GUN WAS NEEDED TO REMOVE THE SEAT BELT FROM THE CHILD'S NECK. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE VEHICLE COMES STANDARD WITH A BUILT-IN CHILD SAFETY SEAT. WHILE FASTENED IN THE CAR SEAT THE CONTACT'S 2 YEAR OLD CHILD WAS ABLE TO REACH THE ADULT SEAT BELT, WRAP IT AROUND HIS NECK, AND BEGAN TO CHOKE. AN AIR GUN WAS NEEDED TO REMOVE THE SEAT BELT FROM THE CHILD'S NECK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 77000. *AK UPDATED 04/12/070. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10185682

65,350 miles · Feb 27, 2007
Electrical System

2004 CHEVROLET, VENTURE, 65000 MILES, THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED TO FUNCTION ERRATICALLY, THEN IT JUST GOES UP EVEN PASSED THE RED MARKINGS ON THE INDICATOR. I HAVE REPLACED THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENDING UNIT(SENSOR), THE THERMOSTAT, CHECKED ALL THE GROUNDING TO THE PCM BUT EVERYTHING IT'S GOOD. STILL THE TEMPERATU…

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2004 CHEVROLET, VENTURE, 65000 MILES, THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED TO FUNCTION ERRATICALLY, THEN IT JUST GOES UP EVEN PASSED THE RED MARKINGS ON THE INDICATOR. I HAVE REPLACED THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENDING UNIT(SENSOR), THE THERMOSTAT, CHECKED ALL THE GROUNDING TO THE PCM BUT EVERYTHING IT'S GOOD. STILL THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE JUST RESETS WHEN I OPEN AND CLOSE THE IGNITION LOCK. I WILL BE TAKING THIS TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE PCM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10183619

73,000 miles · Jan 25, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* - WHILE DRIVING THE 2004 CHEVROLET VENTURA AT 10 MPH OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE CONTACT 'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED. IN THE SECOND INCIDENT, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR WAS OPENED WHEN SHE DROVE OUT OF A DEPARTMENT STORE PARKING LOT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10180698

41,000 miles · Oct 4, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingFireInjury

MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A 2004 CHEVY VENTURE ON OCTOBER 24,2004. IT HAD LESS THAN 6,000 MILES ON IT. ON SEPTEMBER 27,2006, WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE,THE VAN BEGAN TO SERGE/ STALL. HE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AND GOT OUT OF THE VAN. HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND FIGURED THAT …

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MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A 2004 CHEVY VENTURE ON OCTOBER 24,2004. IT HAD LESS THAN 6,000 MILES ON IT. ON SEPTEMBER 27,2006, WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE,THE VAN BEGAN TO SERGE/ STALL. HE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AND GOT OUT OF THE VAN. HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND FIGURED THAT IT MAY HAVE JUST OVERHEATED( NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON ). HE PULLED UP ON THE HOOD AND FLAMES SHOT OUT AT HIM. HE DROPPED THE HOOD DOWN AND WITHIN MINUTES THE VAN WAS COMPLETELY INFLAMED. 911 WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AS WELL AS LAW ENFORCEMENT. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SINGED HAIR AND MINOR FACIAL BURNS MY HUSBAND IS OK. THE FIRE INSPECTOR TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT THE FIRE APPARENTLY STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE MOTOR. MOST OF THE TIME MY 3 CHILDREN TRAVELED IN THIS VAN. THEY WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO ESCAPE THIS FIRE. THE VAN ONLY HAD AROUND 40,000 MILES ON IT . I AM WRITING THIS WITH THE HOPE THAT PEOPLE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO SURGING OR STALLING VENTURES. I'M NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED MY VAN TO CATCH ON FIRE. HOPEFULLY THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL SOON KNOW, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE GM AWARE OF A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10169960

43,000 miles · Aug 17, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS FOR ALL FOUR WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER ON 13 OCCASIONS. ON THE 9TH VISIT, THE MANUFACTURER AUTHORIZED A 72,000-MILE WARRANTY. ON 8/14/2006, WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE LEFT REAR SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF THE ROLLER TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED A…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS FOR ALL FOUR WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER ON 13 OCCASIONS. ON THE 9TH VISIT, THE MANUFACTURER AUTHORIZED A 72,000-MILE WARRANTY. ON 8/14/2006, WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE LEFT REAR SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF THE ROLLER TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT AN AUTHORIZED BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ODI #10165750

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2006
Equipment

I PURCHASED A CHEVROLET VENTURE 2004 BRAND NEW IN OCTOBER. NEXT YEAR IN MID MAY THE AIR CONDITIONER WORK GOOD BUT THAT ONLY LAST IT A MONTH OR LESS. NOW I BOUGHT THIS VAN FOR MY BUSINESS IN TRANSPORTATION. I CAN NOT HAVE MY PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE BEING SO HOT. SINCE THEN UNTIL NOW ITS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP AND STILL T…

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I PURCHASED A CHEVROLET VENTURE 2004 BRAND NEW IN OCTOBER. NEXT YEAR IN MID MAY THE AIR CONDITIONER WORK GOOD BUT THAT ONLY LAST IT A MONTH OR LESS. NOW I BOUGHT THIS VAN FOR MY BUSINESS IN TRANSPORTATION. I CAN NOT HAVE MY PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE BEING SO HOT. SINCE THEN UNTIL NOW ITS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP AND STILL THE AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT WORKING. THE PROBLEM IS THAT HOT AIR COMES OUT AND THE VAN DOES NOT OVERHEAT. THE WEIRD PART IS THAT THE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE RISING THE AIR COMES OUT A LITTLE MORE COOLER BUT NOT LIKE ITS SUPPOSED TO. ITS HARD FOR ME TO BEING TAKING THE VAN IN ALL THE TIME. THIS IS MY VAN THAT I HAVE THE WHEELCHAIR INSTALLED IN FOR MY PASSENGERS. I BOUGHT IT NEW WITH THE CONFIDENCE THAT IT WILL BE IN GOOD CONDITION AND COMFORTABLE MY SELF AND MY PASSENGER. THIS VAN IS USED FOR BUSINESS, SO ITS HARD TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP AND STILL COMING OUT THE SAME. THE VAN HAS BEEN RECHARGED, THE FILTERS HAVE BEEN CLEANED AND CHANGED, THE AIR DUCT/DOOR HAS BEEN INSPECTED. EVERY THING THAT IS NEED TO BE INSPECTED AND CHANGED HAS BEEN PERFORMED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10163222

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2006
Structure

ON OCCASIONS THE WEATHER STRIPPING ON THE SIDE POWER DOOR INTERFERES WITH THE CLOSING AND LOCKING OF THE DOOR. THIS HAS ON THREE OCCASIONS, HAS SUBJECTED MY GRANDSON AND PETS TO BEING POSSIBLY THROWN OUT OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINING SERIOUS INJURIES THE DEALER ADVISED US THAT THIS WAS NOT THE BEST DESIGNING BUT COULD ONLY REPLACE …

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ON OCCASIONS THE WEATHER STRIPPING ON THE SIDE POWER DOOR INTERFERES WITH THE CLOSING AND LOCKING OF THE DOOR. THIS HAS ON THREE OCCASIONS, HAS SUBJECTED MY GRANDSON AND PETS TO BEING POSSIBLY THROWN OUT OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINING SERIOUS INJURIES THE DEALER ADVISED US THAT THIS WAS NOT THE BEST DESIGNING BUT COULD ONLY REPLACE WITH AN ORIGINAL VERSION OF THE PART. SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS WOULD BE ONLY A BANDAID APPROACH TO A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM. IT IS MY FEELING THAT IS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10161088

Official recalls

3

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.

04V177000 · Equipment:other:labels

Apr 8, 2004

CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 213, "CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE TEXT AND FORMATTING ON THE WARNING LABEL ATTACHED TO THE AVAILABLE SECOND-ROW INTEGRAL CHILD RESTRAINT AS SPECIFIED BY AMENDMENTS TO THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REPLACEMENT LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

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.