RoadVitals

2002 Chevrolet Venture

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
220
Latest Nov 4, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Feb 17, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
16
26 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 220 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Venture, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and brakes categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 439 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

STEERING

Feb 17, 2009
979 units potentially affected
The defect: DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
The risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
DORMAN PRODUCTS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 11, 2008
1,921 units potentially affected
The defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
K2 MOTOR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

Aug 8, 2007
20,594 units potentially affected
The defect: 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).
The risk: 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.
The 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.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 06230View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE04064ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

POWER-SLIDING DOOR

Opened Sep 17, 2004
Closed Dec 22, 2004

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.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOORLed to recall 04V597000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Nov 4, 2021

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, a fuel odor was detected inside the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel. The contact's neighbor, an independent mechanic, diagnosed that there was fuel leaking between the connection of the fuel line and fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID
11439369
Incident
Oct 28, 2021
Mileage
80,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 5, 2020

BLOWN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE AN OVERHEATING ISSUE, AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED SINCE I'VE OWNED IT. DROVE ACROSS A STEEP 7 MILE HILL, TEMP GAUGE STARTED MOVING ABOVE NORMAL. I STOPPED AND LET IT COOL DOWN, MOTOR GOT TO ABOUT 245 DEGREES WELL BEFORE ANY WARNING LIGHTS WERE ABLE TO COME ON. STARTED THE MOTOR AND IT SOUNDED DIFFERENT SO I POPPED THE HOOD AND THE COOLANT OVERFLOW WAS BUBBLING. NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD STARTED STEAMING UP, AND A VERY ROUGH IDLE. SHUT THE MOTOR OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN. WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE. TURN IT OFF AGAIN AND OPENED THE OIL CAP AND IT HAD THE MAYO LOOK AND SMELLED OF ANTIFREEZE. PULLED THE DIPSTICK AND THE OIL WAS BROWN AND SEPARATED. GOT IT HAULED HOME. DID AN INSPECTION AND ANTIFREEZE WAS ALL DOWN THE BLOCK. TOOK THE MOTOR APART AND THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS JUST DETROYED. CHEVROLET HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS OUT OF THESE 3.4 GEN 3 MOTORS. THEY ALL NEED TO BE RECALLED AND THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU KEEP THE COOLANT FLUSHED AND OIL CHANGED. HEAD GASKETS WERE IN THE SAME SHAPE I CHANGED THEM TOO. ALL TOGETHER COST ME OVER $1000 BETWEEN GASKET KITS, HEAD BOLTS, INTAKE BOLTS, COOLANT, OIL, FILTER, FLUSH, AND THAT WAS CHANGING THE HEAD GASKET, LOWER AND UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET COMPLETELY BY MYSELF. THESE MOTORS ARE SO HARD TO WORK ON, I JUST COULDN'T AFFORD TO HAVE SOMEONE DO IT FOR ME. IT'S JUST BAD TO BUY A VEHICLE AND HAVE THIS PROBLEM. MOST VENTURE OWNERS HAVE CHANGED HEAD GASKETS OR INTAKE GASKETS MORE THAN ONCE. TOYOTA RECALLED THEIR 3.0 MOTORS FOR THIS PROBLEM, WHY IS GM NOT MADE TO RECTIFY THIS CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. THE VAN HAS ALOT OF OTHER PROBLEMS AS WELL, BODY RUST, HEADLIGHTS YOU CANNOT SEE WITH, OIL SEAL LEAKS, STEERING KNUCKLE PROBLEMS, SLIDING DOOR ISSUES, RADIO PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, SIGNAL LIGHTS, ABS PROBLEMS. FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS. IT'S A LEMON

NHTSA ID
11378031
Incident
Oct 23, 2020
Fuel system
Filed Aug 31, 2018

SUDDENLY MY VEHICLE HAD A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WHEN I WALKED UP ON IT IN THE MORNING I SMELLED IT 3 FEET AWAY FROM MY VEHICLE. IT HAPPENED JUST LIKE THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN. I SCHEDULED MY INSPECTION WITH MY MECHANIC AND I TOLD HIM I SUDDENLY WAS SMELLING A STRONG ODOR OF GAS. MY MECHANIC CALLED AND INFORMED ME THERE WAS A CRACK IN MY GAS TANK AND IT IS LEAKING SO THAT IS WHY I WAS SMELLING GAS SO BADLY. WE ORDERED ANOTHER 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE GAS TANK FROM A SALVAGE YARD. THEY SHIPPED THE GAS TANK AND WHEN MY MECHANIC OPENED IT IT WAS BROKE IN THE SAME EXACT PLACE. THIS IS WHY I THOUGHT LOOKING UP FOR POSSIBLE RECALL. I FOUND RECALL 07V349000. STATED THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE CAN CRACK AND LEAK. STATED AFFECTED CHEVROLET VENTURE 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004. I HAVE 2002. MY PROBLEM IS IT'S VIN SPECIFIC ACCORDING TO CHEVROLET THE NUMBER THAT I WAS GIVEN TO CALL ABOUT THE RECALL. 18006302438. MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. MY PROBLEM FITS THE DESCRIPTION PERFECTLY BUT THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T HELP ME. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM FOR ANYONE. I NOW HAVE TO PAY OVER 1,000.00 FOR A NEW GAS TANK OR HAVE NO CAR. I DO NOT HAVE ANY TRANSPORTATION NOW. MY CHEVROLET VENTURE IS SITTING AT MY MECHANICS.

NHTSA ID
11123646
Incident
Aug 23, 2018
Mileage
133,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 12, 2017

FUEL FILLER NECK CRACKED WHERE IT IS ATTACHED TO THE GAS TANK. FUEL LEAKING OUT OF NECK.

NHTSA ID
11022916
Incident
Sep 8, 2017
Mileage
140,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 25, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A PUDDLE OF FUEL WAS SEEN ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT'S BROTHER, A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE TANK WAS CRACKED AT THE INLET CHECK VALVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL PER THE VIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10980552
Incident
Dec 17, 2014
Mileage
140,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Dec 28, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING AND RAN OFF THE EDGE OF THE ROAD AND OVER CORRECTED MYSELF AN HIT AN EMBANKMENT HEAD ON AND MY FACE WENT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN WAS THROWN FOR THE VAN OUT THE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW AND THE VAN THEN LANDED ON MY FOOT BEFORE I HIT THE ROAD DUE TO AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYING MY NOSE WAS TORN ABOUT OFF MY FACE AND BROOK 4 RIBS FRACTURED 5 AND MY FOOT AND ANKLE AND FOOT WAS BADLY DAMAGED MY SEAT BELT WAS PUT ON BUT FOR SOME REASON DIDN'T WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10938325
Incident
Sep 9, 2016
Fuel system
Filed Jul 31, 2016

FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK EVER SINCE I HAD THIS VAN AND FUEL PUMP UNEXPECTEDLY WENT BAD AT ABOUT 83000 MILES

NHTSA ID
10891897
Incident
Jun 21, 2012
Mileage
83,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 29, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING SNAPPED AND DISENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. BASED UPON THE CONTACT'S EXAMINATION, THE GEAR BOX WAS FRACTURED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ID
10881493
Incident
Jun 24, 2016
Mileage
145,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIP5358D

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.

PIP4723J

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Venture by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005423266.2
20041245158.2
20031858161.1
2002Viewing2206158.3
200122212160.1
20003508363.0
19993497663.8
199840910762.7
19974329860.1
1996200
1988100

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.