RoadVitals

2003 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.
185
Latest Apr 6, 2023
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.
8
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.
23
34 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 185 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Venture, most frequently naming the engine, body & structure and exterior lighting categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 469 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

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

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
09E005000

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
08E050000

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
07V349000

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

View all 185
Airbags
Filed Apr 6, 2023
1 injury reported

Driving on a driveway (estimated speed 5-10 mph) when I noted that the driver side door didn't seem completely closed. I tugged on the door handle to shut it and instantaneously felt the driver-side side airbag deploy, scraping my left forearm, left ear, and rupturing the left eardrum. There had been no collision or accident involving the car or any other structure. The vehicle has not been in a prior accident, and has not had additional electric work performed to any of its systems since manufacturing. The vehicle is available for inspection, it has not been inspected yet by a manufacturer or dealer, and the airbag affected my safety by causing physical harm due to faulty deployment.

NHTSA ID
11515814
Incident
Apr 2, 2023
Fuel system
Filed Jan 18, 2022

I was adding fuel to my car and noticed a strong fuel smell. I only traveled a few miles but my fuel gauge dropped from 3/4 to 1/4 full in only a few miles. When I got home I told my husband. He checked the vehicle and found that fuel was leaking from the inlet on the fuel tank. My husband searched the issue an found a recall for some 2003 and 2004 Chevrolet and other GM products listed as NHTSA Campaign # 07V349000 and NHTSA Action # EA07006. It does list the same vehicle I have a 2003 Chevy Venture van. The recall covers just certain months of production. From our research it seems that a broader recall in needed

NHTSA ID
11447977
Incident
Jan 17, 2022
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 31, 2021

LEFT TURN SIGNAL WIRING SHORTED OUT & AS RESULT ALL LIGHTS ON LEFT FRONT DO NOT WORK NOW. PIGTAILS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS APPLICATION!!!

NHTSA ID
11405712
Incident
Feb 20, 2021
Mileage
189,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 7, 2021

THE BUTTONS FOR MY CONTROL DASH WHERE RADIO AND HEAT ADJUSTMENT ARE, THE PANEL,. GETS BLAZING HOT TO THE TOUCH. EVERYTIME WE DRIVE IT. IT'S OVERHEATING SO MUCH I AM CONCERNED IT WASN'T FIXED BY A RECALL PREVIOUSLY CLAIMED. THE BUTTONS DECALS HAVE MELTED OFF ON SOME BUTTONS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS ON. I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VAN PRIVATELY IN ILLINOIS.

NHTSA ID
11395074
Incident
Oct 1, 2020
Mileage
114,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 14, 2019

AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING FUEL FROM THE TANK NEAR THE AREA WHERE THE FUEL INLET ENTERS THE TANK. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL BULLETIN, 06230, AND THE VIN NUMBERS OF VEHICLES AFFECTED DOES INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER GM WILL NOT COVER THE COST TO REPAIR, CLAIMING MY VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED. OBVIOUSLY IT IS AFFECTED OR IT WOULD NOT BE LEAKING FUEL FROM THE EXACT SAME AREA COVERED BY THE RECALL! THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE STATING THE SAME EXPERIENCE. WHY WON'T GM COVER THE REPAIR EVEN WHEN THERE IS A RECALL? TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, GM NO LONGER MAKES THE REPLACEMENT TANK AND I CAN NOT FIND AN AFTERMARKET TANK EITHER.

NHTSA ID
11268257
Incident
Oct 13, 2019
Mileage
99,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 3, 2018

TAMARA INFLATES INCLUDES MY BRAKES AS I HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE VAN WOULD STILL NOT STOP. ALSO MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN.

NHTSA ID
11145121
Incident
Oct 25, 2018
Mileage
103,200 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Mar 22, 2018

THE ENGINE RPM SURGES WITHOUT PUSHING THE GAS. THE ENGINE WILL GRADUALLY PROPEL THE VEHICLE TO AROUND 50-60 MPH WITH NO MECHANICAL MOVEMENT OF THE GAS PEDAL. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY DAY OR TWO. HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL OR FIRMLY PRESS THE BRAKES TO GET THE VELOCITY DOWN. THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY. CHANGING ALL TYPES OF PARTS AND STILL NO RESOLUTION. I ALSO SEE ALOT OF THE SAME ISSUES ON LINE WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11080807
Incident
Jan 12, 2018
Mileage
135,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 29, 2017

THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD HEAD GASKET CRACKED OR RUPTURED RESULTING IN THE ANTI- FREEZE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE MOTOR OIL. REQUIRED REMOVAL OF ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY AND REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE RUPTURED HEAD GASKET. COST 9 HOURS MECHANIC LABOR AND $ 975.00 FOR PROFESSIONAL REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
10969221
Incident
Dec 27, 2016
Mileage
61,000 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.

PIT3271P

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.

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
2003Viewing1858161.1
20022206158.3
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.