2003 Chevrolet Venture recalls and problems

The 2003 Chevrolet Venture has 5 safety recalls and 185 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
185
Crashes / fires
19 / 4
Injuries / deaths
34 / 2

Recalls may cover only some 2003 Chevrolet Venture vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2003 Chevrolet Venture recalls

Recall 07V-349: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Aug 8, 2007 · 20,594 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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).

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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 04V-597: Latches/Locks/Linkages

Reported Dec 22, 2004 · 717,302 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 03V-250: Equipment

Reported Jul 15, 2003 · 1,707,825 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.

Fix: 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.

Recall 03V-051: Air Bags

Reported Feb 14, 2003 · 130 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 02V-222: Air Bags

Reported Aug 9, 2002 · 133,221 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

2003 Chevrolet Venture problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Exterior Lighting32
Structure27
Engine and Engine Cooling23
Power Train17
Air Bags17
Electrical System17
Fuel System, Gasoline14
Service Brakes, Hydraulic13
Latches/Locks/Linkages11
Seat Belts10
Suspension8
Fuel/Propulsion System8

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body › Door — 12
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 10
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 8
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 8
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly — 6
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 5
  • Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments — 4
  • Air Bags › Side/Window — 4

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 64,688 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2003 Chevrolet Venture complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Apr 6, 2023
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…
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported 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…
Electrical System · at 189,000 miles · reported 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!!!
Electrical System · at 114,000 miles · reported 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.
Fuel/Propulsion System · at 99,000 miles · reported 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…

Other Chevrolet Venture years

Compare all Chevrolet Venture years · All Chevrolet models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Chevrolet Venture have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Venture: 07V-349 (fuel system, gasoline), 04V-597 (latches/locks/linkages), 03V-250 (equipment), 03V-051 (air bags), 02V-222 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Chevrolet Venture?

Owners report exterior lighting problems most often (32 reports), followed by structure (27). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 64,688 miles.

Are Chevrolet recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Chevrolet dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.