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2003 Chevrolet Venture: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 185 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Venture, fewer than for any earlier Venture model year[1][2]. Five recalls apply, and Five recalls apply[3][4][5][6][7], and in a sample of complaints we read, owners describe sliding door, stalling, headlight and air bag problems[8][9][10][11]..
Most reported problems
Owners filed 185 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 19 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 34 injuries[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the van.
The largest complaint groups by count are:
| Component group | Complaints | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting[8] | 30 | 72,500 |
| Engine[9] | 28 | 69,250 |
| Structure[10] | 27 | 54,844 |
| Air bags[11] | 17 | 102,000 |
| Electrical system[13] | 17 | 70,300 |
| Power train[14] | 16 | 70,000 |
| Fuel system, gasoline[15] | 14 | 65,000 |
| Brakes[16] | 12 | 40,363 |
We read a small sample of complaint texts in four of these groups. Here is what owners describe in that sample.
- Structure. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 10 describe the power sliding door[10]. The door opened or closed on its own, kept closing on a person or object, or caught an arm or wrist on the interior handle. The group has 9 injuries in 27 complaints[10]. One sample text describes water leaking into the rear of the van[10].
- Air bags. In a sample of 12 complaints, 7 say the air bags did not deploy in a collision[11]. Four describe a warning light or a module that needed replacing, and 2 describe an air bag deploying with no crash[11]. The group has 8 crashes and 18 injuries in 17 complaints[11].
- Engine. In a sample of 12 complaints, 6 describe the engine stalling while driving or turning, often with no warning[9]. Three describe a leaking gasket[9].
- Exterior lighting. In a sample of 12 complaints, 7 describe water or condensation inside the headlight assemblies, and 3 describe brake light or tail light failures[8]. The group has 3 fires in 30 complaints[8]. Some sample texts repeat, so treat the counts loosely.
The power train, electrical, fuel system and brake groups have fewer complaints, and we did not read samples for them[13][14][15][16].
Recalls
NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year, newest first.
- Fuel tank inlet check valve (07V349). A part in the fuel tank inlet can fracture. Fuel vapor can pass through, and fuel droplets can collect on the tank. With an ignition source nearby, a leak could cause a fire. The fix is a new fuel tank at a dealer. It covers 20,594 potentially affected vehicles, and only certain Ventures built June through August 2002 plus vehicles registered in some states[3].
- Passenger sliding door handle (04V597). On vans with second-row bucket seats or captain's chairs and a passenger-side power sliding door, a passenger who holds the interior handle while the motor opens the door can have an arm pushed into the seat back or armrest. A wrist or lower arm injury can result. The fix is a new interior handle. Until then, GM advised owners not to use the interior handle to open that door. It covers 717,302 potentially affected vehicles[4].
- Owner's manual, child seat anchors (03V250). The manual did not explain the symbols that show where child seat lower anchors are. That did not meet a federal standard. The fix is a supplement for the manual. It covers 1,707,825 potentially affected vehicles[5].
- Driver air bag inflator (03V051). The driver air bag might not deploy as designed, and the inflator could rupture and injure occupants. Dealers inspect the air bag and install a new one if needed. It covers 130 potentially affected vehicles[6].
- Driver air bag inflator weld (02V222). The driver inflator could fracture at a weld when the bag deploys. Pieces could injure occupants, and the bag would not fully inflate. Dealers inspect and replace the module if needed. It covers 133,221 potentially affected vehicles[7].
Fuel economy
Both EPA ratings below are for the 3.4L 6-cylinder with an Automatic 4-spd, running on regular[12][17].
| Version | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venture FWD[12] | 17 MPG | 24 MPG | 20 MPG | $3,350 |
| Venture AWD[17] | 16 MPG | 22 MPG | 18 MPG | $3,700 |
The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the van was new[12][17].
Safety ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list this van as not rated[18].
Engine and size
The EPA ratings above list a 3.4L 6-cylinder engine[12][17]. The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US vans.
How 2003 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 432 | 6 |
| 1998 | 409 | 7 |
| 1999 | 349 | 4 |
| 2000 | 350 | 5 |
| 2001 | 222 | 9 |
| 2002 | 220 | 3 |
| 2003 | 185 | 5 |
| 2004 | 124 | 3 |
| 2005 | 42 | 1 |
NHTSA's counts for each Venture model year show 2003 near the low end for complaints[2].
- Earlier years had more complaints. 1997 has 432, 1998 has 409, 1999 has 349, 2000 has 350, 2001 has 222 and 2002 has 220[2]. The 2003 total is 185[2].
- Later years had fewer. 2004 has 124 and 2005 has 42[2].
- Recalls are mixed. 2003 has 5 recalls[2]. That equals 2000, and is more than 1999 (4), 2002 (3), 2004 (3) and 2005 (1)[2]. It is fewer than 1997 (6), 1998 (7) and 2001 (9)[2].
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vans were sold, so they show where reports fall, not which year is more reliable[2].
Should you buy a used 2003 Venture?
The 2003 Venture has fewer NHTSA complaints than every earlier model year, but that count is not adjusted for sales[2]. The sliding door, stalling, headlight water and air bag complaints are worth checking in any van you consider[8][9][10][11]. Ask whether the five recalls were done, especially the sliding door handle, the air bag inflator and the fuel tank[3][4][6][7]. Ask for a VIN check, because the fuel tank recall covers only certain vans[3]. EPA rates it at 18 to 20 MPG combined, depending on drive[12][17].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems on a 2003 Chevrolet Venture?
- Exterior lighting has the most complaints at 30, then engine at 28 and structure at 27[8][9][10]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe sliding door problems, stalling, headlight water and air bags that did not deploy[8][9][10][11].
- How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Venture have?
- NHTSA lists 5: fuel tank, passenger sliding door handle, owner's manual child seat anchors, and two for the driver air bag inflator[3][4][5][6][7].
- What MPG does a 2003 Chevrolet Venture get?
- EPA rates the FWD at 17 city, 24 highway and 20 combined[12]. The AWD is rated 16, 22 and 18[17].
- Is the 2003 Venture better than other Venture years?
- It has fewer complaints than 1997 to 2002 and more than 2004 and 2005, but counts are not adjusted for sales[2].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 185 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Chevrolet Venture (19 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 34 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Venture model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 07V349, filed August 8, 2007: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 04V597, filed December 22, 2004: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 03V250, filed July 15, 2003: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
- Recall 03V051, filed February 14, 2003: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 02V222, filed August 9, 2002: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- 30 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 28 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- 27 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,844). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the air bags component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 18 injuries, median mileage at failure 102,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Venture FWD, 3.4L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 17 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,300). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the power train component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,363). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Venture AWD, 3.4L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VENTURE 4DR VALUE/VALUE PLUS/LS/LT: length 187 in, width 72 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,713 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VENTURE EXTENDED W/B 4DR VALUE/VALUE PLUS/LS/: length 201 in, width 72 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 3,896 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VENTURE EXTENDED W/B 4DR AWD LS/LT/Warner Br.: length 201 in, width 72 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 4,180 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov