CarBrief

NHTSA has 42 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Chevrolet Venture[1], and the power sliding doors come up again and again in the ones we read[2][3]. There is one recall, and it is about the interior handle on the passenger-side sliding door[4].

42owner complaints[1]
1recalls[5]
19MPG combined (EPA)[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 42 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Seven mention a crash, one mentions a fire, and the file lists 9 injuries and 2 deaths[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Here is how the complaints split by component group:

Sliding doors. We read the complaint texts for the top groups. In the latch and lock sample, 7 of 8 are about a power sliding door[3]. In the structure sample, 8 of 9 are[2]. Owners describe three kinds of trouble. Some say a hand or arm was caught after using the interior handle while the door opened, with a broken wrist or arm in the accounts[3]. Some say the door opened on its own, including while the van was moving[3][2]. Some say it would not close or latch properly[3][2]. One owner describes the door popping open with a child seated beside it[2]. The structure group shows 1 crash and 3 injuries[2], and the latch group shows 3 injuries[3].

Fuel system. In the fuel complaints we read, 3 of 7 describe fuel leaking near the filler tube or tank[7]. Two of 7 describe a fuel smell in or around the van[7]. The group has 1 fire, and the median mileage at failure is 85,000[7].

Air bags. In 4 of the 5 air bag complaints we read, the owner says the air bags did not deploy in a crash[10]. The group shows 5 crashes, 4 injuries and 2 deaths[10]. These are owner accounts, and our data does not say why any air bag did or did not deploy.

Brakes, electrical, engine and other fuel system each have between 3 and 5 complaints[8][9][11][12]. With counts that small, we do not call any of them a common problem.

Recalls

We have one recall for this model year.

This recall is about the handle injury. It applies to certain minivans, so not every van is necessarily covered[4]. We have no recall in our data for a sliding door that opens on its own.

Fuel economy

EPA rates the Venture FWD with the 3.4L 6-cylinder engine and a 4-speed automatic at 17 MPG city, 24 highway and 19 combined[6]. It runs on regular fuel[6]. EPA estimates the annual fuel cost at $3,550[6].

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists the 2005 Venture as not rated in its 5-Star Safety Ratings[13]. That means we cannot tell you how it scored. It does not mean it scored badly.

Engine and size

The EPA rating we have is for a 3.4L 6-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive[6]. We do not have horsepower for this van. The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications[14].

Measurement Value
Length[14] 201 in
Width[14] 72 in
Height[14] 68 in
Wheelbase[14] 120 in
Curb weight[14] 3,838 lb

How 2005 compares with other years

1997: 432 complaints, 6 recalls19971998: 409 complaints, 7 recalls19981999: 349 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 350 complaints, 5 recalls20002001: 222 complaints, 9 recalls20012002: 220 complaints, 3 recalls20022003: 185 complaints, 5 recalls20032004: 124 complaints, 3 recalls20042005: 42 complaints, 1 recalls422005
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Venture model year. The 2005 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19974326
19984097
19993494
20003505
20012229
20022203
20031855
20041243
2005421

NHTSA lists 9 Venture model years, 1997 to 2005[5]. The 2005 model has the fewest complaints at 42, and the fewest recalls at 1[5]. The next lowest on complaints is 2004 with 124, and the highest is 1997 with 432[5]. On recalls, 2002 and 2004 have 3 each, and 2001 has the most with 9[5]. These counts are not adjusted for how many vans were sold, so they are a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2005 Venture?

The complaint count is low next to other Venture years[5]. Still, the sliding doors deserve attention. In the complaints we read, they are the subject of 7 of 8 latch texts and 8 of 9 structure texts, and some describe injuries[2][3]. If you look at one, open and close every sliding door many times, try the interior handles and ask whether the recall handle was replaced[4]. Also check the filler tube area and the cabin for fuel smell[7], and keep in mind that our data cannot say how reliable the van is overall, so a pre-purchase inspection is a sensible step.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Venture?
By count, the largest complaint groups are structure with 9[2], latches and locks with 8[3] and gasoline fuel system with 7[7]. In the texts we read, power sliding doors are a recurring subject in the first two groups[2][3].
Has the 2005 Chevrolet Venture been recalled?
Yes. Recall 04V597 covers the interior handle on the passenger-side power sliding door, which could injure a passenger's wrist or lower arm[4]. The fix is a replacement handle at the dealer[4].
What is the gas mileage of a 2005 Chevrolet Venture?
EPA rates the Venture FWD with the 3.4L engine at 17 city, 24 highway and 19 combined MPG[6].
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Venture reliable?
We cannot rate overall reliability. NHTSA has 42 complaints for this year, fewer than any other Venture year listed[1][5], but the counts are not adjusted for sales.
Is 2005 the best year for the Chevrolet Venture?
It has the fewest complaints and recalls of the nine years listed, with 42 complaints and 1 recall[5]. That is a rough guide, since the counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 42 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Chevrolet Venture (7 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 9 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 9 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,177). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 8 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Recall 04V597, filed December 22, 2004: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Venture model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Venture FWD, 3.4L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. 7 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 5 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 5 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the fuel system, other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VENTURE VALUE PLUS/BASE/LS/LT 4DR FWD: length 201 in, width 72 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 3,838 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.