2002 Chevrolet Venture Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe coolant loss traced to leaking intake manifold gaskets, along with repeated anti-lock brake and all-wheel-drive warning problems on all-wheel-drive vans. Fuel leaks at the tank inlet and filler neck, doors that do not stay latched, and intermittent air bag deployment or non-deployment complaints also appear regularly. Many reports come in at moderate mileage, so a careful service history matters more than the odometer alone.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss from intake manifold gasket

   • 22 complaints (10%)
   • median 69,351 mi at 5.3 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $750 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2004–2012

   Owners describe losing coolant, noticing a sweet anti-freeze smell after shutting the engine off, and sometimes seeing coolant pooling under the vehicle. Several state the dealer replaced the intake manifold gasket, and a few report the repair was needed again later. Some also mention a head gasket replacement and overheating in traffic following the same problem. Reported mostly between about 40,000 and 100,000 miles, often after several years of use.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the intake manifold gaskets have been replaced, and check the coolant level and look for residue or a sweet smell around the engine.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2002 Chevrolet Venture van with 77,000 miles- failure of intake manifold gasket. I noticed anti freeze smell everytime I shut off vehicle. This had been going on for about 2 months. I had local service station check it out and they informed me that the intake manifold gasket is leaking water and leaking intake manifold gaskets seems to be a major problem with Chevrolet vehicles. I understand there is a class action suit being started about this problem. Why hasn't Chevrolet done anything about this if it is true. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10257042, filed 2009-01, 76,500 miles

   “My 2002 chevy Venture was brought to the dealer in 2004 for normal maintenance. When I went to pick up the van I was told by the service person that they replaced the intake manifold gasket, which I was unaware that it was even a problem. This work was done under warranty and I was told by the service person that it was continuing problem with the ventures. It is now november 2007 and the gasket needs to be replaced again and the vehicle is out of warranty. I received a $946.00 dollar estimate from my local mechanic. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10208648, filed 2007-11, 32,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS light on with AWD disabled

   • 19 complaints (9%)
   • median 14,000 mi at 2.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2002–2012

   Complaints describe the ABS warning light coming on together with an all-wheel-drive disable message, and some report repeated wheel hub and speed sensor replacement. Owners say the ABS or traction control system becomes inactive while the light is on, and that repairs were attempted several times without a lasting fix. Commonly reported between about 9,000 and 85,000 miles, with some owners noting repeated failures within a short span.

   What to check: Confirm the ABS and AWD warning lights are off on a test drive and ask whether the wheel hub and speed sensor assemblies have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Last year I took my Venture into the dealer to have it looked over because the check engine light was on, all of a sudden I had 3 lights on. I had no traction control or ABS. After having the service dept. Look at my vehicle, I was told it was a sensor in the left rear wheel. Since I have discovered that other owners have had similar problems, I think GM should get involved. The part was extremely expensive so I've had to go without for the last year.”

   NHTSA complaint #10219335, filed 2008-02, 86,124 miles

   “Constant problems with ABS/awd system. This van has been at the dealer 13 times and going to be 14 soon for the same issues. In only 18 months. Hubs have been replaced both on my ownership and prior to my ownership. Wiring harnesses have been repaired and the problem remains. Now just driving the ABS computer activates, as well as now when you stop the computer keep activating for about 3 seconds after complete stop. Gm has been notifyed and can not respond for 6 days. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10185929, filed 2007-03, 45,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel leak at tank inlet and filler neck

   • 36 complaints (16%)
   • median 86,000 mi at 9.8 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • filed 2003–2021

   Owners report a strong fuel odor, fuel puddles under the van, and rapid fuel use, traced to a fracture where the filler neck meets the tank or a cracked filler neck. Some complainants say the dealer told them their vehicle identification number was not covered by the fuel tank campaign, even when the leak appeared in the same area. Reported from roughly 50,000 to 160,000 miles, sometimes noticed after refueling while the vehicle is parked.

   Recall 07V349000

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel tank inlet check valve campaign campaign was performed for this specific vehicle, and look under the van for fuel staining or odor after filling the tank.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Leak in gas tank where filler neck goes into tank. Reference NHTSA recall # 07v349000. Gm and local dealer has told me my vehicle does not qualify for recall because my van is long wheelbase and recall is for short wheelbase. The fracture in the tank is in the same location as from the recall for short wheelbase Chevrolet ventures.”

   NHTSA complaint #10232373, filed 2008-06, 51,000 miles

   “I purchased a used 2002 chevy Venture with only 84,000 and the first thing I did was fill it with gas for the next day of school drop offs and pick ups . I got home parked it and the next day a small puddle of gas was under drivers side sliding door. I looked on line and found a recall so I called the chevy dealer and they said my VIN # was not one that was covered. So now we have our new van sitting in our drive way with no money to fix it till next week. I think GM really needs to step up and fix their problem... …”

   NHTSA complaint #10556731, filed 2013-12, 84,000 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Sliding door will not latch or stay open

   • 16 complaints (7%)
   • median 34,450 mi at 3.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2011

   Complaints describe sliding doors that fail to latch shut, open on their own while driving, or slide closed on an incline because nothing holds them open. Owners report repeated dealer visits and, in some cases, being told the condition could not be corrected. Power sliding door complaints describe the door not reversing when something is in its path. Reported from very low mileage up to about 40,000 miles, often within the first few years.

   Recall 04V597000

   What to check: Open and close each sliding door several times on a slope and check that it latches firmly; ask whether the door latch campaign was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Sliding doors have no locking system in place to keep doors open when on an incline. As I was loading van I turned to pick up items and 2yr. Old son started to climb in the pass. Side sliding door. As he climbed in, door released and closed on his head causing bump on back of head and cuts and moderate swelling on face.”

   NHTSA complaint #10122455, filed 2005-05, 33,400 miles

   “Non-power driver's side sliding door will not securely lock when in opened position. If on an incline the door will come back on you. This happened to my 6 yr ear old daughter, knocking her to the ground and causing scrapes and abrassions. Per our Chevrolet dealership's service dept as well as per a GM rep this is due to design and the dealership cannot correct the problem. I was offered $1000 off a new GM vehicle or a free oil change as compensation. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10056956, filed 2004-02, 1,000 miles
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Brake lights and headlights burning out

   • 15 complaints (7%)
   • median 29,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2015

   Owners describe a rear brake light on the driver side that keeps burning out, with several noticing melted plastic at the bulb socket, and some report repeated tickets for an inoperative light. A few complaints describe headlights going out while driving at night despite repeated repair attempts. Most often reported under about 25,000 miles, in some cases within the first year of ownership.

   What to check: Check all brake, tail and headlight functions, and look at the bulb sockets for melting, discoloration or corrosion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The driver's side brake light burns out constantly on my 2002 Chevrolet Venture van. It seems the housing gets too hot and melts the bulb at the point of contact. My mechanic has replaced the bulb and attempted to fix it numerous times as have I. My mechanic says he has seen this before on this model van and it's always the driver side. I'm afraid I will be rear-ended with this light being out most of the time. Chevrolet has failed to admit there is an issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #10166996, filed 2006-08, 17,000 miles

   “The driver's side brake light on my 2002 chevy Venture is always out. The bulb has been replaced numerous times, to no avail. Technicians at oil change businesses have told me that this is common problem with chevy ventures. I have seen other chevy ventures on the road with the same light out. I had my Venture at the car dealer for a recall service on the door handles and asked them to also fix the brake light problem. They finished my sentence for me when I was describing the problem--they already knew that ventures have this problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10170238, filed 2006-10, 1,000 miles

Buying note. Have a mechanic check for coolant leaks and intake gasket condition, confirm the ABS and AWD lights stay off, and inspect the fuel filler area and sliding door latches. Service records showing past gasket and hub work are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.