Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Chevrolet Venture owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Van was traveling at approx 65 MPH..Ford quad cab truck pulled out in front of me..I locked the brakes, some skid marks down the highway, and completely broadsided the truck. Damage to truck was on driver side door, and front corner panel. Several of trucks airbags deployed. Impact was at a high speed. Injuries to myself and passenger, neck, shoulder, knee, wrist, ankle, not fatal, thank goodness. Passenger of truck, injuries unknown. Truck was at fault in accident.
My 1998 Chevrolet Venture was in an accident sustaining major damage. There was a direct hit to the right headlamp with the pole and the van ended up landing on the driver's side skidding on the road. None of the 4 airbags deployed. Has there been a recall on them or has there been any other complaints about this vehicle?
Dt*: the contact stated after pulling into a parking space and straightening the steering wheel, the steering wheel rack and pinion fractured without warning. Soon after, the airbag light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop who confirmed the steering rack and pinion fracture. The repair shop also determined due to the unique fracture of the rack and pinion and the illumination of the airbag warning light, the airbag should have deployed. The manufacturer was not alerted.
Airbag light comes on indicating a problem with the airbag. Chevy diagnosed and repaired on six separate occasions over the next four years, but in each case the problem returned within a month or two. The airbag has not worked properly since this date, according to the indicator light, except for short time periods after repair. We have asked Chevy to find a permanent solution with no success.
While traveling east approximately 35-40mph, another vehicle traveling west, entered eastbound lane. Both vehicles collided head-on on driver's side. Upon impact, neither air bag deployed. Driver's seat belt was intact, but driver suffered minor injuries. Children, in rear, sustained some bruises from seat belts, but no treatment. Vehicle was totaled.
While driving, consumer crashed into a semi tractor trailer who failed to yield while making a left hand turn, the air bags did not experience deployment, causing consumer to sustain several injuries, consumer continues to have complications because of this accident, consumer was informed that the air bags acted as they should by not deploying.
Air bag warning lights came on and stayed on. The consumer stated the air bag light illuminated shortly after the vehicle was purchased. The dealer repaired it, however two weeks later the light illuminated again. The consumer was told the air bag module on the passenger side was bad. Also the vehicle had brake problems.
Consumer was driving on highway at approximately 45 MPH on wet road condition all of a sudden another vehicle tried to cut in front of consumer, causing consumer to hit vehicle on passenger's side. Consumer vehicle's air bags did not deploy.
Without prior warning while vehicle was sitting at a stop light. Another vehicle hit consumer's vehicle from behind on a 45 MPH impact. Upon impact, driver side and passenger side airbags did not deploy.
The "pretensioner" of the seatbelt system on my 1998 Chevrolet Venture has failed now for the third time. According to the dealer this means the restraint system will not function properly in the event of a crash. The alert light that warns of trouble in the air bag system seems to revert to normal after a couple of weeks, but when the dealer uses the proper test equipment it can be determined the unit has failed. It seems likely that many ventures are being used with failed pretensioners and their owners are unaware of the issue since all indications from the alert light is that the air bag system is functioning properly. This is the third time this issue has happened on my vehicle in less than five years and Chevrolet customer assistance is refusing to address the issue.
NHTSA investigations
Air bag tear during deployment
Airbag complaints in other Venture years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Venture?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Chevrolet Venture, 7% of the model year's 409 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Venture airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1998 Chevrolet Venture, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Venture airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 0 fires and 17 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.