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 2000 Chevrolet Venture owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Was driving forward coming up to an intersection and approaching a red light when the brakes went out .when trying to stop and push the brake down it started shaking and the brake came up and then when pushed it back down it went to the floor and the brakes were completely out. Them going out caused us to roll through the intersection causing us to get hit by a vehicle coming through the light, spinning us around and got hit more than once. Hit us on both sides of vehicle and windows were shattered out but not one air bag went off/deployed at all and the vehicle was totalled.there were 3 babies in the vehicle when the air bags did not deploy.
While traveling down a street, a 2000 Chevrolet Venture minivan was struck on the passengers side of the vehicle, by another vehicle entering the street, causing the van to roll over to the left on to the roof. The driver was wearing a seat belt. None of the air bags deployed (front and side). The driver's left arm was injured when the driver hit the road through the open window as the van rolled over. The neck of the driver was also injured when the side of the head hit roof above the drivers door. The front, passenger side of the roof collapsed. The minivan was a total loss.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet ventura. The contact was driving approximately 45 MPH when another vehicle crashed into the passenger's side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact and the driver of the second vehicle were injured and required medical assistance. The contact also sustained bruising from the seat belt restraining upon impact. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 174,699.
I was driving northbound on vandyke (just north of 16 mile road) when I was t-boned on the driver's side (driver's door and rear sliding door) by a driver who failed to yield (he was issued a ticket). He was driving an older full-size van. The side air bag did not deploy. Note: I just picked the vehicle that same evening from the dealer who replaced the master brake cylinder and other components...[ May or May not be related].
Consumer's vehicle was struck by another vehicle at the front right fender, speed was undetermined). This caused consumer's vehicle to crash into a tree head on. Upon impact, neither frontal air bags deployed. Both the driver and the passenger sustained injuries, and was transported to the local hospital by ambulance. The dealer was notified...picture enclosed.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Venture. While driving 55 MPH, the contact noticed that the air bag indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure indicated that both air bags were deactivated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, but they could not inspect the vehicle because the air bag indicator was not illuminated at the time. The failure continued intermittently; however, the air bag indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and they performed a diagnostic test. The contact was informed that the driver's side seat belt latch assembly was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not under any recalls; therefore, they were not liable for the repairs. The current mileage was 97,000 and failure mileage was 95,000. Updated 3/16/09 the headlight covers fogged up as well. Updated 03/19/09.
I own a 2000 Chevrolet Venture minivan. Recently, my airbag light would go on and off while driving. I brought the minivan into my mechanic who today diagnosed a malfubction in the driver's side airbag pretentioner. What prompted me to write this complaint is that when the mechanic called to order a new part, the parts distributor told him that this is a very common problem on Chevrolet ventures and that he sells many replacement pretentioner units for Chevy ventures. As a defect in the airbag pretentioner could have fatal consequences in the event the airbag fails to deploy as a result of the defective pretentioner, I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate this issue and require chevorlet to reimburse me for the costs and expenses incurred in replacing the defective pretentioner.thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Premature failure of intake manifold gasket//g.m. Has new revised one ??? Car has 40,000 mi 2000 chev. Venture 3.4 motor it is a known fact that g.m. Has a big problem out there. Poss. Damage to internal motor if coolant leaks inside!!!! Very costly too consumer./// the dexcool coolant seems to be the problem also// very corrosive to gaskets. Looked at mitchell. Tech. Bulletin found out about early intake gasket failure.with note on revised gasket. I seem to feel g.m. Should take care of this even if a deductible applies .thank you for your time. If you can lead me in a direction to take I would appr. It. S.t.
Note: this is the second occurrence of this problem and they were identical except for the dates and the mileage on the car. 1) events - air bag light would come on and stay on for a day or two and then go off and stay off for several days and then repeat the sequence. 2) failure - there was no actual failure but both times the dealer service advised that it needed to be fixed or the consequences could be either the airbag going off when it was not needed or not going off when needed. 3) repair - installed belt kit (14875 opc) - old part not available.
While driving approximately 50 MPH another vehicle pulled into consumer's lane of traffic, resulting in a lateral crash. Both frontal air bags failed to deploy. Consumers wife,driver of vehicle, experienced bruising from restraint belts, and passengers in other vehicle sustained unknown injuries. No determination has been made for cause of air bag failure. Please provide any additional information / attachments.
Airbag complaints in other Venture years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Venture?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the air bags of the 2000 Chevrolet Venture, 9% of the model year's 350 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Venture airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2000 Chevrolet Venture, though it has 5 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 2000 Chevrolet Venture airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 0 fires and 24 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.