Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
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).
Vehicle was rear-ended and knocked approximately 39 ft. Driver's seat belt did not lock and driver was thrown about like a rag doll according to witness of accident resulting in head and neck injuries. Drivers seat broke loose on one side.
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.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated that the front and back of the undercarriage were damaged and smashed in over the brake lines. In addition, the front passenger side axle makes strange crunching noises, the vehicle shimmies severely, and the cruise control fails to deactivate when it should. Furthermore, the seat belts do not properly restrain the occupants and the headlights blink on and off while driving at night. The contact placed two new front tires on the vehicle, as well as a new set of brakes. The dealer stated that the vehicle was previously in a crash, in which the hood, fender, and undercarriage were damaged. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 103,000 and current mileage was 113,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Venture. The rear passenger seat belt buckle would not unlock. The passenger was locked in the rear seat belt due to the latch failure. The fire department had to cut the seat belt webbing to release the passenger. The fuel gauge was reading incorrectly. Regardless of the amount of fuel in the vehicle the gauge continuously was reading incorrectly as if the fuel level was full. The current and failure mileage were 132,553.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the seat belt warning light illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in recall NHTSA campaign id number: 00V228003 (seat belt). The approximate failure mileage was 186,000.
While driving 35-40mph, another vehicle turned in front. Was hit twice. Neither air bag deployed. Passenger in rear hit front seat after right seat belt failed to restrain him. Driver hit steering wheel. Sustained broken foot/strained knees/ hairline fracture of te jaw/broken nose, and foot had a displaced bone. Was treated in emergency room. Vehicle was totaled.
The drivers side sliding door came off the hinge at the back. The door will not close properly now, and can not be used. The brake light burns out everytime it is replaced and looks like it melts the base of the bulb and the socket looks like it has been melted also. The middle section, drivers side seat belt will not release.
I've had my seat belt for 2nd row seats fixed several times. The seat belts become lock and wrapped around the seat. The dealer has had to physically remove the seat to get the seat belt to retract. I currently cannot use the seat belt until I get it back into the dealer.
Shoulder harness clips springs open,does not stay fastened. Dealer ordered new seats witch had the same problem. These clips need to be replaced and there needs to be a total recall on this item for Chevy ventures before someone dies. I run a state licensed daycare in which I need to transport my children. The manufacture and dealership has not been will to help me resolve my promblem.
The integrated child seat harness did not latch securely. A 2 year old child is able to pull apart the latch and climb out of the seat while the vehicle was in motion. The integrated child safety seat is in the rear passenger outboard position.
Related recalls
Seat belts
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and Mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.
NHTSA investigations
Shoulder harness clip
Seat Belt complaints in other Venture years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Venture?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the seat belts of the 2000 Chevrolet Venture, 6% of the model year's 350 complaints. The component named most often is front › anchorage (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Venture seat belt problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V228003 (seat belts, Aug 7, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Venture seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to seat belts 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.