2002 Chevrolet Venture Problems & Complaints

Average28% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Venture at the same age

Owners have filed 220 complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet Venture with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the Venture at the same age. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (45 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles). 3 recalls cover this model year.

220complaints
3recalls
12crashes
4fires
26injuries
1deaths

Most common 2002 Chevrolet Venture problems

  • Engine & cooling~65,000 miles
    4520%
  • 3817%
  • Brakes~32,000 miles
    3014%
  • Electrical system~36,000 miles
    209%
  • Air bags~56,000 miles
    209%
  • Body & structure~78,000 miles
    199%
  • Lights~29,000 miles
    188%
  • Locks & latches~32,000 miles
    125%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~50,000 miles
    115%
  • Seat belts~40,000 miles
    105%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~32,000 miles
    94%
  • A/C & heater~54,000 miles
    84%
  • Steering~45,000 miles
    84%
  • Suspension~45,000 miles
    73%
  • Wheels & tires~24,000 miles
    63%
  • Equipment & accessories~43,000 miles
    52%
  • Seats~65,000 miles
    31%
  • Other / not specified~32,000 miles
    31%

Share of the 220 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Chevrolet Venture complaints by model year

19971998199920002001200220032004200543240934935022222018512442
Owner complaints per model year, Chevrolet Venture. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Venture years: 2005, 2004, 2003. Years to avoid: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000. Compare all years →

2002 Chevrolet Venture recalls (3)

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage

NHTSA recall 07V-349 · Aug 8, 2007 · 20,594 vehicles

On certain vehicles, variations in the manufacturing process or exposure to high ambient temperatures May lead to fracture of the fuel tank inlet check valve (icv).

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank. The recall will be mailed in two phases with the first phase beginning on December 4, 2007. The second phase will be mailed on December 13, 2007.

Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch

NHTSA recall 04V-597 · Dec 22, 2004 · 717,302 vehicles

On certain minivans equipped with second-row bucket seats or captain's chairs and a power sliding door on the passenger side of the vehicle, a passenger using the interior handle to open the power sliding door could be injured.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the power sliding door interior handle on the passenger-side. If the vehicle is equipped with a power or manual sliding door on the driver-side, the interior handle will also be replaced for…

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 02V-222 · Aug 9, 2002 · 133,221 vehicles

Certain passenger, Mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began August 15, 2002.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2002 Chevrolet Venture:

Power-sliding door

NHTSA investigation PE04064 · opened Sep 17, 2004 · closed Dec 22, 2004 · led to recall 04V-597

Subject vehicles are available with an optional power sliding door.the interior handle is oriented in the vertical position in the door panel and lines up at the elbow level when the occupant is seated in the 2nd-row outboard position.if the occupant holds the interior handle in the thumb up position during power-assisted opening, the arm/wrist can be push back with force against the 2nd-row bucket seat or captain's…

What 2002 Chevrolet Venture owners say

Engine & cooling all 45 →

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Venture. While the vehicle was parked, the driver and passenger side air bags suddenly deployed without warning. The contact sustained injuries, but did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000. Updated 04/06/16 the consumer stated the check engine light illuminated. Updated 04/19/2016.

143,000 miles · Sep 2015 · 1 injury

Temp gauge trys go hot had check nothing engene misfire had check 7 times now. Replace mass air temp sensore twice throttle position sensors. Plugs and wires twice in one month has wire shortage for ac and we have paid out alot of money from day 2 of owning this was going sell but I would sell this crap to no one.. Now says o2 sensore left wheel sensor and much more codes junk like this dont need to be sold..

159,000 miles · Jul 2014

Fuel & propulsion system all 38 →

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, a fuel odor was detected inside the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel. The contact's neighbor, an independent mechanic, diagnosed that there was fuel leaking between the connection of the fuel line and fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

80,000 miles · Oct 2021

Suddenly my vehicle had a strong gasoline odor when I walked up on it in the morning I smelled it 3 feet away from my vehicle. It happened just like that all of a sudden. I scheduled my inspection with my mechanic and I told him I suddenly was smelling a strong odor of gas. My mechanic called and informed me there was a crack in my gas tank and it is leaking so that is why I was smelling gas so badly. We ordered another 2002 Chevrolet Venture gas tank from a salvage yard. They shipped the gas tank and when my mechanic opened it it was broke in the same exact place. This is why I thought looking up for possible recall. I found recall 07V349000. Stated the fuel tank inlet check valve can crack and leak. Stated affected Chevrolet Venture 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004. I have 2002. My problem is it's VIN specific according to Chevrolet the number that I was given to call about the recall. …

133,000 miles · Aug 2018

Brakes all 30 →

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. It is only a matter of time before the system causes a complete brake system failure, will this happen before someone forces a repair? Or will it wait until somebody is critically injured or dies? I would like to think that the government could jump in and not waist time doing so. …

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › ABS warning light · 45,000 miles · Mar 2007

Air conditioner condenser failed, GM new of the problem in December, 2002, but kept their mouth shut until the warranty expired. The gas gauge does not work, it flips from full to empty, I have to keep a mileage notebook in order to know when to fill up. My warning light on the dash continues to flash "rear hatch ajar, side door ajar, low brake fluid." there is nothing wrong with any of the items. The front brakes went bad at 32,000, requiring new pads and rotors. The window button on the driver side will put the passenger window down, but not up. The rear window washer does not work. I am so glad that GM is going bankrupt. I bought an American car, to try and help the workers stay employed, but now realize that all I did was to keep some overpaid, lazy slobs on the job for much longer than they should have been employed. …

32,000 miles · Jul 2004

2002 Chevrolet Venture engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.4L 6-cyl4-speed automaticFWD17 / 24 / 20
3.4L 6-cyl4-speed automatic4WD/AWD16 / 22 / 18

EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Venture a good car?

Based on 220 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Venture rates average: 28% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Venture at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Chevrolet Venture?

The engine & cooling — 45 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (38) and brakes (30).

How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Venture have?

There are 3 recalls for the 2002 Chevrolet Venture, the most recent from August 8, 2007 (storage). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Venture?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 2004 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. See the full Chevrolet Venture years comparison.

At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Venture problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 49% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.