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 2002 Chevrolet Venture owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Takata recall I was driving and ran off the edge of the road and over corrected myself an hit an embankment head on and my face went into the steering wheel and then was thrown for the van out the back passenger window and the van then landed on my foot before I hit the road due to air bag never deploying my nose was torn about off my face and brook 4 ribs fractured 5 and my foot and ankle and foot was badly damaged my seat belt was put on but for some reason didn't work.
While driving at 30 MPH consumer struck a large deer crossing the road. Consumer was wearing seat belts, but the air bags did not deploy. Several months later, consumer's son swerved to avoid hitting a deer. Vehicle rolled into a ditch, flipped on its roof, and slid down an embankment. Seat belts were worn, but the air bags failed to deploy. Driver sustained minor injuries .
2002 Chevy Venture van with two front, and two side air impact bags. Drivers side of van was t-boned accross the entire side of the van and the side impact bag did not go off. The van was hit by a huge brigadier dump truck leaving from a stop sign. The van was totaled. Why didn't the air bag go off? Accident was on 11/20/02.
Accident 12/11/05, I had the green light. I hit another car on its right front side. My complete front end was damaged, about $9000.00 . The air bags never went off. No doubt that they should have. Sensors were destroyed. Something was wrong with air bags.
I purchased the vehicle on July 31, 2003 from baker motors in milan in. Approximately 2 weeks later the air bag light on the instrument panel started coming on and off. I called baker motor and told them of the problem and they told me someone would be contacting me. No one contacted me. On August 27, 2003 the passenger side airbags deployed for no reason, there was no collision. On aug. 28, 2003 the driver's side airbag deployed for no reason. There was no collision. The used car dealership, baker motors, in milan in. Has refused to make repairs at their cost stating it is a defect and is the manufacturer's responsibility. General motors has refused to make repairs at their cost stating, it is the responsibility of the used car dealer because they sold it to me that way, and also because the vehicle is no longer under manufacturer's warranty. …
Tl* - the contact stated that air bag sensor light continued to go on and off at any given time while driving. He contacted the dealership and was told that he needed to pay a minimum of $70.00 for the service department to run diagnostic tests on his vehicle. The contact stated that he contacted general motors (GM), and was told that he had to pay for this service. The contact filed a complaint with GM on 01/02/06. The manufacturer stated that the air bag was a regular maintenance issue and they refusedt o correct this problem. In the owner's manual on page 7-16, it stated that the air bag system didn't need regular maintenance. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer and the file# was 71-464-478231. Updated 1/31/2007 -
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Venture. There was an unexpected side air bag deployment, while driving in reverse at no more than 5 MPH. The contact is concerned of the safety risk and defect. The current and failure mileages were 63,000. Updated 10/27/09. The dealer inspected the vehicle and determined the air bag deployment was caused by corrosion on the wiring harness located under the front passenger floor mat. Updated 10/29/09.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the driver and passenger side curtain air bags deployed without warning. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and the current mileages were approximately 100,000. Updated 02/15/12 updated 02/22/12
Recall 02V222000/air bag sensor: the air bag light remained illuminated will driving. Dealer was contacted for this recall. Dealer informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under the recall.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
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.
Airbag complaints in other Venture years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Venture?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Chevrolet Venture, 9% of the model year's 220 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Venture airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-222 (frontal, Aug 9, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Venture airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 13 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.