Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
Sylvania bulb in the rear brake light socket on passenger side failed. When I went to replace the bulb I found the bulb and socket had melted. Replaced the bulb into the burnt socket and it is now working. My concern is that no fuse blew and why did this socket melt and burn? Vehicle is a 2002 Chevrolet, veture VIN number 1gndx03e92d22013. I have several photos of the failed bulb denoting the damage that occured from the heat. Contacted the dealer and he said I could pay him $70.00 to do an electrical diagnosic check. Have also written to GM about it.
I was pulled over do to no rear brake light or turn signal on left side. Got a ticket. Went to junk yard bought replacement only to discover it was also burned out and useless !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Been through at least 50 bulbs in the last year alone. I am second owner. Also have another electrical issue as in the switch above in between front seats that control inside lighting. It must stay in the off position or it runs the battery completely down. Also the side door gets stuck in the open position and it takes a lot of strength to close it.
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..
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. …
Bought my Venture as dealer demo with 1400 mile on 6/18/02. In April 2004 A/C did not work. Tried recharging system found leak. Took to Chevy in June/July 2004 was told there was a bad weld on the condenser. They refuse to cover $800 repair because vehicle was over 36,000 miles. Also told me my gaskets need replacing at a cost of $1300. Also, have repeatedly had problems with my driver side power window not going up correctly. It gets stuck midway and sometimes will not go up at all. Have had this problem checked at the dealership from the beginning of ownership. Water is also in taillight lens. This was also fixed at dealership once but continues to occur.
Venture minivan stalls (dies) while driving. This occurs unexpectedly...occurring 5 different times since we've bought the vehicle. No accidents or injuries as of yet, but we have a child so this is of major concern to us. Mini-van has been to the dealership 3 times...they were unable to duplicate problem. We made a formal complaint to GM headquarters. Most recently dealership replaced ignition switch, stating that problem could..."possibly (be) bad ignition switch." at this point we still do not know if problem is fixed or are we waiting for another stall to occur while driving.
2002 Chevrolet Venture, experienced an electrical fire in dashboard. The consumer pulled to berm and the vehicle became completely engulfed in fire. According to the police report, a fuse had been changed in the cigarette lighter of the dashboard. The consumer stated that was the area she first saw the fire. (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0607-90) updated 12/7/10
Dt*: the consumer stated 1 year ago the vehicle's interior and exterior lights would go out without cause or warning. This problem recently resurfaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealership to have diagnostic tests performed. The dealership was unable to duplicate the problem.
Crancking extensvly, brakes front and rear, uneven wear and tear, hydroplaning noise, vibrations, steering and unalignments problems, emmision repaired and treated, as the created sulphur odors, and stalling. Uneven driving, ABS light coming on at speed exceeding 60 MPH.
The vehicle randomly shuts down completely while driving - all electrical systems go off. Afterward, it cranks but does not start, after it's towed, it eventually starts. No error codes show in diagnostics.
Electrical complaints in other Venture years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Venture?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Chevrolet Venture, 9% of the model year's 220 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Venture electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2002 Chevrolet Venture, though it has 3 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 2002 Chevrolet Venture electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.