Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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.
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..
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated that her vehicle would overheat. In addition, there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The failure has occurred on two separate occasions. The mechanic repaired the thermostat; however, the failure continued to occur. The current and failure mileages were 55,743.
I am still paying for a 2002 Chevy Venture van that I bought 2 1/2 yrs ago. It has 72000 miles on it. I am having major cooling issues anywhere from over heating to smelling the anti freeze, if it idles for 10min it will get up to about 220 deg and the fans wont kick on till 285 deg. We have had in the shop 4 times now for repairs. The water pump was replaced, the intake manifold gasket was replaced, this time they just replaced my radiator cap and flushed my system. 4 days later its doing it again overheating to 3/4 mark, smelling very distinctly like anti- freeze yet there are no leaks. ? They are now looking into an engine sensor and said it normally runs 184 deg and should be at least 195 deg so it runs low on a normal basis. ( normal to me since I bought it) I paid for an extended warranty through GM and no one can seem to find what the problem is.? …
2002 Chevrolet Venture van with 77,000 miles- failure of intake manifold gasket. I noticed anti freeze smell everytime I shut off vehicle. This had been going on for about 2 months. I had local service station check it out and they informed me that the intake manifold gasket is leaking water and leaking intake manifold gaskets seems to be a major problem with Chevrolet vehicles. I understand there is a class action suit being started about this problem. Why hasn't Chevrolet done anything about this if it is true. Supposedly there was an article in the national petroleum institute magazine concerning this problem, any information that you can supply would be greatly appreciated. I have had all required maintenance done on this vehicle. I am having the intake manifold gaskets replaced next week before the water gets into the oil and I have a major engine failure. …
We bought a Chevy Venture in October, 2004. It was supposed to have been a "GM certified" vehicle, since we bought it in October and in the midwest we did not need to turn the air conditioning unit on until about six months later. That is when we noticed that it was not blowing cold air. According to the dealer the air conditioner condenser had a leak, by then the 3000 miles warranty had expired and we got stuck with the $900 dollars bill. The second incident happened in March 2006, while at the service station for an oil change and state mandated safety inspection the mechanic informed me that the engine cooling system manifold had a leak. I think this vehicle is a lemon but it is to late to do anything about it, this second problem is going to cost me another $900 dollars. Why is it that everything that goes wrong with this van costs $900 dollars?
The intake manifold gasket on my 2002 Chevy Venture van with a 3400 cc engine failed and over heated. My wife who is a visiting nurse was luck enough to get off the road in a safe area. This problem has been going for at least 6 yrs without any help from the government to force a recall on a known defect. There are many web sites that have documented this problem. What is safe about overheating on a highway or at night with family and kids in the car. GM has already issued a service bulletins about the gasket problem and what dealers are to do to fix the problem at the customers expense. I believe that the government should force GM into a recall. These repairs are costing about 6oo.00 to 1200.00 dollars. Thank you. Robert s. Ingersol, nremt-p
My 2002 Chevy Venture was brought to the dealer in 2004 for normal maintenance. When I went to pick up the van I was told by the service person that they replaced the intake manifold gasket, which I was unaware that it was even a problem. This work was done under warranty and I was told by the service person that it was continuing problem with the ventures. It is now November 2007 and the gasket needs to be replaced again and the vehicle is out of warranty. I received a $946.00 dollar estimate from my local mechanic. I contacted the dealership and they also want to charge me for the repair. If this is a defect then Chevy / GM should repair this for free. I have read numerous complaints about this gasket problem. Please help.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to overheat and the check engine warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the oil pressure sending unit, water pump, thermostat and radiator cap was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired yet the repair failed to remedy the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic who advised the contact that the motor also needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 123,000 and the current mileage was 126,000.
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.
Engine complaints in other Venture years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Venture?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Chevrolet Venture, 20% of the model year's 220 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Venture engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.