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 2003 Chevrolet Venture owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was struck from the back, while taking foot off the brake, I attempted to proceed from a stop sign in shopping mall. Due to delay, from a bad transmission from day 1 when I first purchased vehicle from felix Chevrolet, la ca it holds up traffic. I took my foot off brake after stopping at stop sign and it appeared to driver that I was moving forward. Yet, the delay causes danger from behind and I'm still encountering delays from the date of purchase, 2006 up until now. Felix denied anything was wrong with after I complained and had them test transmission problem within 30 days of purchase. I've been very dissatisfied with performance and quality of vehicle from day one. When accelerating from a stop the vehicle severely jerks. The transmission fluid and filter have been replaced with no change in the condition. The vehicle had around 60,000 miles when I purchased.
The engine RPM surges without pushing the gas. The engine will gradually propel the vehicle to around 50-60 MPH with no mechanical movement of the gas pedal. This happens about every day or two. Have to put the car in neutral or firmly press the brakes to get the velocity down. The car is in motion and stationary when this happens. It happens sporadically. Changing all types of parts and still no resolution. I also see alot of the same issues on line with other owners of this vehicle.
The lower intake manifold head gasket cracked or ruptured resulting in the anti- freeze coolant to leak into the motor oil. Required removal of entire intake manifold assembly and replacement of defective ruptured head gasket. Cost 9 hours mechanic labor and $ 975.00 for professional repair.
Was on the interstate after driving approximately 1.5 hours when service engine soon light appeared. When I slowed down to in-town speeds the van drove very rough and would often stall when at a stop light. Took it to GM shop to find out that the rocker arm post had pulled out of the cylinder head #4. GM wanted to charge me over $2000 to repair. Instead the offered to repair with a "heli-coil" and GM picked up all charges. 10 months later driving again on the interstate went to pass another vehicle and the service engine soon light appeared again. Was able to get to a GM service shop. They found another rocker arm post had pulled out of a cylinder head #6. They did a "heli-coil" replacement again which I paid for. Both shops have said this should never happen during the lifetime of a vehicle, yet it happened twice in mine. In a car less than 5 years old no less. …
The metal underside support bracket that holds up both the engine coolant radiator and A/C radiator had rusted completely to the extent that the left (driver) side of the bracket completely failed and allowed the radiators to tilt down and drop approx. 4" on the left side. The primary support is now only the coolant hoses. Had I not noticed, while viewing the car from the front that there was a problem; both the radiators could have fallen off while driving, they certainly could have wedged to impede the steering control and /or run over by the tires to most certainly be a safety issue to us or others on the road. My call to a dealership stated they are well aware of this particular rust issue and they have no knowledge of recall by GM. There should be a recall to repair a corrosion issue of this support component that is a safety integrity issue. [redacted]
I have just been notified by a local GM dealership that our 2003 Chevy Venture, with 40000 miles on a 3.4l v6 engine, needs the lower intake manifold gasket replaced. Upon further research, it appears this is a widespread problem with this particular engine, in fact GM issued a recall in Canada to have this problem rectified for no charge to their loyal owners. However, here in the us we are being asked to pay $1100 or more because of an intial design flaw. Not only am I disappointed to have this kind of trouble with my relatively new vehicle (we have owned it since it was brand new and taken excellent care of it), the quote of $1100 from the dealer to replace this gasket is, I think, ridiculous. GM has admitted their part in the problem by issuing the recall in Canada, and I feel they need to do the same here in the states.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Venture. The contact began to smell gas both inside and outside the vehicle. Approximately one year after initially detecting gas the dealer inspected the vehicle. The dealer stated that the failure was the head gasket. The contact brought the vehicle to a local mechanic for repairs, but the scent of gas remained. The vehicle was inspected again approximately four months later. The dealer stated that the entire fuel system should be replaced. Once more, the contact brought the vehicle to a local mechanic for repair. The mechanic stated that the filler hose deteriorated due to poor design or a material defect. The current and failure mileage were 113,000. The consumer stated that the vehicle leaks from the manifold as well as the fuel tank system. Updated 07/30/07
Consumer complained of rear end problem. Consumer maintained that manufacturer never sealed the back end of the vehicle. As a result, water leaked into the vehicle. The manufacturer refused to repair the defect. However, the manufacturer was willing to dry out the vehicle. Also, a moldy mildew smell lingered within the vehicle. Mold was all through the ceiling as well as blowing through the rear vents, the back end leaked, the roof rail seams and pitch rail were not sealed, water leaked into the rear dome light and leaked onto the floor in the rear, the tires were replaced at 18K miles, the #2 and #3 fan relay shorted, the front end had excessive play, and the front windshield seal had come loose from the glass.
There are several problems with my van. The first is the plug at the base of the captains chair on the driver side has broken twice. Since it is plastic-I have already replaced this item. The van has an intake leak which I can't afford to fix, this was discovered at 64,000 miles. With a price tag of over $500 dollars to replace, it is still an issue. At the 60667 miles it was discovered that both the left and right front wheel bearings needed to be replaced. That was done with the hefty price tag of $1,279.00 which also included rear wheel cylinders which had begun leaking and needed replaced. Now the brakes are squealing again and I am really concerned about this pattern.
On 3 mile in town trip, heat gauge suddenly climbed into the red. I turned of car and let it cool. Drove back home with many stops to prevent overheating. Towed it to a dealer. Lower manifold intake gasket, a well documented problem--but no us recall, needed to be replaced. Labor costs brought the defective and badly engineered replacement to over $900. There was no engine damage, because I caught the problem early, as no coolant had yet leaked into the engine.
Engine complaints in other Venture years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Venture?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Chevrolet Venture, 15% of the model year's 185 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Venture engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2003 Chevrolet Venture, though it has 5 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 2003 Chevrolet Venture engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.