Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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 adding fuel to my car and noticed a strong fuel smell. I only traveled a few miles but my fuel gauge dropped from 3/4 to 1/4 full in only a few miles. When I got home I told my husband. He checked the vehicle and found that fuel was leaking from the inlet on the fuel tank. My husband searched the issue an found a recall for some 2003 and 2004 Chevrolet and other GM products listed as NHTSA Campaign # 07V349000 and NHTSA Action # EA07006. It does list the same vehicle I have a 2003 Chevy Venture van. The recall covers just certain months of production. From our research it seems that a broader recall in needed
After refueling, the vehicle began leaking fuel from the tank near the area where the fuel inlet enters the tank. There is a safety recall bulletin, 06230, and the VIN numbers of vehicles affected does include my vehicle. However GM will not cover the cost to repair, claiming my vehicle is not affected. Obviously it is affected or it would not be leaking fuel from the exact same area covered by the recall! There are several complaints on the NHTSA website stating the same experience. Why won't GM cover the repair even when there is a recall? To make matters worse, GM no longer makes the replacement tank and I can not find an aftermarket tank either.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Venture. While pumping fuel the contact observed fuel leaking from the rear driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07V349000 (fuel system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 199,874. Updated 01/27/17 updated 02/02/17.
September 2006 was told my fuel tank was leaking and it needed to be replaced. I ask them where the leak was and they told me that it was leaking at the factor seal where the gas hose connects to the fuel tank itself. Due to the fact that my warranty had expired I was told I was to pay $1500.00 to replace it. I ended up taking it to an independent repair shop where they charged me $1100.00 to replace it on December 23 2006 the shop that did the repair told me that where this leak is a factory defect and, I was lucky that my van never caught fire. He told me that the area where this leak was a week point on the plastic tank and that it was never sealed right. The day they fixed my van they order a new and it too was broken in the same spot as mine was. They had to order another tank that same day. This is a big problem (plastic gas tank on my 2003 Chevy Venture). …
For nearly 6 months my minivan engine would shut-off while I was idling while parked, waiting to pickup and transport children to next stop. Once it cut off while I was driving on a city road. Luckily, I was able turn the wheel enough to coast onto a side street. Curiously, when various tow operators came to tow the van directly to dealer, they too were not able to restart the engine--there is no noise, no crank. By the time the mechanics got to the van in the morning, they reported that they could not duplicate the problem. The final time and approximately 4th time I experienced engine cut-off, I had my husband pickup the children and I. We ate dinner, then later returned to the van. It started just fine and I drove it home. The next day I drove it to the dealer and was insistent that the dealer find and fix the problem. Dealer replaced fuel pump and filter. …
I have a 2003 Chevy Venture Mini-van. The gas tank has come apart at the filler neck assembly. This is a molded tank and is all one piece. My vehicle has 46,000 miles on it. G.m. Is willing to pay for half the cost which still amounts to $500.00 because the estimate I have received from the dealer was $893.00. However, this is not the reason for me to send this e-mail. I have taken pictures of this leak and I feel there needs to be documentation of this hazard. I find it perplexing that the manufacture and dealer would not stand behind their product regardless of the amount of miles on it. I am in the process of having the tank replaced for a cost of $250.00. But obviously, for a gas tank to come apart at the seam in a two year time frame makes me believe that the tank was defective when it was installed at the factory. Thank you for hearing my complaint. Sincerely, tim purdy.
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
On 08/13/2010 our 2003 Venture minivan suddenly began smelling of fuel. Upon inspection I noticed fuel streaming from the fuel tank where the filler neck joins the body of the tank. At first I thought the filler hose was loose so I tried to twist it to check the tightness, at this point the neck separated from the tank entirely! About 15 gallons of fuel were spilled and fire rescue were dispatched. This seems to be a problem that is very common with this tank, I have only been looking for a replacement one day and have encountered several tanks with this problem. Some have been repaired with an epoxy but I have been warned this is a "trade it quick" remedy.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Venture. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed a fuel leak from the inlet tube to the fuel tank. In addition, the contact noticed fuel vapors emitting from the underneath the front driver side of the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 07V349000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 03/18/15 updated 9/13/2017
The fuel gauge floats all over the place you never know how much gas is in the van, and I can smell gas fumes real strong while sitting still and some times they are strong enough to smell while driving, was reading the recall list from GM on this 2003 Chevy Venture and I don't think my van has been recalled I am going to notify the dealership (mans Chrysler ) and see why they never told me about all the recalls before they sold me the van. This van May need the fuel tank replaced and the steering has this popping sound in the right front side May need to get that checked also according to the recalls I seen on here.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage
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.
Fuel System complaints in other Venture years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Venture?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2003 Chevrolet Venture, 12% of the model year's 185 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Venture fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-349 (storage, Aug 8, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Venture fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 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.