Headlight complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Venture. While driving 35 MPH, the brake lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 220,000.
I have been stopped & warned by others constantly since I have owned the vehicle about having no brake lights, except for the third brake light, above the rear glass. I replaced two bulbs 3057 in the tail eights at least every 3 weeks. The bulbs looked fine. I have to remove, sometimes replace, sometimes just reset the bulbs. Been to the dealership countless times ,to no avail! Very frustrating & dangerous. Will cause cruise control to fail - generally the first warning I have to alert me of the tail light failure. Just waiting to be rear ended!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was a strong odor of burning wires. The contact mentioned that while attempting to park, the turn signal lamps failed to illuminate. The contact parked and observed that the lamps were melted and the bulbs were dark. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
I have a 2003 Chevy Venture and when I purchased it, I noticed that the turn signals would start blinking real fast on the dash. When I would look at them on the outside they were blinking fine, as was the dash lights. This happened several times, so I thought that it was just the bulbs themselves. Then on March 29, 2014, I noticed a little puff of smoke come from the headlight area when my wife pulled into our driveway. I also noticed that the passenger side turn/parking light was out. I luckily had a bulb from another car to replace it, but when I took the assembly out and went to turn the connector to replace the bulb, and noticed it was hot. Thinking that something did not seem right, I let it cool down and then removed it. What I saw was the connector that holds the bulb was black and melted. It actually melted to the bulb itself. …
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.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Venture. The brake light worked intermittently. The bulb was changed, but the failure continued. The passenger and driver side plastic input for the bulb melted. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. The failure mileage was 65,000 and current mileage was 79,000.
I was told it had intermittent rear lighting problem (driver side rear lights would go in and out) when purchasing vehicle used in 2012 with160,000 miles, 90% highway. Had repaired immediately for safety, legal and state required annual inspections (or so I thought). Within 3 months/75 miles later, it started again. Entire wiring harness and light assembly was replaced, to no avail. Before I could take it in again, both rear lights intermittently stopped working. Passenger side wiring harness and light assembly replaced. It wasn't fixed.and before I could get it back in the shop, the front passenger side lights started the same thing. New mechanic assures me, " don't worry, there are many things I can try!" little consolation for the drivers behind me or for me from being pulled over by & ticketed or when I need the va state mandatory "annual inspection" sticker. …
My mother purchased the vehicle brand new in 2001, it has been a problem since she brought it home. Turn signals have never worked properly, headlights fill up with water causing them to burn out, interior lights don't work properly. I acquired the vehicle after her passing in 2012 . The van only has 66000 miles on it and I've had to replace the lights 6 times since I've had it. When she had it she took it back to the dealership several times only to have the same problems happen again. I recently ran into someone that was in the same make, model and yr vehicle at a gas station, he asked me if I had any electrical issues and of course I said yes..this van is a disaster waiting to happen.. Why is there not a recall on this lemon?
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Venture years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (64), 1998 (59), 2003 (30), 2000 (21) and 2002 (18) model years. Headlight complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Venture headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for any Chevrolet Venture model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Venture headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (118 mentions), followed by the brake lights (24).
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.