10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,928 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #20

Feb 202021

Venture

  • 189,000 miles
Left turn signal wiring shorted out & as result all lights on left front do not work now. Pigtails not available for this application!!!

- Welaka, FL, USA

problem #19

Mar 292014

Venture

  • 204,785 miles
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 looked at the bulb and it was still good, other than the bottom plastic part. The white smoke I had seen was either the connector catching on fire and melting or the melting of the plastic itself. I never saw any flames. I cannot afford to replace the connector, nor would I risk my family's life, so I have no turn signal. Then worse part is the driver side light was doing the same thing as the passenger, but it has since stopped and is working properly now that the passenger side bulb has been removed.

- Nortonville, KY, USA

problem #18

Apr 192012

Venture 6-cyl

  • 168,000 miles
Both brake lights fail to illuminate. Bulbs replaced numerous times. Panels replaced twice. When panels replaced, will work approximately 1-2 weeks. Upper light bar will illuminate. No warning as to when lights fail. Numerous warnings by police to have fixed.

- Gibson, GA, USA

problem #17

Apr 072009

Venture

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the contact noticed through the reflection of another vehicle which had been driving extremely close, that both of his rear tail lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where both tail light bulbs were replaced. The failure recurred which required the replacement of the tail light bulb continuously. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Deltona , FL, USA

problem #16

Aug 132009

Venture

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated that the rear brake lights were not functioning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics where the technician advised that there was condensation and moisture throughout the front headlights and the rear brake lights. The technician stated that the headlight cover would have to be replaced but advised that the failure would continue to recur. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Galloway, OH, USA

problem #15

Jun 302004

Venture

  • miles
I purchased the 2003 Chevrolet Venture van new and have had continuous problems with the brake/tail lights burning out. Spoke with GM and if I recall correctly the first time they bulbs were replaced was in June 2004. Since then I have replaced the bulbs 2-4 times per year trying different manufacturers and types. I have searched for solutions on the internet and tried replacing the circuit boards and this still does not mitigate the issue. The greatest evidence of widespread problems can be found at this link www.topix.com/forum/autos/Chevrolet-Venture/tssemrsdq22R1F463 with dates beginning 8/2006 running until 4/2012. I believe this is an extreme safety hazard for several reasons. 1) the bulbs can work intermittently giving a false sense of repair; 2) the bulbs can fail without warning; 3) the tail lights cannot be seen when driving in the side view mirrors; 4) there is no warning light to indicate on the instrument panel that the bulbs have failed; and 5) repeated replacement of bulbs and/or circuit boards are costly and cannot be easily accomplished by the elderly or handicapped due to the location and strength necessary to disassemble the tail lights. An elderly person or any individual may make the choice to forego repair due to cost and endanger themselves in the meantime. Please investigate this issue and see if you agree that a recall is in order that covers all 2003 Chevrolet Venture vans (no mileage limits) so I may no longer worry about my wife driving this vehicle while commuting and transporting our son and his friends to school.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #14

Dec 142011

Venture 6-cyl

  • miles
We own a 2003 Chevy Venture and I have replaced the front driver signal bulb three (3) times and the rear brake/tail lights four (4) times already. I just changed both brakelight bulbs 03/19/12 and yesterday another motorist pulled around me to inform me that my brakelights are out. Once again I opened the brakelight housing and noticed the bulb housing is melting. Could someone please advise.

- Hudson, FL, USA

problem #13

Dec 042007

Venture 6-cyl

  • 51,676 miles
Problem with the the rear right brake light assembly socket board burning out & condensation or water leaking into the assembly also related to cause. Multiple times electrical problems reported & replaced on this vehicle & again on 09/2011 & 12/2011 for same rear brake issue.

- Cromwell , CT, USA

problem #12

Aug 012009

Venture

  • miles
I have a 2003 Chevy Venture with brake light issues. The bulbs are always going out and when I replace it with a new bulb it will only last a day to a few weeks before going out again. When I take the bad bulb out you can see that the plastic is melted on the bulb. This is seems like a safety issue seeing that they go out so often you never know if you have brake lights. Someone is going to get in an accident that can be avoided if Chevy would recall this vehicle and fix the problem. I know a lot are having this issue. I have replaced bulbs and the circuit board hoping that would fix it but it only lasted a few months before the lights started going out again.

- Liberty, MO, USA

problem #11

Jan 012008

Venture

  • miles
Tail lights stop working, upon removing the bulb the socket and plastic on the bulb is melted. After cleaning up the bulb and replacing it, it will work from anywhere between 1 day to a couple weeks before stopping again. Tail light circuit board has been replaced with an oem part and has the same results. This problem has resulted in many stops by police as you can never tell just when the lights will stop working. Upon searching the internet this seems to be a very common problem with this and similar GM models. It is also a very dangerous problem as no one behind you can see you braking if the lights are not working. This problem has been ongoing since the van was purchased in '07.

- Wichita Falls, TX, USA

problem #10

Apr 032011

Venture

  • miles
2003 Chevy Venture brake lights continue to stop working. Have already replaced the bulbs numerous times. The socket the bulbs plug into melted and I replaced that....bulbs are out again.

- New Carlisle, OH, USA

problem #9

Feb 012009

Venture

  • 70,000 miles
For the past 2 years, both rear brake lights continue to fail without any detectable reason. I have researched many "fixes" ranging from replacing blown circuit boards, bending prongs for better connection and greasing the connections. The dealership said replacing the bulbs would fix the issue, only to fail within the following week. An independent garage cleaned the components and bent the prongs holding the bulbs in place to give a better connection. The circuit boards have been replaced, but that didn't help either. All of these solutions have worked for 2 weeks at the longest. There is no evidence of melting components, moisture or residue within the circuit boards or brake bulb connections. I have found, if I "bang" on each brake light prior to driving it might remain working until I get to my destination. I have 2 small children in the car with me almost 99% of the time, I'm scared of getting rear ended because the person behind me didn't know I was stopping because my brake lights didn't work. I'm hoping I'm one of many who have voiced their concern to your Agency.

- Twinsburg, OH, USA

problem #8

Mar 262011

Venture 6-cyl

  • 84,000 miles
The brake lights on both sides stopped working after failing many times over. Upon checking the bulbs and the voltage with a meteor....it was discovered that they do work as long as the sliding door is in motion, hardly acceptable while driving on the road. Anything we can do about this?

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

problem #7

Jan 052011

Venture

  • 51,000 miles
Rear main brake lights always replacing and burn out frequently with no reason now rear ended.if my kids were sitting in the back seat they may be dead right now. I hear it is a problem nation wide.

- Northbridge , MA, USA

problem #6

Jan 012008

Venture

  • 12,500 miles
2003 Chevy Venture, constantly having non working brake lights. Replacing bulbs constantly because of the melting. Replaced them again with a lubricate, that I was told was needed for this type of car. Still having problems. Getting tired of having to fix the brake lights everytime I need to go out.!!!!!!!!!!! tired of being pulled over by the cops because of my non working brake lights............

- San Benito, TX, USA

problem #5

Jan 212008

Venture

  • 85,000 miles
2003 Chevrolet Venture brake lights failed multiple times. Only found out when warned by police that no brake lights were operational. Sockets were melted. Replaced the tail lamp circuit board. After two months the same problem occurred again, resulting in no brake lights. Repeated replacement of circuit board, and the same problem occurred again after five months. No brake lights=safety hazard.

- Wallingford, CT, USA

problem #4

Jun 302010

Venture

  • 98,000 miles
The brake light on drivers side of 2003 Chevy Venture constantly is burning out. Occurs within a week after repair each time. I have replaced the bulbs half a dozen times and replaced the entire circuit board twice with new dorman units. Problem persists. This is a common issue/complaint with this and other similar GM vans. It is a safety issue, makes it difficult to pass vehicle inspections and may result in a fine if I am stopped.

- Scottdale, PA, USA

problem #3

Oct 072009

Venture

  • 75,000 miles
We bought our 2003 Chevrolet Venture last year and have had constant problems with the brake light which do not work 80 % of the time. The circuit boards that hold the bulbs burn up the plastic and the bulbs which causes them to not light up when I press on my brakes. This is a consistent problem and even though I have had the boards replaced twice and the connector to the boards replaced I still have the same problem. I have spent well over 500 dollars to try to correct this problem. I have read on several forums that this is a constant and consistent problem among hundreds of owners of the Chevrolet Venture of various year models, and I am sure there are more owners of this make and model out there with the same issue. One of these days I am going to get rear ended because I have no way of knowing if my brake lights are out. I am going to get hit and then either have myself or one of my three children end up in the hospital because of a defect on Chevrolet's part. This is shameful that they have had various complaints about this problem but have yet to recall this defect because of safety issues.

- Wyoming, MI, USA

problem #2

Jan 182010

Venture

  • 99,600 miles
All rear lights don't burn out they just short out the bases are melted and im afraid this will cause a electrical fire we just purchased the van on the 18.

- Brandenburt, KY, USA

problem #1

Feb 012005

Venture 6-cyl

  • miles
Flashing of lights and fuel gauge floats drastically constantly. The vehicle also experienced problems with low brake fluid, the door ajar, the rear hatch ajar, and the brake light remained on.

- California, KY, USA