2004 Chevrolet VENTURE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
124 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
65,675 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 90 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 124 complaints (22.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 10.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 10 | 8.1% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 4.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 2.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 28 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 14 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 11 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 |
Electrical System: 28; Structure:Body:Door: 14; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 11; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Exterior Lighting: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 16 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 18 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 16; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 9
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 19 |
| 2005 | 18 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2004: 19; 2005: 18; 2006: 11; 2007: 8; 2008: 6; 2009: 10; 2010: 13; 2011: 8; 2012: 5; 2013: 6; 2014: 9; 2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 10 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10095793 · 2004-10-14 (October 14, 2004)
I HAVE A 2004 (BOUGHT NEW) CHEVY VAN. WE STOPPED ON DAY AND THE BACK WHEEL WAS SMOKING. WE CALLED THE DEALER AND TOOK IT IN TO BE CHECKED AND THEY TOLD US THAT THE BACK BRAKES HAVE NEVER BEEN ATTACHED. WE WERE RUNNING ONLY ON FRONT BRAKES. WE JUST CAME BACK FROM A TRIP AND TO THINK WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WAS FURIOUS THAT SUCH A THING COULD HAPPEN. THEY DID ATTACH THE BACK BRAKES AND I FEEL THAT SINCE WE WERE RUNNING ON ONLY FRONT BRAKES, THAT THE FRONT BRAKES SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 9,858 miles reported. Look up ODI 10095793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10128371 · 2005-07-11 (July 11, 2005)
THE CONSUMER OWNS A CHEVROLET VENTURE 2004. THIS VEHICLE CAME WITH DEFECTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER COULD HEAR PUMPING NOISES COMING OFF THE BRAKES. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE WHEEL NOISE VARIATION WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE FIRST TIME THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WAS FEBRUARY 21, 2005. THE ABS LIGHT WAS FIXED AND BRAKES WERE FIXED. THEN APRIL 19, 2005 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN BECAUSE THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE BRAKE NOISE RETURNED. THE PROBLEM WAS CHECKED AND FIXED.…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10128371 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139064 · 2005-10-07 (October 7, 2005)
THE VAN WOULD STALL OUT WHEN EVER IT WANTED TO. ONLY HAD THE VAN FOR A YEAR, AND HAS BEEN TO DEALER FOUR TIMES, AND CAN'T DUPLICATE. THEY REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH AND FUEL PUMP. STILL STALLS. FELT UNSAFE, AND TOOK BACK TO DEALER, REFUSED TO DRIVE IT. LEMON. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10139064 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10143057 · 2005-11-17 (November 17, 2005)
DT:THE CONTACTS STATES THE GAS TANK SCRAPES THE GROUND WHEN TWO OR MORE PEOPLE SIT IN THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DAMAGED, CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE HEAT SHIELD THAT COVERS THE GAS TANK. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY STATED THE REAR SPRINGS WERE CAUSING THE SCRAPPING. THIS WOULD BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK THE DOOR DOESN'T CLOSE PROPERLY. UPDATED 01/19/06. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143057 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074653 · 2004-06-02 (June 2, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING THE VAN WILL STALL AND CUT OFF COMPLETELY. IT NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO PARK AND RESTARTED. IT HAS JUST RECENTLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE IN A QUICK MANNER, AND LETS OFF OF ACCELERATION WITHOUT CONSUMER PUSHING GAS PEDAL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10113148 · 2005-02-28 (February 28, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10113148 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10456164 · 2012-04-23 (April 23, 2012)
TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING HARD IN MARCH 2012 (69998 MILES ON VEHICLE). PROGRESSED TO, SLIPPING WHEN STARTING TO MOVE FROM STOP, AND WOULD CATCH ABRUPTLY CAUSING A LURCH FORWARD. I HAD THE TROUBLE CODES READ, FOUND PO-1811 STORED IN VEHICLE COMPUTER. CONTACTED CHEVY DEALER, AND WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. THE DEALER STRONGLY SUGGESTED A NEW TRANSMISSION OVER REPAIR/REBUILD, ESTIMATES RANGED FROM $2700.00 TO REPAIR, OR $3000.00 TO REBUILD, AND $3400.00 FOR NEW. ALSO, WAS TOLD THE OLD TRANSMISSION WOULD BE KEPT BY GM AS A "CORE" EVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10456164 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10566482 · 2014-02-28 (February 28, 2014)
THE RECENT GM RECALL OF 2004 - 2007 COBALT AND OTHER VEHICLES FOR IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS NOW MAKES MY ISSUES IN MY 2004 CHEVROLET VENTURE VAN POTENTIALLY MAKE SOME SENSE. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES OF THE PROBLEM OVER THE YEARS BUT IT SOUNDS SIMILAR TO THE ABOVE RECALL. SOME OF THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY (70 MPH), SOME HAPPENED ON THE DIRT ROADS WE LIVE ON (25 - 35 MPH). THE ENGINE SIMPLY STOPPED - NO POWER OF ANY KIND. THE ENGINE COULD BE RESTARTED BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE KEY. IT DID NOT REQUIRE A …
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10566482 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10143142 · 2005-11-18 (November 18, 2005)
DT: CONTACT STATED ON 10-15-05 WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT APPROACHED A STOP SIGN , PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL 11-05-05 WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES. ON 11-12-05 SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT INSPEC…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,012 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143142 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10293184 · 2009-11-22 (November 22, 2009)
CHEVROLET VENTURES SEEM TO HAVE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AFFECTING THE RIGHT SIDE (FROM THE DRIVER'S PERSPECTIVE). I'VE NOTICED A LOT WITH THE DRIVING LIGHTS OUT ON THAT SIDE, AFTER I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY OWN. I'VE REPLACED THE BULB IN THE FRONT AS WELL AS IN THE BACK MULTIPLE TIMES. WITHIN A MONTH OR SO, THE BULBS ARE BLOWN OUT AGAIN. THE RIGHT SIDE BLINKERS DON'T WORK IN THE FRONT OR THE BACK AFTER A MONTH OR SO AFTER THEY'RE REPLACED. RECENTLY, I TURNED ON THE BRIGHTS AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT ALL TOGETHER. WE'VE HAD THIS VAN FOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 105,086 miles reported. Look up ODI 10293184 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139593 · 2005-10-13 (October 13, 2005)
DT: 2004 CHEVROLET VENTURE MINI VAN. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON OCTOBER 3, 2005 . UPON IMPACT, SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WHILE PULLING OUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS T-BONED IN THE SIDE BY THE OTHER VEHICLE. HEARD A TIRE SQUEALING, AND HELD ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN VEHICLE WAS HIT. THE CONSUMER'S BACK AND NECK WERE SORE, BUT NO ONE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. ACCORDING TO THE INSPECTOR, THE VAN WAS TOTALED, AND HE SAID THAT SIDE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10139593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10488635 · 2012-12-12 (December 12, 2012)
AS I WAS TURNING INTO THE PARKING LOT OF MY CHILD'S SCHOOL, THE STEERING LOCKED UP ON ME. I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL FOR ANYTHING AND THANKFULLY WAS NOT GOING FAST AT THE TIME OR I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP BEFORE HAVING AN ACCIDENT WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I TURNED THE VAN ON AND OFF, WAITED AND IT STILL WOULDN'T WORK AT ALL. IT WAS AFTER A FEW HOURS THAT I TRIED AGAIN AND IT WORKED AT THAT TIME. I DROVE CAREFULLY HOME AND HAVE TO TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON AND HAVE IT FIXED BEFORE WE DO HAVE A MAJOR ACC…
Owner-reported narrative. 114,530 miles reported. Look up ODI 10488635 at NHTSA ↗