The most-reported Venture run is 1GNDX03E6WD (1998 builds) with 26 complaints, 6.5× the typical run. Engine and engine cooling problems make up 26% of reports; 1999 is the worst model year at 4.6 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 21 recall campaigns for Venture model years 1997–2005.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Chevrolet Venture has 439 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 7% of every Venture complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GNDX03E6WD•••••• | 1998 | 1 | — | |
| 1GNDX03E5WD•••••• | 1998 | — | 1 | |
| 1GNDX03EXYD•••••• | 2000 | 4 | 1 | |
| 1GNDX03E4XD•••••• | 1999 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1GNDX03E7WD•••••• | 1998 | 2 | — | |
| 1GNDX03E3VD•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| 1GNDX03E2YD•••••• | 2000 | — | — | |
| 1GNDX03E2XD•••••• | 1999 | — | 1 | |
| 1GNDX03E4WD•••••• | 1998 | 1 | — | |
| 1GNDX03E2WD•••••• | 1998 | 2 | — | |
| 1GNDX03EXXD•••••• | 1999 | 1 | — | |
| 1GNDX03EXWD•••••• | 1998 | — | — |
Each of the other 427 Venture runs has 18 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Chevrolet Venture the gap between build years is 3.1×: a 1999 car draws 4.6 complaints per run, a 2005 one 1.5.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 34 | 22 | 6 | |
| 2004 | 94 | 34 | 6 | |
| 2003 | 144 | 45 | 16 | |
| 2002 | 168 | 57 | 10 | |
| 2001 | 161 | 40 | 12 | |
| 2000 | 269 | 60 | 20 | |
| 1999 | 260 | 57 | 15 | |
| 1998 | 320 | 73 | 19 | |
| 1997 | 316 | 71 | 8 |
Heaviest year here is 1999 at 4.6 complaints per run; lightest is 2005 at 1.5.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 26% of everything Chevrolet Venture owners report: Engine And Engine Cooling, 383 of 1,766 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 | 3 | |
| Structure | 4 | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 3 | 14 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 4 | |
| Air Bags | 69 | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | 6 | |
| Service Brakes | 5 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 4 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 21 recall campaigns on the Chevrolet Venture; the 6 below cover build years 1997 to 2005. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 09E005000 | Steering | 1997–2005 |
| 07E021000 | Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices | 1997–2005 |
| 04V597000 | Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch | 1997–2005 |
| 08E050000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1997–2003 |
| 01V264000 | Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch | 1997–2001 |
| 01V067000 | Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch | 1997–2001 |
The Venture against its rivals
The Venture draws 4 complaints per production run; the Ford Windstar 9.8. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Venture | 1,766 | 439 | 6.3% | |
| Ford Windstar | 11,490 | 1,178 | 3.5% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,766 reports on the Chevrolet Venture, 6.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Chevrolet Venture | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,766 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 112 (6.3%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 29 (1.6%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 189 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 7 | 2,728 |
You know what it is. Find out what it's worth.
- Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
- The original window sticker and factory options
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Chevrolet Venture share of that is 1,766 complaints over 439 runs, 0.16% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Chevrolet Venture VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,766 NHTSA complaints from 439 Venture runs and 21 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Venture production run has the most complaints?
1GNDX03E6WD, a 1998 build, with 26 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Venture run has 4.
Which Venture years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1999 is heaviest at 4.6 complaints per run and 2005 lightest at 1.5.
Does the Venture get more complaints than the Ford Windstar?
No: 4 complaints per production run for the Venture against 9.8 for the Ford Windstar.
How many Venture complaints involve a crash?
6.3% of 1,766 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 29 involved a fire.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.