Research · Minivan - 2WD

2004 Chevrolet VentureRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 124 owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Venture. Most complaints involve electrical system (37) and structure (21). The EPA rates it 18–20 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18–20mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Feb 2009
Owner complaints
124
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering

Free remedy

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

SteeringReported Feb 17, 2009NHTSA 09E005000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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).

Fuel system, gasolineReported Aug 8, 2007NHTSA 07V349000

Fuel system

Free remedy

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Fuel system, otherReported Mar 12, 2007NHTSA 07E021000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

124 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2004 – Jun 2024
  1. Electrical system37
  2. Structure21
  3. Latches/locks/linkages12
  4. Exterior lighting9
  5. Engine and engine cooling9
  6. Fuel/propulsion system7
  7. Visibility7
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic6
  9. Air bags5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Venture model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997438
1998427
1999356
2000361
2001226
2002233
2003212
2004124
200542
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
21
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

37 reports1 fire
“DASH DISPLAYS INACCURATE OR NOT WORKING GAUGES. TEMPERATURE AND SPEEDOMETER OFTEN DOESN'T WORK AT ALL OR SHOWS 120MPH WHEN DRIVING AT APPROX 55MPH! TEMP WILL OFTEN SHOW HOT WHEN CAR IS AT NORMAL TEMP.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 4, 2016Electrical systemODI 10824303

Structure

21 reports1 crash
“(XXXXXXXXX) CRAIGSLIST LEMON LAW PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2018Structure, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineCrash reportedODI 11133260

Latches/locks/linkages

12 reports
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TRUNK DOOR NO LONGER WORKED. SHE WOULD ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE LATCH AND POSITION THE REAR LATCH, OR HITCH, IN THE OPEN POSITION ONLY TO HAVE IT SLAM SHUT ON HER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 81,817.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 31, 2009Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10263745
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD, Minivan - 4WD
Engines
3.4L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Venture FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,200444
Venture AWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
  • Venture FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Venture AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Chevrolet Venture as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1078
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 Venture questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Venture have?

5 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Venture problems?

Owners filed 124 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (37), structure (21), latches/locks/linkages (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Chevrolet Venture get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Chevrolet Venture at 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026