RecallRepo

1998 Chevrolet Venture Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1998 Chevrolet Venture has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,821,890 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 518 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the exterior lighting. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 04V597000 2004-12-22 717,302 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS AND A POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, A PASSENGER USING THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR COULD BE INJURED.

Consequence

IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER SLIDING DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER OR MANUAL SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER-SIDE, THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FOR APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR…

STEERING 02V286000 2002-11-04 1,159,156 affected
Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION…

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY…

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 01V264000 2001-08-21 248,737 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997-2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA/TRANSPORT, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WERE SERVICED IN CAMPAIGN 01013 (01V-067) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2001. ALSO 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS…

Consequence

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, INSTALL A NEW POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT…

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 01V067000 2001-03-08 477,011 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOOR CLOSES BUT MAY NOT BE LATCHED. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE.

Consequence

AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UN-LATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CONTINUED UNDER SAFETY RECALL 01V-264. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT…

SEATS 98V145000 1998-06-26 125,990 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH BUCKET SEATS OR A SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND (MIDDLE) OR THIRD (BACK) ROW. THE SEAT LATCH MECHANISMS ON BUCKET SEATS AND ON THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROWS DO NOT HAVE PROTECTIVE COVERS.

Consequence

WHEN ACTIVATING THE RELEASE MECHANISM TO ROLL A BUCKET SEAT FORWARD, A CUSTOMER'S FINGER(S) COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED OR SEVERED IN THEY ARE NOT KEPT CLEAR OF THE MECHANISM.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS ON THE OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON ALL LEFT AND RIGHT HAND REAR BUCKET SEATS IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW, AND TO BOTH INBOARD AND OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON THE CENTER REAR BUCKET SEAT AND THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT.

POWER TRAIN 98V131000 1998-06-11 38,540 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE (1) A BROKEN SHIFT CABLE FITTING OR (2) LOOSE SHIFT LINKAGE. CONSEQUENTLY, MOVING THE SHIFT LEVER TO A 'PARK' POSITION MAY NOT SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION TO 'PARK'.

Consequence

THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE RANGE SELECTOR CABLE.

VISIBILITY 98V072000 1998-04-07 55,154 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM CAN CONTACT A BRAKE LINE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MODULATOR VALVE. THIS CONTACT CAN CHAFE THE BRAKE LINE RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.

Consequence

BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRAKE LINE CLIP TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE. ALSO THE BRAKE LINES WILL BE INSPECTED TO ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS CONDITION AND WILL REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.

Complaints by component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
47
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
31
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
29
1crashes
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
25
1fires2injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
19
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
16
AIR BAGS
14
6crashes8injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
14
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
14
1crashes1fires3injuries
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
14
Total complaints518

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Van was traveling at approx 65 mph..ford quad cab truck pulled out in front of me..I locked the brakes, some skid marks down the highway, and completely broadsided the truck. Damage to truck was on driver side door, and front corner panel. Several of trucks airbags deployed. Impact was at a high…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2016-01-04

“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet venture. The contact stated that while making a left turn at approximately 5 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion…”

STEERING · reported 2015-11-25

“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet venture. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift from the park position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2015-03-13

“Goodyear assurance comfortred 215/70 r15 98t. Belts separated at bead, giant goiter in sidewall. I was told by dealer this was a mounting error. No tearing of inner edge on bead. The other three tires all have bulges starting in sidewalls. *tr”

TIRES · reported 2014-08-16

“Sudden and complete brake failure. It was discovered that the rear brake lines had rusted to the point of failure. No warning...just complete failure. *tr”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2011-12-09

“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet venture. The contact stated that the passenger sliding door automatically opened on its own after it was closed. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who advised her that the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa recall campaign id number…”

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES · reported 2011-04-01

“I backed the van out of my driveway at home and placed the car into drive. As I started to move forward, the gas pedal felt harder than normal but I attributed that to being left outside all winter. I pushed the gas pedal harder to get to car to move forward. And immediately I felt the pedal…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · reported 2010-01-09

“1998 chevy venture. Rear brake line failure. Brake line was rusted through-midway from front to back on both rear brake line's. These lines are made of metal and have several 90 degree bends along the frame of the vehicle. There were no events leading up to equipment failure. I was backing the…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2009-04-14

Defect investigations

Investigation EA02032 Opened 2002-11-18 · closed 2003-11-21

SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY FAILURE

ODI IDENTIFIED 59 REPORTS WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ODI WAS ABLE TO CONTACT 44 OF THE 59 CONSUMERS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE LATCH PROBLEMS.OF THE 44 OWNERS CONTACTED, ODI DETERMINED THAT FOUR FAILURES WERE DUE TO AN OUT-OF-TOLERANCE LATCH PLATE, AND THAT 23 FAILURES WERE DUE TO A DISPLACED BUCKLE…

Investigation EA03005 Opened 2003-04-23 · closed 2004-01-12

REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE

ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE.…

Investigation EA03005 Opened 2003-04-23 · closed 2004-01-12

REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE

ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE.…

Investigation PE00045 Opened 2000-11-03 · closed 2001-01-11

AIR BAG TEAR DURING DEPLOYMENT

Investigation PE02017 Opened 2002-02-11 · closed 2002-08-02

SHOULDER HARNESS CLIP

Investigation PE02086 Opened 2002-11-18 · closed 2003-04-09

REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE

ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 14 INCIDENTS OF REAR TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 THROUGH 1999 GM U-VANS, INCLUDING TWO THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES IS USED IN THE U-VANS FROM MY 1997 THROUGH 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS…

Investigation PE02086 Opened 2002-11-18 · closed 2003-04-09

REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE

ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 14 INCIDENTS OF REAR TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 THROUGH 1999 GM U-VANS, INCLUDING TWO THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES IS USED IN THE U-VANS FROM MY 1997 THROUGH 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS…

Investigation PE04064 Opened 2004-09-17 · closed 2004-12-22

POWER-SLIDING DOOR

SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE AVAILABLE WITH AN OPTIONAL POWER SLIDING DOOR.THE INTERIOR HANDLE IS ORIENTED IN THE VERTICAL POSITION IN THE DOOR PANEL AND LINES UP AT THE ELBOW LEVEL WHEN THE OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE 2ND-ROW OUTBOARD POSITION.IF THE OCCUPANT HOLDS THE INTERIOR HANDLE IN THE THUMB UP POSITION DURING…

Investigation SQ00014 Opened 2000-07-25 · closed 2001-10-22

UNEXPECTED OPENING OF SLIDING DOOR

There is no summary currently available

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Chevrolet Venture as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.