Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 21 of 270 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
31 crash reports10 fire reports18 injury reports
What owners actually said
270 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 1999
Unknown Or Other
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND OFF. YOU CAN DRIVE THE CAR AND IT WILL NOT COME ON FOR 2 WEEKS AND THEN IT COMES ON 10 MINUTES AFTER YOU START THE CAR. THEN IT WILL DO THIS FOR 4-5 WEEKS, AND THEN NOTHING WILL HAPPEN. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AND WHEN IT COMES OUT THE CAR IS FINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT …
Read full complaint
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND OFF. YOU CAN DRIVE THE CAR AND IT WILL NOT COME ON FOR 2 WEEKS AND THEN IT COMES ON 10 MINUTES AFTER YOU START THE CAR. THEN IT WILL DO THIS FOR 4-5 WEEKS, AND THEN NOTHING WILL HAPPEN. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AND WHEN IT COMES OUT THE CAR IS FINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON, AND THEN ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER IT STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS A SHORT OR IF IT IS SOMETHING ELSE. IT ALSO HAS A TENDENCY TO COME ON AFTER THE CAR HITS A BUMP TOO HARD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #704979
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836111
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
ACCELERATING, CAR STUCK IN SECOND GEAR, WOULDNT SHIFT, ONCE STOPPED, WOULDN'T MOVE
NHTSA ODI #704619
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 1999
Visibility
FRONT WINDSHIELD LIFTED OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING EASTBOUND ON RTE 495 AT 50 MPH
NHTSA ODI #704604
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE IS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834997
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 1999
Power Train
TRANSMISSION MAKING NOISE.
NHTSA ODI #543954
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 1999
Power Train
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE AND THEN A GRINDING NOISE LIKE THE GEARS. DEALERSHIP SAYS THE GRINDING NOISE CAME FROM INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834186
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 1999
Visibility
VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVEN HEATER CORES REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #543297
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSuspension
WHEN DRIVING CONSUMER CAN HEAR A LOUD KNOCKING AND GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, HEATER CORE HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER PUTTING ANTI-FREEZE INTO THE VEHICLE THE ANTI-FREEZE WILL LEAK OUT. IN ADDITION,TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #832836
Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 1998
Seat Belts
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELTS. WHILE DRIVING APPLIED BRAKES VERY HARD TO AVOID HITTING A DEER, AND SEAT BELTS FAILED TO TIGHTEN AND TO RESTRAIN HER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. 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 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH WELDS MISSING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES CAUSING EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE EXISTING WELDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE FRONTBUSHING SLEEVE SUBASSEMBLY FROM THE CONTROL ARM INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE ALL CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES FOUND WITH OMITTED WELDS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE02001 · Fire In Steering Column Area
Opened Jan 3, 2002 · Closed Mar 15, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
No summary supplied.
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