NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
100 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Feb 19, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
KNOCKING NOISE NEAR TRUNK AREA, BURNING SMELL CONSTANTLY, PANEL LIGHTS ALWAYS SHOW SOMETHING WRONG, ETS OFF LIGHT BLINKING, TILT STICKS, HORN DEFECTIVE, DON'T START IN WARM WEATHER,POPPING NOISE IN REAR SIDE, COOLANT LEAKS, POWER STEERING HOSES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY BURNED UP AND LEAKED FLUID ONTO EXHAUST SYSTEM, WINDO…
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KNOCKING NOISE NEAR TRUNK AREA, BURNING SMELL CONSTANTLY, PANEL LIGHTS ALWAYS SHOW SOMETHING WRONG, ETS OFF LIGHT BLINKING, TILT STICKS, HORN DEFECTIVE, DON'T START IN WARM WEATHER,POPPING NOISE IN REAR SIDE, COOLANT LEAKS, POWER STEERING HOSES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY BURNED UP AND LEAKED FLUID ONTO EXHAUST SYSTEM, WINDOW RATTLES WHEN COMING DOWN, WINDOW NOT ALIGNED RIGHT AIR COMES THROUGH ON BOTH SIDES,ALARM DOESN'T WORK 85% OF THE TIME EVEN WITH NEW BATTERIES, NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE JUNE 1, 1999.
NHTSA ODI #718978
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingInterior Lighting
ENGINE HEAD GASKET/STRUTS/STARTER/TRANSMISSION/ DOME LIGHT/ PAINT/,MUFFLER/SEATS AND ABS BRAKES HAVE ALL GONE BADLY AT LEAST ONCE, AND SOME HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND ARE BAD AGAIN. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT REFUSED TO CHECK OR REPLACE. NO LONGER DOING BUSINESS WITH THEM DUE TO THE SERVICE. I HAVE BEEN HAVING T…
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ENGINE HEAD GASKET/STRUTS/STARTER/TRANSMISSION/ DOME LIGHT/ PAINT/,MUFFLER/SEATS AND ABS BRAKES HAVE ALL GONE BADLY AT LEAST ONCE, AND SOME HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND ARE BAD AGAIN. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT REFUSED TO CHECK OR REPLACE. NO LONGER DOING BUSINESS WITH THEM DUE TO THE SERVICE. I HAVE BEEN HAVING TO PAY FOR ALL OF THE SERVICES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718613
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2000
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
IN 53000 MILES: SPONTANEOUS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, COMPUTER FAILURE, VALVE TRAIN FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #718230
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2000
Electrical System
ALTERNATOR FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOOSE POWER AND DRAIN THE BATTERY WHILE DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. NLM
NHTSA ODI #550171
Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingInterior Lighting
WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL STALL AND CUT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, ALSO, DASH LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED . CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE COMPUTER CHIP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #851897
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 1999
Electrical System
THE COMPUTER IS ENCASED IN A SPLIT ALUMINUM HOUSING AND IS NOT HERMETICALLY SEALED. THIS SUB ASSEMBLY IS LOCATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SURROUNDED BY LOOSE FITTING PLASTIC PARTS. IT IS SUBJECTED TO MOISTURE, DIRT AND IN NORTHERN CLIMATES SALT CORROSION
NHTSA ODI #714402
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 1999
Electrical System
"ETS OFF" LIGHT AND "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" REMAIN ON WHILE CAR IS IN DRIVE. SUGGESTED CORRECTIONS DO NOT TURN LIGHTS OFF. IN SEPTEMBER 1997 WHEN PROBELM FIRST OCCURRED, THE PCM (ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTICS) WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED. DEALER ALLEGED THEY COULD NOT TELL IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM UNTIL PART WAS REPLACED. WHEN PART WAS REPLACED, …
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"ETS OFF" LIGHT AND "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" REMAIN ON WHILE CAR IS IN DRIVE. SUGGESTED CORRECTIONS DO NOT TURN LIGHTS OFF. IN SEPTEMBER 1997 WHEN PROBELM FIRST OCCURRED, THE PCM (ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTICS) WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED. DEALER ALLEGED THEY COULD NOT TELL IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM UNTIL PART WAS REPLACED. WHEN PART WAS REPLACED, DIAGNOTICS REVEALED NO PROBLEM. THE COST TO THE DEALER WAS APPROXIMATELY $250.00. NOW (TWO YEARS LATER) SAME PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING. DEALER SAYS NO RECOURSE EXCEPT TO REPLACE MODULE AGAIN, AT OWNER COST. LOCATION OF MODULE (UNDER WHEEL WELL) IS SUCH THAT IT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER. THANK YOU. JOAN MOORE
NHTSA ODI #712924
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1999
Electrical System
THE HORN IS CONNECTED TO THE AIR BAG MODULE. IT CANNOT BLOW UNLESS PUSHED HARD. AFRAID AIR BAG WOULD DEPLOY IF POUNDED TOO HARD FOR HORN TO BLOW. POOR DESIGN. *AK AFTER POUNDING SEVERAL TIMES HORN WILL BLOW WITH ONLY SLIGHT PRESSURE. AFTER GOING THROUGH PUDDLES BELT SLIPS AND POWER STEERING QUITS, BATTERY DISCHARGES, POOR DESIG…
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THE HORN IS CONNECTED TO THE AIR BAG MODULE. IT CANNOT BLOW UNLESS PUSHED HARD. AFRAID AIR BAG WOULD DEPLOY IF POUNDED TOO HARD FOR HORN TO BLOW. POOR DESIGN. *AK AFTER POUNDING SEVERAL TIMES HORN WILL BLOW WITH ONLY SLIGHT PRESSURE. AFTER GOING THROUGH PUDDLES BELT SLIPS AND POWER STEERING QUITS, BATTERY DISCHARGES, POOR DESIGN WHICH ALLOWS FOR WATER TO SPLASH ON DRIVE BELTS. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #843970
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 1999
Electrical System
SOMETIMES DURING THE INITIAL START-UP THE CAR WILL CRANK . YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE FUSE FOR THE THEFT-SYSTEM AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLES AND WAIT AT LEAST 30 MINUTES TO LET THE COMPUTER REBOOT ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES DURING DRIVING WHERE THE CAR ACCELERATES BY ITSELF AND THEN DIES. AND AFTER YOU GET IT START…
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SOMETIMES DURING THE INITIAL START-UP THE CAR WILL CRANK . YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE FUSE FOR THE THEFT-SYSTEM AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLES AND WAIT AT LEAST 30 MINUTES TO LET THE COMPUTER REBOOT ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES DURING DRIVING WHERE THE CAR ACCELERATES BY ITSELF AND THEN DIES. AND AFTER YOU GET IT STARTED THE THEFT-SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. UNTIL YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707599
Mileage unknown · May 26, 1999
Electrical SystemFire
AFTERING TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE TWICE, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AREA AND BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #838435
Official recalls
7Nov 4, 2002
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 & remedy
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 SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
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 WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Mar 6, 2002
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.
Dec 15, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM FASTENERS.
Jun 29, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. BECAUSE OF CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG'S SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE, AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD OCCUR IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANTS WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.
Feb 17, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
Dec 17, 1996
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.
Oct 23, 1995
THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE COULD HAVE BEEN KINKED DURING ASSEMBLY CAUSING HIGH ACCELERATOR PEDAL EFFORT, STICKING ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE, OR A BROKEN ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE STICKS OR BREAKS, UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND/OR LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL CAN RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY.
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
4DP03007 · Unintended Vehicle Acceleration
Opened Oct 14, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Other:delivery
ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2003, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) RECEIVED A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 FROM MR. DONALD FRIEDMAN, PETITIONING THE AGENCY TO OPEN A DEFECT INVESTIGATION INTO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INVOLVING [MODEL YEAR] 1996 AND 1997 GENERAL MOTORS J-CARS.IN SUPPORT OF HIS PETITION, MR. FRIEDMAN CITED A REPORT HE RECEIVED FOR GM SHOWING IT HAD RECEIVED FAR MORE REPORTS OF ALLEGED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FOR THESE MODELS THAN FOR OTHERS.AFTER ASSESSING THE DATA CLAIMED BY THE PETITIONER TO JUSTIFY HIS REQUEST, ODI FOUND NO INDICATION THAT DEFECT TREND RELATED TO THE PETITIONER'S ALLEGATIONS EXISTS AT THIS TIME.THEREFORE, THERE IS NO REASONABLE POSIBILITY THAT AN ORDER CONCERNING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WOULD BE ISSUED AS A RESULT OF GRANTING MR. FRIEDMAN'S PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS ANALYSIS, PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE.
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.
EA98001 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployments
Opened Jan 23, 1998 · Closed Jul 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
PE97041 · Inadvertent Air Bag Deployments
Opened Sep 9, 1997 · Closed Jan 23, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
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