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: 83 of 345 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.
Electrical System. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
36 crash reports10 fire reports23 injury reports
What owners actually said
345 reports
40,000 miles · Feb 3, 2003
Power Train
CLUTCH WENT OUT AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. TRANMISSION SYNCHRONIZERS ALSO WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. DEALER REFUSED TO RECTIFY PROBLEM UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAVE DOES NOT COVER TRANSMISSIONS. I WAS NOT OFFERED ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY CHOICES WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I WAS JUST ASKED IF I …
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CLUTCH WENT OUT AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. TRANMISSION SYNCHRONIZERS ALSO WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. DEALER REFUSED TO RECTIFY PROBLEM UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAVE DOES NOT COVER TRANSMISSIONS. I WAS NOT OFFERED ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY CHOICES WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I WAS JUST ASKED IF I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE ONE. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I HAVE USED 1 TIME FOR A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. MEANWHILE, I HAVE HAD A NEW CLUTCH PUT IN ($650), BUT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED YET SO MY CURRENT CLUTCH IS BAD AS WELL DUE TO THE SYNCHRONIZERS BEING FAULTY. SO NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR ANOTHER NEW CLUTCH AND A NEW TRANNY!
NHTSA ODI #10005148
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2003
Steering
NHTSA#02-V-286-000: LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDE DUE TO THE VIN#. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
NHTSA ODI #10005940
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2003
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED. HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT GO ON, (HIGH OR LOW BEAM) RESULTS IN UNABLE TO DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK AT NIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #10003523
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2003
Unknown Or Other
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED IT FEELS LIKE REAR WHEELS ARE GRABBING. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE AND REPLACED REAR HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10004753
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
CATALITIC CONVERTER WENT BAD IN MY CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS COMMON IN MY TYPE OF VEHICLE AT THE MILEAE THAT I HAVE. I HAVE APPROX. 83K MILES ON MY CAR. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY INFORMATION ON THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH MY CAR TYPE.
NHTSA ODI #10002674
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2002
Steering
RECALL CAMPAIGN: STEERING: GEAR: RACK AND PINION (RECALL NUMBER 02V286000). THE VEHICLE'S RACK AND PINION FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT HE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDE IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10001271
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH AN INTERNAL ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, WHICH, AS STATED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL IF THE CORRECT KEY IS NOT USED TO START THE CAR, FUEL IS CUT OFF TO THE ENGINE. THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD THEN FLASHES, AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO START THE CAR FOR (AS I FOUND OUT ON MY OWN) EXACTLY 10 MINUTES. SINCE I PURC…
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THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH AN INTERNAL ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, WHICH, AS STATED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL IF THE CORRECT KEY IS NOT USED TO START THE CAR, FUEL IS CUT OFF TO THE ENGINE. THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD THEN FLASHES, AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO START THE CAR FOR (AS I FOUND OUT ON MY OWN) EXACTLY 10 MINUTES. SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW 5 YEARS AGO. THIS SCENARIO HAS HAPPENED TO ME DOZENS OF TIMES. I START THE CAR (WITH THE CORRECT KEY, OF COURSE) AND THE CAR DOES NOT START-THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF FOR 10 MINUTES, AND I CAN NOT START THE CAR DURING THIS TIME...IF YOU ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR DURING THIS TIME, YOU ARE FORCED TO WAIT EVEN LONGER BEFORE THE LIGHT STOPS FLASHING AND YOU CAN RESTART THE ENGINE. ON THE OCCASIONS THAT I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY EITHER TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG, OR THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE EXTERNAL ALARM, OR THEY JUST SAID IT WAS FIXED...MEANWHILE, THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE FEATURE WAS-I HAD TO TELL THEM THAT IT WAS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. LONG STORY SHORT, THIS THEFT SYSTEM HAS CAUSED ME TO BE LATE FOR WORK NUMEROUS TIMES, AND HAS CAUSED MANY INCONVENIENCES FOR ME! OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. I SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER, AND NEITHER WERE AWARE OF THE FEATURE, OR THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. THE DEALER SAID TO BRING IT IN, BUT FOR ME TO TAKE A DAY OFF FROM WORK IS DIFFICULT-ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY PROBABLY WON'T FIX A THING. I AM DESPERATE FOR SOME HELP WITH WHAT I CONSIDER A MAJOR DEFECT IN THIS CAR! DT
NHTSA ODI #770690
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
CONSUMER STATES THAT A FIRE STARTED IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO STATES THAT THE FIRE DEPT. SAID IT STARTED FROM THE TAIL LIGHTS. TS
NHTSA ODI #8023082
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2002
Steering
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40MPH, "SOFTLY" TURNED STEERING WHEEL TO AVOID AN OBJECT IN THE ROAD. CONSUMER LOSS COMPLETE CONTROL OF VEHICLE'S STEERING, TRAVELLED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. CONSUMER FEELS ISSUE MAY BE RELATED TO CURRENT RECALL 02V286000 TS
NHTSA ODI #8022883
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
UPON STARTING VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WATER TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOES HOT, SMOKE COMES OUT OF RESERVOIR, AND THE ANTI-FREEEZE INDICATER GOES DOWN ABOUT A GALLON. BUT ANTI-FREEZE IS NOT LEAKING OUT SIDE VEHICLE ITS INTERNAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
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. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BI-FUEL COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES. THE CNG FUEL LINE AND THE CNG HIGH PRESSURE REGULATOR COOLANT LINES CAN CONTACT OTHER FUEL (GASOLINE) AND BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE. ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH. A BRAKE FLUID LEAK COULD DISABLE A PORTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, CAUSING LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES. GASOLINE LEAKING FROM A FUEL PIPE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPOSITION THE CNG FUEL AND COOLANT PIPES AND REPOSITION/REPAIR ANY DAMAGED FUEL OR BRAKE PIPES AS NECESSARY.
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