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
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 1999
Tires
THE SERVICE WRITER FIRST SAID, "IT'S OUT OF ALIGNMENT." I KNOW BETTER (I'VE BEEN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR BUSINESS FOR 21 YEARS). THEN HE SAID, "THE TIRE WAS RAN LOW." I SAID IT WASN'T. THEN HE SAID, "YOU DIDN'T ROTATE THE TIRES OFTEN ENOUGH." THEN HE SAID (IN CONFIDENCE), "GM USES JUNK TIRES." BUT THEY WON'T WARRANTY THE TIRES.…
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THE SERVICE WRITER FIRST SAID, "IT'S OUT OF ALIGNMENT." I KNOW BETTER (I'VE BEEN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR BUSINESS FOR 21 YEARS). THEN HE SAID, "THE TIRE WAS RAN LOW." I SAID IT WASN'T. THEN HE SAID, "YOU DIDN'T ROTATE THE TIRES OFTEN ENOUGH." THEN HE SAID (IN CONFIDENCE), "GM USES JUNK TIRES." BUT THEY WON'T WARRANTY THE TIRES. AND I HAVE A BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. I ALSO KNOW THAT ALL CHEVY ASTROVANS HAVE THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM.( DOT NUMBER: ?? TIRE SIZE: P195/65R15 )
NHTSA ODI #713043
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 1999
Wheels
REAR PASSENGER WHEEL BOUNCES UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *ML
NHTSA ODI #850107
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 1999
Exterior LightingSeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic
#1, THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AND THE PADS WERE WORN. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY SO I PAID OUT OF POCKET. NOW SECOND SET OF ROTORS AND PADS IS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. #2 TRUNK LID LATCH COULD NOT BE OPENED WITH KEY, DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR/REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY, SO I PAID OUT OF POCKET. #3 REVERSE LIGHT S…
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#1, THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AND THE PADS WERE WORN. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY SO I PAID OUT OF POCKET. NOW SECOND SET OF ROTORS AND PADS IS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. #2 TRUNK LID LATCH COULD NOT BE OPENED WITH KEY, DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR/REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY, SO I PAID OUT OF POCKET. #3 REVERSE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED, AGAIN DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY, I PAID OUT OF POCKET. SWITCH HAS GONE BAD AGAIN AND I PAID TO HAVE IT REPLACE A SECOND TIME. #4 DRIVER'S DOOR HINGES WERE BENT AND DOOR DID NOT ALWAYS CLOSE TIGHTLY, DEALER REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE. #5 DRIVER'S SIDE SIDE HAD A METAL BAR STICKING THROUGH THE UPHOLSTERY INTO MY BACK. DEALER REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE.
NHTSA ODI #712908
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO DEALER, AND DEALER SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849799
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1999
Electrical SystemFire
A FIRE STARTED IN THE TRUNK AREA AND SPREAD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING / PARKING THE VEHICLE. MAUFACTURER'S ENGINEER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED BY A FAULTY TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY IN THE TRUNK. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849500
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND/ KNOCKING NOISE WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE'S AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUS EOF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849459
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1999
SuspensionVehicle Speed Control
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED ENGINE RACED AND THE FRONT END STARTED TO VIBRATE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849413
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 1999
Air BagsCrash
WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE HEAD-ON, AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOTALLED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849150
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1999
Seats
LEVER ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT THAT ADJUSTS THE SEATBACK, STICKS OUT AND INTERFERES WITH EXITING AND ENTERING OF THE DRIVER INTO THE VEHICLE. DEALER CAN'T DO ANYTHING. *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. 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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