NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
106 reportsClear category filter120,000 miles · Dec 11, 2014
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES MALFUNCTION PERIODICALLY AND LOCK INTO ONE POSITION OR DON'T WORK AT ALL. CANT TELL WHAT YOUR SPEED IS , TEMP IS, RPM ETC! THIS I THINK IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I SEE THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY PEOPLE AS I HAVE INVESTIGATED IT ON LINE. THIS IS PRETTY MUCH WHAT'S HAPPENING... HTTPS://W…
Read full complaint
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES MALFUNCTION PERIODICALLY AND LOCK INTO ONE POSITION OR DON'T WORK AT ALL. CANT TELL WHAT YOUR SPEED IS , TEMP IS, RPM ETC! THIS I THINK IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I SEE THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY PEOPLE AS I HAVE INVESTIGATED IT ON LINE. THIS IS PRETTY MUCH WHAT'S HAPPENING... HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=RZILY3GXEXA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10663613
35,000 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
2006 CHEVROLET COBALT & 2003 CAVALIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BOTH VEHICLES POWER STEERING AND CUTTING OFF PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CAVALIER, CUT OFF, JUST LIKE THE COBALT. HOWEVER, THE COBALT WAS RECALLED. THE CAVALIER CUT OFF WEEKLY SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE POWER STEERING WAS REPLACED DURING A RECA…
Read full complaint
2006 CHEVROLET COBALT & 2003 CAVALIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BOTH VEHICLES POWER STEERING AND CUTTING OFF PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CAVALIER, CUT OFF, JUST LIKE THE COBALT. HOWEVER, THE COBALT WAS RECALLED. THE CAVALIER CUT OFF WEEKLY SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE POWER STEERING WAS REPLACED DURING A RECALL. IT WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 68,000. *JB UPDATED 08/07/14 *JB UPDATED 09/24/14. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10598217
50,000 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY SEIZED IN THE IGNITION AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 08/19/14*LJ U…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY SEIZED IN THE IGNITION AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 08/19/14*LJ UPDATED 08/23/2017*CT
NHTSA ODI #10599171
55,000 miles · May 12, 2014
Electrical System
CLUSTER DEFECT: PURCHASED A 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT IN DECEMBER OF 2002. JUST AFTER 5 YEARS AND APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES, WE ARE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DURING SNOWFALL WHILE THE SPEEDOMETER STATED WE WERE TRAVELING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR, WE DID NOT KNOW THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY UNTIL WE…
Read full complaint
CLUSTER DEFECT: PURCHASED A 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT IN DECEMBER OF 2002. JUST AFTER 5 YEARS AND APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES, WE ARE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DURING SNOWFALL WHILE THE SPEEDOMETER STATED WE WERE TRAVELING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR, WE DID NOT KNOW THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY UNTIL WE GOT TO A CORNER AND THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWED WE WERE DRIVING AT ABOUT 20 MPH WHEN WE WERE FLYING AT ATLEAST 50 MPH WHICH INDICATED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ABOUT 30 MPH OFF. THEN THE TACHOMETER WOULD STOP WORKING, GET STUCK, OR NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. I THEN BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ALL OF THE GAUGES, THE GAS GAUGE NEEDLE WOULD GO BACKWARDS ON TOP OF THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE CAUSING THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO STOP WORKING THEN ALL GAUGES WOULD MALFUNCTION, THEN THEY WOULD STOP WORKING COMPLETELY. I TOOK IT INTO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP, THEY CAME BACK TO ME AND SAID IT'S WORKING FINE, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN THE GAUGES CONTINUE TO GO HAYWIRE CHEVY STATED WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A COMPLAINT AND I TOLD THEM TO LOOK IT UP ON THE INTERNET, THERE ARE HUNDREDS/THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. CURRENTLY NONE OF MY GAUGES ARE WORKING AND AM HAVING TO USE A GPS TO NAVIGATE SPEED AND FILL MY VEHICLE UP EVERY 4 DAYS BECAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE CAR IS ON EMPTY. IT IS HIGH TIME SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS. CHEVY RECALLED A BUNCH OF OTHER MODELS, BUT NOT THE CARS. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS AND QUICKLY BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. OR DOES IT TAKE A DEATH OR MANY MORE TO GET SOMEONE'S ATTENTION THAT THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS DEFECT FURTHER. THERE ARE TOO MANY OF US OUT THERE THAT ARE DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM AND ARE JUST KEEPING QUIET ABOUT IT. THIS PROBLEM DEFINITELY WARRANTS A RECALL AND FAST. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587710
170,000 miles · Apr 6, 2014
Electrical System
ERRATIC INSTRUMENT PANEL..SOMETIMES AFTER TURNING IGNITION KEY ON ALL PANEL LIGHTS STAY ON (BEYOND NORMAL)AND ALL GAUGES GO OFF..SOMETIMES OK WHEN STARTING BUT SOME LIGHTS COME ON (AIR BAG, SERVICE ENG, ABS GAS GAUGE, ETC) AFTER DRIVING ..SOMETIMES ALL INSTR GAUGES GO OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER...THEY SOM…
Read full complaint
ERRATIC INSTRUMENT PANEL..SOMETIMES AFTER TURNING IGNITION KEY ON ALL PANEL LIGHTS STAY ON (BEYOND NORMAL)AND ALL GAUGES GO OFF..SOMETIMES OK WHEN STARTING BUT SOME LIGHTS COME ON (AIR BAG, SERVICE ENG, ABS GAS GAUGE, ETC) AFTER DRIVING ..SOMETIMES ALL INSTR GAUGES GO OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER...THEY SOMETIMES COME BACK ON AND SOMETIMES NOT...I ENTERED MY MAKE AND YEAR ON GOOGLE TO SEE IF OTHER OWNERS HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT MANY DO..INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT WHILE RESEARCHING ON GOOGLE I FOUND OUT CHEV TRUCKS IN YEAR 2003 HAD A RECALL DUE TO FAULTY INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTROLS BUT THE AUTOS WERE NOT RECALLED.. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD SINCE I SOMETIMES HAVE TO DRIVE WITH NO SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE AND AN AIRBAG LIGHT THAT STAYS ON. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME AND HAVE TO RESORT TO ONLY SHORT TRIPS (GROCERY STORE, DR APPTS, ETC) I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY GM HAS NOT RECALLED THIS 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER..ESP WHEN THEY HAVE RECALLED THE SAME YR AND MAKE TRUCKS FOR FAULTY INSTR PANELS.. I FEEL THIS FAULTY INSTR PANEL IS PLACING ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS POSITION EACH TIME I GET BEHIND THE WHEEL AND NEEDLESS TO SAY DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS AUTO AT ALL... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577775
115,000 miles · Mar 5, 2014
Electrical System
THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL COMPLETELY WENT HAY WIRE AND THE SPEED WOULD INCREASE AND DECREASE. EVERYTHING WAS FLASHING TO THE POINT IT WAS ACTUALLY SCARY. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT STILLED CONTINUED. I FINALLY DECIDED TO CONTINUE HOME AND AFTER ABOUT 6 MILES IT FINALLY JUST STOPPED. I RESEARCHED T…
Read full complaint
THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL COMPLETELY WENT HAY WIRE AND THE SPEED WOULD INCREASE AND DECREASE. EVERYTHING WAS FLASHING TO THE POINT IT WAS ACTUALLY SCARY. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT STILLED CONTINUED. I FINALLY DECIDED TO CONTINUE HOME AND AFTER ABOUT 6 MILES IT FINALLY JUST STOPPED. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT SO MANY MORE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING HAPPENING BUT SOME HAVE HAD THEIR CAR ACTUALLY START ON FIRE. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE IS ANY RECALL IN THE NEAR FUTURE BEFORE SOMEONE HAS TO LOSE THEIR LIFE OVER THIS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ANY CONSIDERATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567491
710,000 miles · Mar 18, 2013
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ALL OF THE ILLUMINATED GAUGES AND INTERIOR LIGHTS SWITCHED OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHIC…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ALL OF THE ILLUMINATED GAUGES AND INTERIOR LIGHTS SWITCHED OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 710,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503492
100,000 miles · Feb 19, 2013
Electrical System
WHEN DRIVING ON A LONG TRIP, I NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER KEPT INCREASING AFTER EACH TIME I STOPPED THE CAR. WHEN I STOPPED, THE SPEED READ 25. I WENT 45 MPH, IT WENT TO 70 MPH. ETC. IT NOW RESTS IN VERTICAL POSITION FACING DOWN. THE GAS GAUGE HAS ALSO BEGUN TO GO HAYWIRE. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE CAR WOULD LONGER CAN GO IN…
Read full complaint
WHEN DRIVING ON A LONG TRIP, I NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER KEPT INCREASING AFTER EACH TIME I STOPPED THE CAR. WHEN I STOPPED, THE SPEED READ 25. I WENT 45 MPH, IT WENT TO 70 MPH. ETC. IT NOW RESTS IN VERTICAL POSITION FACING DOWN. THE GAS GAUGE HAS ALSO BEGUN TO GO HAYWIRE. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE CAR WOULD LONGER CAN GO INTO CRUISE CONTROL (WITHOUT WORKING FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN SHUTTING OFF), I AM THINKING BECAUSE OF THE SPEEDOMETER OR CLUSTER. EITHER WAY, IT NOW NO LONGER WORKS AT ALL. SEEING EVERYONE'S COMPLAINTS ON HERE AND WITH "GOVERNMENT MOTORS" NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT, I WILL NOT PUT MY TRUST IN THEIR BRAND ON ANY FUTURE VEHICLES. THIS ALSO HAPPENED ON MY 2005 CAVALIER. GOOD THING FOR A GPS... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10499236
84,000 miles · Jan 3, 2013
Electrical System
THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SPEEDOMETER. I WAS TRAVELING AT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS ABOUT 40 MPH AND I LOOKED DOWN AND MY SPEEDOMETER SHOWED 65 MPH. WHEN I CAM TO A STOP MY SPEEDOMETER ONLY WENT DOWN TO 25 MPH. THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS DOWN TO 0. ONE WEEK LATER IT WENT UP AND DIDN'T GO BELOW 35 MPH AND IT HAS KEPT INCREASING. NOW WHE…
Read full complaint
THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SPEEDOMETER. I WAS TRAVELING AT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS ABOUT 40 MPH AND I LOOKED DOWN AND MY SPEEDOMETER SHOWED 65 MPH. WHEN I CAM TO A STOP MY SPEEDOMETER ONLY WENT DOWN TO 25 MPH. THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS DOWN TO 0. ONE WEEK LATER IT WENT UP AND DIDN'T GO BELOW 35 MPH AND IT HAS KEPT INCREASING. NOW WHEN I GET IN THE CAR THE SPEEDOMETER IS AT 95MPH. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL FOR THESE ITEMS. THE COST TO REPAIR IS $500 AND MAKES IT TOO EXPENSIVE FOR IT TO BE FEASIBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490974
Mileage unknown · May 13, 2012
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER STOPED WORKING! SAFTEY ISSUE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10458255
NHTSA investigations
4EA07015 · Engine Stalling - Fuel Pump Failure
Opened Nov 1, 2007 · Closed Oct 28, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
ODI'S ANALYSIS OF THE STALLING INCIDENTS THAT HAVE RESULTED FROM SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES FOUND THAT THEY CAN OCCUR AT ANY SPEED AND GENERALLY RESULT IN A NO RESTART CONDITION.THESE ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE POTENTIAL SEVERITY OF STALLING INCIDENTS.HOWEVER, THESE INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED AT RELATIVELY LOW RATES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION WHEN COMPARED WITH PRIOR INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING SIMILAR CATEGORIES OF ENGINE STALL CONSEQUENCES.EVEN FOR THE EARLY MY 2003 PRODUCTION, WHERE HIGHER FAILURE RATES WERE NOTED, THE RATES OF PUMP FAILURES RESULTING IN ENGINE STALL ARE LOWER THAN RATES RECORDED IN PRIOR INVESTIGATIONS OF POPULATIONS THAT WERE NOT RECALLED.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CLOSING RESUME.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
ODI'S ANALYSIS OF THE STALLING INCIDENTS THAT HAVE RESULTED FROM SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES FOUND THAT THEY CAN OCCUR AT ANY SPEED AND GENERALLY RESULT IN A NO RESTART CONDITION.THESE ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE POTENTIAL SEVERITY OF STALLING INCIDENTS.HOWEVER, THESE INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED AT RELATIVELY LOW RATES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION WHEN COMPARED WITH PRIOR INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING SIMILAR CATEGORIES OF ENGINE STALL CONSEQUENCES.EVEN FOR THE EARLY MY 2003 PRODUCTION, WHERE HIGHER FAILURE RATES WERE NOTED, THE RATES OF PUMP FAILURES RESULTING IN ENGINE STALL ARE LOWER THAN RATES RECORDED IN PRIOR INVESTIGATIONS OF POPULATIONS THAT WERE NOT RECALLED.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CLOSING RESUME.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
ODI'S ANALYSIS OF THE STALLING INCIDENTS THAT HAVE RESULTED FROM SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES FOUND THAT THEY CAN OCCUR AT ANY SPEED AND GENERALLY RESULT IN A NO RESTART CONDITION.THESE ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE POTENTIAL SEVERITY OF STALLING INCIDENTS.HOWEVER, THESE INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED AT RELATIVELY LOW RATES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION WHEN COMPARED WITH PRIOR INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING SIMILAR CATEGORIES OF ENGINE STALL CONSEQUENCES.EVEN FOR THE EARLY MY 2003 PRODUCTION, WHERE HIGHER FAILURE RATES WERE NOTED, THE RATES OF PUMP FAILURES RESULTING IN ENGINE STALL ARE LOWER THAN RATES RECORDED IN PRIOR INVESTIGATIONS OF POPULATIONS THAT WERE NOT RECALLED.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CLOSING RESUME.
Fuel System, Gasoline
ODI'S ANALYSIS OF THE STALLING INCIDENTS THAT HAVE RESULTED FROM SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES FOUND THAT THEY CAN OCCUR AT ANY SPEED AND GENERALLY RESULT IN A NO RESTART CONDITION.THESE ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE POTENTIAL SEVERITY OF STALLING INCIDENTS.HOWEVER, THESE INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED AT RELATIVELY LOW RATES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION WHEN COMPARED WITH PRIOR INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING SIMILAR CATEGORIES OF ENGINE STALL CONSEQUENCES.EVEN FOR THE EARLY MY 2003 PRODUCTION, WHERE HIGHER FAILURE RATES WERE NOTED, THE RATES OF PUMP FAILURES RESULTING IN ENGINE STALL ARE LOWER THAN RATES RECORDED IN PRIOR INVESTIGATIONS OF POPULATIONS THAT WERE NOT RECALLED.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CLOSING RESUME.
PE07033 · Fuel Pump Failure
Opened Jun 28, 2007 · Closed Nov 1, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN OPENED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.GENERAL MOTORS (GM) HAS IDENTIFIED AN ISSUE WITH ACCELERATED MOTOR BRUSH WEAR IN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 THROUGH 2003 CHEVROLET VEHICLES THAT CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO STOP OPERATING.GENERAL MOTORS INDICATED THAT PEROXIDE OR SULFUR, WHICH ARE BOTH PRESENT IN VARYING AMOUNTS IN GASOLINE, CAN REACT WITH THE COPPER COMMUTATOR OF THE PUMP MOTOR AND CORRODE/ROUGHEN THE SURFACE.A ROUGH COMMUTATOR SURFACE INCREASES THE RATE OF BRUSH WEAR.THE INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE CAUSED BY DEGRADATION OF THE BRUSH-COMMUTATOR INTERFACE INHIBITS CURRENT FLOW THROUGH THE MOTOR WINDINGS.ACCORDING TO GM, THE CONDITION WILL USUALLY RESULT IN A NO-START CONDITION BECAUSE OF THE HIGH CURRENT REQUIRED DURING START-UP.WHEN THE ALLEGED DEFECT DOES CAUSE A STALL WHILE DRIVING INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE TYPICALLY CANNOT BE RESTARTED.GM'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANT CLAIMS SHOWED THAT NO START/HARD START WAS THE MOST COMMON CONDITION AND THE FREQUENCY OF CLAIMS ASSOCIATED WITH STALL WHILE DRIVING INCIDENTS WAS TOO LOW TO WARRANT FIELD ACTION. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-015) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA AND THE ANALYSES PROVIDED BY GM.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN OPENED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.GENERAL MOTORS (GM) HAS IDENTIFIED AN ISSUE WITH ACCELERATED MOTOR BRUSH WEAR IN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 THROUGH 2003 CHEVROLET VEHICLES THAT CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO STOP OPERATING.GENERAL MOTORS INDICATED THAT PEROXIDE OR SULFUR, WHICH ARE BOTH PRESENT IN VARYING AMOUNTS IN GASOLINE, CAN REACT WITH THE COPPER COMMUTATOR OF THE PUMP MOTOR AND CORRODE/ROUGHEN THE SURFACE.A ROUGH COMMUTATOR SURFACE INCREASES THE RATE OF BRUSH WEAR.THE INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE CAUSED BY DEGRADATION OF THE BRUSH-COMMUTATOR INTERFACE INHIBITS CURRENT FLOW THROUGH THE MOTOR WINDINGS.ACCORDING TO GM, THE CONDITION WILL USUALLY RESULT IN A NO-START CONDITION BECAUSE OF THE HIGH CURRENT REQUIRED DURING START-UP.WHEN THE ALLEGED DEFECT DOES CAUSE A STALL WHILE DRIVING INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE TYPICALLY CANNOT BE RESTARTED.GM'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANT CLAIMS SHOWED THAT NO START/HARD START WAS THE MOST COMMON CONDITION AND THE FREQUENCY OF CLAIMS ASSOCIATED WITH STALL WHILE DRIVING INCIDENTS WAS TOO LOW TO WARRANT FIELD ACTION. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-015) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA AND THE ANALYSES PROVIDED BY GM.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN OPENED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.GENERAL MOTORS (GM) HAS IDENTIFIED AN ISSUE WITH ACCELERATED MOTOR BRUSH WEAR IN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 THROUGH 2003 CHEVROLET VEHICLES THAT CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO STOP OPERATING.GENERAL MOTORS INDICATED THAT PEROXIDE OR SULFUR, WHICH ARE BOTH PRESENT IN VARYING AMOUNTS IN GASOLINE, CAN REACT WITH THE COPPER COMMUTATOR OF THE PUMP MOTOR AND CORRODE/ROUGHEN THE SURFACE.A ROUGH COMMUTATOR SURFACE INCREASES THE RATE OF BRUSH WEAR.THE INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE CAUSED BY DEGRADATION OF THE BRUSH-COMMUTATOR INTERFACE INHIBITS CURRENT FLOW THROUGH THE MOTOR WINDINGS.ACCORDING TO GM, THE CONDITION WILL USUALLY RESULT IN A NO-START CONDITION BECAUSE OF THE HIGH CURRENT REQUIRED DURING START-UP.WHEN THE ALLEGED DEFECT DOES CAUSE A STALL WHILE DRIVING INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE TYPICALLY CANNOT BE RESTARTED.GM'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANT CLAIMS SHOWED THAT NO START/HARD START WAS THE MOST COMMON CONDITION AND THE FREQUENCY OF CLAIMS ASSOCIATED WITH STALL WHILE DRIVING INCIDENTS WAS TOO LOW TO WARRANT FIELD ACTION. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-015) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA AND THE ANALYSES PROVIDED BY GM.
Fuel System, Gasoline
AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN OPENED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.GENERAL MOTORS (GM) HAS IDENTIFIED AN ISSUE WITH ACCELERATED MOTOR BRUSH WEAR IN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 THROUGH 2003 CHEVROLET VEHICLES THAT CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO STOP OPERATING.GENERAL MOTORS INDICATED THAT PEROXIDE OR SULFUR, WHICH ARE BOTH PRESENT IN VARYING AMOUNTS IN GASOLINE, CAN REACT WITH THE COPPER COMMUTATOR OF THE PUMP MOTOR AND CORRODE/ROUGHEN THE SURFACE.A ROUGH COMMUTATOR SURFACE INCREASES THE RATE OF BRUSH WEAR.THE INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE CAUSED BY DEGRADATION OF THE BRUSH-COMMUTATOR INTERFACE INHIBITS CURRENT FLOW THROUGH THE MOTOR WINDINGS.ACCORDING TO GM, THE CONDITION WILL USUALLY RESULT IN A NO-START CONDITION BECAUSE OF THE HIGH CURRENT REQUIRED DURING START-UP.WHEN THE ALLEGED DEFECT DOES CAUSE A STALL WHILE DRIVING INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE TYPICALLY CANNOT BE RESTARTED.GM'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANT CLAIMS SHOWED THAT NO START/HARD START WAS THE MOST COMMON CONDITION AND THE FREQUENCY OF CLAIMS ASSOCIATED WITH STALL WHILE DRIVING INCIDENTS WAS TOO LOW TO WARRANT FIELD ACTION. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-015) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA AND THE ANALYSES PROVIDED BY GM.
EA04028 · Turn Signal Malfunction
Opened Sep 14, 2004 · Closed Nov 22, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
ON MAY 14, 2004 THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE04-043) BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE BRAKE/TAIL TURN SIGNAL LAMPS WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHEN EITHER THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, OR WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED.ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2004 ODI UPGRADED PE 04-043 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-028).GM STATES THAT SOME BRAKE/TAIL/TURN SIGNAL LAMP BULBS CAN PREMATURELY BECOME INOPERATIVE DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP WITHIN THE BULB SOCKETS.THE CAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP WAS DETERMINED TO BE A LACK OF THERMAL GREASE PLACED IN BETWEEN THE BULB AND THE SOCKET. BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 27, 2004 GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 04V524) COVERING ALL MY 2003 VEHICLES.GM DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES AND APPLY THERMAL GREASE TO THEM OR REPLACE THEM WITH NEW ASSEMBLIES WITH THERMAL GREASE ALREADY ATTACHED.MODEL YEAR 2004 AND NEWER VEHICLES HAVE THE THERMAL GREASE INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY. THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
PE04043 · Turn Signal Malfunction
Opened May 14, 2004 · Closed Sep 14, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THAT THE REAR TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE AND DO NOT PROVIDE A SIGNAL TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES.ODI HAS RECEIVED ONE REPORT OF A CRASH WHERE THE COMPLAINANT BRAKED AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE IMPACTED THE COMPLAINANT'S VEHICLE IN THE DRIVER-SIDE DOOR.IN MAY 2002, GM'S SUPPLIER MADE CHANGES TO THE BULB SOCKET THAT INCLUDED STOPPING THE USE OF THERMAL-MASTIC GREASE IN THE BULB SOCKET.GM REPORTS THAT THE GREASE REDUCES ARCING AT THE CONTACTS AND DISSIPATES HEAT THUS PREVENTING MELTING OF THE SOCKET MATERIAL OR BURNING OF THE CONTACTS.MOST OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE APPLIED TO THE BULB SOCKET.IN JUNE 2003, GM DIRECTED THE SUPPLIER TO RESUME THE USE OF GREASE IN THE SOCKET.GM ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) 04-08-42-004A ON JULY 15, 2004 ADVISING TECHNICIANS TO MAKE SURE THAT ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF GREASE WERE ADDED TO THE BULB SOCKETS ON ALL SERVICE PARTS.ODI WILL UPGRADE THIS INVESTIGATION TO EA 04-028 TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE ISSUE.
Illustration