NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
19 reportsClear category filter75,000 miles · Jan 8, 2011
EquipmentFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic
TRANS AXLE WENT OUT APRIL 09 WITH A HORRIBLE MESS OF OIL, STEERING RACK REPLACED 6 MONTHS LATER, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW/ MOTOR PROBLEM, FUEL PUMP WENT 75,000 A BIT SHY OF A YEAR LATER. NOW MY DEFROST ISN'T WORKING; POSSIBLY THE SWITCH 85,000. HAD BRAKES DONE TWICE SO FAR WITH LEAKS; THIS INCLUDES HYDRAULICS, ROTORS, PADS, SHOES ET…
Read full complaint
TRANS AXLE WENT OUT APRIL 09 WITH A HORRIBLE MESS OF OIL, STEERING RACK REPLACED 6 MONTHS LATER, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW/ MOTOR PROBLEM, FUEL PUMP WENT 75,000 A BIT SHY OF A YEAR LATER. NOW MY DEFROST ISN'T WORKING; POSSIBLY THE SWITCH 85,000. HAD BRAKES DONE TWICE SO FAR WITH LEAKS; THIS INCLUDES HYDRAULICS, ROTORS, PADS, SHOES ETC. MY STEERING HAS SEIZED WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A VERY EXPENSIVE INCONVENIENCE. *LN
NHTSA ODI #10375199
96,000 miles · Jul 28, 2008
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING PUMP FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING PUMP FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000.
NHTSA ODI #10236027
55,000 miles · Sep 28, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
1. VEHICLE MADE A MOANING NOISE WHEN TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 55,000 KMS (AND 3 YEARS OLD). REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK. 2. RANDOM CLUNKING FROM THE FRONT END AT APPROX. 56,000 KMS. REPLACED FRONT BEARINGS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNT. 3. CAR LOST POWER, HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER COULDN'T FIND A PROBLE…
Read full complaint
1. VEHICLE MADE A MOANING NOISE WHEN TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 55,000 KMS (AND 3 YEARS OLD). REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK. 2. RANDOM CLUNKING FROM THE FRONT END AT APPROX. 56,000 KMS. REPLACED FRONT BEARINGS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNT. 3. CAR LOST POWER, HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM, INSISTED THE CAR WAS FINE. I INSISTED ON THEM TAKING IT OUT AGAIN. CAR BROKE DOWN, HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO DEALER AGAIN. REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND FUEL IGNITION SWITCH. 4. BURNED THROUGH 4L OF OIL AND PUFFED OUT BLACK SMOKE. DEALER COULDN'T LOCATE PROBLEM. HAPPENED AGAIN APPROX. 2000 KMS LATER. FAULTY PISTON RINGS, ENGINE REPLACED ENTIRELY. AT 61,000 KMS. NOW AT OVER $11,000 CDN WARRANTY REPAIRS ON A WELL MAINTAINED LOW MILEAGE CAR. 5. RANDOM CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT IS BACK. GOING TO DEALER TOMORROW. WARRANTY: EXPIRED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10169531
52,028 miles · May 15, 2006
SteeringCrashInjury
DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD POP. SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED SHAKING BACK AND FORTH. DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A JERSEY BARRIER WHICH TOTALED THE CAR AND CAUSED INJURIES. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT SOMETHING SEEMED TO LET GO IN THE STEERING RACK. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN TURN 8 TO 12…
Read full complaint
DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD POP. SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED SHAKING BACK AND FORTH. DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A JERSEY BARRIER WHICH TOTALED THE CAR AND CAUSED INJURIES. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT SOMETHING SEEMED TO LET GO IN THE STEERING RACK. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN TURN 8 TO 12 INCHES FROM SIDE TO SIDE WITHOUT MOVING THE WHEELS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10157609
1,666 miles · Mar 25, 2005
Air BagsExterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic
CHEVROLET CAVALIER Z 2003, MULTIPLE FAILURES. *BF THE DEFROSTER WOULD NOT CLEAR THE WINDOWS, THE HEATER DID NOT WORK, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE THERE WAS A SPLIT IN THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN A NOISE WAS HEARD. THE LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL BULB WAS REPLACED, THE RIGHT REA…
Read full complaint
CHEVROLET CAVALIER Z 2003, MULTIPLE FAILURES. *BF THE DEFROSTER WOULD NOT CLEAR THE WINDOWS, THE HEATER DID NOT WORK, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE THERE WAS A SPLIT IN THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN A NOISE WAS HEARD. THE LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL BULB WAS REPLACED, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB. THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER LUBED THE FRONT SWAY BAR BUSHING. THE TIRES WERE OVER INFLATED, SO THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, THE BLOWER MOTOR, AND HEATER CONTROL WAS REPLACED. THE ABS LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE NEEDED BRAKE PADS. THERE WAS MOLD ON THE DRIVERS FRONT DOOR. THE AC COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED. THE WINDOW WENT DOWN EXTREMELY SLOW, THE DEALER LUBED THE WINDOW TRACK AND REGULATOR. THE FOG LIGHT BULB WAS INOPERATIVE, THE DOOR LATCH WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10115838
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2004
Exterior LightingSteeringSuspension
I OWN A NEW 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS. HAD TO REPLACED 2 SPACERS, A STRUT MOUNT, SEVERAL STEERING PARTS AND PART OF THE REAR LIGHT. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE CAN SLIGHTLY ROCK THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONSUMER ASKED IF AN OCCASIONAL POPPING IN THE STEERING IS NORMAL IN HER VEHICLE AFTER…
Read full complaint
I OWN A NEW 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS. HAD TO REPLACED 2 SPACERS, A STRUT MOUNT, SEVERAL STEERING PARTS AND PART OF THE REAR LIGHT. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE CAN SLIGHTLY ROCK THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONSUMER ASKED IF AN OCCASIONAL POPPING IN THE STEERING IS NORMAL IN HER VEHICLE AFTER TESTING FOUR OF THE SAME MODELS. *TC
NHTSA ODI #10108948
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2004
EquipmentExterior LightingSteering
I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW ARROUND 04/2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2003 SINCE THEN I REPORTED SEVERAL TIMES BACK TO THE DEALER SHIP WITH THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS:DRIVETRAIN - CLUNK NOISE DURING LOW SPEED TURNS A/C - DIFFICULT MODE/TEMPERATURE SETTING OPERATION . STEERING - MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER ASSIST. STEERING - RATTLE/KNOCK WHEN…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW ARROUND 04/2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2003 SINCE THEN I REPORTED SEVERAL TIMES BACK TO THE DEALER SHIP WITH THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS:DRIVETRAIN - CLUNK NOISE DURING LOW SPEED TURNS A/C - DIFFICULT MODE/TEMPERATURE SETTING OPERATION . STEERING - MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER ASSIST. STEERING - RATTLE/KNOCK WHEN TURNING WHEELS - FRONT/REAR WHEEL SQUEAKING NOISE ---ALL THOSE COMPLAINTS ARE NEVER BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF - THEY ALLWAYS HAD SOME "LOW EXCUSES FOR ME - LIKE THE WHEATER/RAIN/DIRT ON THE WHEELS (I LIVE IN THE CITY ...NOT ON A DIRT ROAD..) ANYWAY THE ONLY COMPLAINT THEY TAKEN SERIOUS IS THAT I BROUGHT IN THE CAR NOW FOR THE 3RD TIME TO REPAIR THE RIGHT SIGNAL LIGHT - LAST TIME JUST TODAY! I REPORTED AGAIN ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS, WITH THE SUCESS THAT THEY AT LEAST ORDERD NOW A "NEW PART" FOR THE A/C, EVERYTHING ELSE IS AGAIN BEEN "PLAYED" DOWN. HONESTLY, I'M GETTING TIRED OF HAVING SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH A NEW CAR. BRINGING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS COST ME A NEARLY A WHOLE DAY OF MISSING WORK. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY WAY TO FIX ALL TJOSE PROBLEMS FOR ONCE AND ALL OR DOES A CUSTOMER FROM CHEVROLET JUST HAS TO SUFFER AND PUT UP WITH SUCH A POOR QUALITY?!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10058794
7,153 miles · Jan 5, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringCrashInjury
I HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE THAT I RECENTLY PURCHASED. I BOUGHT A 2003 CAVALIER AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH IT LAST WEEK. I NEED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHO TO TALK TO BEFORE I TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTIONS. MY CAR IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT AND I KNOW THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO GET A RENTAL CAR. WELL…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE THAT I RECENTLY PURCHASED. I BOUGHT A 2003 CAVALIER AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH IT LAST WEEK. I NEED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHO TO TALK TO BEFORE I TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTIONS. MY CAR IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT AND I KNOW THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO GET A RENTAL CAR. WELL, HERE'S THE SITUATION LAST WEEK, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND WENT TO MAKE A TURN AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ON THE WAY TO TAKE IT TO BE LOOKED AT AND IT HAPPPENED AGAIN, BUT WHEN I TRIED TO STOP, THE CAR JUST KEPT GOING AND CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE, THEY OFFERED NO HELP AS FAR AS MY RENTAL AND WARRANTY. I AM ANGRY BECAUSE THIS FLAW WITH THE CAR COULD'VE RESULTED IN MY DEATH. IT TOOK OVER A MONTH TO GET SOMEONE TO COME TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAR AND WHEN SOMEONE FINALLY CAME ON NOV. 2, THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND THAT WAS IT. I TRIED MAKING CONTACT AGAIN AND GOT NO RESPONSE. I'M STILL WITHOUT MY VEHICLE BECAUSE EVEN IF I PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, THERE IS STILL THE CHANCE THAT IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10052421
5,000 miles · Dec 5, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
WHEN COASTING TO A STOP AND DEPRESSING CLUTCH, CAR IDLE SPEED WILL DROP BELOW THE NORMAL IDLE SPEED OF 800 RPM. SOMETIMES, THE IDLE SPEED WILL BOUNCE AROUND BETWEEN 400 RPM AND 800 RPM. OTHER TIMES, THE ENGINE WILL STALL. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT WILL USUALLY OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE FIXING ITSELF. THE STALLING ENGINE…
Read full complaint
WHEN COASTING TO A STOP AND DEPRESSING CLUTCH, CAR IDLE SPEED WILL DROP BELOW THE NORMAL IDLE SPEED OF 800 RPM. SOMETIMES, THE IDLE SPEED WILL BOUNCE AROUND BETWEEN 400 RPM AND 800 RPM. OTHER TIMES, THE ENGINE WILL STALL. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT WILL USUALLY OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE FIXING ITSELF. THE STALLING ENGINE IS A CONCERN BECAUSE OF THE LOST OF POWER STEERING MAKING TURNS. DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10049266
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