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2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cavalier years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier are substantially higher than the model-year median of 140.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

553 reports with mileage · 125 unknown

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.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 340 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

31 crash reports6 fire reports16 injury reports

Visibility complaints

37 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2008
Visibility

PURCHASED 2003 CHEVY. CAVALIER USED AND THE DEFROSTER AND FLOOR HEATING VENTS DO NOT WORK. AIR ONLY COMES THROUGH THE FACE VENTS. MAKES IT DIFFICULT IN COLD TEMPS. TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDOW AND IF THE CAR IS NOT COMPLETELY HEATED INSIDE, I WILL SOMETIMES HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SCRAPE THE INSIDE OF MY WINDOWS SO I CAN SEE OUT. *…

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PURCHASED 2003 CHEVY. CAVALIER USED AND THE DEFROSTER AND FLOOR HEATING VENTS DO NOT WORK. AIR ONLY COMES THROUGH THE FACE VENTS. MAKES IT DIFFICULT IN COLD TEMPS. TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDOW AND IF THE CAR IS NOT COMPLETELY HEATED INSIDE, I WILL SOMETIMES HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SCRAPE THE INSIDE OF MY WINDOWS SO I CAN SEE OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10225514

63,000 miles · Mar 9, 2008
VisibilityCrashInjury

WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE FAILED. PLASTIC CAP THAT BY FRICTION HOLDS ELBOW/JOINT OF BOTH CONTROL ARMS TO WIPER PIVOT POINT SEPARATED AND IS WORN AND WILL NOT HOLD. NOW THE DRIVER SIDE CHEAP PLASTIC CAP HAS FAILED. THE MOTOR WORKS FINE. INDEPENDANT REPAIR MAN SAYS HE SEES THIS " ALL THE TIME" PART VERY POORLY ENGINEERED NO RE…

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WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE FAILED. PLASTIC CAP THAT BY FRICTION HOLDS ELBOW/JOINT OF BOTH CONTROL ARMS TO WIPER PIVOT POINT SEPARATED AND IS WORN AND WILL NOT HOLD. NOW THE DRIVER SIDE CHEAP PLASTIC CAP HAS FAILED. THE MOTOR WORKS FINE. INDEPENDANT REPAIR MAN SAYS HE SEES THIS " ALL THE TIME" PART VERY POORLY ENGINEERED NO RETAINING CLIP, COTTER NUT,OR SCREW TO GIVE STRUCTURAL SUPPORT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10220509

33,000 miles · Dec 19, 2007
Visibility

DEFROSTER CONTROL BROKE DUE TO FREEZING WEATHER (ABOUT 30F). DEFROSTER NO LONGER FUNCTIONS SO IT IS DIFFICULT TO CLEAR WINDSHIELD IN COLD OR DAMP WEATHER. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR, BUT COULD NOT FOR ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF $477. WANTED TO CHARGE ANOTHER $630 TO FIX THE PROBLEM (FOR A TOTAL COST OF ALMOST $1100). I FEEL THE COST I…

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DEFROSTER CONTROL BROKE DUE TO FREEZING WEATHER (ABOUT 30F). DEFROSTER NO LONGER FUNCTIONS SO IT IS DIFFICULT TO CLEAR WINDSHIELD IN COLD OR DAMP WEATHER. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR, BUT COULD NOT FOR ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF $477. WANTED TO CHARGE ANOTHER $630 TO FIX THE PROBLEM (FOR A TOTAL COST OF ALMOST $1100). I FEEL THE COST IS OUTRAGEOUS TO REPAIR A NECESSARY SAFETY ITEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212281

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2007
Air BagsEquipmentExterior LightingCrash

PROBLEM STARTED SAME WEEK I PURCHASE VEHICLE BRAND NEW. GMC WOULD NOT EXCHANGE VEHICLE, THEY JUST KEPT REPAIRING IT AS IT BROKE DOWN. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THIS VEHICLE, THEY DID NOT CARE. CLUTCH WAS RUBBING AGAINST MAIN LINE, FAILED TWICE. REAR LIGHTS BURNED OUT 3 TIMES, SPRINGS ON SEATS POPPED OUT 3 TIMES, GAS PUMP WENT OUT O…

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PROBLEM STARTED SAME WEEK I PURCHASE VEHICLE BRAND NEW. GMC WOULD NOT EXCHANGE VEHICLE, THEY JUST KEPT REPAIRING IT AS IT BROKE DOWN. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THIS VEHICLE, THEY DID NOT CARE. CLUTCH WAS RUBBING AGAINST MAIN LINE, FAILED TWICE. REAR LIGHTS BURNED OUT 3 TIMES, SPRINGS ON SEATS POPPED OUT 3 TIMES, GAS PUMP WENT OUT ONCE, HEATER/AC WENT OUT TWICE, LOCKS WOULD NOT OPEN, 3 TIMES, PAIN CHIPPED OFF BUMPER, ONCE. REAR SEAT CLIPS SNAPPED, ONCE. HEADLIGHTS, WATER LEAKED IN. TWICE I HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION IN JUNE/2007...AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10205442

40,814 miles · Sep 16, 2007
Visibility

THE FRONT DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER WOULD NOT BLOW AIR. THE VENTILATION CONTROL CABLE WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THERE WAS A "KINK" IN THE CABLE THAT CAUSED THE AIR TO NOT BE DIRECTED TO THE DEFROSTER. THE SERVICE TECH RECOMMENDED THAT I NOT USE THE RECIRCULATE FUNCTION ON MY VENTILATION SYSTEM AS IT SEEMS THAT WHEN THE CONTROL IS IN THAT …

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THE FRONT DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER WOULD NOT BLOW AIR. THE VENTILATION CONTROL CABLE WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THERE WAS A "KINK" IN THE CABLE THAT CAUSED THE AIR TO NOT BE DIRECTED TO THE DEFROSTER. THE SERVICE TECH RECOMMENDED THAT I NOT USE THE RECIRCULATE FUNCTION ON MY VENTILATION SYSTEM AS IT SEEMS THAT WHEN THE CONTROL IS IN THAT POSITION, THE CABLE WILL START TO "KINK." THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS I SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE EVERY FUNCTION ON THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10203143

128,000 miles · Sep 3, 2007
Visibility

WENT TO ROLL UP DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WHEN IT STARTED TO RAIN HEAVILY AND WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL UP. RAIN, DRIVEN BY WIND FROM HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON FREEWAY, POURED INTO VEHICLE WHICH FOGGED UP WINDOW AND HINDERED SAFE OPERATION OF VEHICLE. WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER OF ROAD UNTIL RAIN STOPPED TO SAFETY RESTART VEHICLE. …

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WENT TO ROLL UP DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WHEN IT STARTED TO RAIN HEAVILY AND WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL UP. RAIN, DRIVEN BY WIND FROM HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON FREEWAY, POURED INTO VEHICLE WHICH FOGGED UP WINDOW AND HINDERED SAFE OPERATION OF VEHICLE. WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER OF ROAD UNTIL RAIN STOPPED TO SAFETY RESTART VEHICLE. CHEVY DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY SO I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE MOTOR REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10201743

89,000 miles · Aug 11, 2007
Visibility

ON 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER THE WIPER MOTOR TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY IS MADE UP WITH A PLASTIC SNAP BUSHING . WHEN IT WEARS OUT THE WIPER DOES NOT WORK. THE ARM COMES APART. ON MY CAVALIER IT HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 AND HALF YEARS .3 TIMES DRIVERS SIDE 1 PASSENGER. WHEN YOU ARE ON THE ROAD IN A DOWN POUR IT IS HARD TO SEE WHERE …

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ON 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER THE WIPER MOTOR TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY IS MADE UP WITH A PLASTIC SNAP BUSHING . WHEN IT WEARS OUT THE WIPER DOES NOT WORK. THE ARM COMES APART. ON MY CAVALIER IT HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 AND HALF YEARS .3 TIMES DRIVERS SIDE 1 PASSENGER. WHEN YOU ARE ON THE ROAD IN A DOWN POUR IT IS HARD TO SEE WHERE YOU ARE GOING . SOME ONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. JESS APPLEBY *TR

NHTSA ODI #10199316

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2007
Visibility

HARD OR IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE HVAC MODE OR TEMPERATURE SETTINGS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10198304

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2007
Visibility

(1)THE HEATER SWITCH QUIT WORKING AND HEAT AND DEFROSTER WILL NOT COME ON. THE WINDOWS FOG UP AND YOU CAN'T SEE THE ROAD ,THIS MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN IT IS COLD OR WHEN IT IS FOGGY OUTSIDE ( 2.)THE WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED WORKING AND YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THE WIPERS AND RESTART THEM, THIS MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIV…

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(1)THE HEATER SWITCH QUIT WORKING AND HEAT AND DEFROSTER WILL NOT COME ON. THE WINDOWS FOG UP AND YOU CAN'T SEE THE ROAD ,THIS MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN IT IS COLD OR WHEN IT IS FOGGY OUTSIDE ( 2.)THE WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED WORKING AND YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THE WIPERS AND RESTART THEM, THIS MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN IT IS RAINING . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10198115

40,000 miles · Feb 24, 2007
SuspensionVisibility

FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILURE, STARTED GOING DOWN A QUARTER TO HALF WAY DOWN AND STOPPING THEN WHEN YOU TRY TO PUT IT UP IT ONLY GOES UP LIKE A INCH AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE WHILE AND KEEP DOING THAT UNTIL THE WINDOW IS COMPLETELY UP. SECOND THERE IS A CLUCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AT LOW SPEEDS INCLUDING WHEN TUR…

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FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILURE, STARTED GOING DOWN A QUARTER TO HALF WAY DOWN AND STOPPING THEN WHEN YOU TRY TO PUT IT UP IT ONLY GOES UP LIKE A INCH AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE WHILE AND KEEP DOING THAT UNTIL THE WINDOW IS COMPLETELY UP. SECOND THERE IS A CLUCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AT LOW SPEEDS INCLUDING WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER A BUMP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10183417

Official recalls

1

04V524000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

Nov 1, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR LAMPS THAT PROVIDE STOP AND TURN SIGNALS AND TAIL LAMP FUNCTIONS STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET. IN ADDITION, IF ONE BULBS WERE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING IN CRUISE CONTROL, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD DISENGAGE WHEN THE REMAINING BULB WAS ACTIVATED. IF BOTH LAMPS WERE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES AND APPLY GREASE OR REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

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

4

EA07015 · 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.