NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
678 reports140,000 miles · Oct 30, 2009
Exterior Lighting
THE TAIL LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL BURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO I REPLACED THE BULB 2 DAYS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE WENT OUT I REPLACED THAT BULB AND SINCE THAT ABOUT EVERY 2 DAYS I BURN ANOTHER BULB I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THINKING IT WAS THE RECALL THEY HAVE ON THE TAIL LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL AND THE DEALERSHIP INSPEC…
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THE TAIL LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL BURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO I REPLACED THE BULB 2 DAYS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE WENT OUT I REPLACED THAT BULB AND SINCE THAT ABOUT EVERY 2 DAYS I BURN ANOTHER BULB I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THINKING IT WAS THE RECALL THEY HAVE ON THE TAIL LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL AND THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED IT THE FIRST TIME AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG THE SECOND TIME THIS WEEK I TOOK IT BACK WITH THE BULB BURNED OUT AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS FOUND I CAN'T GET THEM TO DO THE RECALL WORK BECAUSE THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTS BUT I AM PAYING 4.00 A BULB EVERYTIME IT BURNS OUT AND I HAVE DONE THIS FOR 2 MONTHS NOW AND I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO KEEP DOING THIS I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290373
77,000 miles · Oct 26, 2009
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER . THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT TURN SIGNAL WAS INOPERABLE. THE BULB HAD NOT BLOWN THEREFORE SHE SPECULATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V524000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL), THEREFORE SHE WAS INELIGIBLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER . THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT TURN SIGNAL WAS INOPERABLE. THE BULB HAD NOT BLOWN THEREFORE SHE SPECULATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V524000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL), THEREFORE SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 77,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10289874
57,800 miles · Oct 16, 2009
Fuel System, Other
VEHICLE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN BUSY INTERSECTION WOULD TURN OVER HOWEVER WOULD NOT START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10288717
84,000 miles · Oct 7, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
CAR LOST ALL POWER DUE TO ENGINE STALLING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE, CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS DEFECTIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286683
75,000 miles · Oct 2, 2009
Electrical SystemFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AFTER PARKING HER VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED THE FIRE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE WINDOWS OPENED AFTE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AFTER PARKING HER VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED THE FIRE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE WINDOWS OPENED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN SHE TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONER OFF GREEN SMOKE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE FIRE STARTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE GREEN SMOKE WAS PRESENT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 75,000. UPDATED 10/21/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE TURNED THE AC SWITCH TO OFF, SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS OFF, THE AC WAS STILL ON. UPDATED 10/20/09
NHTSA ODI #10286088
92,000 miles · Sep 16, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN IDLE THE VEHICLE STALLLED. AS A CONSEQUENCE, HIS RISK FOR A VEHICLE CRASH INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE VEHICL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN IDLE THE VEHICLE STALLLED. AS A CONSEQUENCE, HIS RISK FOR A VEHICLE CRASH INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA ODI #10284139
66,000 miles · Sep 12, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL PUMP FAILURE DURING HEAVY MORNING TRAFFIC ON AN EIGHT LANE HIGHWAY. CAR ONLY HAD 66,000 MILES ON IT, AND IT COST $980 FOR REPAIR. I HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS PART, AND THAT GM IS PRETENDING IT DOESN'T HAVE A PROBLEM. THE LAST PART TO GO ON A VEHICLE SHOULD BE THE FUEL PUMP. I…
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FUEL PUMP FAILURE DURING HEAVY MORNING TRAFFIC ON AN EIGHT LANE HIGHWAY. CAR ONLY HAD 66,000 MILES ON IT, AND IT COST $980 FOR REPAIR. I HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS PART, AND THAT GM IS PRETENDING IT DOESN'T HAVE A PROBLEM. THE LAST PART TO GO ON A VEHICLE SHOULD BE THE FUEL PUMP. I HAD A 73 OLDS DELTA 88 WITH 380,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE FUEL NEVER HAD TO BE REPLACED. GM SHOULD BE FORCED TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS DEFECTIVE PART, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING IT CREATES A REAL SAFETY HAZARD AS WELL AS AN UNNECESSARY EXPENSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10283779
72,000 miles · Sep 2, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 72,000.THE VIN NUMBER IS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 72,000. BL
NHTSA ODI #10282612
108,000 miles · Aug 31, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
I OWN A 2003 CAVALIER SEDAN. THREE WKS AGO IT STARTED STALLING. HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. THEY KEPT IT FOR A WEEK AND SAID THE COMPUTER WAS BAD. THEN THEY CAME BACK NEXT DAY AND SAID CONTACTS WERE DIRTY. THEY CLEANED THEM, I GOT CAR BACK AND IT RAN FINE FOR 2 WKS. AGAIN, IT STARTED STALLING ON THE ROAD OR NOT STARTING. TO…
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I OWN A 2003 CAVALIER SEDAN. THREE WKS AGO IT STARTED STALLING. HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. THEY KEPT IT FOR A WEEK AND SAID THE COMPUTER WAS BAD. THEN THEY CAME BACK NEXT DAY AND SAID CONTACTS WERE DIRTY. THEY CLEANED THEM, I GOT CAR BACK AND IT RAN FINE FOR 2 WKS. AGAIN, IT STARTED STALLING ON THE ROAD OR NOT STARTING. TOOK TO GARAGE THIS AM AND HE IS SAYING FUEL PUMP FOR ANOTHER $500 ON TOP OF $300 ALREADY SPENT. I REALIZE THIS CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD CHEVY'S AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THEM. I SPENT THE WEEK-END ON-LINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A RECURRING THEME WITH THE CAVALIER FROM 1998 ONWARD. WE WHO ARE SENIORS AND HAVE LITTLE MONEY FOR THESE TYPES OF REPAIRS, NEED SOMEONE IN OUR CORNER. NEVER WILL I PURCHASE A CHEVY VEHICLE AGAIN! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10282377
105,000 miles · Aug 27, 2009
Exterior Lighting
THE CAMPAIGN 04083 WAS PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE, BUT IT DIDN'T FIX MY PROBLEM. THE CHEVROLET SERVICE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THEY CHECKED THE SOCKETS, FOUND THAT THEY DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AND GREASED ACCORDINGLY, BUT THAT THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE AT TIMES DUE TO THE FACT THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS BAD & NEEDS TO BE RE…
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THE CAMPAIGN 04083 WAS PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE, BUT IT DIDN'T FIX MY PROBLEM. THE CHEVROLET SERVICE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THEY CHECKED THE SOCKETS, FOUND THAT THEY DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AND GREASED ACCORDINGLY, BUT THAT THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE AT TIMES DUE TO THE FACT THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS BAD & NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO GET THEM TO WORK ALL OF THE TIME. I HAVE ALL OF THE SAME ISSUES THAT THIS CAMPAIGN INDICATED IT WOULD RESOLVE, BUT MY TURN SIGNALS ARE STILL GOING OUT SPORADICALLY, AND IT OCCURS MORE OFTEN IF MY LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON AND IF I PRESS DOWN THE BREAK. I'VE BEEN HAVING TO REPLACE MY BREAK LIGHTS OFTEN AND THIS STARTED OCCURRING THE LAST TIME I HAD MY LEFT BREAK LIGHT REPLACED A FEW MONTHS AGO. THE TURN SIGNAL WORKS AT LEAST THE FIRST TIME I PUT IT ON, BUT THEN WILL NOT FLASHING & STOP MAKING NOISE SHORTLY AFTER BEFORE I'VE EVEN MADE MY TURN. THE FIRST PROBLEM AROSE WITH MY BLINKERS FLASHING VERY QUICKLY WHICH WAS RESOLVED AFTER REPLACING MY BREAK LIGHT, BUT I'VE HAD PROBLEMS ON AND OFF WITH MY TURN SIGNALS EVER SINCE. MY 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER HAS 105,517 MILES ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10282026
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.
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