IllustrationI WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE AND MY 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER JUST DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS. I LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF OF THE ROAD. FUEL PUMP FAILED WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 60K MILES. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cavalier years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
810–25K
9225–50K
19750–75K
10875–100K
58100–150K
17150K+
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
What owners actually said
678 reportsDRIVING THROUGH DOWNTOWN NEWPORT NEWS, VA TO WORK IN THE MORNING AND THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE TO THROTTLE INPUT. AFTER MAYBE TWO MINUTES THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED AND WOULD NOT START LEAVING ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. MECHANIC REPORTS BAD FUEL PUMP, APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 03 CHEVY CAVALIERS. REPLACED THE FUEL PUM…
Read full complaint
DRIVING THROUGH DOWNTOWN NEWPORT NEWS, VA TO WORK IN THE MORNING AND THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE TO THROTTLE INPUT. AFTER MAYBE TWO MINUTES THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED AND WOULD NOT START LEAVING ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. MECHANIC REPORTS BAD FUEL PUMP, APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 03 CHEVY CAVALIERS. REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER TOTALING $830 PARTS AND LABOR. *TR
ON 9-13-2008, MY 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WITH ONLY 37620 MILES ON IT, QUIT JUST AFTER LEAVING A PARKING LOT. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR BUT ENDED HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT, BECAUSE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. I HAD THEM REPLACE IT ALONG WITH THE FUEL …
Read full complaint
ON 9-13-2008, MY 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WITH ONLY 37620 MILES ON IT, QUIT JUST AFTER LEAVING A PARKING LOT. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR BUT ENDED HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT, BECAUSE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. I HAD THEM REPLACE IT ALONG WITH THE FUEL FILTER. I CAN NOW SEE WHY FOREIGN CARS ARE SO POPULAR. I READ ONLINE THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
MY 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER ONLY HAS 58,607 MILES ON IT BUT THE FUEL PUMP DIED LAST WEEK. A CAR WITH SO FEW MILES SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING A FUEL PUMP FAILURE. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH 2003 CAVALIER'S HAVE FUEL PUMP FAILURE AROUND 60,000 MILES. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I PAID $627. I DON'T HAVE THAT K…
Read full complaint
MY 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER ONLY HAS 58,607 MILES ON IT BUT THE FUEL PUMP DIED LAST WEEK. A CAR WITH SO FEW MILES SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING A FUEL PUMP FAILURE. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH 2003 CAVALIER'S HAVE FUEL PUMP FAILURE AROUND 60,000 MILES. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I PAID $627. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY, EITHER. RECALL OR REFUND! *TR
MY CAR AFTER BEING KEPT UP SINCE PURCHASE OF THE CAR BRAND NEW JUST STOPPED WORKING THE OTHER DAY. NOW I'M BEING TOLD IT IS MY FUEL PUMP AND TO COME TO THIS SITE BECAUSE 1,000S UPON 1,000S OF CUSTOMER WITH 2003 CHEVY. CAV. HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THIS IS NOT BEING RECALLED. THERE TELLING ME THIS IS GOING TO BE A CO…
Read full complaint
MY CAR AFTER BEING KEPT UP SINCE PURCHASE OF THE CAR BRAND NEW JUST STOPPED WORKING THE OTHER DAY. NOW I'M BEING TOLD IT IS MY FUEL PUMP AND TO COME TO THIS SITE BECAUSE 1,000S UPON 1,000S OF CUSTOMER WITH 2003 CHEVY. CAV. HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THIS IS NOT BEING RECALLED. THERE TELLING ME THIS IS GOING TO BE A COST OF OVER 700$ FOR PARTS AND LABOR. WHAT ABOUT THE TOW AND THE FACT I BROKE DOWN IN THE RAIN AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY CARS??? THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE ALREADY, FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO START. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALLS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND FAILURE MILEA…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE ALREADY, FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO START. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALLS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
2003 CHEVY CAVALIER JUST STALLS OUT IN LEFT HAND TURN LANE, NO WARNING HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED AWAY FUEL PUMP GONE ONLY 60,000 MILES JUST PAID THE CAR OFF AND HOW BIG BILL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
OUR 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER, WARRANTY JUST ENDED IN APRIL 08, IN AUGUST 2008 OUR CAR WAS RUNNING FINE ONE MINUTE AND THE NEXT IT DIED AND WOULD NOT RE-START. CHANGED FUEL FILTER BUT THAT DID NOT HELP. TOOK TO GM SHOP, AFTER $670.00 IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL RELAY SWITCH. OUR CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 PLUS MILES ON IT.…
Read full complaint
OUR 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER, WARRANTY JUST ENDED IN APRIL 08, IN AUGUST 2008 OUR CAR WAS RUNNING FINE ONE MINUTE AND THE NEXT IT DIED AND WOULD NOT RE-START. CHANGED FUEL FILTER BUT THAT DID NOT HELP. TOOK TO GM SHOP, AFTER $670.00 IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL RELAY SWITCH. OUR CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 PLUS MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THE POSSIBLE RECALL ON THESE FUEL PUMPS. GM DEALER TOLD ME TO HANG ONTO MY RECEIPT SO I COULD BE REIMBURSED. *TR
AUTOMOBILE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING DURING NIGHTTIME OPERATION ON HIGHWAY. IT WAS THEN TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AFTER ONLY 63,815 MILES. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THE PREMATURE AND EXPENSIVE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP ON THESE AUTOMOBILES IS QUITE C…
Read full complaint
AUTOMOBILE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING DURING NIGHTTIME OPERATION ON HIGHWAY. IT WAS THEN TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AFTER ONLY 63,815 MILES. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THE PREMATURE AND EXPENSIVE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP ON THESE AUTOMOBILES IS QUITE COMMON. TOTAL INCIDENT COST: $907.27.
CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING ABSOLUTELY FINE UNTIL I ATTEMPTED TO START IT AFTER PICKING UP A PACKAGE AT UPS STORE. FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT COST $530. *TR
Official recalls
104V524000 · 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
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.