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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

What owners actually said

678 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM MY SONS FOOTBALL PRACTICE. I WAS IN SECOND GEAR GOING APPROX. 20 MPH. THE CAR SLOWLY STARTED TO DECELERATE, UNTIL IT STOPPED COMPLETELY AT THE CURB. I COULD NOT GET IT STARTED. AFTER SPENDING $50 ON A TOW, AND $160 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM ANALYZED, I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY FUEL PUMP AND FILTER THAT NEEDED TO …

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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM MY SONS FOOTBALL PRACTICE. I WAS IN SECOND GEAR GOING APPROX. 20 MPH. THE CAR SLOWLY STARTED TO DECELERATE, UNTIL IT STOPPED COMPLETELY AT THE CURB. I COULD NOT GET IT STARTED. AFTER SPENDING $50 ON A TOW, AND $160 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM ANALYZED, I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY FUEL PUMP AND FILTER THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS QUOTED $1160 TO FIX IT. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF LOCATING A CHEAPER MECHANIC, BUT THE LOWEST QUOTE SO FAR HAS BEEN $700. MAKING MY GRAND TOTAL A MINIMUM OF $910. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10205550

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

55,000 miles · Oct 10, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE OIL WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE OIL WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NOT A FACTOR. THE DEALER INFORMATION IS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000. UPDATED 1/02/08 . *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10205378

29,536 miles · Oct 10, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

CAR SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WOULD NOT START. AFTER A TOW TO THE CHEVY DEALER, FOUND TO HAVE A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10205333

70,000 miles · Oct 9, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FUEL PUMP FAILURE. CUSTOMER STATES THAT SHE IS NOT THE ONLY CUSTOMER WITH THIS PROBLEM. SHE SAYS HER VEHICLE ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT AS DID OTHERS. WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10206047

32,400 miles · Sep 27, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GETTING FUEL TO START UP THE VEHICLE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT A…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GETTING FUEL TO START UP THE VEHICLE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,400. UPDATED 11/06/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10204302

110,000 miles · Sep 21, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

2003 CAVALIER FUEL PUMP, FIRST FAILURE WAS JUNE/JULY 2007 (70,000), DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE CAR STALLED AT 60MPH THEN WOULD NOT START AGAIN. HAD CAR TOWED, MECHANIC COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM BUT THE CAR STARTED AGAIN. CAR RAN FINE FOR MONTHS WITH NO INDICATION THERE WAS A PROBLEM. SECOND FAILURE SEPT 2007 (110,000), DRIVING ON…

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2003 CAVALIER FUEL PUMP, FIRST FAILURE WAS JUNE/JULY 2007 (70,000), DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE CAR STALLED AT 60MPH THEN WOULD NOT START AGAIN. HAD CAR TOWED, MECHANIC COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM BUT THE CAR STARTED AGAIN. CAR RAN FINE FOR MONTHS WITH NO INDICATION THERE WAS A PROBLEM. SECOND FAILURE SEPT 2007 (110,000), DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN HIGH TRAFFIC HIGH SPEED, CAR STALLED OUT AND MANAGED TO GET TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT GETTING HIT. WOULD NOT START AGAIN. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED AND HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. IT HAS TO BE DEFECTIVE AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. I JUST HOPE NO ONE HAS TO DIE ON AN INTERSTATE BECAUSE OF THIS BEFORE A RECALL IS MADE. COST OF REPAIR AFTER EXTENSIVE SEARCH AND NOT USING GM PARTS OR DEALER SERVICE WAS EST. $360 + TOW. OLD PART WILL BE SITTING HERE WAITING FOR A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10203626

55,381 miles · Sep 21, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

2003 CHEVY CAVALIER W/56,000 MILES. CAR STALLED AND DIED. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC. THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A CLOGGED FUEL FILTER. REPLACED THAT. TOTAL COST OF TOW AND FILTER - $250. THE NEXT WEEK, TOOK A TRIP, DROVE 200 MILES AND CAR STALLED AND DIED AGAIN. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO ANOTHER SHOP. THEY SAID THE FUEL PU…

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2003 CHEVY CAVALIER W/56,000 MILES. CAR STALLED AND DIED. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC. THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A CLOGGED FUEL FILTER. REPLACED THAT. TOTAL COST OF TOW AND FILTER - $250. THE NEXT WEEK, TOOK A TRIP, DROVE 200 MILES AND CAR STALLED AND DIED AGAIN. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO ANOTHER SHOP. THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY. REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND OXYGEN SENSOR. TOTAL COST OF THAT TOW AND REPLACEMENT - $1600. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10203616

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

40,404 miles · Sep 16, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER LS SPORT SEDAN STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. THE SPEED LIMIT IS APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, BUT I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 40 STARTING TO MOVE FROM A STANDING STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. THE CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE. AFTER THE CAR…

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MY 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER LS SPORT SEDAN STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. THE SPEED LIMIT IS APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, BUT I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 40 STARTING TO MOVE FROM A STANDING STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. THE CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE. AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO SERVICE, IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THE CAR HAS 40,404 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10203142

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.