NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
678 reportsMileage unknown · Nov 29, 2006
Visibility
I BOUGHT MY 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER IN FEB 03.THE CABLE THAT CONNECTS TO THE ADJUSTMENT KNOB FOR THE AC,DEFROST HAS BROKE 4 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED MY CAR. IT GETS STUCK WHERE IT JUST BLOWS OUT OF THE VENT AND ONLY THE VENT. NO DEFROST SO IN THE WINTER AS YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE WINDOWS ARE FOGGING UP BECAUSE YOU HA…
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I BOUGHT MY 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER IN FEB 03.THE CABLE THAT CONNECTS TO THE ADJUSTMENT KNOB FOR THE AC,DEFROST HAS BROKE 4 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED MY CAR. IT GETS STUCK WHERE IT JUST BLOWS OUT OF THE VENT AND ONLY THE VENT. NO DEFROST SO IN THE WINTER AS YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE WINDOWS ARE FOGGING UP BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO DEFROST. THE LAST TIME I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WAS THE CABLE THAT BINDS UP THEY DID FIX IT BUT HERE WE GO AGAIN IT BREAKS. SO NOW THAT MY WARRANTY IS OVER IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE FIXED I WILL HAVE TO FORK THE MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET AND TO ME IF IT HAS BROKE 4 TIMES THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. TO ME THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10174696
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2006
Visibility
KNOB TO TURN THE CONTROLLER FOR DEFROSTER, HEATER FOR FEET OR VENT. THE ONLY AREA IT BLOWS OUT IS OUT THE VENT PANEL IN THE FRONT OF CAR. I AM UNABLE TO USE THE DEFROSTER FOR THE FRONT OF CAR, OR RECEIVE HEAT AT MY FEET. I JUST CANT BELIEVE THAT THIS ITEM HAS ALREADY FAILED. THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. I WOULD THINK THIS IS A S…
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KNOB TO TURN THE CONTROLLER FOR DEFROSTER, HEATER FOR FEET OR VENT. THE ONLY AREA IT BLOWS OUT IS OUT THE VENT PANEL IN THE FRONT OF CAR. I AM UNABLE TO USE THE DEFROSTER FOR THE FRONT OF CAR, OR RECEIVE HEAT AT MY FEET. I JUST CANT BELIEVE THAT THIS ITEM HAS ALREADY FAILED. THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. I WOULD THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE YOU ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE DEFROSTER TO USE. AND NEED HEAT IN THE CAR. THIS OTHER KNOBS ON THE CONTROL PANEL WORK FINE THERE IS 3 KNOBS. 1 FOR THE AMOUNT OF BLOWER THAT YOU WANT, THE SECOND ONE IS FOR THE TEMP SETTING AND THE 3RD ONE IS FOR WHERE YOU WANT THE BLOWER TO COME OUT OF. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SINCE DAY ONE. FIRST IT WAS THE TAIL LIGHTS, THEN THE POWER WINDOWS THEM SELF AND NOW THIS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10174257
25,000 miles · Nov 16, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE A 2003 CAVALIER AND I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AGAIN. WHEN CAR WAS 1 1/2 YEARS OLD I EXPERIENCED WHEEL VIBRATION, TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THEM UNDER WARRANTY. I CHECKED THEM ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER AND FOU…
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I HAVE A 2003 CAVALIER AND I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AGAIN. WHEN CAR WAS 1 1/2 YEARS OLD I EXPERIENCED WHEEL VIBRATION, TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THEM UNDER WARRANTY. I CHECKED THEM ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER AND FOUND THAT ALL THEY DID WAS TURN THE ROTORS DOWN THEY DIDN'T REPLACE THEM . VIBRATION PROBLEM WAS FIXED I THOUGHT . GOT NEW TIRES ON CAR AND ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER THE VIBRATION PROBLEM SURFACED AGAIN. SO I TOOK CAR TO A REGULAR BRAKE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROTORS WERE INDEED WARPED. SO HAD THE WORK DONE FOR ABOUT 350.00 THIS LASTED FOR AWHILE TILL WARRANTY IS OUT NOW PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN. TO ME IT SEEMS LIKE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT/ OR IT COULD BE THE CHEAP FACTORY WHEELS. CAR IS A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT. FIRST BRAKE SERVICE WAS 20 THOUSAND PLUS MILES, SECOND TIME CAR HAS 45000 ON IT, THESE ARE MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES NOT A LOT OF STOP AND GO. I HAVE A 94 S-10 WITH 109000 MILES AND IT,S ONLY HAD 3 BRAKE JOBS IN 12 YRS. THIS CAR IS ONLY THREE YRS OLD WITH LOW MILES AND IT,S ON IT,S THIRD TIME. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10173689
44,975 miles · Oct 30, 2006
Electrical System
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH ON DRY ROAD CONDITIONS, ALL GAUGES EXCEPT THE RPM GAUGE LOST POWER AND STOPPED FUNCTIONING. ALSO, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF, AND AN ERROR MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PLANS TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH T…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH ON DRY ROAD CONDITIONS, ALL GAUGES EXCEPT THE RPM GAUGE LOST POWER AND STOPPED FUNCTIONING. ALSO, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF, AND AN ERROR MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PLANS TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. UPDATED 11/30/2006- THESE FAILURES WERE CAUSED BY A DEAD CELL IN THE BATTERY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10172181
Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2006
Electrical System
HORN STOPPED WORK. WENT TO TAKE DAUGHTER TO GET LICENSE AND IT DIDN'T WORK. CHECKED FUSES AND STILL DID NOT WORK. I TOOK TO THE DEAL AND THEY SAID I HAD TO GET THE HORN MODULE AND AIR BAG REPLACED. I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR THREE YEARS YET. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10170560
55,000 miles · Sep 28, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
1. VEHICLE MADE A MOANING NOISE WHEN TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 55,000 KMS (AND 3 YEARS OLD). REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK. 2. RANDOM CLUNKING FROM THE FRONT END AT APPROX. 56,000 KMS. REPLACED FRONT BEARINGS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNT. 3. CAR LOST POWER, HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER COULDN'T FIND A PROBLE…
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1. VEHICLE MADE A MOANING NOISE WHEN TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 55,000 KMS (AND 3 YEARS OLD). REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK. 2. RANDOM CLUNKING FROM THE FRONT END AT APPROX. 56,000 KMS. REPLACED FRONT BEARINGS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNT. 3. CAR LOST POWER, HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM, INSISTED THE CAR WAS FINE. I INSISTED ON THEM TAKING IT OUT AGAIN. CAR BROKE DOWN, HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO DEALER AGAIN. REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND FUEL IGNITION SWITCH. 4. BURNED THROUGH 4L OF OIL AND PUFFED OUT BLACK SMOKE. DEALER COULDN'T LOCATE PROBLEM. HAPPENED AGAIN APPROX. 2000 KMS LATER. FAULTY PISTON RINGS, ENGINE REPLACED ENTIRELY. AT 61,000 KMS. NOW AT OVER $11,000 CDN WARRANTY REPAIRS ON A WELL MAINTAINED LOW MILEAGE CAR. 5. RANDOM CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT IS BACK. GOING TO DEALER TOMORROW. WARRANTY: EXPIRED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10169531
44,000 miles · Aug 24, 2006
Exterior Lighting
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THOUGH THE RECALL WORK ON NHTSA RECALL # 04V524000 WAS PERFORMED ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE REAR TURN SIGNALS ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE SERVICE DEALER MANAGER WAS CONTACTED, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WOULD BE A 100 DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE CHARGED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THOUGH THE RECALL WORK ON NHTSA RECALL # 04V524000 WAS PERFORMED ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE REAR TURN SIGNALS ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE SERVICE DEALER MANAGER WAS CONTACTED, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WOULD BE A 100 DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE CHARGED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD COMPLETED THE RECALL AGREEMENT AND WERE UNDER NO FURTHER OBLIGATION TO OFFER ASSISTANCE.
NHTSA ODI #10166425
48,000 miles · Aug 17, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND THEN STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 48000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. CAR WAS TOWED TO SERVICE STATION WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF AROUND $800. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10165743
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2006
Air BagsCrash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 100 MPH CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST RESULTING IN A CRASH INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. ALTHOUGH SEAT BELTS WERE WORN, THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN A FATALITY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SINCE THE CONTACT W…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 100 MPH CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST RESULTING IN A CRASH INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. ALTHOUGH SEAT BELTS WERE WORN, THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN A FATALITY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SINCE THE CONTACT WAS NOT THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, NO OTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
NHTSA ODI #10164949
50,395 miles · Aug 3, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
CONSUMER FILLED TANK UP, WHILE STILL HAVING OVER A HALF A TANK, CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER THAT. CAR TOWED TO GOODYEAR. FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE OF 678.00. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER A LOT OF CHEVROLET CARS FAIRLY NEW AND LOW MILEAGE HAVE BEEN COMING IN TO HAVE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10164320
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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