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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
1,050 miles · May 17, 2004
Electrical System

I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM APPLE VALLEY CHEVROLET IN AUGUST 2003. THE CAR HAD 64 MILES ON IT WHEN I DROVE IT OFF THE DEALERS LOT. AFTER THE CAR EXCEEDED 1000 MILES IT STARTED HAVING AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH NOT KEEPING RPMS AND SHUTTING OFF. WHEN THE CAR SHUTS OFF I NO LONGER HAVE POWER STEERING AFTER THIS HREPEATEDLY HAPPENED, I IN…

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I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM APPLE VALLEY CHEVROLET IN AUGUST 2003. THE CAR HAD 64 MILES ON IT WHEN I DROVE IT OFF THE DEALERS LOT. AFTER THE CAR EXCEEDED 1000 MILES IT STARTED HAVING AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH NOT KEEPING RPMS AND SHUTTING OFF. WHEN THE CAR SHUTS OFF I NO LONGER HAVE POWER STEERING AFTER THIS HREPEATEDLY HAPPENED, I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM THAT I WAS HAVING AND TOOK IT TO THEM THREE TIMES AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IF IT DID NOT COME UP ON THEIR COMPUTER THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX IT AND THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. *AKTHE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE RESOVED , NO SATISFATION.DUE TO THIS BEING MY PRIMARY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION, MY CAR HAS AROUND 18,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND I HAVE A ROARING SOUND COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL. I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE FIXED ON MAY 11,2004. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT WANT ME LOAN ME A RENTAL AND TOLD ME AND MY MOTHER THAT IF I NEEDED A VEHICLE THAT I COULD PICK UP MY CAR AND DRIVE IT IN THAT CONDITION. MY PARENTS REFUSED TO ALLOW ME TO DRIVE THE CAR IN THAT UNSAFE CONDITION, MY MOTHER GOT ON TELEPHONE WITH THE SUPERVISOR OF MAINTENANCE AND THEY AGREED TO HAVE ME PICK UP A LOANER FROM THRIFY LOAN IN MARTINSBURG. MY MOTHER TOOK ME IN TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THEY HAD FIXED ALL PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE AND THAT I COULD PICK IT UP, TODAY MAY 17, 2004. I PICKED MY CAR UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP TODAY.

NHTSA ODI #10072777

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2004
Service Brakes, AirService Brakes, Hydraulic

I PURCHASED MY CAR IN AUGUST OF20 03. I IMMEDIATLY HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS REDONE. WITHIN TWO MONTHS I ONCE AGAIN HAD TO HAVE THEM FIXED, THIS TIME AT THE CHEVERLOT DEALER IN PENSACOLA. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS NOT ONLY DID MY ROTERS ONCE AGAIN BEGIN TO PULSATE BADLY, MY BRAKES BEGAN TO GO OUT. BOTH WERE REDONE. THE BRAKES AT MY COS…

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I PURCHASED MY CAR IN AUGUST OF20 03. I IMMEDIATLY HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS REDONE. WITHIN TWO MONTHS I ONCE AGAIN HAD TO HAVE THEM FIXED, THIS TIME AT THE CHEVERLOT DEALER IN PENSACOLA. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS NOT ONLY DID MY ROTERS ONCE AGAIN BEGIN TO PULSATE BADLY, MY BRAKES BEGAN TO GO OUT. BOTH WERE REDONE. THE BRAKES AT MY COST. IT HAS NOW BEEN OVER A MONTH AND ONCE AGAIN MY ROTARS AND BRAKES ARE MESSING UP. THIS IS VERY INCONVIENT FOR ME AS I AM IN THE MILITARY AND I CAN NOT BE WITHOUT A CAR BECAUSE I LIVE OFF OF BASE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10072657

13,900 miles · May 1, 2004
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE REAR BRAKE/SIGNAL LIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT DUE TO BAD SOCKETS AND BULBS. COMBINED, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FIVE (5) LIGHT BULBS (THREE (3) ON THE RIGHT AND TWO (2) ON THE LEFT). THE FIRST TIME WAS APRIL OR MAY 2003 ON THE RIGHT SIDE, WHEN I WAS STILL IN PITTSBURGH…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE REAR BRAKE/SIGNAL LIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT DUE TO BAD SOCKETS AND BULBS. COMBINED, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FIVE (5) LIGHT BULBS (THREE (3) ON THE RIGHT AND TWO (2) ON THE LEFT). THE FIRST TIME WAS APRIL OR MAY 2003 ON THE RIGHT SIDE, WHEN I WAS STILL IN PITTSBURGH. THE SECOND TIME WAS IN SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER 2003, ALSO ON THE RIGHT SIDE, BUT THIS TIME WAS IN PORT ORANGE, FL, WHERE I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE SOCKET PROBLEM. THE THIRD TIME WAS TWO WEEKS FOLLOWING THE SECOND INCIDENT, THIS TIME ON THE LEFT SIDE, BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE SOCKETS ON BACK ORDER. THE FOURTH TIME WAS IN JANUARY 2004, AGAIN ON THE LEFT SIDE, THIS TIME THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SOCKET. THE FIFTH TIME WAS APRIL 30, 2004, AGAIN ON THE RIGHT SIDE, AFTER THE SOCKET WAS REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10068157

8,000 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE CONSUMER HAD A FRONT END COLLISION AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELT DID RESTRAIN THE DRIVER. NO AIR BAG LIGHT WARNING PRIOR TO THE CRASH. *NM *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10065541

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2004
Exterior LightingService Brakes, AirSuspension

I'VE OWNED MY 2003 CAVALIER FOR 1 YR. 3 MONTHS. I'M VERY IRRITATED WITH HAVING TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP EVERY OTHER MONTH FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I'VE HAD MY CAR IN 7 TIMES TO GET THE TAILLIGHT FIXED. THE FIRST 2 TIMES THE LIGHT BLEW OUT, MY RADIO COMPLETELY WIPED OUT MY PRESET STATIONS. I ALSO HAD MY CAR IN 2 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT…

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I'VE OWNED MY 2003 CAVALIER FOR 1 YR. 3 MONTHS. I'M VERY IRRITATED WITH HAVING TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP EVERY OTHER MONTH FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I'VE HAD MY CAR IN 7 TIMES TO GET THE TAILLIGHT FIXED. THE FIRST 2 TIMES THE LIGHT BLEW OUT, MY RADIO COMPLETELY WIPED OUT MY PRESET STATIONS. I ALSO HAD MY CAR IN 2 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE THERE WAS A BAD SNOW AND AS I WAS DRIVING 5 MPH I BUMPED OVER A POT HOLE WHICH ENDED UP CRACKING MY SPRING AND STRUT ON THE FRONT PASS. SIDE. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE THE REPAIR WAS $100 LESS THAN MY DEDUCTIBLE. AND I WAS IN THE SERVICE DEPT. A WEEK BEFORE COMPLAINING OF A SQUEAK COMING FROM MY FRONT TIRE THAT THEY PUT OFF AS THE WHEEL COVER.COINCIDENCE?THERE WAS NO REASON THAT THE SPRING AND STRUT SHOULD HAVE CRACKED LIKE THAT! I'VE ALSO, JUST FOR THE RECORD, ASKED THEM TWICE TO CHECK MY BRAKES BECAUSE AS I COME TO A STOP THEY BEGIN TO PULSATE. THE SERVICE DEPT. TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW BRAKES.I'VE ONLY HAD MY CAR FOR 1 YEAR, 24,000 MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES!!! THEY WANT $250.00 TO FIX MY BRAKES AND THEY SHOULD STILL BE UNDER WARRANTY. EVEN MIDAS GURANTEES THEIR BRAKES W/ A LIFETIME WARRANTY. YOU'D THINK THE MANUFACTURER WOULD FOR AN ORIGINAL OWNER.IT'S ONLY 2 PADS FOR GOODNESS SAKE! IF I KNEW HOW, I'D DO IT MYSELF. A SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THAT GM IS WELL AWARE OF THESE SAFETY HAZARDS THAT OTHER GM CUSTOMERS LIKE MYSELF ARE EXPERIENCING, YET THEY AREN'T DOING A RECALL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS TO SOMEONE WHILE IN THEIR VEHICLE. NOT DOING ANYTHING IS BAD BUSINESS!! CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE FIRST PRIORITY. AS A MANUFACTURER, YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TOWARD YOUR CUSTOMER IF SOMETHING YOU SELL OR MANUFACTURE IS DEFECTIVE!!!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10066312

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2004
Exterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH HEADLIGHTS ON THE HEAD LIGHT CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, LEAVING CONSUMER BETWEEN FOUR TO SIX SECONDS WITHOUT A VISION OF THE ROAD. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067168

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2004
Power Train

WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND GO TO PRESS THE BRAKE TO TURN OR STOP AND THE CAR STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. HAPPENS VERY RANDOMLY EVERY SO OFTEN. HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME WITH OTHERS IN THE CAR, INCLUDING …

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WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND GO TO PRESS THE BRAKE TO TURN OR STOP AND THE CAR STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. HAPPENS VERY RANDOMLY EVERY SO OFTEN. HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME WITH OTHERS IN THE CAR, INCLUDING A ONE YEAR OLD, AND HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN IN SEVERE ACCIDENTS. ONCE WITH AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER!! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY PROBLEM!!

NHTSA ODI #10066097

18,500 miles · Apr 9, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED VEHICLE SHAKES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ROTORS ARE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10066909

27,000 miles · Apr 5, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

4/1/2004-CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. FUCILLO STATED THAT IT WAS THE EMISSION CONTROL AND THAT THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. TERRY STATED HE DID NOT KNOW WHEN PART WILL BE IN. REAR AXEL RATTLES AND TIRES ARE WORN ON THE INSIDE. FUCILLO STATED THAT THERE IS ANOTHER CAVALIER IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WH…

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4/1/2004-CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. FUCILLO STATED THAT IT WAS THE EMISSION CONTROL AND THAT THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. TERRY STATED HE DID NOT KNOW WHEN PART WILL BE IN. REAR AXEL RATTLES AND TIRES ARE WORN ON THE INSIDE. FUCILLO STATED THAT THERE IS ANOTHER CAVALIER IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS. THEY CHANGED DEFECTIVE MUFFLER AND REPLACED BRACKETS. 4/5/2004-TOOK CAR TO BRESEE CHEVROLET. THEY WILL NOT WORK ON IT BECAUSE FUCILLO DID SO MUCH WORK ON IT. BRESEE HAD NO IDEA OF NATIONAL BACK ORDER ON PART. THEY SAID THEY WOULD SHIP THE PART UP TO FUCILLO. SVC MGR STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE IS NOT ALIGNED. THEY SAID THAT WE HAVE A LEMON AND THAT IF THEY HAD SOLD THIS CAR TO US, THEY WOULD HAVE REPLACED IT BY NOW. CALLED FUCILLO BACK & TALKED TO TERRY RIORDAN AND GOT NOWHERE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10064551

15,804 miles · Mar 29, 2004
Electrical System

MY CAR HAS BEEN DYING AT RED LIGHTS AND WHILE I AM DRIVING IT! IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES BEFORE THE CAR WILL RESTART. IT IS ONLY 9 MONTHS OLD. MY CAR DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I CAN BRING IT IN BUT THE WILL PROBABLY NOT BE ABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM. THEREFORE, THEY WILL PROBABLY NOT BE ABLE TO REPAIR ANYTHING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10064081

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.