NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
432 reports135,000 miles · Jul 29, 2008
Power Train
I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE AND I HAVE HAD A LOT OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I GOT THE VEHICLE IN 2003 USED. THE DAY I BOUGHT IT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I HAD IT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WATCHED THEM TAKE A NEW TRANSMISSION OUT OF A CRATE AND PUT IT IN. AFTER THAT IT WAS BACK IN THE SHOP 3 MORE TIMES OVER THE…
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I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE AND I HAVE HAD A LOT OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I GOT THE VEHICLE IN 2003 USED. THE DAY I BOUGHT IT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I HAD IT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WATCHED THEM TAKE A NEW TRANSMISSION OUT OF A CRATE AND PUT IT IN. AFTER THAT IT WAS BACK IN THE SHOP 3 MORE TIMES OVER THE NEXT YEAR FOR PROBLEMS. WHEN I WOULD GO THROUGH A YIELD REQUIRING ME TO SPEED UP SUCH AS GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE IT WOULD REV UP AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL , ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET HIT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHEN I WOULD TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THEN TRY AGAIN IT WOULD GRAB AND TAKE OFF. ALL THREE TIMES THEY REBUILT THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. NOW THE SHIFT SENSORS ARE GOING OUT AND EVEN THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AT ONLY 35,000 MILES. EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER THAT PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN HAS PURGED THEIR SYSTEM AND MY INFORMATION WAS KICKED OUT AND I CANNOT FIND THE ORIGINAL PAPERWORK. WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP FROM HAVING TO PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE INTERNAL TRANSMISSION PART THAT IS EXPENSIVE TO HAVE PUT IN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10236318
100,197 miles · Jan 23, 2008
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT GOING TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE STEERING RACK AND PINION BECAUSE HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA MANUFACTURER NOTI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT GOING TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE STEERING RACK AND PINION BECAUSE HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA MANUFACTURER NOTICES TO DEALERS (ETC RCMN-02V286-8630.PDF), THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A RECALL FOR THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE POWERTRAIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,197.
NHTSA ODI #10215810
20,000 miles · Sep 11, 2007
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB CONTINUOUSLY FAILED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BULB, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONSTANT FAILURE WAS DUE TO MOISTURE ENTERING THE FIXTURE, WHICH BLEW OUT THE BULB AND DISCOLORED THE LENS. NO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB CONTINUOUSLY FAILED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BULB, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONSTANT FAILURE WAS DUE TO MOISTURE ENTERING THE FIXTURE, WHICH BLEW OUT THE BULB AND DISCOLORED THE LENS. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10202559
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2006
Steering
I BOUGHT MY 97 VENTURE A YEAR AGO, ENDED UP GETTING A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER FOR THE REAR DOOR HANDLES. BROUGHT TO DEALER TO HAVE FIXED, TO FIND OUT OTHER RECALLS WEREN'T FIXED. I HAD THE STEERING RECALL DONE. WELL NOW NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I HAVE 4 CHILDREN UNDER 6 YRS OLD AND THIS…
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I BOUGHT MY 97 VENTURE A YEAR AGO, ENDED UP GETTING A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER FOR THE REAR DOOR HANDLES. BROUGHT TO DEALER TO HAVE FIXED, TO FIND OUT OTHER RECALLS WEREN'T FIXED. I HAD THE STEERING RECALL DONE. WELL NOW NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I HAVE 4 CHILDREN UNDER 6 YRS OLD AND THIS VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD, IM AFRAID TO TRAVEL IN IT!! EVERY TURN BE IT RIGHT OR LEFT I FEEL THE STEERING KIND OF POP AND STICK ITS SCARY I THINK GM NEEDS TO REEVALUATE ITS SO CALLED FAMILY SAFE VEHICLE AND REIMBURSE ALL OF US OWNERS!! *NM
NHTSA ODI #10174427
95,000 miles · Nov 16, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 3 SEPARATE TIMES. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. UPDATED 12/05/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10173661
98,000 miles · Nov 3, 2006
Latches/locks/linkages
1997 CHEVY VENTURE ,POWER SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR THE DOOR POPS OPEN WHILE DRIVING.THE DEALER STATES DOOR HAD BEEN REPAIRED ONCE IN 2002 AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FURTHER REPAIRES ON THE LATCHING OF THIS DOOR
NHTSA ODI #10172547
98,570 miles · Apr 7, 2006
Latches/locks/linkagesInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED OCCUPANTS HAVE BEEN INJURED BY THE INTERIOR HANDLE THAT OPENS THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAUSING OCCUPANTS TO GET TRAPPED BY THE DOOR. A NHTSA RECALL, #04V597000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP W…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED OCCUPANTS HAVE BEEN INJURED BY THE INTERIOR HANDLE THAT OPENS THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAUSING OCCUPANTS TO GET TRAPPED BY THE DOOR. A NHTSA RECALL, #04V597000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS FOUR TO FIVE TIMES.
NHTSA ODI #10154796
83,000 miles · Feb 25, 2006
Steering
ON 28 JULY 2003, THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN MY 97 CHEVY VENTURE UNDER A RECALL SCHEME. I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT BACK IN, SINCE THEY LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE STEERING OFFSET TO THE RIGHT BY ABOUT 15 DEGREES, BUT IT WAS SUCH A HASSLE DEALING WITH THEM THAT I DIDN'T BOTHER. AROUND THE START OF FEBRUA…
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ON 28 JULY 2003, THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN MY 97 CHEVY VENTURE UNDER A RECALL SCHEME. I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT BACK IN, SINCE THEY LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE STEERING OFFSET TO THE RIGHT BY ABOUT 15 DEGREES, BUT IT WAS SUCH A HASSLE DEALING WITH THEM THAT I DIDN'T BOTHER. AROUND THE START OF FEBRUARY 2006, I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WHEN STEERING TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS AS IF THE POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING. WHEN I DRIVE THE VAN, I HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY PREPARED TO WRESTLE THE WHEEL WITH BOTH ARMS, ALTHOUGH THE FAULT IS STILL INTERMITTENT. I HAVE YET TO RAISE THE MATTER WITH THE DEALERSHIP, BUT NOTE THAT THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR ACCOUNTS, ALTHOUGH MOSTLY RELATING TO STEERING TO THE LEFT, FOR SIMILAR 97 VENTURES AND OTHER GM VEHICLES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10151201
5,832 miles · Feb 16, 2006
Visibility
MY 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE VIN [XXX], WIPERS WOULD NOT PARK IN CORRECT POSITION. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME HE FOUND A CAMPAIGN LISTED (97005 FEB 97) FOR THE PROBLEM. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIPER CRANK ARM BECAUSE …
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MY 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE VIN [XXX], WIPERS WOULD NOT PARK IN CORRECT POSITION. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME HE FOUND A CAMPAIGN LISTED (97005 FEB 97) FOR THE PROBLEM. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIPER CRANK ARM BECAUSE IT WAS BENT. THIS PARTICULAR PART WAS PART OF THE CAMPAIGN. IT COST ME $234.43 TO GET IT REPAIRED. THE WIPERS USED TO PARK WHEN IT FIRST STARTED IF YOU TURNED THEM ON AND OFF ENOUGH TIMES. FINALLY, THEY JUST STARTED STOPPING WHERE THEY WERE WHEN YOU TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THIS WAS OVER PROBABLY A YEARS TIME PERIOD. I JUST FOUND A REPAIR INVOICE FROM MAR 98 WHERE WE HAD TAKEN IN THE VAN BECAUSE WIPERS WOULD NOT PARK. I FEEL MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE CAMPAIGN AND SHOULD BE COVERED AND I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. *JB UDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #10150464
172,000 miles · Jan 27, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACED LAST YEAR. RECENTLY THE VAN STALLED AND WAS TOLD THAT ANTI-FREEZE HAD BEEN LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDERS, AND I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE NEW ENGINE NOT ONLY COULD BUT WOULD HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM AT SOME POINT. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THESE VEHICLES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10148808
Official recalls
6Dec 22, 2004
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS AND A POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, A PASSENGER USING THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR COULD BE INJURED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER SLIDING DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER OR MANUAL SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER-SIDE, THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FOR APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
Nov 4, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Aug 21, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997-2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA/TRANSPORT, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WERE SERVICED IN CAMPAIGN 01013 (01V-067) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2001. ALSO 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS ASSEMBLED IN JANUARY THROUGH APRIL 2001. THESE VEHICLES HAVE INADEQUATE FRONT WELDS. IF A FRONT WELD FAILS, THE ACTUATOR CAN JAM IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION AND, WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR CLOSES, IT WILL NOT BE LATCHED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, INSTALL A NEW POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Mar 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOOR CLOSES BUT MAY NOT BE LATCHED. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UN-LATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CONTINUED UNDER SAFETY RECALL 01V-264. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Jun 26, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH BUCKET SEATS OR A SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND (MIDDLE) OR THIRD (BACK) ROW. THE SEAT LATCH MECHANISMS ON BUCKET SEATS AND ON THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROWS DO NOT HAVE PROTECTIVE COVERS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN ACTIVATING THE RELEASE MECHANISM TO ROLL A BUCKET SEAT FORWARD, A CUSTOMER'S FINGER(S) COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED OR SEVERED IN THEY ARE NOT KEPT CLEAR OF THE MECHANISM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS ON THE OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON ALL LEFT AND RIGHT HAND REAR BUCKET SEATS IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW, AND TO BOTH INBOARD AND OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON THE CENTER REAR BUCKET SEAT AND THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT.
Apr 7, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM CAN CONTACT A BRAKE LINE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MODULATOR VALVE. THIS CONTACT CAN CHAFE THE BRAKE LINE RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRAKE LINE CLIP TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE. ALSO THE BRAKE LINES WILL BE INSPECTED TO ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS CONDITION AND WILL REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.
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
8DP04002 · Rack And Pinion Steering Unit Failure
Opened Feb 3, 2004 · Closed Mar 17, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:rack And Pinion:rack
MR. DENNIS FIKE OF ELKRIDGE, MD, SUBMITTED A PETITION TO NHTSA BY LETTER DATED JANUARY 13, 2004, ALLEGING THAT A GM DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VAN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN SAFETY RECALL 02V286 AND CHARGED HIM FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING RACK AND PINION UNIT.MR. FIKE BELIEVES THAT HIS VAN SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED AND THAT THE REPAIR SHOULD HAVE BEEN PERFORMED WITHOUT CHARGE TO HIM.THE RECALL IN QUESTION ADDRESSED STEERING RACK AND PINION UNIT LOWER PINION BEARING FAILURES ON CERTAIN MY 1996 THROUGH 1998 GM VEHICLES.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR PINION BEARING.IF THE INSPECTION INDICATED THAT THE BEARING FAILURE DAMAGED THE STEERING GEAR, THEN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS BE REPLACED.GM INFORMED ODI THAT MR. FIKE?S VEHICLE WAS COVERED AND THAT THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED ON FEBRUARY 25, 2003.THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION UNIT WAS REPLACED.BECAUSE MR. FIKE HAD A SUBSEQUENT FAILURE WITH THIS UNIT, ON JANUARY 20, 2004, ODISUGGESTED THAT HE CONTACT THE DEALER FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE CHARGE FOR REPLACING THE FAILED RACK AND PINION UNIT IN HIS VEHICLE BECAUSE GM WARRANTS ITS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES, WHICH EVER COMES FIRST.MR. FIKE INFORMED ODI ON MARCH 3, 2004, THAT HE HAD RECEIVED AN REIMBURSEMENT CHECK FROM GM.
EA03005 · Rear Axle Trailing Arm Failure
Opened Apr 23, 2003 · Closed Jan 12, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS SUCH AS IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING.ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 19 INCIDENTS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW REPORTS TO ODI OR GM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS. DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND THE ABSENCE OF A CONTINUING TREND IN REPORTED FAILURES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.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 TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS SUCH AS IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING.ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 19 INCIDENTS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW REPORTS TO ODI OR GM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS. DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND THE ABSENCE OF A CONTINUING TREND IN REPORTED FAILURES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.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 TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:rear
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS SUCH AS IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING.ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 19 INCIDENTS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW REPORTS TO ODI OR GM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS. DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND THE ABSENCE OF A CONTINUING TREND IN REPORTED FAILURES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.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 TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
EA02032 · Safety Belt Assembly Failure
Opened Nov 18, 2002 · Closed Nov 21, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
ODI IDENTIFIED 59 REPORTS WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ODI WAS ABLE TO CONTACT 44 OF THE 59 CONSUMERS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE LATCH PROBLEMS.OF THE 44 OWNERS CONTACTED, ODI DETERMINED THAT FOUR FAILURES WERE DUE TO AN OUT-OF-TOLERANCE LATCH PLATE, AND THAT 23 FAILURES WERE DUE TO A DISPLACED BUCKLE HOUSING COVER.THE REMAINING 17 FAILURES HAD INDETERMINABLE CAUSES.OF THE 59 REPORTS, THERE WERE THREE ALLEGED MINOR INJURIES.NO LEGAL CLAIMS OR LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH REGARD TO THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.BASED ON THE LIMITED NUMBER OF REPORTS, AND A DECLINING REPORT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEARED TO BE WARRANTED.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 TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ADDITIONAL SUMMARY REPORT.
EA02003 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Apr 4, 2002 · Closed Dec 10, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL.GM WILL RECALL 1997-98 GRAND PRIX BUILT BETWEEN 1-MAR-96 AND 31-OCT-97; AND 1996-98 U-VANS/J-CARS BUILT BETWEEN 1-JAN-96 AND 31-OCT-97.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL.GM WILL RECALL 1997-98 GRAND PRIX BUILT BETWEEN 1-MAR-96 AND 31-OCT-97; AND 1996-98 U-VANS/J-CARS BUILT BETWEEN 1-JAN-96 AND 31-OCT-97.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.
Steering:rack And Pinion
THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL.GM WILL RECALL 1997-98 GRAND PRIX BUILT BETWEEN 1-MAR-96 AND 31-OCT-97; AND 1996-98 U-VANS/J-CARS BUILT BETWEEN 1-JAN-96 AND 31-OCT-97.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.
PE02017 · Shoulder Harness Clip
Opened Feb 11, 2002 · Closed Aug 2, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
No summary supplied.
PE01038 · Steering Rack And Pinion
Opened Nov 14, 2001 · Closed Apr 4, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
ODI HAS RECEIVED 200 COMPLAINTS FROMT CONSUMERS AND 1,238 FROM GM ALLEGING FAILURE OR LOCKUP OF THE STEERING RACK AND PINION UNIT (R&P).THIS ALLEGED CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH CAN RESULT.GM HAS REPORTED SIX CRASHES IN WHICH EIGHT PEOPLE HAVE SUSTAINED INJURIES RANGING FROM BRUISES, AIRBAG BURN, SEAT BELT ABRASION, FACIAL INJURY, NECK AND BACK PAIN.ALL CRASHES WERE SINGLE VEHICLE CRASHES.GM STATES THAT ONE POSSIBLE FAILURE MODE IS FAILURE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE R&P.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN OPENED TO DETERMINE IF A SAFETY DEFECT TREND EXISTS.
SQ00014 · Unexpected Opening Of Sliding Door
Opened Jul 25, 2000 · Closed Oct 22, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE98030 · Finger Cutting/pinching
Opened May 15, 1998 · Closed Jun 30, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
ODI HAS RECEIVED THREE REPORTS INDICATING INJURIES OCCURRED TO CONSUMERS WHILE THEY WER FOLDING A SECOND ROW SEAT TO GAIN ACCES TO THE REAR OR THIRD ROW SEATS.WHEN FOLDING THE SEAT A PORTION OF THE SEAT FRAME MOVES IN A SCISSOR ACTION.TWO OF THE CONSUMERS SEVERED THE END OF THEIR FINGER AND THE THIRD SUFFERED A PINCHED FINGER.ALL REQUIRED EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN OPENED TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.
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