NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
114 reportsClear category filter50,000 miles · Dec 30, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
IN JANUARY OF 2002, THE HEAT IN OUR 1999 CHEVY VENTURE STOPPED WORKING. THE VAN HAD AROUND 50 OR SO THOUSAND MILES AT THE TIME. THE DEALER IN BATON ROUGE ALL-STAR CHEVROLET COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED A COOLING-SYSTEM FLUSH AS THE COOLANT LEVEL LOOKED LOW IN THE RESERVOIR. THIS FLUSH WAS DONE AT ANOTHER SHO…
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IN JANUARY OF 2002, THE HEAT IN OUR 1999 CHEVY VENTURE STOPPED WORKING. THE VAN HAD AROUND 50 OR SO THOUSAND MILES AT THE TIME. THE DEALER IN BATON ROUGE ALL-STAR CHEVROLET COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED A COOLING-SYSTEM FLUSH AS THE COOLANT LEVEL LOOKED LOW IN THE RESERVOIR. THIS FLUSH WAS DONE AT ANOTHER SHOP IN TOWN. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THIS SHOP RECOMMENDED I GO BACK TO THE DEALER. THE ENGINE WAS ALSO RUNNING HOT, SO TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER WITH THESE PROBLEMS. THIS DEALER DID AROUND $1,000 IN REPAIRS INCLUDING A WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED AS I DROVE THE VAN HOME. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THEY COULD SEE NOTHING WRONG AND WOULD NOT DO ANY MORE WORK. I THEN TOOK IT TO ANOTHER CHEVY DEALER (BRIAN HARRIS CHEVROLET) IN BATON ROUGE WITH MY PROBLEM. ULTIMATELY THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A CLOGGED HEATER CORE DUE TO SLUDGED ANTIFREEZE, AND ALSO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD. THEY COMPLETELY FLUSHED THE SYSTEM OF THE SLUDGE AND THAT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEAT NOT WORKING AND THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE RUNNING HOT. I HAD TO PAY OVER $500 DURING THE TIME OF TAKING IT BACK AND FORTH TO SHOPS FOR DIAGNOSIS, DEDUCTIBLES AND PARTS AND LABOR NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS DUE TO THIS ANTIFREEZE AND SLUDGE PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE NEED FOR THE REPAIRS. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THIS OCCURRED ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 50K MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10000638
40,000 miles · Dec 29, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
1999 CHEVY VENTURE AT 40,000 MILES HAD TO HAVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS WITH THEM YET ALL I SEE ON THE INTERNET IS EVERYONE NEEDS TO REPLACE THEM AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES (JUST OVER WARRANTY).
NHTSA ODI #10000413
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AT ABOUT 64, 000 MILES. COOLANT WAS FOUND LEAKING OUT IN THE REAR CORNER OF THE INTAKE. ALSO THERE WERE SIGNS OF COOLANT FOUND IN THE MOTOR OIL AFTER REMOVING THE VALVE COVERS. THIS REPAIR HAS COST ME ALMOST $600.00 ON A VEHICLE LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD. THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT DID MY REPAIR SAID THE…
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INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AT ABOUT 64, 000 MILES. COOLANT WAS FOUND LEAKING OUT IN THE REAR CORNER OF THE INTAKE. ALSO THERE WERE SIGNS OF COOLANT FOUND IN THE MOTOR OIL AFTER REMOVING THE VALVE COVERS. THIS REPAIR HAS COST ME ALMOST $600.00 ON A VEHICLE LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD. THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT DID MY REPAIR SAID THEY ARE CHANGING 1 TO 2 INTAKE GASKETS A WEEK ON THESE 3.4L V6 ENGINES. DT
NHTSA ODI #770701
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. MR
NHTSA ODI #768217
28,782 miles · Jul 25, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK OIL LIGHT AND THE BATTERY LINE CAME ON. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, LOOSING ALL POWER. CONTACTED DEALER. THERE WAS ANTI- FREEZE IN THE OIL.*JB GM HAS HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING. CONSUMER FEELS GM SHOULD RECALL THESE FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLDS. *JG
NHTSA ODI #8014756
Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE LOST COOLANT DUE TO A CRACK IN COOLANT CONTAINER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8014304
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
I CONTACTED CHEVROLET FOR ASSISTANCE REGARDING MY 1999 VENTURE VAN. IT DEVELOPED A LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WHICH ALLOWED WATER TO GET INTO THE OIL. THIS VEHICLE WAS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAD ONLY 50,000 MILES ON IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND DETERMINED THAT OTHER VENTURES, MONTANAS, AND SILOUETTES WERE HAVING SIMILAR…
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I CONTACTED CHEVROLET FOR ASSISTANCE REGARDING MY 1999 VENTURE VAN. IT DEVELOPED A LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WHICH ALLOWED WATER TO GET INTO THE OIL. THIS VEHICLE WAS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAD ONLY 50,000 MILES ON IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND DETERMINED THAT OTHER VENTURES, MONTANAS, AND SILOUETTES WERE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND I WANTED TO KNOW IF CHEVROLET WAS COVERING THIS REPAIR AS IT WAS SO WIDESPREAD. IT WAS MY BELIEF AT THAT TIME THAT MY OWN VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT CONSIDERING THE GENERAL FAILURE OF THE PART AND THE NEW CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE, I HOPED CHEVROLET WOULD AT LEAST ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. CHEVROLET CASE NO. C06820805. CHEVROLET RUDELY REFUSED TO ASSIST ME WITH THE COST. LATER I PROVED TO THE DEALER THAT THE FAILURE WAS COVERED BY AN EXTENDED CALIFORNIA EMISSION WARRANTY. THE DEALER REFUNDED ME THE COST OF THE REPAIRS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #762983
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
GASKET FAILURE IS DUE TO MANIFOLD BEING MADE OF ALIMINUM AND ENGINE BLOCK BEING MADE OF CAST IRON. ANY GASKET MATERIAL PLACED BETWEEN THE TWO METALS IS SUBJECT TO MECHANICAL WEAR CAUSED BY DIFFERENCES IS THE COEFFICIENT OF EXPANSION OF THE TWO METALS. PRESENTLY, THE MANIFOLD GASKETS ARE ON A NATIONWIDE BACK ORDER; SOME VEHICL…
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GASKET FAILURE IS DUE TO MANIFOLD BEING MADE OF ALIMINUM AND ENGINE BLOCK BEING MADE OF CAST IRON. ANY GASKET MATERIAL PLACED BETWEEN THE TWO METALS IS SUBJECT TO MECHANICAL WEAR CAUSED BY DIFFERENCES IS THE COEFFICIENT OF EXPANSION OF THE TWO METALS. PRESENTLY, THE MANIFOLD GASKETS ARE ON A NATIONWIDE BACK ORDER; SOME VEHICLES HAVE BEEN ON DEALERSHIP LOTS FOR WEEKS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #761665
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS REPORTED IN ODI ID: 758368. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #759545
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
COOLANT LEAKING FROM INTAKE MANIFOLD,AND BOLTS . SERVICE SHOP IS TELLING ME THAT ENGINE NEEDS NEW INTAKE GASKET BOLTS ATE ALSO LEAKING REPAIRS WILL COST BETWEEN 400-500 DOLLARS. TRIED GETTING GASKET KIT ON NATIONAL BACKORDER, DOES THAT TELL NME THERE IS MORE THAN JUST MY VAN HAVING COOLANT PROBLEMS
NHTSA ODI #758368
Official recalls
4Dec 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.
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.
Apr 12, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS. THE LEFT AND/OR RIGHT FRONT LOWER INSULATOR TO CRADLE CENTER METAL SLEEVE IS COLLAPSED, WHICH CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF CLAMP LOAD IN THE JOINT. IF THE CLAMP LOAD IS REDUCED OR LOST, THE BOLT CAN BE LOST OR BROKEN AND THE JOINT CAN SEPARATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF NOT REPAIRED, SEPARATION OF THE OPPOSITE SIDE JOINT COULD OCCUR RESULTING IN STEERING SHAFT SEPARATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT LOWER CRADLE-TO-SUSPENSION INSULATORS AND THE ATTACHING BOLTS.
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
6PE04064 · POWER-SLIDING Door
Opened Sep 17, 2004 · Closed Dec 22, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:door
SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE AVAILABLE WITH AN OPTIONAL POWER SLIDING DOOR.THE INTERIOR HANDLE IS ORIENTED IN THE VERTICAL POSITION IN THE DOOR PANEL AND LINES UP AT THE ELBOW LEVEL WHEN THE OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE 2ND-ROW OUTBOARD POSITION.IF THE OCCUPANT HOLDS THE INTERIOR HANDLE IN THE THUMB UP POSITION DURING POWER-ASSISTED OPENING, THE ARM/WRIST CAN BE PUSH BACK WITH FORCE AGAINST THE 2ND-ROW BUCKET SEAT OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIR SEAT BACK CREATING A RISK OF INJURY (OTHER SEATING CONFIGURATIONS HAVE AMPLE SEAT TO DOOR CLEARANCE TO AVOID ENTRAPMENT OF THE LOWER ARM).AMONG THE 103 TOTAL REPORTS, THERE WERE 102 ALLEGED INJURIES INCLUDING ARM/WRIST, THUMB AND SHOULDER INJURIES.A COUNT OF INJURIES REVEALS THAT 76 INJURIES WERE A FRACTURED OR A BROKEN ARM/WRIST REQUIRING AN IMMOBILIZING CAST FOR FOUR-TO-SIX WEEKS.ALL INJURIES INVOLVE THE RIGHT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR.THE LEFT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR IS ON FAR FEWER VEHICLES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT PRODUCES LESS FORCE.GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY BY LETTER DATED DECEMBER 21, 2004, THAT IT WILL RECALL MODEL YEAR 1997 THOUGH EARLY 2005 GM U-VAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A RIGHT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND WITH 2ND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN CHAIRS (NHTSA RECALL #04V597).AS PART OF THE RECALL REMEDY, GM WILL REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLE WITH A FLUSH MOUNTED HANDLE THAT WILL PREVENT AN OCCUPANT FROM GRASPING THE HANDLE WITH THE PALM BETWEEN THE HANDLE AND DOOR PANEL (THUMB UP ORIENTATION) AND THUS ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR ARM/WRIST ENTRAPMENT.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
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.
PE02086 · Rear Axle Trailing Arm Failure
Opened Nov 18, 2002 · Closed Apr 9, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear
ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 14 INCIDENTS OF REAR TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 THROUGH 1999 GM U-VANS, INCLUDING TWO THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES IS USED IN THE U-VANS FROM MY 1997 THROUGH 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS CAN CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS (E.G., IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING).GM IDENTIFIED A PARTS HANDLING CONCERN THAT WAS CAUSING SOME TRAILING ARMS TO BE DAMAGED PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN, GM IMPLEMENTED CHANGES TO THE SHIPPING CONTAINERS FROM JANUARY 1999 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1999. EIGHT (8) OF THE REPORTED INCIDENTS IN MY 1997-99 U-VANS, INCLUDING THE TWO CRASHES, OCCURRED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE TREND AND SAFETY RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 14 INCIDENTS OF REAR TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 THROUGH 1999 GM U-VANS, INCLUDING TWO THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES IS USED IN THE U-VANS FROM MY 1997 THROUGH 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS CAN CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS (E.G., IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING).GM IDENTIFIED A PARTS HANDLING CONCERN THAT WAS CAUSING SOME TRAILING ARMS TO BE DAMAGED PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN, GM IMPLEMENTED CHANGES TO THE SHIPPING CONTAINERS FROM JANUARY 1999 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1999. EIGHT (8) OF THE REPORTED INCIDENTS IN MY 1997-99 U-VANS, INCLUDING THE TWO CRASHES, OCCURRED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE TREND AND SAFETY RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
Suspension:rear
ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 14 INCIDENTS OF REAR TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 THROUGH 1999 GM U-VANS, INCLUDING TWO THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES IS USED IN THE U-VANS FROM MY 1997 THROUGH 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS CAN CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS (E.G., IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING).GM IDENTIFIED A PARTS HANDLING CONCERN THAT WAS CAUSING SOME TRAILING ARMS TO BE DAMAGED PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN, GM IMPLEMENTED CHANGES TO THE SHIPPING CONTAINERS FROM JANUARY 1999 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1999. EIGHT (8) OF THE REPORTED INCIDENTS IN MY 1997-99 U-VANS, INCLUDING THE TWO CRASHES, OCCURRED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE TREND AND SAFETY RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
PE02017 · Shoulder Harness Clip
Opened Feb 11, 2002 · Closed Aug 2, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
No summary supplied.
PE00045 · Air Bag Tear During Deployment
Opened Nov 3, 2000 · Closed Jan 11, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
No summary supplied.
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
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