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2003 GMC Envoy

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Envoy years

Owner complaints for the 2003 GMC Envoy are substantially higher than the model-year median of 22.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

297 reports with mileage · 96 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

42 crash reports8 fire reports27 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

16 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 9, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE LINE FROM ANTI-LOCK BRAKE UNIT TO VEHICLE REAR RUSTING OUT CAUSING BRAKE FLUID LEAK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399572

117,000 miles · Jan 25, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STOP AND THE BRAKES WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL WHOOSHING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE MASTER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STOP AND THE BRAKES WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL WHOOSHING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER AND THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #10378585

50,000 miles · Jul 18, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND AN OIL CHANGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE WERE FAULTY AND THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND TIRE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND AN OIL CHANGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE WERE FAULTY AND THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED GENERAL MOTORS THAT THE FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. GENERAL MOTORS THEN STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 09/16/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. UPDATED 09/18/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10234804

47,489 miles · Nov 16, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE BADLY GLAZED AND SCORNED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A RECALL ON IT FOR THE ABS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,489 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,2…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE BADLY GLAZED AND SCORNED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A RECALL ON IT FOR THE ABS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,489 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,240. *UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209177

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

2003 GMC ENVOY WITH A LIST OF PROBLEMS **NAR**CC THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO HEAR A KNOCKING AND PINGING IN THE ENGINE ON COLD STARTS AND FELT A HESITATION WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO GEAR. AFTER MANY COMPLAINTS, IT WAS FINALLY DISCOVERED THE ENGINE KNOCK WAS DUE TO SHORTER PISTONS IN THE RE-DESIGNED ENGINE AND THE H…

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2003 GMC ENVOY WITH A LIST OF PROBLEMS **NAR**CC THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO HEAR A KNOCKING AND PINGING IN THE ENGINE ON COLD STARTS AND FELT A HESITATION WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO GEAR. AFTER MANY COMPLAINTS, IT WAS FINALLY DISCOVERED THE ENGINE KNOCK WAS DUE TO SHORTER PISTONS IN THE RE-DESIGNED ENGINE AND THE HESITATION IN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING REQUIRED REPROGRAMMING. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HE WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE ENGINE KNOCK, BECAUSE IT COULD BE MORE TROUBLE TAKING THE ENGINE APART. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE ENGINE STALLED DUE TO THE BATTERY DYING. FROM APRIL 2004 TO OCTOBER 2004 THE BATTERY FAILED SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD TO BE RE-CHARGED. DURING THAT SAME TIME THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND EACH TIME IT HAPPENED, THE DEALER WOULD HAVE TO REPROGRAM THE ENGINE COMPUTER. THE RADIO WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY WHICH PRIMARILY CONSISTED OF STATIC. THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER CONTROL KNOBS AS WELL AS THE RADIO KNOBS WORE OUT. THE FRONT CENTER CONSOLE WAS LOOSE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON BECAUSE THE THIRD STOP LIGHT THAT'S ON THE TOP OF THE LIFTGATE MALFUNCTIONED. THERE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE STOP LIGHT. THE COOLING FAN BROKE, THE BRAKES AND THE LEFT FRONT HEAD LAMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS, DIRECTIONAL AND SIGNAL LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE LUG NUT BROKE WHILE A REPLACEMENT TIRE WAS BEING MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT STABILIZER LINKAGE WAS REPLACED. THE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FUEL LINES AND A SEAL ON THE TANK DUE TO A LEAK. THE SEAT BELT WAS DESIGNED POORLY AND THE BELT CUTS INTO THE CONSUMERS NECK. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DIDN'T CLOSE PROPERLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE REPLACED WITHIN THE FIRST 2 YEARS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10185814

35,000 miles · Feb 16, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

1. NORMAL WINTER DRIVING IN NORTHEASTERN OHIO. 2. ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE. THE RESULT WAS IMMEDIATE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO SLIDE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON A RURAL COUNTRY ROAD WHERE IT WAS STRUCK BY AN ON COMING CAR. 3. THE CAR IS TOTALED AS ASSESSED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY, NO REPAIR…

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1. NORMAL WINTER DRIVING IN NORTHEASTERN OHIO. 2. ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE. THE RESULT WAS IMMEDIATE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO SLIDE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON A RURAL COUNTRY ROAD WHERE IT WAS STRUCK BY AN ON COMING CAR. 3. THE CAR IS TOTALED AS ASSESSED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY, NO REPAIRS MADE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10150423

18,707 miles · Jan 17, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE VEHICLE WAS IN SERVICE 3 TIMES WITHIN 14 DAYS, GM SAYS THE PROBLEM WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH, I SAY THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. ENGINE STALLED 6 TIMES IN MOVING TRAFFIC, THE "ABS" WARNING LIGHT IS ON, SOME TIME THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COMES ON. DEALER REPLACES THROTTLE BODY INJECTION ASSEMBLY. NEXT DAY…

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THE VEHICLE WAS IN SERVICE 3 TIMES WITHIN 14 DAYS, GM SAYS THE PROBLEM WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH, I SAY THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. ENGINE STALLED 6 TIMES IN MOVING TRAFFIC, THE "ABS" WARNING LIGHT IS ON, SOME TIME THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COMES ON. DEALER REPLACES THROTTLE BODY INJECTION ASSEMBLY. NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE STALLS AGAIN WITH SAME SYMPTOMS. DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH AGAIN. !4 HOURS LATER ENGINE STALLS IN MOVING TRAFFIC. DEALER INSTALLS EVENT RECORDING DEVICE, ENGINE STALLS AND IDENTIFIED LOW IGNITION VOLTAGE (6.7 VS 13.6 VDC). SOURCE OF PROBLEM COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED, DEALER SAYS VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. WE FILED A LEMON LAW CLAIM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10147921

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING SCRATCHES ON GLASS AND ROTORS CORRODED. *TS THE MIRRORS CONTINUOUSLY LOST THEIR MEMORY POSITION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10147514

20,000 miles · Sep 9, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: AFTER THE OWNER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES FELT BUMPY. THE OWNER REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS. THEN, THE BACK ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT. THE OWNER DESCRIBES THEM AS A GRABBING FEELING, THE VEHICLE PHYSICALLY MOVES WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. WHEN THE BACK RI…

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DT: AFTER THE OWNER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES FELT BUMPY. THE OWNER REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS. THEN, THE BACK ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT. THE OWNER DESCRIBES THEM AS A GRABBING FEELING, THE VEHICLE PHYSICALLY MOVES WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. WHEN THE BACK RIGHT ROTOR WAS INSPECTED THERE WERE GROOVES. THE PAD HAD EATEN INTO THE ROTOR ON THE REAR AND FRONT. ALL THE BRAKES RUSTED. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10132042

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

WHEN REACHING A STOP SIGN CONSUMER APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES, INSTEAD OF VEHICLE COMING TO A STOP, IT ACCELERATED AND RAN ONTO TWO CURBS, FINALLY CRASHING INTO A PLAY GROUND. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10105356

Official recalls

7

05V198000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

May 5, 2005

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LETTERS ON AUGUST 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, AND OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

04V046000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Feb 4, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS THAT WILL NOT TURN ON, CEASE OPERATION WHILE IN USE, FAIL TO TURN OFF/ON BY THEMSELVES (MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM), OR HAVE CONTINUOUS WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP OPERATION BECAUSE THE PRESENCE OF WATER WITHIN THE WIPER MODULES CAN EITHER CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT OR CAN LEAD TO THE CORROSION OF COMPONENTS WITHIN THE MODULE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL COVER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE VENT HOLE WITH A PATCH. ALSO, THE WIPER MOTOR, CIRCUIT BOARD, AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WILL BE INSPECTED TO SIGNS OF WATER INTRUSION AND/OR CORROSION AND BE REPLACED AS REQUIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN JULY 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

03V250000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

Jul 15, 2003

CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

03V151000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Apr 23, 2003

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A LEFT-FRONT BRAKE PIPE WITH A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SCORE AT A RANDOM LOCATION ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE PIPE AS THE RESULT OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF THE BRAKE PIPE PARTIALLY OR FULLY FRACTURED, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WOULD IMMEDIATELY INCREASE AND FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE WOULD BE REDUCED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS REDUCED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT-FRONT BRAKE PIPE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 29, 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, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-8006.

03V075000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Mar 6, 2003

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A MECHANICAL OVERRIDE THAT COULD ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN PARK. IN ADDITION, THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN OVERRIDE THAT CAN ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THESE OVERRIDES ARE NOT PERMITTED UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAS A LOCKING STEERING COLUMN.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ELIMINATE THESE CONDITIONS BY DISABLING THE OVERRIDES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 29, 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, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

03V051000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 14, 2003

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. ALSO IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR RUPTURED, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

02V222000 · Air Bags:frontal

Aug 9, 2002

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

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

7

RQ17002 · Loss Of Headlights

Opened Apr 24, 2017 · Closed Mar 29, 2021

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights

The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the 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 reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.

EA07009 · Fuel Pump Module Leaks Gasoline

Opened Jul 10, 2007 · Closed Aug 28, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

DURING THE COURSE OF THIS EA INVESTIGATION, ODI OBSERVED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS (88%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (94%) WERE REPORTED FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE REGISTERED FOR USE IN THE SALT BELT REGION OF THE US.THIS AREA INCLUDES 20 STATES IN THE NORTHEAST, MID ATLANTIC AND THE MIDWEST REGIONS AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.CONSUMERS IN THE SALT BELT REGION REPORTED TO ODI THAT THEY COULD SMELL FUEL VAPORS IN THEIR VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING.UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THEIR VEHICLES, THEY DISCOVERED THAT FUEL VAPORS WERE COMING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS CONDITION IS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE RETURN AND SENDER LINES OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.WATER AND ROAD SALT COLLECT ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP LEADING TO SMALL PINHOLES APPEARING ON THE FUEL LINES.FUEL MAY LEAK AND COLLECT ON TOP OF THE MODULE AND/OR SPILL ONTO THE GROUND.THE DATA EVALUATED UNDER THIS INVESTIGATION REFLECT A RELATIVELY LOW FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE THAT LARGELY ARISES IN SALT BELT STATES.GM HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE SUBJECT COMPONENT TO TEN YEARS OR 120,000 MILES.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH.

PE07013 · Fuel Pump Module Leaks Gasoline

Opened Mar 12, 2007 · Closed Jul 10, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

ODI HAS RECEIVED REPORTS THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS FUEL AND OR VAPOR UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE.GM STATES, THE FAILURE MECHANISM IS CORROSION OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FLANGE WHICH MAY LEAD TO A FUEL LEAK.CORROSION OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FLANGE IS THE RESULT OF THE VEHICLE OPERATING IN A CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT.ODI HAS UPGRADED THIS PE TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-009) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE.

EA04021 · Brake Lamp Failure

Opened Aug 3, 2004 · Closed Nov 4, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

GM STATES THAT SOME BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULBS CAN PREMATURELY BECOME INOPERATIVE DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE/TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.ON MARCH 2, 2004, GM INITIATED A 6-YEAR/72,000 MILE SPECIAL POLICY FOR 989,487 SUBJECT VEHICLES TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES.ON APRIL 4, 2004, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE04-032) BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING BRAKE LIGHTS NOT OPERATING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.ON AUGUST 3, 2004 ODI UPGRADED PE04-032 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-021).BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 27, 2004 GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 04V527) COVERING SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT ALREADY REPAIRED UNDER GM'S SPECIAL POLICY.MY 2004 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT AFTER AUGUST 8, 2003 CONTAIN IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLIES AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLY ON SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT ON AUGUST 8, 2003 AND EARLIER.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

EA04002 · Windshield Wiper Failure

Opened Jan 6, 2004 · Closed Feb 10, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2003, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE03-042) TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 AND 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND TRAILBLAZER EXT, GMC ENVOY AND ENVOY XL, AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA VEHICLES.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS ON JANUARY 6, 2004, AND THE SCOPE WAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE CERTAIN MY 2003 ISUZU ASCENDER VEHICLES.ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE BUILT ON GENERAL MOTORS? GMT360 AND GMT370 PLATFORMS AND WERE ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH A WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE FAMILY DESIGN MODULE (P/N 15171306 BASE, P/N 15171307 FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RAINSENSE AUTOMATIC MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPERS).WATER ENTERS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD TO CORRODE AND SHORT OUT, THUS RENDERING THE WIPER MOTOR/MODULE INOPERATIVE.IN NOVEMBER 2002, GM INTRODUCED INTO VEHICLE PRODUCTION A REDESIGNED WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE ?GLOBAL? DESIGN MODULE (P/N 15094704 BASE, P/N 15094705 FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RAINSENSE) TO BETTER CONTROL WATER INTRUSION.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 1,179 NON-DUPLICATIVE OWNER AND FIELD REPORTS ALLEGING WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE ON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH THE ?FAMILY? DESIGN MODULE.BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 2, 2004, GM HAS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-046).ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2003, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE03-042) TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 AND 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND TRAILBLAZER EXT, GMC ENVOY AND ENVOY XL, AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA VEHICLES.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS ON JANUARY 6, 2004, AND THE SCOPE WAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE CERTAIN MY 2003 ISUZU ASCENDER VEHICLES.ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE BUILT ON GENERAL MOTORS? GMT360 AND GMT370 PLATFORMS AND WERE ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH A WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE FAMILY DESIGN MODULE (P/N 15171306 BASE, P/N 15171307 FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RAINSENSE AUTOMATIC MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPERS).WATER ENTERS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD TO CORRODE AND SHORT OUT, THUS RENDERING THE WIPER MOTOR/MODULE INOPERATIVE.IN NOVEMBER 2002, GM INTRODUCED INTO VEHICLE PRODUCTION A REDESIGNED WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE ?GLOBAL? DESIGN MODULE (P/N 15094704 BASE, P/N 15094705 FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RAINSENSE) TO BETTER CONTROL WATER INTRUSION.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 1,179 NON-DUPLICATIVE OWNER AND FIELD REPORTS ALLEGING WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE ON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH THE ?FAMILY? DESIGN MODULE.BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 2, 2004, GM HAS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-046).ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2003, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE03-042) TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 AND 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND TRAILBLAZER EXT, GMC ENVOY AND ENVOY XL, AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA VEHICLES.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS ON JANUARY 6, 2004, AND THE SCOPE WAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE CERTAIN MY 2003 ISUZU ASCENDER VEHICLES.ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE BUILT ON GENERAL MOTORS? GMT360 AND GMT370 PLATFORMS AND WERE ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH A WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE FAMILY DESIGN MODULE (P/N 15171306 BASE, P/N 15171307 FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RAINSENSE AUTOMATIC MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPERS).WATER ENTERS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD TO CORRODE AND SHORT OUT, THUS RENDERING THE WIPER MOTOR/MODULE INOPERATIVE.IN NOVEMBER 2002, GM INTRODUCED INTO VEHICLE PRODUCTION A REDESIGNED WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE ?GLOBAL? DESIGN MODULE (P/N 15094704 BASE, P/N 15094705 FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RAINSENSE) TO BETTER CONTROL WATER INTRUSION.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 1,179 NON-DUPLICATIVE OWNER AND FIELD REPORTS ALLEGING WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE ON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH THE ?FAMILY? DESIGN MODULE.BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 2, 2004, GM HAS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-046).ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2003, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE03-042) TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 AND 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND TRAILBLAZER EXT, GMC ENVOY AND ENVOY XL, AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA VEHICLES.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS ON JANUARY 6, 2004, AND THE SCOPE WAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE CERTAIN MY 2003 ISUZU ASCENDER VEHICLES.ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE BUILT ON GENERAL MOTORS? GMT360 AND GMT370 PLATFORMS AND WERE ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH A WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE FAMILY DESIGN MODULE (P/N 15171306 BASE, P/N 15171307 FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RAINSENSE AUTOMATIC MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPERS).WATER ENTERS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD TO CORRODE AND SHORT OUT, THUS RENDERING THE WIPER MOTOR/MODULE INOPERATIVE.IN NOVEMBER 2002, GM INTRODUCED INTO VEHICLE PRODUCTION A REDESIGNED WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE ?GLOBAL? DESIGN MODULE (P/N 15094704 BASE, P/N 15094705 FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RAINSENSE) TO BETTER CONTROL WATER INTRUSION.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 1,179 NON-DUPLICATIVE OWNER AND FIELD REPORTS ALLEGING WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE ON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH THE ?FAMILY? DESIGN MODULE.BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 2, 2004, GM HAS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-046).ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2003, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE03-042) TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 AND 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND TRAILBLAZER EXT, GMC ENVOY AND ENVOY XL, AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA VEHICLES.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS ON JANUARY 6, 2004, AND THE SCOPE WAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE CERTAIN MY 2003 ISUZU ASCENDER VEHICLES.ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE BUILT ON GENERAL MOTORS? GMT360 AND GMT370 PLATFORMS AND WERE ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH A WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE FAMILY DESIGN MODULE (P/N 15171306 BASE, P/N 15171307 FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RAINSENSE AUTOMATIC MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPERS).WATER ENTERS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD TO CORRODE AND SHORT OUT, THUS RENDERING THE WIPER MOTOR/MODULE INOPERATIVE.IN NOVEMBER 2002, GM INTRODUCED INTO VEHICLE PRODUCTION A REDESIGNED WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE ?GLOBAL? DESIGN MODULE (P/N 15094704 BASE, P/N 15094705 FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RAINSENSE) TO BETTER CONTROL WATER INTRUSION.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 1,179 NON-DUPLICATIVE OWNER AND FIELD REPORTS ALLEGING WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE ON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH THE ?FAMILY? DESIGN MODULE.BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 2, 2004, GM HAS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-046).ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

PE04001 · Fuel Spillage During Refueling

Opened Jan 5, 2004 · Closed May 7, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON THE MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER.BASED ON GM'S INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) RESPONSE, ODI ADDED TO ITS ANALYSIS THE MY 2003 GMC ENVOY AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA VEHICLES.THESE VEHICLES SHARE THE SAME VEHICLE PLATFORM (GM 360/370) AND FUEL FILL COMPONENTS.INCIDENT SUMMARY NUMBERS REPORTED ABOVE INCLUDE THESE VEHICLES.EPA REGULATES THE FUEL DISPENSING RATES AT FILLING STATIONS AND GM STATES THAT THE REPORTS OF SPITBACK FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE PRINCIPALLY CAUSED BY FUEL DISPENSING PUMPS EXCEEDING THE RATE SPECIFIED BY EPA.ODI FINDS THAT THE RATE OF COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY IS LOW COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR A SPITBACK ISSUE.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON THE MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER.BASED ON GM'S INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) RESPONSE, ODI ADDED TO ITS ANALYSIS THE MY 2003 GMC ENVOY AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA VEHICLES.THESE VEHICLES SHARE THE SAME VEHICLE PLATFORM (GM 360/370) AND FUEL FILL COMPONENTS.INCIDENT SUMMARY NUMBERS REPORTED ABOVE INCLUDE THESE VEHICLES.EPA REGULATES THE FUEL DISPENSING RATES AT FILLING STATIONS AND GM STATES THAT THE REPORTS OF SPITBACK FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE PRINCIPALLY CAUSED BY FUEL DISPENSING PUMPS EXCEEDING THE RATE SPECIFIED BY EPA.ODI FINDS THAT THE RATE OF COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY IS LOW COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR A SPITBACK ISSUE.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON THE MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER.BASED ON GM'S INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) RESPONSE, ODI ADDED TO ITS ANALYSIS THE MY 2003 GMC ENVOY AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA VEHICLES.THESE VEHICLES SHARE THE SAME VEHICLE PLATFORM (GM 360/370) AND FUEL FILL COMPONENTS.INCIDENT SUMMARY NUMBERS REPORTED ABOVE INCLUDE THESE VEHICLES.EPA REGULATES THE FUEL DISPENSING RATES AT FILLING STATIONS AND GM STATES THAT THE REPORTS OF SPITBACK FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE PRINCIPALLY CAUSED BY FUEL DISPENSING PUMPS EXCEEDING THE RATE SPECIFIED BY EPA.ODI FINDS THAT THE RATE OF COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY IS LOW COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR A SPITBACK ISSUE.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

PE03042 · Windshield Wiper Failure

Opened Sep 17, 2003 · Closed Jan 6, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER (EXT), GMC ENVOY (XL), AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA) ARE BUILT ON THE GMT360 AND GMT370 PLATFORMS AND WERE ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH A WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE ?FAMILY? DESIGN MODULE (P/N 15171306 BASE, P/N 15171307 FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RAINSENSE AUTOMATIC MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPERS).THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY IS LOCATED INSIDE THE PLENUM AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND IS MOUNTED ON AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO THE RAKE OF THE WINDSHIELD.GM REPORTS THAT VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO A QUALITY ASSURANCE WATER TEST AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT.THE TEST EXPOSES THE VEHICLES TO AN AMOUNT OF WATER THAT EXCEEDS THE PLENUM?S CAPABILITY TO DIVERT WATER AWAY FROM THE WIPER MODULE, ALLOWING WATER TO RISE TO A LEVEL THAT EXCEEDS THE HEIGHT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER VENT HOLE.WATER ENTERS THROUGH THE VENT HOLE THEN FLOWS DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE MODULE AND POOLS CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD TO CORRODE AND SHORT OUT, THUS RENDERING THE WIPER MOTOR/MODULE INOPERATIVE.ON NOVEMBER 2, 2002 GM INTRODUCED INTO VEHICLE PRODUCTION A REDESIGNED WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE ?GLOBAL? DESIGN MODULE (P/N 15094704 BASE, P/N 15094705 FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RAINSENSE) THAT USES A POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE MEMBRANE COVERED VENT HOLE TO CONTROL WATER INTRUSION.THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 1,172 NON-DUPLICATIVE OWNER AND FIELD REPORTS ALLEGING WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, TWO VEHICLE CRASHES ALLEGEDLY CAUSED BY WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, AND 43,219 WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY OR WIPER CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT ON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH THE ?FAMILY? DESIGN MODULE.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-002) TO FURTHER STUDY THE SCOPE AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THIS ISSUE.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER (EXT), GMC ENVOY (XL), AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA) ARE BUILT ON THE GMT360 AND GMT370 PLATFORMS AND WERE ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH A WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE ?FAMILY? DESIGN MODULE (P/N 15171306 BASE, P/N 15171307 FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RAINSENSE AUTOMATIC MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPERS).THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY IS LOCATED INSIDE THE PLENUM AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND IS MOUNTED ON AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO THE RAKE OF THE WINDSHIELD.GM REPORTS THAT VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO A QUALITY ASSURANCE WATER TEST AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT.THE TEST EXPOSES THE VEHICLES TO AN AMOUNT OF WATER THAT EXCEEDS THE PLENUM?S CAPABILITY TO DIVERT WATER AWAY FROM THE WIPER MODULE, ALLOWING WATER TO RISE TO A LEVEL THAT EXCEEDS THE HEIGHT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER VENT HOLE.WATER ENTERS THROUGH THE VENT HOLE THEN FLOWS DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE MODULE AND POOLS CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD TO CORRODE AND SHORT OUT, THUS RENDERING THE WIPER MOTOR/MODULE INOPERATIVE.ON NOVEMBER 2, 2002 GM INTRODUCED INTO VEHICLE PRODUCTION A REDESIGNED WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE ?GLOBAL? DESIGN MODULE (P/N 15094704 BASE, P/N 15094705 FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RAINSENSE) THAT USES A POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE MEMBRANE COVERED VENT HOLE TO CONTROL WATER INTRUSION.THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 1,172 NON-DUPLICATIVE OWNER AND FIELD REPORTS ALLEGING WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, TWO VEHICLE CRASHES ALLEGEDLY CAUSED BY WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, AND 43,219 WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY OR WIPER CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT ON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH THE ?FAMILY? DESIGN MODULE.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-002) TO FURTHER STUDY THE SCOPE AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THIS ISSUE.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER (EXT), GMC ENVOY (XL), AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA) ARE BUILT ON THE GMT360 AND GMT370 PLATFORMS AND WERE ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH A WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE ?FAMILY? DESIGN MODULE (P/N 15171306 BASE, P/N 15171307 FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RAINSENSE AUTOMATIC MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPERS).THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY IS LOCATED INSIDE THE PLENUM AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND IS MOUNTED ON AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO THE RAKE OF THE WINDSHIELD.GM REPORTS THAT VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO A QUALITY ASSURANCE WATER TEST AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT.THE TEST EXPOSES THE VEHICLES TO AN AMOUNT OF WATER THAT EXCEEDS THE PLENUM?S CAPABILITY TO DIVERT WATER AWAY FROM THE WIPER MODULE, ALLOWING WATER TO RISE TO A LEVEL THAT EXCEEDS THE HEIGHT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER VENT HOLE.WATER ENTERS THROUGH THE VENT HOLE THEN FLOWS DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE MODULE AND POOLS CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD TO CORRODE AND SHORT OUT, THUS RENDERING THE WIPER MOTOR/MODULE INOPERATIVE.ON NOVEMBER 2, 2002 GM INTRODUCED INTO VEHICLE PRODUCTION A REDESIGNED WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE ?GLOBAL? DESIGN MODULE (P/N 15094704 BASE, P/N 15094705 FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RAINSENSE) THAT USES A POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE MEMBRANE COVERED VENT HOLE TO CONTROL WATER INTRUSION.THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 1,172 NON-DUPLICATIVE OWNER AND FIELD REPORTS ALLEGING WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, TWO VEHICLE CRASHES ALLEGEDLY CAUSED BY WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, AND 43,219 WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY OR WIPER CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT ON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH THE ?FAMILY? DESIGN MODULE.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-002) TO FURTHER STUDY THE SCOPE AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THIS ISSUE.