I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PLACE AT WORSHIP WHEN A FRIEND TOLD ME I HAD NO BACKUP LIGHTS. I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE AUTO SUPPLY STORE. REPLACING THE BULBS DID NOT WORK. THEY TOLD ME IT HAD TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I WENT ELSEWHERE. SAME STORY. WENT TO THE HE TRANSMISSION STORE. THEY SAID MY TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT AND IT WOULD …
Read full complaint
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PLACE AT WORSHIP WHEN A FRIEND TOLD ME I HAD NO BACKUP LIGHTS. I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE AUTO SUPPLY STORE. REPLACING THE BULBS DID NOT WORK. THEY TOLD ME IT HAD TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I WENT ELSEWHERE. SAME STORY. WENT TO THE HE TRANSMISSION STORE. THEY SAID MY TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT AND IT WOULD COST ME $1897.00 TO FIX IT. TWO LITTLE BULBS. THAT WAS A YEAR AGO AND I'M STILL DRIVING IT. I TRY TO BACK INTO SPACES SO I DON'T HAVE TO BACK OUT. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID TO REPLACE THE WIRING ASSEMBLY WOULD COST MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. AND THE SEAT BELT CLICKS IN BUT SOMETIMES SLIPS OUT IF I STOP QUICKLY IF SOMEONE CUTS ME OFF. NOT GOOD AT ALL.THE POWER TRAIN IS ERRATIC AT BEST. I WONDER IF I'M GOING TO MAKE IT HOME QUITE A LOT AND I AM DISABLED. IT SHUDDERS WHEN IT STARTS OUT, MAKING IT DANGEROUS IN TIGHT DRIVING SITUATIONS(CHICAGO).IT SLIDES OR SLIPS. I'VE BEEN TOLD TIME AND TIME THERE'S NOTHING WRONG. BUT WHEN YOU TELL A CAR TO GO, IT SHOULD GO...ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO ACT LIKE A STUBBORN DUMB MULE! AND THE DOORS QUIT WORKING AS DID THE AC AND IT EATS TIRES EVEN THOUGH ITS ALIGNED AND BALANCED. I FIXED THE SHOWER WITH 25 YEAR SILICONE. I DIDN'T NEED MY HAIR WASHED WHILE I DROVE. ITS ONLY 15 YEARS OLD AND HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND ITS A PIECE OF JUNK. A VERY EXPENSIVE PIECE OF JUNK. COOLANT LOW ALWAYS STAYS ON AND IT ISN'T. GAS GAUGE IS ALWAYS EMPTY WHEN YOU FILL IT AND FULL IF ITS EMPTY. I TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE BY HOW MANY MILES I'VE GONE DIVIDED INTO HOW MANY GALS OF GAS I PURCHASED. KEEP THE BOOKS OR WALK!!!!! GARBAGE. CAR!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA ODI #10733484
50,000 miles · Oct 27, 2003
Seat Belts
CONSUMER STATED THAT ONCE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS INSTALLED SEAT BELT RETRACTED, ALLOWING THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT TO BE REMOVED. WHEN TRYING TO REINSTALL THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT THE SEAT BELT REMAINED LOCKED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REINSTALL THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT ONCE IT HAD BEEN REMOVED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10044831
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2003
Seat Belts
THE SEAT BELT FOR THE RIGHT SIDE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SEAT KEP TIGHTENING UP ON THE PASSENGER LEADING TO RELEASING IT FOR COMFORT. EVENTUALLY THE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP. HAD IT REPLACED TWICE, BUT THE SAME PROBLEM KEP RECURRING AFTER A FEW DAYS OF USE. THE DEALER NOW REFUSES TO HONOR THE WARRANTY TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT. *A…
Read full complaint
THE SEAT BELT FOR THE RIGHT SIDE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SEAT KEP TIGHTENING UP ON THE PASSENGER LEADING TO RELEASING IT FOR COMFORT. EVENTUALLY THE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP. HAD IT REPLACED TWICE, BUT THE SAME PROBLEM KEP RECURRING AFTER A FEW DAYS OF USE. THE DEALER NOW REFUSES TO HONOR THE WARRANTY TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10029250
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2002
Seat Belts
OUR SEATBELT HAS NOT WORKED SINCE WE DROVE OFF THE LOT WITH OUR "NEW" VEHICLE. THIS POSES A THREAT BECAUSE WE HAVE FIVE CHILDREN, WHICH MEANS ONE CHILD WILL NOT BE STRAPPED IN DURING EACH RIDE. WE HAVE BEEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS AND EACH REPORT ON ALL 16 VISITS THAT THE SEATBELT WAS REPLACED, H…
Read full complaint
OUR SEATBELT HAS NOT WORKED SINCE WE DROVE OFF THE LOT WITH OUR "NEW" VEHICLE. THIS POSES A THREAT BECAUSE WE HAVE FIVE CHILDREN, WHICH MEANS ONE CHILD WILL NOT BE STRAPPED IN DURING EACH RIDE. WE HAVE BEEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS AND EACH REPORT ON ALL 16 VISITS THAT THE SEATBELT WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER, IT HAS NOT WORKED SINCE DAY ONE. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS CONTACTED AS WELL AS THE DMV, AND ATTORNEY GENERAL. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I NEED SATISFACTION! I FEEL LIKE THE DEALERSHIPS WON'T FIX THIS PROBLEM UNTIL MY EXTENDED WARRANTY IS EXPIRED! HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FIX A SEATBELT????*AK
NHTSA ODI #764207
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2001
Seat Belts
CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELTS ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS, ESPECIALLY ONE BEHIND PASSENGER. SEAT BELT WILL ADJUST AND TIGH UP ON PASSENGER. PASSENGER HAS TO REALEASE SEAT BELT DUE TO PRESSURE ON BODY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #886639
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2000
Seat Belts
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721440
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 1999
Electrical SystemSeat Belts
MY FAMILY AND I WERE TRAVELING WHEN THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THERE WERE SPARKS AND SMOKE AND THE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. I LOST CONTROL TEMPORARILY AND THEN I PULLED OVER AND WE ALL GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT HAYWIRE MEANING THAT SOME LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE OTHER LIGHTS CAME …
Read full complaint
MY FAMILY AND I WERE TRAVELING WHEN THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THERE WERE SPARKS AND SMOKE AND THE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. I LOST CONTROL TEMPORARILY AND THEN I PULLED OVER AND WE ALL GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT HAYWIRE MEANING THAT SOME LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE OTHER LIGHTS CAME ON. THE "AIRBAG" AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHTS CAME ON. THE COMPASS WHEN OUT. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO BE SERVICED.AT THAT TIME I WAS INFORMED OF ANOTHER CAR LIKE OURS WAS BROUGHT IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS LATER TOLD(1 WEEK) THE COMPUTER TOLD THE SATBELT RETRACTOR TO EXPLODE. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY EAND I ARE IN SERIOUS JEOPARDY IF WE CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR.
NHTSA ODI #712808
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 1999
Seat Belts
WHEN GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE SHOULDER SEAT BELT COMES ACROSS CONSUMER WIFE'S NECK, CAUSING POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD. CONSUMER SHOWED THE DEALER AND THEY CONTACTED FACTORY, SAID THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. *AK.ET.
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.
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.
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.
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
7
PE04064 · 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
RQ00006 · Traction Control
Opened Feb 16, 2000 · Closed Apr 20, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
No summary supplied.
1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration