Owners have filed 21 complaints
about the 2003 Chevrolet Express 1500 with NHTSA between 2007 and 2016.
The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 7 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 81
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Express 1500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
23.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2003 compares with every other Chevrolet Express 1500
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
16.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
637.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
16.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
743.8%
150,000+ miles
16.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2007peak 3Oct 2016
NHTSA investigations into the 2003 Chevrolet Express 1500
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE11040Opened 14 Dec 2011Closed 16 Aug 2012FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
Fuel Filler Pipe Corrosion/Leakage
On August 7, 2012 General Motors (GM) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it will conduct a safety related recall for model year (MY) 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles.The recall affects vehicles equipped with a left side cargo door and that were originally sold or currently registered in the corrosion or salt-belt states of Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisc...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 134,089 milesAuburndale, MA1 injured
SEAT BELTS
(1)SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH. SEATBELT LATCH OPENS WITHOUT WARNING. (2)THE SIDE CARGO DOOR HINGES ARE FAULTY AND HARD TO OPEN. OPENS WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10233227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,089 milesAuburndale, MA1 injured
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
(1)SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH. SEATBELT LATCH OPENS WITHOUT WARNING. (2)THE SIDE CARGO DOOR HINGES ARE FAULTY AND HARD TO OPEN. OPENS WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10233227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,270 milesNEW Providence, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AT 4:30 A.M. ON THE MORNING OF FEB 13 2008 WAS AWOKE TO FLAMES FLICKERING ON BEDROOM WALL IT WAS MY 2003 REGENCY CONVERSION VAN GOING UP IN SMOKE NO APPARENT REASON BUT IT DID START IN THE FUSE BOX AREA MAYBE THE SAME ISSUE AS THE HORN PROBLEM THE WEEK BEFORE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OF HORN GOING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT BUT THERE WAS NO FIRE AT THAT TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10219006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paraus, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
TL*THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500. THE CONTACT IS THE PHYSICAL DAMAGE INSPECTOR FOR AN INSURANCE COMPANY. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND. HE STATED THAT THE HORN IS ALSO USED AS AN INTRUDER ALARM. SHORTLY AFTER, FLAMES BEGAN TO RISE FROM THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY RELATED FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRE THAT RUNS FROM THE HORN RELAY TO THE ACTUAL HORN IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN SUPER HEATED, WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. RETURN USPS, MADE 2ND ATTEMPT 08/04/07 FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10199531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paraus, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
TL*THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500. THE CONTACT IS THE PHYSICAL DAMAGE INSPECTOR FOR AN INSURANCE COMPANY. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND. HE STATED THAT THE HORN IS ALSO USED AS AN INTRUDER ALARM. SHORTLY AFTER, FLAMES BEGAN TO RISE FROM THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY RELATED FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRE THAT RUNS FROM THE HORN RELAY TO THE ACTUAL HORN IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN SUPER HEATED, WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. RETURN USPS, MADE 2ND ATTEMPT 08/04/07 FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10199531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Merrick, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
HINGES BROKE; DOORS ARE UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10917814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,000 milesPrescott, AZ
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CORRODED AND LEAKING FUEL FILLER NECK. FOOLISH DESIGN INVOLVING DISSIMILAR METALS HELD IN CONTACT AND SURROUNDED WITH A CONDUIT WHICH HOLDS WATER AND ROAD SALT. DESIGN IS DESTINED FOR FAILURE. GM HAS A PARTIAL RECALL FOR THE SNOW BELT. SUCH A FOOLISH DESIGN SHOULD BE FIXED EVERYWHERE AS IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10811420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,000 milesOmaha, NE
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE PASSENGER SIDE SWING DOORS ARE VERY HARD TO OPEN AND SHUT AND THE DRIVERS SIDE SWING DOORS ARE IN THE INITIAL STAGE OF THIS. THE PASSENGER SWING DOOR THAT IS FIRST TO OPEN (RIGHT) DOES NOT WANT TO OPEN AND DOESN'T WANT TO SHUT. I HAVE TO FORCE IT. THE SECOND DOOR (LEFT) IS GETTING WORSE AS WELL. THIS IS CAUSING THE INTERIOR LIGHT PIN IN THE DOOR JAM TO NOT PUSH IN ALL THE WAY, THEREFORE; THE LIGHTS WILL NOT SHUT OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10748421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,000 milesWest Jordan, UT
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500 VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL SPRAYED FROM THE FILLER NECK. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT FUEL FILLER PIPE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
NHTSA complaint #10628404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesFruita, CO
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE RETURN AND DELIVERY FUEL LINES WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
NHTSA complaint #10493335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 162,000 milesBeaufort, SC
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON A FEW OCCASIONS PRIOR TO LOCATING A LEAK, I NOTICED A GASOLINE SMELL. FINALLY WHEN FILLING EARLIER THIS MONTH, I SAW A LOT OF LEAKING COMING OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE, BETWEEN THE METAL TUBE AND THE PLASTIC COVER SURROUNDING THE TUBE. WHEN I GOT HOME, I CUT OFF THE PLASTIC TUBE ABOUT HALFWAY AND FOUND A STATIC WIRE RUNNING THE LENGTH OF THE TUBE. EVERYWHERE, WHERE THIS WIRE TOUCHED TO METAL PIPE, IT WAS CORRODED COMPLETELY THROUGH. THE STATIC WIRE IS OF A DIFFERENT MATERIAL AND WAS NOT CORRODED. PRESENTLY I HAVE WRAPPED THE TUBE WITH A GASOLINE RESISTANT TAPE. BUT, I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TUBE SOON. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS QUOTED APPROX. $241.00 WITHOUT INSTALLATION. ARE THERE OTHER INSTANCES LIKE THIS AND IS THERE A RECALL I'M NOT AWARE OF. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10459328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upper Darby, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FOR SOMETIME, THERE WAS A SMELL OF GASOLINE WHEN FILLING THIS VAN, WHICH I JUST ATTRIBUTED TO A VAPOR RELEASE WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL. RECENTLY, I NOTICE GAS LEAKING UNDER THE VAN WHEN FILLING AT THE GAS STATION. THE GAS LEAKS IN AND AROUND THE BRAKE LINES. THIS VAN IS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500 WITH LEFT HAND DOOR OPTION. THIS IS MY FAMILY VEHICLE AND IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM FURTHER, I UNDERSTAND IT TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM AND A DESIGN FLAW, WHERE THE FUEL FILL HOSE RUSTS. THIS NEEDS A RECALL WITH IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
NHTSA complaint #10453725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I WAS REFUELING MY VAN AND GAS STARTED POURING OUT FROM THE BOTTOM. AFTER LOOKING I DISCOVERED THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS RUSTED THRU. THE VAN ONLY HAS 64K MILES. I REPLACED IT MYSELF AT THIS TIME. THERE WAS NO COLLISION DAMAGE....SIMPLY HEAVY CORROSION.
NHTSA complaint #10445925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesEast Pointe, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, HE NOTICED AN OVERPOWERING FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE GASOLINE FILLER TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000. UPDATED 02/13/12
NHTSA complaint #10443143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesEast Pointe, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, HE NOTICED AN OVERPOWERING FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE GASOLINE FILLER TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000. UPDATED 02/13/12
NHTSA complaint #10443143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,850 milesArlington Heights, IL
SEAT BELTS
DRIVERS SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK AND I HAD TO LIMBO TO GET OUT OF MY EXPRESS CONVERSION VAN. I HAD TO BAG ON IT TO MAKE IT RELEASE. IT DOESN'T LATCH ANYMORE AND I NEED TO REPLACE THE BOTTOM SECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10413213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesArlington Heights, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GAS FILLER TUBE RUSTED THROUGH AND GASOLINE LEAKED EVERY TIME I REFUELED. THIS WAS NOT A SMALL HOLE. THE METAL ON THE WHOLE TUBE BROKE DOWN CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK AND CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. UPDATED 08/11/11 *BF UPDATED 3/08/2012 *LN
NHTSA complaint #10413214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,464 milesCherry Valley, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL TANK FILLER TUBE WHEN FILLING GAS TANK.
NHTSA complaint #10353717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 milesGarfield HTS, OH
SEATS
SEAT BACK OF DRIVERS SEAT FAILED AND NOW SEAT WILL NOT STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND THIS OCCURED WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10255155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesHyattsville, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500. ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2008, THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND. THE SOUND ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE AND PERSISTED THROUGHOUT THE DAY. HE CHECKED THE OIL AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE QUART. HE PLACED MORE OIL IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE DID NOT PREVENT HIM FROM ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LIFTERS AND PUSH RODS WERE DEFECTIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 138,000.
NHTSA complaint #10241601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,089 milesAuburndale, MA1 injured
SEAT BELTS
(1)SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH. SEATBELT LATCH OPENS WITHOUT WARNING. (2)THE SIDE CARGO DOOR HINGES ARE FAULTY AND HARD TO OPEN. OPENS WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10233227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,089 milesAuburndale, MA1 injured
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
(1)SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH. SEATBELT LATCH OPENS WITHOUT WARNING. (2)THE SIDE CARGO DOOR HINGES ARE FAULTY AND HARD TO OPEN. OPENS WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10233227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,270 milesNEW Providence, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AT 4:30 A.M. ON THE MORNING OF FEB 13 2008 WAS AWOKE TO FLAMES FLICKERING ON BEDROOM WALL IT WAS MY 2003 REGENCY CONVERSION VAN GOING UP IN SMOKE NO APPARENT REASON BUT IT DID START IN THE FUSE BOX AREA MAYBE THE SAME ISSUE AS THE HORN PROBLEM THE WEEK BEFORE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OF HORN GOING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT BUT THERE WAS NO FIRE AT THAT TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10219006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesMinooka, IL
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF MY 2003 CHEVY EXPRESS VAN, I NOTICED THAT BOTH INNER TIE RODS HAVE EXCESSIVE END PLAY IN THEM, LEFT INNER AND RIGHT INNER. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A NORMAL WEAR PROBLEM AND IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONCERN.
NHTSA complaint #10200054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paraus, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
TL*THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500. THE CONTACT IS THE PHYSICAL DAMAGE INSPECTOR FOR AN INSURANCE COMPANY. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND. HE STATED THAT THE HORN IS ALSO USED AS AN INTRUDER ALARM. SHORTLY AFTER, FLAMES BEGAN TO RISE FROM THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY RELATED FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRE THAT RUNS FROM THE HORN RELAY TO THE ACTUAL HORN IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN SUPER HEATED, WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. RETURN USPS, MADE 2ND ATTEMPT 08/04/07 FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10199531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paraus, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
TL*THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500. THE CONTACT IS THE PHYSICAL DAMAGE INSPECTOR FOR AN INSURANCE COMPANY. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND. HE STATED THAT THE HORN IS ALSO USED AS AN INTRUDER ALARM. SHORTLY AFTER, FLAMES BEGAN TO RISE FROM THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY RELATED FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRE THAT RUNS FROM THE HORN RELAY TO THE ACTUAL HORN IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN SUPER HEATED, WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. RETURN USPS, MADE 2ND ATTEMPT 08/04/07 FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10199531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.