2003 Chevrolet Express 2500 problems

ENGINE

SEVERAL OF THE EXHAUST HEADER BOLTS ARE BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES OF MY 5.3 LITTER ENGINE. I DID SOME INTERNET SEARCHING AND FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH 5.3 LITTER ENGINES HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10908790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED OF 50 MPH AND THE VAN SUDDENLY BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND SHUDDER FROM THE FRONT WHEELS AND UP AND INCLUDING THE SHAKE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN BY BRAKING TO 35 MPH AND IT SLOWLY STOPPED SHAKING. THIS HAS BECOME A REGULAR ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE TAKEN IT FROM SHOP TO SHOP AND MECHANICS CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. I FEAR FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AS WELL AS MY OWN WHEN DRIVING ALONE IN THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN A YEAR SINCE THIS HAS BEGUN. MECHANIC HAS CHANGED THE SHOCKS FOR THE VAN AND IT HAS BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND SHUDDER MORE FREQUENTLY. I NEED TO KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. I OWN A CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2500 (2003).

NHTSA complaint #10660170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED OF 50 MPH AND THE VAN SUDDENLY BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND SHUDDER FROM THE FRONT WHEELS AND UP AND INCLUDING THE SHAKE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN BY BRAKING TO 35 MPH AND IT SLOWLY STOPPED SHAKING. THIS HAS BECOME A REGULAR ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE TAKEN IT FROM SHOP TO SHOP AND MECHANICS CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. I FEAR FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AS WELL AS MY OWN WHEN DRIVING ALONE IN THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN A YEAR SINCE THIS HAS BEGUN. MECHANIC HAS CHANGED THE SHOCKS FOR THE VAN AND IT HAS BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND SHUDDER MORE FREQUENTLY. I NEED TO KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. I OWN A CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2500 (2003).

NHTSA complaint #10660170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED OF 50 MPH AND THE VAN SUDDENLY BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND SHUDDER FROM THE FRONT WHEELS AND UP AND INCLUDING THE SHAKE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN BY BRAKING TO 35 MPH AND IT SLOWLY STOPPED SHAKING. THIS HAS BECOME A REGULAR ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE TAKEN IT FROM SHOP TO SHOP AND MECHANICS CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. I FEAR FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AS WELL AS MY OWN WHEN DRIVING ALONE IN THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN A YEAR SINCE THIS HAS BEGUN. MECHANIC HAS CHANGED THE SHOCKS FOR THE VAN AND IT HAS BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND SHUDDER MORE FREQUENTLY. I NEED TO KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. I OWN A CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2500 (2003).

NHTSA complaint #10660170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS VAN 2500 THAT THE PAINT JUST STARTED FALLING OFF IN LARGE FLAKES ON THE REAR AND SIDE DOORS, AND THE FRONT HOOD. I HAVE TRIED TOUCH UP PAINT TO TRY AND STOP THE PEELING, BUT IT HAS NOT HELPED.WHEN I WASH THE VEHICLE OR IT RAINS MAKES THE PROBLEM WORSEN BY FILLING UP POCKETS BEHIND THE PAINT. THIS IS A MY COMPANY VAN WHICH HAS DECAL LETTERING ON IT. THE FLAKING IS STARTING TO GET TO THE LETTERING. IF IT CONTINUES, I WILL LOOSE APPROX. $800.00 TO A $1000.00 IN DECAL LETTERING PLUS THE VAN LOOKS TERRIBLE FOR A COMPANY VAN. THE COLOR OF THE VAN IS WHITE. I HAVE NOTICED MANY GM CARS AROUND WHERE I LIVE THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I NEVER REALLY NOTICED UNTIL MY VAN STARTED TO DO IT. MANY OF OUR CITY POLICE CARS WHERE I LIVE ARE WHITE GM PRODUCTS AND HAVE PAINT PEEL ON THEM.WHY IS GM NOT CORRECTING THIS ISSUE? WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED? I HAVE OTHER GM PRODUCTS I OWN. I AM NOT SURE IF I WILL PURCHASE ANOTHER DUE TO PROBLEMS SHOWING UP YEARS DOWN THE ROAD THAT SHOULD NOT EXIST IF THEIR PRODUCT IS A QUALITY PRODUCT AND GM STANDS BEHIND THEIR QUALITY OF WHAT THEY PRODUCE. NOW I AM FACED WITH THE COST OF A PAINT JOB AND THE COST OF RELETTERING THE VAN. THE SMARTER ANSWER MAY BE TO BUY ANOTHER VAN OF ANOTHER MAKE AND STAY AWAY FROM GM IF THEY CANNOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT QUALITY. I HAVE READ TOO MANY ARTICLES ABOUT PAINT PEEL ON GM PRODUCTS SINCE INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE. MANY SUGGEST SMALL CLAIMS COURTS BECAUSE GM WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. NEED HELP IF THERE IS ANY SUGGESTIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10443849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS VAN 2500 THAT THE PAINT JUST STARTED FALLING OFF IN LARGE FLAKES ON THE REAR AND SIDE DOORS, AND THE FRONT HOOD. I HAVE TRIED TOUCH UP PAINT TO TRY AND STOP THE PEELING, BUT IT HAS NOT HELPED.WHEN I WASH THE VEHICLE OR IT RAINS MAKES THE PROBLEM WORSEN BY FILLING UP POCKETS BEHIND THE PAINT. THIS IS A MY COMPANY VAN WHICH HAS DECAL LETTERING ON IT. THE FLAKING IS STARTING TO GET TO THE LETTERING. IF IT CONTINUES, I WILL LOOSE APPROX. $800.00 TO A $1000.00 IN DECAL LETTERING PLUS THE VAN LOOKS TERRIBLE FOR A COMPANY VAN. THE COLOR OF THE VAN IS WHITE. I HAVE NOTICED MANY GM CARS AROUND WHERE I LIVE THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I NEVER REALLY NOTICED UNTIL MY VAN STARTED TO DO IT. MANY OF OUR CITY POLICE CARS WHERE I LIVE ARE WHITE GM PRODUCTS AND HAVE PAINT PEEL ON THEM.WHY IS GM NOT CORRECTING THIS ISSUE? WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED? I HAVE OTHER GM PRODUCTS I OWN. I AM NOT SURE IF I WILL PURCHASE ANOTHER DUE TO PROBLEMS SHOWING UP YEARS DOWN THE ROAD THAT SHOULD NOT EXIST IF THEIR PRODUCT IS A QUALITY PRODUCT AND GM STANDS BEHIND THEIR QUALITY OF WHAT THEY PRODUCE. NOW I AM FACED WITH THE COST OF A PAINT JOB AND THE COST OF RELETTERING THE VAN. THE SMARTER ANSWER MAY BE TO BUY ANOTHER VAN OF ANOTHER MAKE AND STAY AWAY FROM GM IF THEY CANNOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT QUALITY. I HAVE READ TOO MANY ARTICLES ABOUT PAINT PEEL ON GM PRODUCTS SINCE INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE. MANY SUGGEST SMALL CLAIMS COURTS BECAUSE GM WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. NEED HELP IF THERE IS ANY SUGGESTIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10443849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FILLING UP THE VAN, NOTICE THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL FILLER TUBE. INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE PLASTIC CORRIGATED WRAP THAT CHEVY PLACED ON THE TUBE, TRAPS WATER, SALT, DIRT, ECT... IN IT, ALLOWING THE PIPE TO RUST, WITHOUT THE DRIVER/OWNER NOTICING THE DAMAGE UNTIL IT STARTS LEAKING. AS A FIREFIGHTER, I REALIZE THE DANGERS OF GASOLINE LEAKING UNDER A VEHICLE, I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW FOR THE FILLER TUBE.

NHTSA complaint #10411911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CHEVY 2003 EXPRESS VAN FUEL FILLER NECK HAS RUSTED THROUGH IN 2 PLACES AND GAS POURS OUT EVERY TIME I REFUEL. ONLY 63,000 MILES ON VAN. I BELIEVE THIS I S A VERY SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD!!! IS THERE A RECALL?

NHTSA complaint #10355871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

SINCE APPROXIMATELY JANUARY OF 2010, FAMILY MEMBERS NOTICED AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING ON THE GROUND DURING FUELING. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I NOTICED IT ORIGINATED FROM THE FUEL FILLER TUBE WHICH ALLOWS THE GAS TO TRAVEL FROM THE GAS CAP TO THE GAS STORAGE TANK. AUGUST 2010, THE LEAKAGE BECAME SO SEVERE FROM THE FUEL FILLER TUBE I FEARED SOMEONE COULD IGNITE (I.E. CIGARETTE, CELL PHONE, STATIC CHARGE) THE 1 TO 2 GALLONS OF FUEL LEAKED AT THE PUMP. MY EXPRESS WAS ONLY OUT-OF-COMMISSION AT DEALERSHIP FOR 2 DAYS TO REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE. DROPPING A AT THE TIME OF FILL UP. THE REPAIR COST $167.00 AND THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPAIRED MY 2003 CHEVY PASSENGER EXPRESS VAN SAID, "... THE CAUSE WAS A PARK BRAKE CABLE RUBBING ON THE TUBE." AS A CONSUMER AND AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER, I FEEL THE MANUFACTURER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DESIGN DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP SIMPLY INDICATED THEY NEVER SEEN THIS ON THE EXPRESS. IT APPEARS THIS IS MORE THAN AN ISOLATED OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA complaint #10349272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PARKING BRAKE

SINCE APPROXIMATELY JANUARY OF 2010, FAMILY MEMBERS NOTICED AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING ON THE GROUND DURING FUELING. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I NOTICED IT ORIGINATED FROM THE FUEL FILLER TUBE WHICH ALLOWS THE GAS TO TRAVEL FROM THE GAS CAP TO THE GAS STORAGE TANK. AUGUST 2010, THE LEAKAGE BECAME SO SEVERE FROM THE FUEL FILLER TUBE I FEARED SOMEONE COULD IGNITE (I.E. CIGARETTE, CELL PHONE, STATIC CHARGE) THE 1 TO 2 GALLONS OF FUEL LEAKED AT THE PUMP. MY EXPRESS WAS ONLY OUT-OF-COMMISSION AT DEALERSHIP FOR 2 DAYS TO REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE. DROPPING A AT THE TIME OF FILL UP. THE REPAIR COST $167.00 AND THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPAIRED MY 2003 CHEVY PASSENGER EXPRESS VAN SAID, "... THE CAUSE WAS A PARK BRAKE CABLE RUBBING ON THE TUBE." AS A CONSUMER AND AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER, I FEEL THE MANUFACTURER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DESIGN DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP SIMPLY INDICATED THEY NEVER SEEN THIS ON THE EXPRESS. IT APPEARS THIS IS MORE THAN AN ISOLATED OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA complaint #10349272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNDER NORMAL USE REAR SIDE DOOR IS HARD TO OPEN OR CLOSE AND NOW BROKEN. THE DOOR, EVEN BEFORE IT WAS BROKE WAS HARD TO LATCH IF IT WOULD LATCH. THIS WOULD MAKE THE FRONT SIDE DOOR NOT CLOSE TIGHT. NOW WITH THE HINGE BROKEN THE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH CORRECTLY. ALL EXPRESS VANS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM AND MANUFACTURE KNOWS IT. I TRIED USING EVERY PENETRATING OIL AND IT WOULD NOT KEEP THE DOOR HINGE FROM SEIZING UP. THIS IS A COMPANY VAN AND WE HAVE 2 OF THEM WITH BROKEN HINGES (BOTH ARE THE TOP REAR ON THE SIDE DOOR) AND A 3RD THAT IS VERY HARD TO OPEN CLOSE. IF THIS WERE A PASSENGER TYPE THE DOOR COULD BE HIT ON THE INSIDE AND OPENED BY ACCIDENT. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LOCATING A HINGE TO REPLACE THE ONE ON THE VAN I DRIVE AND WAS TOLD BY THE LOCAL DEALER TO KEEP ALL RECEIPTS INCASE OF A RECALL. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AROUND $1200 TO FIX 1 DOOR. I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN AT THIS TIME, BUT DURING THE DAY I AM WITH THE VAN 7AM TO 4PM .

NHTSA complaint #10283608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE MOUNTAIN ROAD BETWEEN OAKHURST, CALIFORNIA AND YOSEMITE I OBSERVED A FRONT END VIBRATION COMING THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. I PULLED OVER AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG SO I MADE A U-TURN AND WENT TO OAKHURST TO EFFECT A REPAIR. I BARELY MADE IT TO TOWN TO A SHOP WHEN THE LEFT FRONT BEARING ASSEMBLY FAILED ,REQUIRING THE ENTIRE UNIT TO BE REPLACED. THE SHOP WAS SURPRISED THAT THE WHEEL HAD NOT COME OFF. THE COST WAS $520 ,AND NECESSITATED AN OVERNIGHT STAY DUE TO THE PART HAVING TO BE BROUGHT IN FROM FRESNO. I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW, BUT IT WAS THREE WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. I TOOK THE PART TO MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER, THEY INFORMED ME IN WRITING THAT THE BEARING HAD INADEQUATE LUBRICATION AT THE FACTORY. THE OTHER BEARING WAS PULLED, AND IT WAS OKAY. GM HAS TOTALLY DUCKED ANY FORM OF REIMBURSEMENT. I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT WE DID NOT HAVE A ACCIDENT ON THAT MOUNTAIN ROAD

NHTSA complaint #10190998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES ON THE 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS WERE DEFECTIVE DUE TO A PROGRAM ERROR IN THE ABS COMPUTER SYSTEM PER GENERAL MOTORS. THEREWAS NOT FAILURE TO DATE, BUT THE CONTACTWAS CONCERNED. GENERAL MOTORS HAS THREE (3) SERVICE BULLETINS TO DATE CONCERNING THESE BRAKES. 03-05-25-003, 02-05-25-005, 05-05-25-002.

NHTSA complaint #10179492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKE FAILURE ON 2003 CHEVY EXPRESS 2500 CARGO VAN. GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, SEE GENERAL MOTORS TSB #'S..03-05-25-003 & 02-05-25-005 & 05-05-25-002. THIS SHOULD BE FIXED VIA A "SAFETY RECALL " SINCE THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE VEHICLE IS TO HAVE THE ABS COMPUTER REPROGRAMMED AT A CHEVY OR GMC DEALER. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING ERROR AS NOTED BY THE TSB'S, & SHOULD BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. NO AMOUNT OF NORMAL SERVICING COULD PREVENT THIS FROM OCCURRING. I'VE CALLED GM RE. THIS & THEY SAY IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE?????? LOSS OF BRAKES IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE ??? THE DEALER CHARGED ME $90. TO CORRECT THEIR PROGRAMMING ERROR.

NHTSA complaint #10179497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES ON THE 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS WERE DEFECTIVE DUE TO A PROGRAM ERROR IN THE ABS COMPUTER SYSTEM PER GENERAL MOTORS. THERE WAS NOT FAILURE TO DATE, BUT THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED. GENERAL MOTORS HAS THREE (3) SERVICE BULLETINS TO DATE CONCERNING THESE BRAKES. 03-05-25-003, 02-05-25-005, 05-05-25-002. *AK UPDATED 2/22/2007 - THE BRAKES FAILED. GM REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER THROUGH THE DEALER. *NM* UPDATED 02/22/07.

NHTSA complaint #10179491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

STARTED TO HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE. THEN VEHICLE WOULD NOT BACK UP. CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FOUND LOW. ADDED FLUID (1 QUART) AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE, BUT SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN PARK. IT CREEPS AHEAD OR BACK ON UNEVEN GROUND SEVERAL FEET. CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND DROPPED VEHICLE OFF TO DEALER WHOM I BOUGHT IT. THEY HAD IT FOR A DAY AND CALLED TO HAVE ME PICK IT UP. THEY HAD A BILL FOR ME AND TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I TOLD THEM THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG AND THE MANAGER BROUGHT THE MECHANIC OUT AND HE CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. I TOLD THEM THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLS IN PARK. MECHANIC SAID NO WAY AND I SAID I'LL SHOW YOU. SO I TOOK THEM FOR A RIDE OUT BACK OF THE SHOP TO A SLIGHT HILL AND PARKED ON SAID HILL, IN PARK, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED SLOWLY DOWN THE HILL. MECHANIC SAID HE NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THEY ARE FIXING THE VEHICLE AND I ASKED FOR A DETAILED LIST OF WHAT WAS WRONG AND THE FAXED ME A QUOTE WITH PRICE ONLY.

NHTSA complaint #10161433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.