2003 Chevrolet Express 3500 problems

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES PREMATURELY DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT THE BUCKLES FAILED TO LOCK THE SEAT BELTS TO SECURE A PASSENGER. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT A SEAT BELT RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED IN 2016, BUT THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THAT THE REMEDY MAY NOT HAVE PROVIDED A SOLUTION. THE DEALER (MARSHFIELD CHEVROLET, 14963 MO-38, MARSHFIELD, MO 65706, (866) 218-7896) WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED FOUR TSBS AND THREE RECALLS FOR THE SEAT BELTS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TT

NHTSA complaint #11072389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, ALL ELECTRICAL STOPPED, DISCOVERED THAT THE IGNITION HAD TURNED OFF BY ITSELF AND CAUSED A LOSS OF ALL POWER CREATING DANGEROUS STEERING AND STOPPING SITUATION.. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AND STOPPED VEHICLE. TOOK THE TRUCK TO CHEVROLET DEALER IN SARASOTA RT. 41 AND BEE RIDGE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT PART OF RECALL. THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE, IT HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE OTHER DEFECTIVE VEHICLES MAYBE THEY DON'T WANT TO INCREASED THEIR PROBLEMS WITH ANOTHER YEAR AND MODEL. PLEASE HELP, I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MY TRUCK FOR WORK AND AM LOSING MONEY AND CUSTOMERS, AS I AM A GENERAL ONE MAN CONTRACTOR. PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA complaint #10619440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE MAF CENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,500.

NHTSA complaint #10482191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN THE VEHICLE FUEL TANK IS FILLED, GAS FUMES ARE DETECTED AND SOME FUEL CAN BE SEEN ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK (A FEW DROPS OF FUEL). AS THE TANK CONTENTS LOWER THE SMELL AND LEAK GOES AWAY. AN ACCESS HOLE ON THE SIDE OF THE VAN REVEALS THAT THE TANK HAS A SMALL LEAK WHERE THE PLASTIC FILL NECK WAS BONDED TO THE TANK. THE STEEL FILL NECK AND RUBBER CONNECTION LOOK FINE. THIS IS A CONVERSION VAN W/O A LEFT HAND DOOR. THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT FROM A SOUTHERN CLIMATE AREA AND IS ONLY RECENTLY BEEN BROUGHT TO A NORTHERN CLIMATE SO CORROSION IS NOT SUSPECTED. SINCE I SEE NO RECALL OR MANY COMPLAINTS, I AM LOOKING TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE TANK. CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR A SEAL MATERIAL THAT COULD BE APPLIED TO THE LEAK AND THAT WORKS ON POLYURETHANE AND RESISTS FUEL. HAVE NOT FOUND ONE. THE VEHICLE IS WELL OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THIS DOES SEEM TO PRESENT A SAFETY ISSUE. SHORT TERM SOLUTION IS TO NOT FILL THE TANK.

NHTSA complaint #10482034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT LATCH AND ONE OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS WAS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V558000 (SEAT BELTS). THE RECURRING FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,030 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,040. UPDATED 01/20/12*LJ UPDATED 01/20/12

NHTSA complaint #10439884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

GAS LEAKING FROM FUEL FILLER PIPE ONTO INSIDE OF WHEEL WELL AND GROUND. EXAMINATION REVEALS DESIGN OF PIPE ASSEMBLY (METAL PIPE INSIDE CORRUGATED PLASTIC TUBE), TRAPS CONDENSATION AND WATER AROUND METAL PIPE GUARANTEEING RUST AND LEAKS. MAY BE WORSE IN HIGH HUMIDITY REGIONS BUT SAME ASSEMBLY IS OPEN TO WATER SPLASHED UP FROM ROAD. THIS MAY ONLY OCCUR ON CARGO VANS WITH LEFT HAND DOOR OPTION. UPDATED 08/11/11 *BF

NHTSA complaint #10413568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

GAS LEAKING FROM FUEL FILLER PIPE ONTO INSIDE OF WHEEL WELL AND GROUND. EXAMINATION REVEALS DESIGN OF PIPE ASSEMBLY (METAL PIPE INSIDE CORRUGATED PLASTIC TUBE), TRAPS CONDENSATION AND WATER AROUND METAL PIPE GUARANTEEING RUST AND LEAKS. MAY BE WORSE IN HIGH HUMIDITY REGIONS BUT SAME ASSEMBLY IS OPEN TO WATER SPLASHED UP FROM ROAD. THIS MAY ONLY OCCUR ON CARGO VANS WITH LEFT HAND DOOR OPTION. UPDATED 08/11/11 *BF

NHTSA complaint #10413568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE CORRODED. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD COVER 50% OF THE REPAIR COST FOR THE ROTORS; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BRAKE PADS AND ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN REGULARLY, THE COMPONENTS COULD CORRODE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 38,000.

NHTSA complaint #10254141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I PURCHASED MY 2003 CHEVY EXPRESS 3500 IN 2003. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN THERE IS A FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND ARE TWO PASSENGER DOORS ON THE SIDE OF THE VAN. IN FIVE YEARS TIME I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE SIDE PASSENGER DOOR HINGE SEIZING UP AND NOW I CAN'T OPEN THE LEFT SIDE DOOR AND IT IS IMPROPERLY SEATED IN THE DOOR OPENING, I NOW DO NOT HAVE A TIGHT SEAL AND THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR CANNOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IN AN EMERGENCY THE LEFT SIDE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED.

NHTSA complaint #10228721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.