2003 Chevrolet Express problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Chevrolet Express. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 156,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on July 2, 2024, was 258,051.

NHTSA complaint #11724984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE FRAME AND ITS CROSSMEMBERS ARE RUSTED (ROTTED) THRU ABOVE THE GAS TANK MAKING THE VAN USELESS. THE GAS TANK IS EVEN ATTACHED AT THOSE AREAS MAKING IT A TICKING TIME BOMB. THIS IS A KNOW GM FRAME PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS ON MANY TRUCK BODIES.

NHTSA complaint #11163653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABLE THAT HELD THE SEAT BELTS TOGETHER, LOCATED IN THE REAR MIDDLE ROW, SNAPPED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT SECURE PROPERLY AND CAUSE AN INJURY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HINGES FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WERE GLUED SHUT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,000. UPDATED 10/17*LJ UPDATED 10/4/18

NHTSA complaint #11013927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABLE THAT HELD THE SEAT BELTS TOGETHER, LOCATED IN THE REAR MIDDLE ROW, SNAPPED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT SECURE PROPERLY AND CAUSE AN INJURY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HINGES FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WERE GLUED SHUT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,000. UPDATED 10/17*LJ UPDATED 10/4/18

NHTSA complaint #11013927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN OVER 30 MPH OVER A BUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTROL ARMS, THE PITMAN ARM, THE TIRES AND THE HUBS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ....UPDATED 07/22/15 *BF UPDATED 10/4/2017

NHTSA complaint #10703964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM GM ( DOC ID #32202443, #12167 FUEL FILLER PIPE CORROSION) STATING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR LEAKING GASOLINE. I BROUGHT IT TO SIGHN CHEVROLET IN RIVERSIDE CA AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT CA VEHICLES DO NOT QUALIFY. I CONTACTED CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS CASE # [XXX] AND ALL THEY DID WAS CALL THE SAME SERVICE MANAGER AND GOT BACK TO ME SAYING THEY WON'T FIX IT. I BELIEVE I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH A VEHICLE LEAKING GAS ON THE ROAD CREATING AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY FAMILY WITH A DIRE FIRE HAZARD. MY CONTENTION IS, WHY WOULD THEY SEND ME A RECALL NOTICE AND THEN TELL ME I DON'T QUALIFY? I DID RECEIVE THE NOTICE AND IT SAID IT HAD TO BE ACTED ON BEFORE 12/31/12 BUT IT WAS NOT LEAKING THEN. I DON'T CARE WHEN IT EXPIRES. IT IS A ADMITTED DEFECT AND GM SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR DANGEROUS ERRORS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

NHTSA complaint #10678717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

MY SPEEDOMETER QUICKLY JUMPS FROM ONE INDICATED SPEED TO ANOTHER SPEED THAT IS CLEARLY INACCURATE, DOWN AS LOW AS -0- WHILE DRIVING, ACCOMPANIED BY THE TRANSMISSION ATTEMPTING TO DOWNSHIFT ON IT'S OWN, WHICH CAUSES A SEVERE ENGINE OVER-REV CONDITION OR GOING INTO A NEUTRAL MOMENTARILY WITH NO INPUT FROM ME AS THE DRIVER. THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC ACTIONS I CAN TAKE TO TRIGGER THE ERRATIC SYMPTOM, NOR ANY SPECIFIC ACTION I CAN TAKE TO CAUSE NORMAL OPERATION. WITH SNOW AND ICE ON THE ROADS AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT COULD CAUSE THE VAN TO LOCK UP THE REAR WHEELS ON SLIPPERY PAVEMENT CAUSING LACK OF CONTROL. THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT CRUISE CONTROL IS SELECTED, REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR I MANUALLY SELECT, AND REGARDLESS OF THE TRAILER MODE BEING SELECTED OR NOT. SIMULTANEOUSLY THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT GOES ON, THE "ABS LIGHT" AND "BRAKES" LIGHTS ARE LIT ON THE DASHBOARD ALTHOUGH NO BRAKING ABNORMALITIES ARE NOTED. I REPORTED A LESS SEVERE CASE OF THIS SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, BUT RECEIVED NO REPLY FROM THE NHTSA. DOING INTERNET RESEARCH I FIND THAT IT MAY BE A DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER DASHBOARD ASSEMBLY THAT WOULD NEED TO BE SENT AWAY FOR REPAIR/EXCHANGE. THEY REQUIRE A LARGE DEPOSIT IN ORDER TO GO THRU THE VERIFICATION PROCESS THAT THE ODOMETER READING I REPORT IS THE SAME AS THE UNIT I SEND IN. PART COST WITH DEPOSIT IS CLOSE TO $600, AND THEY SHOW AN ONLINE INTERNET VIDEO OF HOW TO REMOVE THE DASHBOARD UNIT WHICH TAKES LESS THAN 3 MINUTES. I'VE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER SINCE NEW, AND IT HAS LESS THAN 17,000 ACTUAL MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10667542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY SPEEDOMETER QUICKLY JUMPS FROM ONE INDICATED SPEED TO ANOTHER SPEED THAT IS CLEARLY INACCURATE, DOWN AS LOW AS -0- WHILE DRIVING, ACCOMPANIED BY THE TRANSMISSION ATTEMPTING TO DOWNSHIFT ON IT'S OWN, WHICH CAUSES A SEVERE ENGINE OVER-REV CONDITION OR GOING INTO A NEUTRAL MOMENTARILY WITH NO INPUT FROM ME AS THE DRIVER. THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC ACTIONS I CAN TAKE TO TRIGGER THE ERRATIC SYMPTOM, NOR ANY SPECIFIC ACTION I CAN TAKE TO CAUSE NORMAL OPERATION. WITH SNOW AND ICE ON THE ROADS AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT COULD CAUSE THE VAN TO LOCK UP THE REAR WHEELS ON SLIPPERY PAVEMENT CAUSING LACK OF CONTROL. THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT CRUISE CONTROL IS SELECTED, REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR I MANUALLY SELECT, AND REGARDLESS OF THE TRAILER MODE BEING SELECTED OR NOT. SIMULTANEOUSLY THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT GOES ON, THE "ABS LIGHT" AND "BRAKES" LIGHTS ARE LIT ON THE DASHBOARD ALTHOUGH NO BRAKING ABNORMALITIES ARE NOTED. I REPORTED A LESS SEVERE CASE OF THIS SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, BUT RECEIVED NO REPLY FROM THE NHTSA. DOING INTERNET RESEARCH I FIND THAT IT MAY BE A DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER DASHBOARD ASSEMBLY THAT WOULD NEED TO BE SENT AWAY FOR REPAIR/EXCHANGE. THEY REQUIRE A LARGE DEPOSIT IN ORDER TO GO THRU THE VERIFICATION PROCESS THAT THE ODOMETER READING I REPORT IS THE SAME AS THE UNIT I SEND IN. PART COST WITH DEPOSIT IS CLOSE TO $600, AND THEY SHOW AN ONLINE INTERNET VIDEO OF HOW TO REMOVE THE DASHBOARD UNIT WHICH TAKES LESS THAN 3 MINUTES. I'VE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER SINCE NEW, AND IT HAS LESS THAN 17,000 ACTUAL MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10667542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, FUEL PUDDLE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FILLER NECK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE METAL FUEL FILLER PIPE WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V388000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,500.

NHTSA complaint #10630304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED JUMPING ERRATICALLY FROM ACTUAL SPEED TO LOWER SPEEDS 45, 25 + OTHERS AS LOW AS 8 (EIGHT) MPH. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT UNPREDICTABLY, OVER-REVVING THE ENGINE SPEED. IT HAPPENED REPEATEDLY SO I DOCUMENTED THE ODOMETER ERRATIC MOVEMENT ON MY CELL PHONE AS A VIDEO, SHOWING ROAD MOVEMENT + ALL GAUGES + AUDIO EVENTS LIKE ENGINE OVER-REVVING AT SAME TIME. THE VIDEO IS OF HIGH QUALITY AND THE EVENTS TAKING PLACE ARE DOCUMENTED WITH THE VIDEO. RURAL AREA WITH FEW CARS ON ROAD AT THE TIME. IF IT TOOK PLACE IN A CITY INTERSTATE ENVIRONMENT (ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS) IT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED A MULTIPLE CAR COLLISION WITH SUDDEN UNEXPECTED DOWNSHIFTING THAT WAS OUT OF MY CONTROL. ENGINE RPM ALSO HUNTS ERRATICALLY AND OUT OF MY CONTROL. PREDICTABLE IN WHAT IT DOES, IT BEGINS APPROXIMATELY WITHIN A RANGE OF 4-8 MILES AFTER LEAVING HOME DAILY. WHEN ENGINE TURNED OFF AND PARKED AT A LOCAL STORE AS AN EXAMPLE, IT WILL CLEAR IT'S PROBLEM AS IF A CPU IS "RE-BOOTED", AND REPEAT THE CYCLE OF ERRATIC BEHAVIOR FROM THAT NEW STARTING POINT. WHEN I BOUGHT + INSTALLED ACTRON BRAND OBD-II CODE READER WHICH FEATURES ABILITY TO REVEAL ABS BRAKE CODES, IT NEVER SHOWS ANY OTHER STORED CODES EXCEPT A SINGLE PO446 WHICH IS AN EMISSIONS RELATED CODE. THIS VAN WAS ORIGINALLY SENT NEW BY THE SELLING NH CHEVROLET DEALER TO THE PENNSYLVANIA BASED QUIGLEY CONVERSION FACILITY, SO IN FEBRUARY 2004 WAS MODIFIED FROM RWD TO A 4WD BY EXCHANGING STOCK MODEL 2500 FRONT END FOR A 4 WD PICKUP TRUCK NEW FACTORY FRONT END WITH 4WDL, NEUTRAL, 2WDH 4WDH FLOOR CONTROL LEVER. THE DRIVER'S DOOR JAM HAS AN 8600 LB GVW CERTIFICATION WHICH IS APPROPRIATELY QUIGLEY'S. MY VERY LOW ODOMETER AT 16,614 MILES IS ACCURATE, AS I ALSO HAVE OTHER VEHICLES TO USE, AND WORK AT HOME.

NHTSA complaint #10629518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED JUMPING ERRATICALLY FROM ACTUAL SPEED TO LOWER SPEEDS 45, 25 + OTHERS AS LOW AS 8 (EIGHT) MPH. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT UNPREDICTABLY, OVER-REVVING THE ENGINE SPEED. IT HAPPENED REPEATEDLY SO I DOCUMENTED THE ODOMETER ERRATIC MOVEMENT ON MY CELL PHONE AS A VIDEO, SHOWING ROAD MOVEMENT + ALL GAUGES + AUDIO EVENTS LIKE ENGINE OVER-REVVING AT SAME TIME. THE VIDEO IS OF HIGH QUALITY AND THE EVENTS TAKING PLACE ARE DOCUMENTED WITH THE VIDEO. RURAL AREA WITH FEW CARS ON ROAD AT THE TIME. IF IT TOOK PLACE IN A CITY INTERSTATE ENVIRONMENT (ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS) IT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED A MULTIPLE CAR COLLISION WITH SUDDEN UNEXPECTED DOWNSHIFTING THAT WAS OUT OF MY CONTROL. ENGINE RPM ALSO HUNTS ERRATICALLY AND OUT OF MY CONTROL. PREDICTABLE IN WHAT IT DOES, IT BEGINS APPROXIMATELY WITHIN A RANGE OF 4-8 MILES AFTER LEAVING HOME DAILY. WHEN ENGINE TURNED OFF AND PARKED AT A LOCAL STORE AS AN EXAMPLE, IT WILL CLEAR IT'S PROBLEM AS IF A CPU IS "RE-BOOTED", AND REPEAT THE CYCLE OF ERRATIC BEHAVIOR FROM THAT NEW STARTING POINT. WHEN I BOUGHT + INSTALLED ACTRON BRAND OBD-II CODE READER WHICH FEATURES ABILITY TO REVEAL ABS BRAKE CODES, IT NEVER SHOWS ANY OTHER STORED CODES EXCEPT A SINGLE PO446 WHICH IS AN EMISSIONS RELATED CODE. THIS VAN WAS ORIGINALLY SENT NEW BY THE SELLING NH CHEVROLET DEALER TO THE PENNSYLVANIA BASED QUIGLEY CONVERSION FACILITY, SO IN FEBRUARY 2004 WAS MODIFIED FROM RWD TO A 4WD BY EXCHANGING STOCK MODEL 2500 FRONT END FOR A 4 WD PICKUP TRUCK NEW FACTORY FRONT END WITH 4WDL, NEUTRAL, 2WDH 4WDH FLOOR CONTROL LEVER. THE DRIVER'S DOOR JAM HAS AN 8600 LB GVW CERTIFICATION WHICH IS APPROPRIATELY QUIGLEY'S. MY VERY LOW ODOMETER AT 16,614 MILES IS ACCURATE, AS I ALSO HAVE OTHER VEHICLES TO USE, AND WORK AT HOME.

NHTSA complaint #10629518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED JUMPING ERRATICALLY FROM ACTUAL SPEED TO LOWER SPEEDS 45, 25 + OTHERS AS LOW AS 8 (EIGHT) MPH. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT UNPREDICTABLY, OVER-REVVING THE ENGINE SPEED. IT HAPPENED REPEATEDLY SO I DOCUMENTED THE ODOMETER ERRATIC MOVEMENT ON MY CELL PHONE AS A VIDEO, SHOWING ROAD MOVEMENT + ALL GAUGES + AUDIO EVENTS LIKE ENGINE OVER-REVVING AT SAME TIME. THE VIDEO IS OF HIGH QUALITY AND THE EVENTS TAKING PLACE ARE DOCUMENTED WITH THE VIDEO. RURAL AREA WITH FEW CARS ON ROAD AT THE TIME. IF IT TOOK PLACE IN A CITY INTERSTATE ENVIRONMENT (ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS) IT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED A MULTIPLE CAR COLLISION WITH SUDDEN UNEXPECTED DOWNSHIFTING THAT WAS OUT OF MY CONTROL. ENGINE RPM ALSO HUNTS ERRATICALLY AND OUT OF MY CONTROL. PREDICTABLE IN WHAT IT DOES, IT BEGINS APPROXIMATELY WITHIN A RANGE OF 4-8 MILES AFTER LEAVING HOME DAILY. WHEN ENGINE TURNED OFF AND PARKED AT A LOCAL STORE AS AN EXAMPLE, IT WILL CLEAR IT'S PROBLEM AS IF A CPU IS "RE-BOOTED", AND REPEAT THE CYCLE OF ERRATIC BEHAVIOR FROM THAT NEW STARTING POINT. WHEN I BOUGHT + INSTALLED ACTRON BRAND OBD-II CODE READER WHICH FEATURES ABILITY TO REVEAL ABS BRAKE CODES, IT NEVER SHOWS ANY OTHER STORED CODES EXCEPT A SINGLE PO446 WHICH IS AN EMISSIONS RELATED CODE. THIS VAN WAS ORIGINALLY SENT NEW BY THE SELLING NH CHEVROLET DEALER TO THE PENNSYLVANIA BASED QUIGLEY CONVERSION FACILITY, SO IN FEBRUARY 2004 WAS MODIFIED FROM RWD TO A 4WD BY EXCHANGING STOCK MODEL 2500 FRONT END FOR A 4 WD PICKUP TRUCK NEW FACTORY FRONT END WITH 4WDL, NEUTRAL, 2WDH 4WDH FLOOR CONTROL LEVER. THE DRIVER'S DOOR JAM HAS AN 8600 LB GVW CERTIFICATION WHICH IS APPROPRIATELY QUIGLEY'S. MY VERY LOW ODOMETER AT 16,614 MILES IS ACCURATE, AS I ALSO HAVE OTHER VEHICLES TO USE, AND WORK AT HOME.

NHTSA complaint #10629518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW BUT UNBEKNOWNST TO ME WAS MADE IN CANADA (SOMETHING WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ACCEPTABLE TO ME HAD I BEEN TOLD). UPON POSSESSION THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING CAME OFF ON THE RIDE HOME. THE DRIVER SIDE TIEROD END WENT AT 12,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 24,000 MILES BECAUSE UPON INSPECTION THE BALL JOINTS WERE NEVER PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE BOLTS ON THE TRANSMISSION WERE FOUND BY THE DEALER TO HAVE BEEN NEVER PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE SIDEDOOR HINGE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $600 BECAUSE IT FROZE UP AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE POWER STEERING UNIT RUSTED OUT AT 12,000 MILES AND STARTED LEAKING FLUID AND, WHAT I FIND MOST IMPORTANT, I AM NOT SURE IF I HAVE AIRBAGS BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON BUT IS NOTED TO GO OFF WHEN THE KEY IS PARTIALLY TURNED HOWEVER THE KEY CANNOT STAY IN THIS POSITION AND MUST BE TURNED TO START THE VEHICLE. FUEL EXPECTATION WAS NEVER NEAR WHAT I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AND TAILPIPE CONSISTENTLY SHOWED EVIDENCE OF BEING BLACKENED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT FUEL BURNING. THE POOR BACKDOOR DESIGN MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW AND IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT BY ALMOST EVERY VAN OF THIS TYPE HAVING A DENTED BUMPER DUE TO THIS BLINDSPOT IN DESIGN. I HAVE NOT BEGUN TO LIST ALL THE THINGS NOT RIGHT WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT I WILL CHALK THEM UP TO DOWNRIGHT LYING AND JUST INFERIOR PARTS AND CRAFTSMENSHIP. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE.

NHTSA complaint #10588771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW BUT UNBEKNOWNST TO ME WAS MADE IN CANADA (SOMETHING WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ACCEPTABLE TO ME HAD I BEEN TOLD). UPON POSSESSION THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING CAME OFF ON THE RIDE HOME. THE DRIVER SIDE TIEROD END WENT AT 12,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 24,000 MILES BECAUSE UPON INSPECTION THE BALL JOINTS WERE NEVER PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE BOLTS ON THE TRANSMISSION WERE FOUND BY THE DEALER TO HAVE BEEN NEVER PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE SIDEDOOR HINGE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $600 BECAUSE IT FROZE UP AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE POWER STEERING UNIT RUSTED OUT AT 12,000 MILES AND STARTED LEAKING FLUID AND, WHAT I FIND MOST IMPORTANT, I AM NOT SURE IF I HAVE AIRBAGS BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON BUT IS NOTED TO GO OFF WHEN THE KEY IS PARTIALLY TURNED HOWEVER THE KEY CANNOT STAY IN THIS POSITION AND MUST BE TURNED TO START THE VEHICLE. FUEL EXPECTATION WAS NEVER NEAR WHAT I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AND TAILPIPE CONSISTENTLY SHOWED EVIDENCE OF BEING BLACKENED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT FUEL BURNING. THE POOR BACKDOOR DESIGN MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW AND IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT BY ALMOST EVERY VAN OF THIS TYPE HAVING A DENTED BUMPER DUE TO THIS BLINDSPOT IN DESIGN. I HAVE NOT BEGUN TO LIST ALL THE THINGS NOT RIGHT WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT I WILL CHALK THEM UP TO DOWNRIGHT LYING AND JUST INFERIOR PARTS AND CRAFTSMENSHIP. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE.

NHTSA complaint #10588771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW BUT UNBEKNOWNST TO ME WAS MADE IN CANADA (SOMETHING WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ACCEPTABLE TO ME HAD I BEEN TOLD). UPON POSSESSION THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING CAME OFF ON THE RIDE HOME. THE DRIVER SIDE TIEROD END WENT AT 12,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 24,000 MILES BECAUSE UPON INSPECTION THE BALL JOINTS WERE NEVER PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE BOLTS ON THE TRANSMISSION WERE FOUND BY THE DEALER TO HAVE BEEN NEVER PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE SIDEDOOR HINGE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $600 BECAUSE IT FROZE UP AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE POWER STEERING UNIT RUSTED OUT AT 12,000 MILES AND STARTED LEAKING FLUID AND, WHAT I FIND MOST IMPORTANT, I AM NOT SURE IF I HAVE AIRBAGS BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON BUT IS NOTED TO GO OFF WHEN THE KEY IS PARTIALLY TURNED HOWEVER THE KEY CANNOT STAY IN THIS POSITION AND MUST BE TURNED TO START THE VEHICLE. FUEL EXPECTATION WAS NEVER NEAR WHAT I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AND TAILPIPE CONSISTENTLY SHOWED EVIDENCE OF BEING BLACKENED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT FUEL BURNING. THE POOR BACKDOOR DESIGN MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW AND IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT BY ALMOST EVERY VAN OF THIS TYPE HAVING A DENTED BUMPER DUE TO THIS BLINDSPOT IN DESIGN. I HAVE NOT BEGUN TO LIST ALL THE THINGS NOT RIGHT WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT I WILL CHALK THEM UP TO DOWNRIGHT LYING AND JUST INFERIOR PARTS AND CRAFTSMENSHIP. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE.

NHTSA complaint #10588771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW BUT UNBEKNOWNST TO ME WAS MADE IN CANADA (SOMETHING WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ACCEPTABLE TO ME HAD I BEEN TOLD). UPON POSSESSION THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING CAME OFF ON THE RIDE HOME. THE DRIVER SIDE TIEROD END WENT AT 12,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 24,000 MILES BECAUSE UPON INSPECTION THE BALL JOINTS WERE NEVER PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE BOLTS ON THE TRANSMISSION WERE FOUND BY THE DEALER TO HAVE BEEN NEVER PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE SIDEDOOR HINGE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $600 BECAUSE IT FROZE UP AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE POWER STEERING UNIT RUSTED OUT AT 12,000 MILES AND STARTED LEAKING FLUID AND, WHAT I FIND MOST IMPORTANT, I AM NOT SURE IF I HAVE AIRBAGS BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON BUT IS NOTED TO GO OFF WHEN THE KEY IS PARTIALLY TURNED HOWEVER THE KEY CANNOT STAY IN THIS POSITION AND MUST BE TURNED TO START THE VEHICLE. FUEL EXPECTATION WAS NEVER NEAR WHAT I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AND TAILPIPE CONSISTENTLY SHOWED EVIDENCE OF BEING BLACKENED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT FUEL BURNING. THE POOR BACKDOOR DESIGN MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW AND IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT BY ALMOST EVERY VAN OF THIS TYPE HAVING A DENTED BUMPER DUE TO THIS BLINDSPOT IN DESIGN. I HAVE NOT BEGUN TO LIST ALL THE THINGS NOT RIGHT WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT I WILL CHALK THEM UP TO DOWNRIGHT LYING AND JUST INFERIOR PARTS AND CRAFTSMENSHIP. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE.

NHTSA complaint #10588771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW BUT UNBEKNOWNST TO ME WAS MADE IN CANADA (SOMETHING WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ACCEPTABLE TO ME HAD I BEEN TOLD). UPON POSSESSION THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING CAME OFF ON THE RIDE HOME. THE DRIVER SIDE TIEROD END WENT AT 12,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 24,000 MILES BECAUSE UPON INSPECTION THE BALL JOINTS WERE NEVER PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE BOLTS ON THE TRANSMISSION WERE FOUND BY THE DEALER TO HAVE BEEN NEVER PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE SIDEDOOR HINGE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $600 BECAUSE IT FROZE UP AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE POWER STEERING UNIT RUSTED OUT AT 12,000 MILES AND STARTED LEAKING FLUID AND, WHAT I FIND MOST IMPORTANT, I AM NOT SURE IF I HAVE AIRBAGS BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON BUT IS NOTED TO GO OFF WHEN THE KEY IS PARTIALLY TURNED HOWEVER THE KEY CANNOT STAY IN THIS POSITION AND MUST BE TURNED TO START THE VEHICLE. FUEL EXPECTATION WAS NEVER NEAR WHAT I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AND TAILPIPE CONSISTENTLY SHOWED EVIDENCE OF BEING BLACKENED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT FUEL BURNING. THE POOR BACKDOOR DESIGN MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW AND IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT BY ALMOST EVERY VAN OF THIS TYPE HAVING A DENTED BUMPER DUE TO THIS BLINDSPOT IN DESIGN. I HAVE NOT BEGUN TO LIST ALL THE THINGS NOT RIGHT WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT I WILL CHALK THEM UP TO DOWNRIGHT LYING AND JUST INFERIOR PARTS AND CRAFTSMENSHIP. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE.

NHTSA complaint #10588771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW BUT UNBEKNOWNST TO ME WAS MADE IN CANADA (SOMETHING WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ACCEPTABLE TO ME HAD I BEEN TOLD). UPON POSSESSION THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING CAME OFF ON THE RIDE HOME. THE DRIVER SIDE TIEROD END WENT AT 12,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 24,000 MILES BECAUSE UPON INSPECTION THE BALL JOINTS WERE NEVER PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE BOLTS ON THE TRANSMISSION WERE FOUND BY THE DEALER TO HAVE BEEN NEVER PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE SIDEDOOR HINGE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $600 BECAUSE IT FROZE UP AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE POWER STEERING UNIT RUSTED OUT AT 12,000 MILES AND STARTED LEAKING FLUID AND, WHAT I FIND MOST IMPORTANT, I AM NOT SURE IF I HAVE AIRBAGS BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON BUT IS NOTED TO GO OFF WHEN THE KEY IS PARTIALLY TURNED HOWEVER THE KEY CANNOT STAY IN THIS POSITION AND MUST BE TURNED TO START THE VEHICLE. FUEL EXPECTATION WAS NEVER NEAR WHAT I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AND TAILPIPE CONSISTENTLY SHOWED EVIDENCE OF BEING BLACKENED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT FUEL BURNING. THE POOR BACKDOOR DESIGN MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW AND IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT BY ALMOST EVERY VAN OF THIS TYPE HAVING A DENTED BUMPER DUE TO THIS BLINDSPOT IN DESIGN. I HAVE NOT BEGUN TO LIST ALL THE THINGS NOT RIGHT WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT I WILL CHALK THEM UP TO DOWNRIGHT LYING AND JUST INFERIOR PARTS AND CRAFTSMENSHIP. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE.

NHTSA complaint #10588771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN ONE WEEK THE ENGINE RACED TO MAX RPM WITHOUT A THROTTLE INPUT. HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO SLOW DOWN WITH THE BRAKES. THE FIRST TIME (35MPH SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT) WENT TO NEUTRAL, FOOT ON BRAKE AND BACK TO DRIVE, THE ENGINE RESPONDED NORMALLY. LAST NIGHT THE ENGINE RACED TO MAX RPM AGAIN 100 FEET FROM MY PARKING SPOT GOING LESS THAN 5MPH WENT TO NEUTRAL BACK TO DRIVE NO CHANGE IN ENGINE SPEED BACK TO NEUTRAL GLIDE TO PARKING SPOT TURNED ENGINE OFF. NO WARNING WHEN THE MAX ENGINE REV WOULD BEGIN, ONE WAS SLOW SPEED THE OTHER MODERATE SPEED, TEMP 75 ONE DAY, TEMP 45 YESTERDAY. WORKED FINE TODAY. WORRIED THE PROBLEM IS NOT REPEATABLE OR CAN BE FOUND USING A CODE READER. WORRIED THAT THE ONLY WAY NOW TO STOP MAX ENGINE RPM IS BY TURNING ENGINE OFF, NOT SAFE WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE.

NHTSA complaint #10583405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS CONVERSION VAN. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, ALL OF THE GAUGES AND ELECTRICAL FEATURES FAILED HOWEVER, THE LIGHT FUNCTIONS REMAINED OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 5/22/14

NHTSA complaint #10578288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

DRIVER A NOTICED LACK OF PRESSURE IN BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT FULLY TO THE FLOOR AND RESULTED IN LESS BRAKING THAN EXPECTED. DRIVER REDUCED SPEED BY DOWNSHIFTING TO LOWER GEARS (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND PULLED INTO FIRST AVAILABLE PARKING AREA. BY PUMPING THE BRAKES AND PULLING INTO AN UPHILL PARKING SPOT, DRIVER ACHIEVED ENOUGH BRAKING TO COME TO A FULL STOP WITHOUT USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. INSPECTION SHOWED A NEARLY FULL BRAKE RESERVOIR AND NO LEAKAGE FROM WHEEL CYLINDERS. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED LEAKING FLUID FROM BRAKE LINE ON LEFT SIDE UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT AND ABOVE THE VEHICLE FRAME. IT SQUIRTED OUT FROM A CRACK IN A BRAKE LINE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUMPED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10556819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY 2003 CHEVY EXPRESS 2500 CARGO VAN WAS IN EVENING RUSH HOUR STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. AFTER REDUCING MY SPEED TO 10 MPH THEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND BEGAN TO IDLE ROUGH AND SHUT-OFF. I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE. I HAD TO CONTINUE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND PRESS THE GAS TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM SHUTTING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I HAD THE PLUGS AND WIRES CHANGE THE VERY NEXT DAY AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THIS COULD HAVE TURNED INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND AN IMMEDIATE RECALL NOTICE SHOULD BE PUT INTO EFFECT TO PREVENT A MAJOR ACCIDENT WHICH COULD LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FATALITY. THIS IS DANGEROUS! I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE CHEVY EXPRESS OWNER'S WITH THE SAME CONCERN. GM SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THE CUSTOMERS WHO SUPPORT THEIR BRAND AND PRODUCT.

NHTSA complaint #10523793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED A LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE WOULD PUT REFUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FUEL FILLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,600.

NHTSA complaint #10484524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

DURING A FAMILY OUTING WE WERE UNABLE TO CLOSE THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR. EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY CLOSING DOOR. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, I NOTICED THE DOOR WAS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE BODY OF THE CAR WHICH PROHIBITED THE DOOR LATCH TO CONNECT AND CLOSE. THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE SHUT COMPLETELY AND HAS SINCE KNOCKED WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS BECAUSE IT IS PRIMARY EXIT FOR THE REAR EXIT TO THE SIDEWALK FORCING PASSENGERS TO EXIT FROM THE REAR LEFT DOOR PASSENGER DOOR ONTO THE STREET TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC THAT CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENT, BODILY INJURY OR FATALITY. NO PRIOR MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS OR SUGGESTED UPKEEP WAS DOCUMENTED IN THE BUYERS MANUAL WHICH CAME WITH THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD INDICATE POSSIBLE HINGE CORROSION OR RUSTING. POSSIBLE PIN DEFECT DETECTED BY CERTIFIED DEALER ON 10/7/2012, WHEN TAKEN IN FOR SAFETY RECALL ON FUEL FILLER PIPE RECALL 12166 CAMPAIGN ID#12V388. MULTIPLE COMPLAINT FOR HINGE/PINS HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED IN COMPLAINTS ON SAFERCAR.ORG WEBSITE FOR 2003 CHEVY EXPRESS VAN. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED TO AVOID ACCIDENTAL DEATHS DUE TO INOPERABLE ACCESS TO SIDEWALK FROM THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR.

NHTSA complaint #10479318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS WORKING UP TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V050000 COMPONENT: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10472768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.