FaultScore

2003 Chevrolet Express fuel system problems

11 of the 75 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Express are about the fuel system — 15% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 111,000 miles.

B

11

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Fuel/Propulsion System 6 54.5%
Fuel System, Gasoline 2 18.2%
Fuel Injection System 1 9.1%
Filler Pipe AND CAP 1 9.1%
Fuel Gauge System 1 9.1%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 72,000 miles Norco, CA

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.

at 153,500 miles Jupiter, FL

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.

Columbiaville, MI

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.

at 126,600 miles Ashburn, VA

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.

at 111,000 miles Burke, VA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL CONTINUOUSLY LEAKED OUT OF THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK IMMEDIATELY AFTER REFUELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK TUBE EXHIBITED RUST CORROSION. THE PART WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V388000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY: FILLER PIPE AND CAP) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA complaint #10471856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 127,000 miles Fredricksburg, VA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS CONVERSION VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE NOTICED A HOLE IN THE FUEL FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 127,000.

NHTSA complaint #10470601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saline, MI

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

2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS FUEL FILLER PIPE LEAK: GAS FILLER TUBE RUSTED THROUGH AND GASOLINE LEAKED EVERY TIME I REFUELED. CORROSION HOLES CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK AND CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. THIS VAN HAS A LEFT SIDE REAR CARGO DOOR. THIS IS A SIMILAR COMPLAINT AS: ODI ID NUMBER : 10413214

NHTSA complaint #10441615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saline, MI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS FUEL FILLER PIPE LEAK: GAS FILLER TUBE RUSTED THROUGH AND GASOLINE LEAKED EVERY TIME I REFUELED. CORROSION HOLES CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK AND CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. THIS VAN HAS A LEFT SIDE REAR CARGO DOOR. THIS IS A SIMILAR COMPLAINT AS: ODI ID NUMBER : 10413214

NHTSA complaint #10441615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Beachwood, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

SINCE OCTOBER OF 08, I ORDERED A FILLER TUBE WHICH ALLOWS THE GAS TO TRAVEL FROM THE GAS CAP TO THE GAS STORAGE TANK. EVERYTIME I FILL UP, GAS STATIONS WILL SHUT THE PUMP OFF DUE TO SEVERE LEAKING FROM THIS FILLER TUBE. THE LEAK IS SO SEVERE THAT THE FEAR IS SOMEBODY DROPPING A CIGARETTE AT THE TIME OF FILLUP. APPROX 1 GAL OF GAS LEAKS/ FILLUP. I ORDERED THE NEW PART IN LATE OCTOBER FROM THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED MY 2003 CHEVY PASSENGER EXPRESS VAN. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE CHEVY REGIONAL OFFICE AND BEEN TOLD THAT THE PART IS ONLY AVAILABLE AT 5 DEALERSHIPS IN THE COUNTRY BUT THEY HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR CUSTOMERS AND I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE PART GETS MANUFACTURED ONCE AGAIN. WHEN? THEY DON'T KNOW. I REQUESTED A SIMILAR VEHICLE BE LOANED TO ME UNTIL THE NEW PART BECOMES AVAILABLE. THEY SAID "NO, IF YOU FEEL UNSAFE THEN I SHOULDN'T DRIVE IT. I TOLD THEM THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND IT WILL NOT ONLY COST MY LIFE BUT ANYONE IN PROXIMITY TO THE GAS STATION. ONE PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP SHARED WITH ME THAT IF GM DOESN'T PAY A BILL FOR WHATEVER REASON, THE PART MANUFACTURER HALTS PRODUCTION AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS. WILL YOU PLEASE HELP ME?

NHTSA complaint #10259377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 49,750 miles Chula Vista, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, IT STALLED WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR WHEN STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP WAS REPLACED. THIS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE.*AK UPDATED 11/7/2005 -

NHTSA complaint #10142926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

King OF Prussia, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

MAIN LINE PARTY RENTALS HAS PURCHASED 2 OF THE 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS VANS. THIS HAS BEEN ABOUT 12 TO 18 MONTHS AGO. BOTH OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE NEEDED THE FUEL TANKS REMOVED TO REPLACE A COMPONENT TO CORRECT NON FUNCTIONING FUEL GAGUES.

NHTSA complaint #10100109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Chevrolet Express problems

← Full 2003 Chevrolet Express report