Chevrolet Astro 2003 — Reported problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V328000 (SUSPENSION) WHILE PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY STEERING KNUCKLE AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. MYRTLE BEACH CHEVROLET (1785 US-501, MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29577) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NO LONGER MADE AND THERE WERE NO AFTER MARKET PARTS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 392,000.

FRONT SUSPENSION ISSUES, ELECTRICAL GAUGES, REPLACEMENT OF FUEL TANK PUMP, DOOR LATCHES FAILING TO OPEN ON SLIDING SIDE DOOR MAKING EXITING OF VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE, RECALL OF 02V328000 UNABLE TO BE CONFIRMED AS HANDLED BY ANY DEALERS.

2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT TIME OF COLLISION. ASTRO VAN WAS HIT ON PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT WHEEL WELL & BUMPER. DRIVER WHO HIT VAN WAS EXCEEDING SPEED LIMIT, APPROXIMATELY DOING CLOSER TO 40 MPH IN A 25 MPH ZONE WHEN THEY HIT OUR VAN. WE WERE JUST STARTING TO PROCEED AFTER A STOP SIGN, BARELY DOING 10 - 15 MPH. THE ASTRO VAN WAS DRAGGED APPROXIMATELY 6-7 FEET INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED, DRIVER WAS INJURED RIGHT SIDE BACK & RIBS BRUISED AND POSSIBLE CONCUSSION HEAD INJURY TO LEFT SIDE OF HEAD DUE TO FORCE OF IMPACT.

I WAS DRIVING PULLING A TRAILER ON THE FREEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE TRAFFIC STOP. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AT A SAFE DISTANCE WHEN SUDDENLY MY BRAKES WHEN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AND STOP. I HAD TO GO THRU THE EMERGENCY LANE. I TOLD MY SON TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE I WAS UNDERNEATH AND THE BRAKE LINES BROKE. THEY WHERE ALL RUSTED OUT. I HAD TO GET A WRECKER TO TAKE IT HOME.IF YOU NEED TO SEE MY VAN CALL ME SO YOU CAN SEE THE BRAKE LINES. *TR

MY SPOUSE WAS DRIVING AND WE WERE STOPPED AT A YARD SALE. WE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AND STARTED TO BACK OUT WHEN SHE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. THEN WHEN SHE WANTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES WERE EXTREME HARD TO OPERATE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH WE LEARNED OF HUNDREDS OF BRAKE MALFUNCTIONS ON SIMILAR VEHICLES AND OTHER CARS THAT USE SIMILAR BRAKE BOOSTER TECHNOLOGY. *TR

I AM COMPLAINING OF THE SAFETY ISSUES REGARDING THE ABS COMPUTER SYSTEM. I HAVE PUT MY VEHICLE IN THE SHOP TO BE CHECKED OUT BY A FEW CAR REPAIR FACILITIES AND ALL HAVE SAID THE SAME THING MY ABS CPU. MY VAN IS HESITATING TERRIBLY AND CAUSING THE VAN TO NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. I HAVE NEARLY BEEN IN THREE ACCIDENTS SINCE THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING. I HAVE ALSO DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE VIA INTERNET AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ACROSS THE USA. AND GM IS BLAMING IT ON THE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN THE NORTH BUT THE PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING TO ASTRO VANS(2003) ACROSS THE ENTIRE US. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 20MPH OR LESS, THE ABS ACTIVATED WITH AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHICH INDICATED A FAILURE IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THIS VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS THIS ISSUE, AND WAS CHECKED BY A REPAIR SHOP. THEY DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM UNDETECTABLE; THE RECALL WAS ON MODELS UP TO 2002. IT SEEMS THAT IT CARRIED OVER TO THIS MODEL, CAN THE DEALER ASSIST IN REPLACING THE PARTS. I WOULD PAY THE LABOR BUT THE PARTS INVOLVED ARE ABOUT $1500.00 FROM THE DEALER ALONE. CAN I GET HELP FROM THE NHTSA TO GET THIS CRITICAL ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE WHEELS WERE TURNED TO THE LEFT. A MECHANIC LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS LOCATED NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD BURNED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *TR

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO RUSTING BRAKE LINES. THE PREVIOUS DAY THIS VEHICLE WAS PULLING A SMALL TRAILER ON A MICHIGAN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND A WET AREA WAS VISIBLE ON THE CONCRETE. IT WAS BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND THAT HAD DRIPPED FROM THE RUSTED BRAKE LINE AND DRAINED THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR. I DISCOVERED THIS WHEN MOVING THE VEHICLE TO TRY AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FLUID LEAK. THE BRAKE LINE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH! FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN THE PREVIOUS DAY AS IT COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN FATAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE GM DEALERSHIP. THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE BRAKE LINES AND NONE ARE AVAILABLE IN THE AFTERMARKET. THE DEALER WANTED OVER $1700 TO REPLACE THE LINES AND SAID THERE MAY BE MORE ITEMS TO REPLACE - POSSIBLY ANOTHER $700 OR MORE. PLUS, FUEL LINES WERE ALSO RUSTING AND THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED TOO. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN A FATAL INCIDENT OR EXTREME DAMAGE AS THE BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY USELESS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE TO STOP IT, EVEN AT A VERY SLOW SPEED. I HAVE HAD OTHER VEHICLES FOR A MUCH LONGER TIME - INCLUDING GM - AND NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. *TR

2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING KNUCKLE/ARM IS DESIGNED IN A WAY THAT CAUSES IT TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH A WIRING HARNESS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED TO THE LEFT *TGW OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE CONSTANT CONTACT DAMAGED THE WIRING HARNESS AND ALLOWED THE STEERING KNUCKLE/ARM TO TOUCH THE WIRES INSIDE THE WIRING HARNESS. THE END RESULT CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER WIRES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM STARTED IN FEBRUARY 2011 WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN WOULD SOMETIMES CAUSE THE RADIO AND THE AC TO DIE. THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ALSO COME ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD SINK TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. TWO WEEKS AGO, WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, EVERYTHING DIED. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART AND NOTHING ELECTRICAL WORKED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNING WIRES. THE CONSUMER WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MANUALLY PUSH UP THE DOOR LOCKS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED HE DISCOVERED A TSB AND FOUND THE STEERING KNUCKLE WAS NOT THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THE BATTERY CABLE RETAINING CLIPS WERE NOT PROPERLY SECURED IN THEIR RETAINING HOLES IN THE ENGINE CRADLE FRAME BELOW THE ENGINE OIL PAN. AS A RESULT, THE BATTERY CABLE MADE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING LINKAGE COMPONENTS AND RUBBED THROUGH THE INSULATION ON THE CABLE. UPDATED 06/01/11

POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THE 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. THE STEERING KNUCKLE/ARM IS DESIGNED IN A WAY THAT CAUSES IT TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH A WIRING HARNESS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THIS CONSTANT CONTACT DAMAGES THE WIRING HARNESS AND ALLOWS THE STEERING KNUCKLE/ARM TO TOUCH THE WIRES INSIDE THE WIRING HARNESS. THE WIRING HARNESS IS CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE BATTERY SO THE END RESULT IS DAMAGE TO OTHER WIRES ALSO SHEATHED IN THAT WIRING HARNESS. TWO WEEKS AGO, WHILE PULLING OUT OF A GROCERY STORE PARKING SPACE, EVERYTHING DIED. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RE-START AND NOTHING ELECTRICAL WORKED, FROM THE DOOR LOCKS TO THE RADIO. EVERYTHING WAS DEAD. WE COULD SMELL BURNING WIRES AND TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE THE DOORS WERE LOCKED WE COULD NOT GET THEM OPEN. WE HAD TO MANUALLY PUSH UP OUR DOOR LOCKS; EACH OF US PUSHING UP THE LOCK OF OUR OWN DOOR, SO THAT WE COULD GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. SINCE THEN WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, ADDITIONAL ISSUE WAS THAT THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD SINK TO THE FLOOR. WE CAME CLOSE TO REAR-ENDING SOMEONE SEVERAL TIMES. ON APRIL 23, 2011, WE SHOWED THE DAMAGED WIRING HARNESS TO THE MECHANIC AT THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. WITHIN TWO HOURS, WE RECEIVED A CALL TO LET US KNOW THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE (ABS) MODULE HAD BEEN DAMAGED. BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $2,100. WE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER SERVICE THIS MORNING. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY CONSIDERED THIS ISSUE TO BE CAUSED BY ?NORMAL WEAR, BASED UPON THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE.? WE DISAGREE WITH THEIR FINDINGS. CONCERN IS THAT THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO IMPORTANT SAFETY ITEMS, SUCH AS THE BRAKES AND DOOR LOCKS. THE AREA OF THE WIRING HARNESS THAT IS COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE STEERING KNUCKLE/ARM SHOULD EITHER BE MOVED OR BETTER PROTECTED. WE DON'T WANT OTHER DRIVERS INJURED. *TR

THROTTLE CABLE STICKING DUE TO OUTER LAYER OF BRAIDED CABLE BEING FRAYED. ROUTING OF CABLE CAUSED A KINK IN THE OUTER JACKET THAT FRAYED THE OUTER LAYER OF A BRAIDED CABLE FROM THE GAS PEDDLE TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO OPEN AND REMAIN AT WHAT EVER POINT IT WAS BY THE PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION. THE CABLE WAS ROUTED BELOW A HOSE AT THE FIREWALL PUSHING THE OUTER JACKET DOWNWARD AND WAS THAT WAY FROM THE FACTORY AS FAR AS I AM AWARE. NO HOSES HAVE BEEN CHANGED. REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE AND ROUTED IT ABOVE THE HOSE AT THE FIREWALL TO ELIMINATE THE DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON THE OUTER JACKET AND ALL IS OPERATING PROPERLY. DEALER HAD NO INTEREST IN FIXING OR INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM WITHOUT COST BEING INCURRED BY ME. MADE THE REPAIR MYSELF WITH A NEW THROTTLE CABLE OBTAINED THROUGH A DEALER PARTS DEPARTMENT. *TR

2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. DROVE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT ON AUGUST 1, 2010. MONDAY MORNING AUGUST, 2, 2010 BATTERY WAS DEAD (PURCHASED NEW FEBRUARY 2010). REPLACED WITH NEW BATTERY ON AUGUST 2, 2010. FIRST CONNECTED THE POSITIVE CABLE. ATTEMPTED TO CONNECT NEGATIVE CABLE. NEGATIVE POST TERMINAL SPARKED AND BATTERY CABLE GOT VERY HOT. DISCONNECTED BATTERY CABLE. INSPECTED FUSES. ALL GOOD. TRACE VISIBLE PORTIONS OF POSITIVE CABLE TO FUSE BOX, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTER. NO INDICATION OF GROUNDING. CONTACTED MECHANIC WHO ON AUGUST 14, 2010 PERFORMED TEST ON FUSE BOX, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTER. ALL GOOD. MECHANIC THOROUGHLY TRACED POSITIVE CABLE. DISCOVERED SHORT LOCATED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE BEHIND THE STEERING LINKAGE. STATED THAT CABLE SHEATH HAD BEEN WORN AWAY BY THE RUBBING OF THE TIE ROD AND WAS GROUNDING OUT ON THE BODY AND THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT CAUGHT ON FIRE. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND HAD CABLE REPLACED. *TR

MY DAUGHTER HAD A WRECK IN HER VECHICLE AND THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR ALONG SLIGHTLY SNOW-COVERED ROAD TOWARDS STOPPED TRAFFIC AT RED LIGHT ON A SLIGHT DOWNGRADE. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES GENTLE, AS REQUIRED BY THE CONDITIONS, BUT THE ABS SYSTEM STARTED TO SHUDDER AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT BRAKE AT ALL. I HIT A STOPPED VEHICLE AT THE INTERSECTION AND EVEN WITH A RELATIVELY SLOW SPEED IMPACT, OUR VEHICLE WAS WRITTEN OFF AND THE OTHER WAS TOWED AWAY BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. OUR VAN WAS DRIVABLE, BUT JUST BARELY, AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY WRITTEN OFF BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. I WAS CHARGED WITH CARELESS DRIVING WHICH WAS ABSOLUTELY NOT THE CASE. WE HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE OF THE SAME YEAR AND SIMILAR MODEL AND IT DOES THE SAME THING OCCASIONALLY BUT SO FAR THIS HAS NOT RESULTED IN ANY FURTHER COLLISIONS. WE HAVE OWNED ASTRO VANS SINCE THEY WERE FIRST MARKETED IN 1985 AND THIS IS THE FIRST ONE TO ACT LIKE THIS. WE PURCHASED 1985, 1992, 1998, AND 2003 MODELS (2). I AM ASKING MY WIFE, ROSE, WHO IS ALSO THE REGISTERED OWNER OF THE VEHICLE TO SUBMIT THIS REPORT ON MY BEHALF. PLEASE RESPOND TO HER WITH ANY RESOLUTIONS. WE PURCHASED THE SALVAGE FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY SO IT IS STILL IN OUR POSSESSION ALTHOUGH NOT ON THE ROAD. *TR

I OWN A 2003, CHEVROLET ASTRO. ON SUNDAY, JUNE, 28, 2009, I WAS DRIVING ON I-94, BETWEEN ALEXANDRIA, MN AND FERGUS FALLS, MN. I HAD MY CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH, THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, WHEN I APPROACHED A VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING AT A SLOWER SPEED. I PULLED OVER TO THE LEFT LANE AND PROCEEDED TO PASS. AS I WAS PASSING, I LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED A VEHICLE WAS COMING UP TO ME AT A FAST PACE, SO I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR, TO GET BY THE VEHICLE, THAT I WAS PASSING, A LITTLE QUICKER. WHEN I PASSED THE VEHICLE, I LET UP ON THE ACCELERATOR, TO GET BACK TO THE SPEED I WAS PREVIOUSLY TRAVELING. INSTEAD OF MY VEHICLE SLOWING BACK DOWN, IT CONTINUED TO GO FASTER, I TOUCHED MY BRAKE PEDAL, TO RELEASE THE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED, 80MPH AND CLIMBING. I THEN STEPPED ON MY BRAKE, ON AND OFF, TO GET BACK TO ABOUT 60MPH, MOVED MY SWITCH,FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL, TO THE OFF POSITION. I CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED. THERE JUST HAPPENED TO BE AN EXIT, TO A TOWN, SO I WENT UP THE EXIT, STEPPING ON AND OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN I GOT TO THE TOP OF THE EXIT, I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND WITH THE HELP OF BRAKING, I COASTED TO A STOP. AT THIS POINT, BOTH MY WIFE AND I WERE VERY SCARED. I THOUGHT MY CRUISE CONTROL HAD STUCK, SO I TURNED ON THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE ROARED, SO I SHUT IT OFF. I TRIED IT ONCE MORE AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THEN I KNEW IT WAS MORE THAN THE CRUISE CONTROL, SO I CALLED MY ROADSIDE SERVICE. AFTER ABOUT A TWO HOUR WAIT,THEY BROUGHT MY VAN TO A CHEVROLET DEALER IN ALEXANDRIA, MN. IT WA DETERMINED, BY A MECHANIC, THE NEXT DAY, THAT MY ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS FRAYED AND THAT CAUSED IT TO STICK. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS REPLACED. I HAVE THE FRAYED CABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE. CONDENSATION ACCUMULATES INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE, SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL . SHE SPECULATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT SHE WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

DRIVING DOWN A CITY ROAD THE LOW TRAC LIGHT CAME ON WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT THE CAR DIES PUSHED IT TO A PARKING LOT TRIED TO START WOULD NOT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND FOUND THAT IT WAS A BAD FUEL PUMP. THIS COULD OF BEEN SCARY IF IT WOULD OF DIED ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE HAS 84,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

VEHICLE: 2003 CHEVY ASTRO VAN DEFECT SUMMARY: FACTORY DESIGN DIRECTS LEAKED BATTERY ACID TO DRIP DOWN ON A STEEL BRAKE LINE. DETAILS: THE (+) BATTERY TERMINAL SPONTANEOUSLY BROKE OFF THIS VEHICLE'S OEM DELCO BATTERY. THE BREAKAGE WAS DUE TO EITHER: 1) CABLE CONNECTOR BEING OVER-TORQUED AT THE GM FACTORY, OR 2) AN INTEGRAL FAULT WITHIN THE BATTERY. THE DESIGN OF THIS YEAR-MODEL OF ASTRO IS SUCH THAT THE NATURAL PATH FOR ACID DRIP-PAGE IS ON TO A STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED BELOW, AND IN FRONT, OF THE BATTERY. I AM GOING TO HAVE THE BRAKE LINE REPLACED BY A LOCAL CERTIFIED MECHANIC BECAUSE THE LINE IS SEVERELY CORRODED DUE TO THE ACID EXPOSURE. BECAUSE OF THE INACCESSIBILITY OF THE BRAKE LINE AND ITS CONNECTIONS, THE REPAIR COST WILL NOT BE CHEAP. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE BATTERY AND CABLE HAVE NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO ANY POST-MANUFACTURE MISUSE OR DISTURBANCE. THE PROBLEM IS SOLELY DUE TO POOR PLACEMENT OF THE HYDRAULIC LINE, COUPLED WITH THE FACTORY INDUCED BATTERY BREAKAGE. I HAVE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS FOR YOUR INSPECTION OF THE BROKEN BATTERY TERMINAL, THE GEOMETRY OF THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT, THE (BRAKE) HYDRAULIC LINE, AND THE RESULTING CORROSION. *TR

THE BRAKE LINE RUBBED UP AGAINST THE POWER STEERING PUMP, EVENTUALLY RUBBING THROUGH. I LOST BRAKING POWER AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WITHIN MINUTES, I WENT FROM HAVING BRAKES TO HAVING TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDDLE TO THE FLOOR TO STOP. I HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC FIX THE PROBLEM AT A SUBSTANTIAL COST. *TR

2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT GM WILL NOT REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIRS MADE ON HER VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. ALSO, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE SENSORS REPLACED. *JB

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2007 4:30 P.M. . TRANSMISSION FAILURE, 200 MILES FROM HOME IN CALIFORNIA. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, HEARD ROARING SOUND FROM ENGINE, WOULD NOT ACCELERATE SPEED DROPPED. EXITED FREEWAY LOOKING FOR MECHANICAL HELP, NONE AVAILABLE. OVERNIGHT IN CAMPGROUND. NEXT DAY TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VAN HAD TO BE TOWED TO SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA. TRANSMISSION REPLACED, SEPT. 21, '07. *TR

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THE ABS LIGHT ON MY VAN HAS BEEN COMING ON AND WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VAN JERKS AROUND ON THE ROAD AND PULLS TO THE LEFT. I HAVE ALMOST HIT OTHER CARS ON MANY OF THESE OCCASIONS. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT RECENTLY AND HE SAID HE CHECKED OUT THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND CAN SEE NO VISIBLE REASON FOR THIS HAPPENING. *TR

SUMMARY: ON 2003 CHEVY MINIVAN, THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH HS DEVELOPED AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION IN THE STOP LAMP OR HAZARD LAMP CIRCUIT THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND HAZARD LAMPS BEING INOPERATIVE. CONSEQUENCE: THE LOSS OF STOP LAMPS AND REAR HAZARD LAMPS COFAILED TO WARN THE FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD HAVE LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH. REMEDY: DEALERS ARE REPLACING 2002 CHEVY ASTRO HAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE, BUT NOT 2003 ASTROS THAT HAVE THE SAME MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 13, 2005 FOR OWNERS OF 2002 CHEVY ASTROS. GM RECALL NO. 05013. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE LT AND THE BACK GLASS HINGE HAS CAME UNGLUED FROM THE GLASS AND FALLEN ON ONE SIDE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY FOUR GLASS COMPANY'S THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MANY OF 2003 TAHOES AND SURBURBANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BACK GLASS AND THAT IT IS A DEFECT. I CALLED THE CHEVROLET COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IT WAS OVER 100,000 MILES BUT ITS THERE PROBLEM THEY ARE THE ONES THAT GLUED THE HINGES TO THE GLASS AND WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY 900.00 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE GLASS ESPECIALLY WHEN I DON'T HAVE IT. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE MAKE THE CHEVROLET COMPANY FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS CAUSED THE BACK GLASS TO STICK UP OVER THE BACK ABOUT A INCH AND YOU CAN NOT EVEN OPEN IT BECAUSE THE HINGE ON THE GLASS HAS COME COMPLETELY UNGLUED IT FALLS DOWN WHEN YOU OPEN IT AND IS VERY VERY HARD TO CLOSE ONCE YOU OPEN IT. BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PICK UP ON THE GLASS AND TRY TO CLOSE IT AT THE SAME TIME BELIEVE ME MY FINGERS HAS GOTTEN SMASHED MANY TIMES SO I STOPPED EVEN OPENING IT. BUT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED I REALLY USED IT ALOT TO PUT STUFF IN THE BACK WHEN THE 3RD ROW SEAT WAS BEING USED IF YOU OPENED THE WHOLE DOOR THEN YOUR STUFF FALLS OUT BECAUSE THERE'S NOT MUCH ROOM TO PUT YOUR STUFF BACK THERE. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 TAHOE AND HAVE HAD THE SPEEDOMETER STICK A NUMBER OF TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER THE SERVICE TECH COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONDITION SO THEY TOLD ME NOT TO REPAIR THE ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE COST. GM IS NOW OFFERING A "SPECIAL COVERAGE" THAT EXTENDS THE WARRANTY OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, HOWEVER ONLY IF THE TAHOE HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES OR YOU HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE UNDER 7 YEARS WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. I FEEL THAT GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD ISSUE A FULL RECALL TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVROLET STATING "THIS LETTER IS INTENDED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT YOUR VEHICLE COULD DEVELOP A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR MORE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGE NEEDLES MAY STICK, FLUTTER, OR BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS MAY CAUSE INACCURATE READINGS, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE FUEL GAUGE" THE LETTER CONTINUES TO STATE THAT "GENERAL MOTORS IS PROVIDING SPECIAL COVERAGE THAT EXTENDS THE WARRANTY" IF "YOUR 2003 CHEVROLET MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET TAHOE WITHIN 7 YEARS OF THE DATE" OR "70,000 MILES". MY CHEVROLET TAHOE HAS BOTH THESE ISSUES. THEY STARTED ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE I RECEIVED THE LETTER. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND AND WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE FROM GENERAL MOTORS IS WHY MY SAFETY IS NOT AN CONCERN TO THEM BECAUSE I HAVE DRIVEN MORE THAN 70,000 MILES IN MY TAHOE? I TRAVEL THROUGH A LOT OF RURAL AREAS TO WORK AND I FEEL IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO NOT RUN OUT OF GAS. I FEEL IT EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING. THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERS THAT I AM GOING 60 OR 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I AM SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN I AM GOING DOWN THE ROAD IT REGISTERS THAT I AM GOING OVER 120 MILES PER HOUR. THIS IS ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING. NOT TO MENTION THE POTENTIAL FOR SPEEDING TICKETS. I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT GENERAL MOTORS CARES ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY MILES THEY HAVE DRIVEN. THESE GAUGES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE REPLACED AND THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. NOT BEING ABLE TO MONITOR YOUR RATE OF SPEED OR BE AWARE IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH GAS TO GET HOME ARE SAFETY ISSUES TO ME FOR MY HEALTH AS WELL AS MY PEACE OF MIND AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY GENERAL MOTORS DOESN'T FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THIS DEFAULT THEY ARE AWARE FOR ALL THEIR TAHOE OWNERS. I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH THE GENERAL MOTORS ANSWER CALL CENTER BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. *TR

SPEEDOMETER OF 2003 CHEVY TAHOE, STOPPED WORKING ON THE FREEWAY. I HAD NO WAY O MAKING SURE WHAT MY SPEED WAS. I WAS STOPPED BY A POLICE OFFICER AND EXPLAINED MY SITUATION. THE OFFICER LOOKED AT MY SPEEDOMETER THAT WAY SHOWING 60 MPH AT A DEAD STOP. HE GAVE ME A WARNING AND TOLD ME TO GET IT FIXED. *TR

WE HAVE A 2003 CHEVY TAHOE AND THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING AROUND 50,000 MILES. CHEVY HAS SENT NO RECALL NOTICE AND I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST OR SLOW I AM GOING. *TR

HAZARD FLASHER RELAY/SWITCH "SOUNDS OFF" AFTER THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS RETURNED TO THE REST POSITION AFTER SIGNALING A RIGHT OR LEFT HAND TURN, THIS CLICKING SOUND ALSO HAPPENS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS ADJUSTED AND WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ALL BY IT'S SELF. THE HAZARD AND TURN SIGNALS DO NOT LIGHT, ONLY THE AGGRAVATING CLICKING SOUND CAN BE HEARD. I CAN ALSO MAKE THE HAZARD/SIGNAL RELAY/SWITCH CLICK BY WIGGLING THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR SWITCH. I HAD THE HAZARD SWITCH REPLACED AT THE DEALER BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I HAVE THE HAZARD/FLASHER RELAY/SWITCH AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *TR

WHILE FUELING MY VEHICLE AT A GAS STATION, I PUMPED ABOUT $3.00 WORTH OF GAS INTO MY 1/8 TANK. AFTER IT REACHED $3.00 A LOUD HISSING SOUND CAME FROM THE FILLING NECK OF MY VAN (NOT THE ACTUAL GAS STATION PUMP) AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE SPRAYED ME ON THE STOMACH AND UPPER LEGS. THERE WAS NO SIGN THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. I AM STILL AWAITING WORD ON GETTING REPAIR AUTHORIZED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS A TSB REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM ON THE 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. *JB

BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. AFTER A FEW HOURS OF TROUBLESHOOTING, I ISOLATED THE PROBLEM TO A DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCH. IF PUSHED TO THE LEFT, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORKED. I PLAN ON TRYING TO FIX IT TOMORROW, BUT SAW THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON 2001 AND 2002, BUT NOT ON 2003. MY VAN WAS BUILT IN LATE 2002. NO DOUBT IT HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE SWITCH. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION CAN OCCUR ON THE UPDATED 01/02/08.*JB

MY FIANCE AND I BOUGHT A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA IN NOV OF 2006 WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES. IN JULY OF 2007, THE CAR WAS STARTED AND SHUT OFF BY ITSELF A FEW MINUTES LATER. IT WOULD THEN NOT START. WE FIRST HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP THAT INFORMED US THAT THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. IT LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO THE CYLINDERS, THE SPARK PLUGS AND OTHER PARTS OF THE ENGINE AND THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE 1400.00. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A 2ND SHOP FOR A 2ND OPINION. THEY TOLD US THAT THE ANTIFREEZE THAT LEAKED HAD TOTALLY LOCKED UP THE ENGINE AND WE NEEDED A WHOLE NEW ONE. THAT WAS GOING TO COST US AT LEAST 2,000 FOR A USED ONE. WE THAN DECIDED THAT A 4 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 60K MILES ON IT SHOULD NOT BE IN NEED OF A NEW ENGINE SO WE AGAIN HAD IT TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALER REPAIR SHOP. THEY TOLD US THE SAME THING. THE CAR WAS OFFICIALLY IN NEED OF A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. WE CONTACTED CHEVROLET'S CUSTOMER CARE DEPT AND THEY ARE SO FAR UNWILLING TO HELP. WE'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR 8-9 MONTHS AND ARE CONTINUING TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON THE LOAN. PER THE DEALER, THE USED ENGINE WILL COST US 3000.00 AND A NEW ONE WILL COST IS 5050.00. *JB

WHEN DOING 60 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE READS OVER A 100 MPH. YOU HAVE TO STOP AND START THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT RESET TO 0 MPH. I SPENT 2 WEEKS RESEARCHING THIS AND IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2003 CHEVY TAHOE. *TR

MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT CHEVROLET, CAVALIER 2003. THE CAR JUST QUIT WHILE DRIVING, THANK GOD I WAS ONLY ONE ON ROAD. THE CAR ONLY HAD 57,000 MILES ON IT, AND I HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE; SUCH AS OIL CHANGES, TRANSMISSION FLUIDS, FILTERS, ETC. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A BAD FUEL PUMP. THIS COASTED ME $721.29, WHICH WAS VERY UNEXPECTED. WHAT AMAZED ME EVEN MORE WAS MANY MORE HAD SAME PROBLEM ONCE I SEARCHED IT ONLINE. TAKE A LOOK AT THIS WEBSITE. TP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-CAVALIER/TVINIC5TFU5SFSI5H I FOLLOWED ANOTHER FORUM POSTERS RESPONSE AND CAME HERE TO LET MY EXPERIENCE BE HEARD. *AK

I DROVE THE CAR HOME FROM A FRIEND'S HOUSE ABOUT 3 MILES TURNED IT OFF AND LOCKED IT USING THE REMOTE. WHEN I TRIED STARTING THE CAR ABOUT AN HOUR LATER , AFTER UNLOCKING IT USING THE REMOTE), THE CAR WOULD NOT START. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WANTED TO START BUT JUST COULDN'T TURN OVER. LUCKILY, I HAVE A MECHANIC IN THE FAMILY THAT SUGGESTED A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BY TURNING THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO RESET THE SYSTEM. AS A RESULT I ENDED UP MISSING A VERY IMPORTANT MEETING. EVERY NOW AND THEN THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT ON DASHBOARD POPPED ON AND THEN EVENTUALLY WENT AWAY. I DIDN'T ALWAYS HAVE 10 EXTRA MINUTES TO SPARE JUST IN CASE THE CAR DECIDED TO DO THIS. *AK

2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER LS SPORT BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY NEEDING A FUEL PUMP AT 67000 MILES. A VERY EXPENSIVE JOB TO BE DONE SO EARLY IN THE CAR'S LIFE. *AK

ABS LIGHT ON WITH MULTIPLE CODES AND ABS BRAKES ARE ACTIVATING AT SLOW SPEEDS ON DRY PAVEMENT WHEN THE SHOULDN'T BE, CAUSING AN INCREASING STOPPING TIME AND NEAR MISS ACCIDENT.*AK

SHUDDER AND/OR ABS ACTIVATION DURING LOW SPEED TURNS, MAINLY TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE IS AN 03 ASTRO VAN AWD WITH 67K MILES. VEHICLE PULLS PRETTY SHARPLY LEFT WHEN THIS OCCURS. *JB

I AM COMPLAINING OF THE SAFETY ISSUES REGARDING THE ABS COMPUTER SYSTEM. I HAVE PUT MY VEHICLE IN THE SHOP TO BE CHECKED OUT BY A FEW CAR REPAIR FACILITIES AND ALL HAVE SAID THE SAME THING MY ABS CPU. MY VAN IS HESITATING TERRIBLY AND CAUSING THE VAN TO NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. I HAVE NEARLY BEEN IN THREE ACCIDENTS SINCE THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING. I HAVE ALSO DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE VIA INTERNET AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ACROSS THE USA. AND GM IS BLAMING IT ON THE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN THE NORTH BUT THE PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING TO ASTRO VANS(2003) ACROSS THE ENTIRE US. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH THE THROTTLE CABLE STUCK, AND ONCE THE VEHICLE REACHED 40 MPH, THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHICH CONTINUED TO IDLE HIGH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE AT HOME THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO IDLE HIGH, AND THE THROTTLE CABLE SHEARED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE CONTACT HAS THE REPAIR INVOICES. *AK UPDATE 4/23/07*TR