Chevrolet Express 2003

Significant corrosion may allow fuel to leak during refueling, and in the presence of an ignition source; there is an increased risk of fire.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuel filler neck, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 1, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLES AND, IF FOUND TO BE INOPERATIVE, THE ENTIRE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD BE REPLACED. FOR BUCKLES FOUND TO BE OPERATIVE, DEALER WILL REPLACE ONLY THE UPPER BUCKLE COVER. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE MAILING BEGAN DURING MARCH 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

THE STANDARD REQUIRES CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN TWO SEATING POSITIONS FOR VEHICLES WITH THREE REAR SEATING POSITIONS. THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES, WHICH ONLY HAVE FRONT SEATING POSITIONS, HAVE AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND DO NOT HAVE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE STANDARD REQUIRES PASSENGER SEAT CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN VEHICLES WITH AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH. HOWEVER, THE STANDARD DOES NOT REQUIRE VEHICLES WITH ONLY FRONT SEATING POSITIONS TO HAVE LOWER ANCHORAGE PROVISIONS IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH.

TO BRING THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES INTO COMPLIANCE, DEALERS WILL INJECT EPOXY INTO THE AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO PREVENT AIR BAG ACTIVATION, RELOCATE THE SWITCH BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THEN INSTALL A COVER OVER THE RESULTING OPENING. THE SUN VISOR LABEL AND OWNER'S MANUAL WILL ALSO BE CHANGED. THE CORRECTION FOR THE EXTENDED CAB VEHICLE WILL CONSIST OF CHANGING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT TO A SEAT THAT HAS CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

IF THE SOCKET ASSEMBLY WERE TO REACH THE POINT OF MELTING, THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE MAY NOTICE AN ODOR AND SMOKE AT THE REAR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. IF THIS ODOR AND SMOKE WERE IGNORED, THE PLASTIC COULD IGNITE AND A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SEALED REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 21, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

A SEPARATION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITH PRIOR WARNING.

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE PITMAN ARM NUT TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. IF THE NUT IS MISSING, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A NEW NUT AND TIGHTEN IT CORRECTLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

SEPARATION OF A TIE ROD CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED VEHICLE STEERING IN SOME MANEUVERS AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TIE ROD END NUT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TIE ROD END. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE AMBER-COLORED ABS TELL-TALE LAMP IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD BE DISABLED. THE DRIVER WOULD ALSO NOTICE A GRINDING NOISE, A DECREASE IN THE VEHICLE SPEED, AND THE STEERING WILL PULL IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AFFECTED BRAKE ASSEMBLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY. IF THE INSPECTION REVEALS A MISSING RETAINING NUT, THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Issue: On certain vehicles, an unused wiring harness for a rear HVAC blower motor, located in the left B-pillar area, could become damaged if exposed to moisture or contaminants. If this happens, the wires could short circuit. Note: This recall only affects cutaway chassis incomplete vehicles. Safety Risk: A short circuit can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to bring your vehicle to a dealership to seal the wiring for the rear HVAC blower motor at the left B-pillar.

On certain vehicles equipped with a left side cargo door, and originally sold in or currently operated in areas of heavy road salt usage during winter months (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador), the fuel filler pipe could corrode and become perforated. This could allow fuel to leak onto the ground while refuelling the vehicle. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the fuel filler pipe.

Certain full-size passenger, cargo and cutaway vans may have front and rear seat belt buckles that will not latch or will not unlatch. There are two conditions that render the buckle inoperative after customer usage. Specifically, (1) with a damaged ejector hood, the latch tongue cannot fully enter the buckle and will not latch, and (2) if the release bar moves permanently out of position the buckle will either be unable to engage the latch or the pushbutton will be unable to unlatch the buckle. Correction: Dealers will inspect buckles and, if found to be inoperative, the entire buckle assembly will be replaced. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2005390.

Certain full-size passenger, cargo and cutaway vans may have front and rear seat belt buckles that will not latch or will not unlatch. There are two conditions that render the buckle inoperative after customer usage. Specifically, (1) with a damaged ejector hood, the latch tongue cannot fully enter the buckle and will not latch, and (2) if the release bar moves permanently out of position the buckle will either be unable to engage the latch or the pushbutton will be unable to unlatch the buckle. Correction: Dealers will inspect buckles and, if found to be inoperative, the entire buckle assembly will be replaced.

On certain vehicles, the transmission shift cable may allow the transmission indicator (PRNDL) to indicate a different gear selected than the transmission is in. If this condition occurred while a vehicle is resting on an uneven surface, the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited. Correction: Dealer will inspect and replace the transmission shift cable assembly.

On certain vehicles, the relief valve o-ring seal within the brake hydro-boost module could fail. If this happens during braking applications, the driver may be able to hear an engine compartment noise similar to the sound that occurs when the steering wheel is turned to a full stop position. The driver could also experience a slight increase in steering efforts while braking and parking. Under certain driving conditions, a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort may be required to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seal failure. Correction: Dealers will inspect the hydro-boost module, and replace it, if necessary.

Certain vehicles do not comply with either CMVSS 105, or CMVSS 135. The red brake warning indicator will not be illuminated while the ABS is modulating the front brakes. Correction: Since this does not pose any safety risk, no corrective action is required.

Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 225 and 210.2. The Owner's Manual does not include the location symbols for the Lower Universal Anchorage System for Restraint Systems and Booster Cushions and an explanation of the meaning of the symbols. Correction: Owner's will receive an Owner's Manual supplement.

On certain vehicles, water may enter and corrode the rear licence plate lamp socket causing it to operate intermittently or not at all. The left rear tail lamp may also become inoperative. The temperature of the licence plate lamp socket could increase to the point that it may begin to soften and melt. If the socket assembly were to reach the point of melting, the occupants of the vehicle may notice an odor and smoke at the rear doors of the vehicle. If this odor and smoke were ignored, the plastic could ignite and a fire could occur. Correction: Dealer will install a new sealed rear licence plate lamp socket assembly.

On certain vehicles, the seat belt push button may not release the latch plate after the pretensioner is deployed, or alternately the seat belt latch plate may eject during a crash event with a pretensioner deployment. If an occupant was using the seat belt assembly and the latch plate ejected from the buckle assembly during pretensioner actuation, the seat belt assembly may not provide a desired level of occupant restraint. If an occupant was using the seat belt assembly and the push button became stuck in the buckle assembly during pretensioner actuation, pressing on the seat belt push button would not release the latch plate from the buckle to allow the belted occupant to exit the vehicle. Correction: Dealer will replace the front seat belt buckles.

On certain 2500 and 3500 series vans, the nut attaching the pitman arm to the steering linkage may not be torqued to specification, which could lead to a possible separation. A separation could result in loss of vehicle control, and a crash could occur without prior warning. Correction: Dealer will torque the nut to proper specifications.

On certain vehicles, the right-hand tie rod end nut may not have been torqued to specification and could loosen, resulting in separation of the tie rod. This could cause unexpected steering input and could cause a crash without prior warning. Correction: Dealers will torque the tie rod end nut to specs.

On certain 2500 and 3500 series vehicles, a wheel bearing assembly retaining nut was omitted during assembly, which could lead to a possible bearing separation. If this were to occur, the ABS warning lamp would illuminate and the ABS system would be disabled. The driver would also notice a grinding noise, a decrease in vehicle speed and a steering pull in the direction of the affected assembly. Failure to heed these warnings can result in loss of vehicle control and a crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect and replace the wheel bearing assembly if a missing nut is noted during inspection.