NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
52 reportsClear category filter59,019 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE KEPT OVER HEATING. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY CHANGED OUT THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP,TEMPERATURE SENDING UNIT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WAS STILL OVER HEATING. THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE ENGINE AND FOUND BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND CRACKED HEADS. THIS PROBLEM STARTED OUT ON INTERSTATE 15 NORTHBOUND RIGHT OUTSIDE OF BARSTOW, CA. HAD …
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VEHICLE KEPT OVER HEATING. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY CHANGED OUT THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP,TEMPERATURE SENDING UNIT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WAS STILL OVER HEATING. THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE ENGINE AND FOUND BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND CRACKED HEADS. THIS PROBLEM STARTED OUT ON INTERSTATE 15 NORTHBOUND RIGHT OUTSIDE OF BARSTOW, CA. HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND WAIT FOR IT TO COOL DOWN SEVERAL TIMES SO WE COULD GET TO AN EXIT.
NHTSA ODI #10069486
54,490 miles · Dec 16, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
COOLANT LEAK AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE. DEALER DIAGNOSED COOLANT LEAKS FROM INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, VALVE COVER GASKET AND WATERPUMP AND RECOMMENDED COOLANT FLUSH - DEX COOL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10050620
67,422 miles · Dec 1, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
A WELL MAINTAINED 1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT WITH A 3.4 LITER ENGINE DEVELOPED A COOLANT LEAK. THIS WAS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER. AS THEY EXPLAINED THAT MY VEHICLE HAS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK, IT WAS ALSO MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN MANY MANIFOLD COOLANT LEAKS WITH THIS ENGINE. I DECIDED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT A GM D…
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A WELL MAINTAINED 1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT WITH A 3.4 LITER ENGINE DEVELOPED A COOLANT LEAK. THIS WAS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER. AS THEY EXPLAINED THAT MY VEHICLE HAS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK, IT WAS ALSO MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN MANY MANIFOLD COOLANT LEAKS WITH THIS ENGINE. I DECIDED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT A GM DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THEY ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THEY SERVICE MANY OF THESE TYPE OF LEAKS. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE REPAIR CALLS FOR A NEW TYPE OF MANIFOLD GASKET AND NEW BOLTS. THE MECHANIC EVEN SHOWED ME WHERE ON THE OLD GASKET THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS. ALTHOUGH IT MAY SEEM AS IF THESE COMMENTS WHERE ANECDOTAL, IT STILL APPEARS TO POINT TO A GENERAL FAILURE IN THE DESIGN OF THE MANIFOLD GASKET. THIS REPAIR WAS VERY EXPENSIVE. WHY HAVEN'T THESE 3.4 LITER BEEN RECALLED? ARE ONLY INEXPENSIVE MANUFACTURER DEFECTS RECALLED? HAD THIS COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE WHICH IN SOME CASES IT DOES, BASED UPON MY RESEARCH OF THIS ISSUE, THEN EVEN MORE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLY RISK TO THE VEHICLE OPERATOR AND PASSENGERS COULD HAVE OCCURED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10048990
80,000 miles · Nov 10, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
I OWN A 1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT, BOUGHT NEW, AND HAS 80000 MILES ON IT. WAS JUST TOLD THAT THE INTAKE IS LEAKING, ANS WILL NEED MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACEMENT. WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING. ALLED LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER (MATTHEWS PONTIAC, VESTAL, NY 607-798-8000) AND THEY CONFIRMED THIS, AND THAT TH…
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I OWN A 1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT, BOUGHT NEW, AND HAS 80000 MILES ON IT. WAS JUST TOLD THAT THE INTAKE IS LEAKING, ANS WILL NEED MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACEMENT. WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING. ALLED LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER (MATTHEWS PONTIAC, VESTAL, NY 607-798-8000) AND THEY CONFIRMED THIS, AND THAT THERE IS A NEW AND IMPROVED GASKET, BUT THEY WOULDN'T HELP WITH THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. ALSO REPORTED THAT MY HEADLAMP LENSES HAVE BEEN LOST (LOST 2 IN ONE YEAR) AND HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE HEADLAMP UNIT AT MY OWN COST. DEALER SAID THIS IS COMMON ALSO, AND THEY BELIEVE IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ADHESIVE!! THEY WILL NOT HELP WITH THAT ONE EITHER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10045875
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
CURRENTLY I HAVE 56,187 MILE'S ON MY 1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE OIL USEAGE SINCE THE SECOND YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AS WELL AS JUST RECENTLY EXPERIENCING THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOING PAST THE 210 MARK DESPITE IT ONLY BEING 60 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND DRIVING SHORT DISTANCES. I HAVE FOUND A NUMEROUS AMOUNT …
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CURRENTLY I HAVE 56,187 MILE'S ON MY 1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE OIL USEAGE SINCE THE SECOND YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AS WELL AS JUST RECENTLY EXPERIENCING THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOING PAST THE 210 MARK DESPITE IT ONLY BEING 60 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND DRIVING SHORT DISTANCES. I HAVE FOUND A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF COMPLAINT'S REGARDING ISSUES COMPARABLE TO THIS INCLUDING A BULLETIN THAT WAS IN FACT DISTRIBUTED TO G.M DEALERS IN CANADA AND THE U.S (BULLETIN # 03-06-01-010) DATED MARCH, 2003.TITLED ENGINE OIL OR COOLANT LEAK (INSTALL A NEW DESIGN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THIS BULLETIN DESCRIBES COMMENT'S FROM OWNER'S AS FOLLOWED. AN APPARENT OIL OR COOLANT LEAK. ADDITIONALLY , THE COMMENTS MAY RANGE FROM SPOTS ON THE DRIVEWAY TO HAVING TO ADD FLUID. CAUSE, INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY BE LEAKING ALLOWING COOLANT, OIL OR BOTH TO LEAK FROM THE ENGINE. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM SINCE 1998 BUT HAS YET TO BE AN ACTUALL RECALL ON THESE VAN'S. MANY OF THE COMPLAINT'S MENTION COOLANT FOUND IN THE ENGINE OIL. I HAVE COME ACROSS SEVERAL COMPLAINT'S OF MOTOR'S HAVING TO BE REPLACED IN THESE VEHICLES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CONSUMER HAVING TO ENDURE THE COSTLY REPAIR FINANCIALLY. I PRIMARELY USE MY VAN TO TRANSPORT MY 16 YEAR OLD SEVERELY DISABLED SON TO AND FROM SCHOOL WITH HIS WHEEL-CHAIR AS WELL AS TO DR APPOINTMENT'S. THE RECENT PROBLEM'S WITH TICKING SOUND'S AS WELL AS AT TIMES IDLING ROUGH AND CHUGGLING WHILE DRIVING WITH THE TEMPERATURE GAGE AMPING PAST THE 210 MARK IS NOT A GOOD SIGN. AT 56187 MILES I SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING MAJOR PROBLEM'S WITH THIS VEHICLE. WITH THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINT'S ON THIS MATTER BEING CONSIDERED I AM REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION THAT WILL LEAD TO A VERY MUCH NEEDED RECALL ON THE 1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT AS WELL AS THE OTHER YEAR'S THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THIS MAJOR FLAW FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041799
71,000 miles · Sep 15, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON VACATION WITH WIFE AND THREE KIDS. 71000 MILES ON VERY WELL MAINTAINED VAN. WE BOUGHT IT WITH 8,000 MILES ON IT. NO WARNINGS, NO NOISES, NO SMOKE, NO OVERHEATING. ENGINE JUST QUIT RUNNING AND WE COASTED TO A STOP ON VERY BUSY INTERSTATE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR AC…
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TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON VACATION WITH WIFE AND THREE KIDS. 71000 MILES ON VERY WELL MAINTAINED VAN. WE BOUGHT IT WITH 8,000 MILES ON IT. NO WARNINGS, NO NOISES, NO SMOKE, NO OVERHEATING. ENGINE JUST QUIT RUNNING AND WE COASTED TO A STOP ON VERY BUSY INTERSTATE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. DEALER PROMISED "AT LEAST 50% WARRANTY" THEN RETRACTED OFFER TWO DAYS LATER PENDING TEAR DOWN AND DIAGNOSIS. DIAGNOSIS SPUN CRANK BEARINGS/ BENT RODS DUE TO COOLANT IN OIL. COST $2050 AFTER 50% WARRANTY. TWO WEEKS LATER, TOLD CAMSHAFT WAS BROKEN IN HALF AND THAT OUR ENGINE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. I ASKED WHY THEY DIDN'T KNOW THAT BEFORE. SVC MGR SAID THEY JUST PULLED THE ENGINE OUT THAT DAY. THIS WAS NOT TRUE SINCE MY WIFE AND I SPOKE WITH THE TECHNICIAN THREE DAYS PRIOR AND HE WAS ALL BUT READY TO REINSTALL OUR ENGINE. THE BARE BLOCK WAS ON AN ENGINE STAND WHEN WE SPOKE WITH HIM. SVC MGR THEN SAID WARRANTY WAS IN QUESTION. I HAD MEETING WITH MGMT ABOUT "BAIT & SWITCH" TACTICS. SVC MGR THEN SAID PONTIAC WOULD INSTALL BRAND NEW "CRATE" ENGINE FOR THE $2050 WE WERE QUOTED TWO WEEKS PRIOR. NO ONE FROM THE SVC DEPT EVER CALLED US ABOUT DELAYS OR WHEN OUR VAN WAS DONE. TOOK 34 DAYS TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. AFTER GETTING IT BACK, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE AXLE RETAINING NUTS ON BOTH SIDES WERE ONLY FINGER TIGHT/READY TO FALL OFF. WENT BACK AND HAVE THEM TORQUED TO SPECS. THEY WONDER WHY GO TO A LOCAL SHOP FOR ROUTINE SERVICE RATHER THAN THE DEALER. THIS WAS THE MOST ABSURD FIASCO I HAVE EVER SEEN. WE ARE SEEKING RESTITUTION. GM SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE ENGINES FOR INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURES AS THIS WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE ROOT CAUSE.
NHTSA ODI #10038927
69,000 miles · Aug 6, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE'S HEAD GASKETS AND INTAKE GASKETS. *MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A TICKING SOUND. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET AND INTAKE GASKET FAILED AND CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE GASKETS. *NLM *JB
NHTSA ODI #10032083
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT MINIVAN 3.4 LITER, COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. MECHANIC BELIEVES IT IS A GENERAL PROBLEM WITH THE GASKET. MAJOR EXPENSE TO REPAIR ON VEHCILE WITH 75,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10030912
59,000 miles · Jul 16, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT MINIVAN HAS DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHERE THE DEXCOOL COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE...MY MECHANIC FOUND COOLANT IN THE ENGINE OIL. I CALLED MY DEALER, THE MAN FROM WHOM I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM ON HIS GM MINIVAN. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHERS (WWW.GM-…
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MY 1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT MINIVAN HAS DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHERE THE DEXCOOL COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE...MY MECHANIC FOUND COOLANT IN THE ENGINE OIL. I CALLED MY DEALER, THE MAN FROM WHOM I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM ON HIS GM MINIVAN. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHERS (WWW.GM-V6LEMONS.COM, AND OTHER PLACES) WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS CLEAR THAT THE MANIFOLD GASKET IN THESE VEHICLES DEVELOPS LEAKS WHEN EXPOSED TO THE DEXCOOL COOLANT. IN MY CASE, THE VEHICLE IS 5+ YEARS OLD, AND HAS 59,000 MILES...SO THERE IS NO WARRANTY IN EFFECT. GM SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND REPAIR THIS PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10028390
58,959 miles · Jun 26, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
OVERHEATING ON HIGHWAY, CAUSED VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN TO 3 CYLINDERS. CAUSED A MAJOR POWER LOSS. CRACKED HEAD DUE TO COOLING PROBLEMS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10023846
Official recalls
5Dec 22, 2004
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS AND A POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, A PASSENGER USING THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR COULD BE INJURED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER SLIDING DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER OR MANUAL SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER-SIDE, THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FOR APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
Nov 4, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 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, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Mar 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOOR CLOSES BUT MAY NOT BE LATCHED. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UN-LATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CONTINUED UNDER SAFETY RECALL 01V-264. 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, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Jun 11, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE (1) A BROKEN SHIFT CABLE FITTING OR (2) LOOSE SHIFT LINKAGE. CONSEQUENTLY, MOVING THE SHIFT LEVER TO A 'PARK' POSITION MAY NOT SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION TO 'PARK'.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE RANGE SELECTOR CABLE.
Apr 7, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM CAN CONTACT A BRAKE LINE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MODULATOR VALVE. THIS CONTACT CAN CHAFE THE BRAKE LINE RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRAKE LINE CLIP TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE. ALSO THE BRAKE LINES WILL BE INSPECTED TO ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS CONDITION AND WILL REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
7PE04064 · POWER-SLIDING Door
Opened Sep 17, 2004 · Closed Dec 22, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:door
SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE AVAILABLE WITH AN OPTIONAL POWER SLIDING DOOR.THE INTERIOR HANDLE IS ORIENTED IN THE VERTICAL POSITION IN THE DOOR PANEL AND LINES UP AT THE ELBOW LEVEL WHEN THE OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE 2ND-ROW OUTBOARD POSITION.IF THE OCCUPANT HOLDS THE INTERIOR HANDLE IN THE THUMB UP POSITION DURING POWER-ASSISTED OPENING, THE ARM/WRIST CAN BE PUSH BACK WITH FORCE AGAINST THE 2ND-ROW BUCKET SEAT OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIR SEAT BACK CREATING A RISK OF INJURY (OTHER SEATING CONFIGURATIONS HAVE AMPLE SEAT TO DOOR CLEARANCE TO AVOID ENTRAPMENT OF THE LOWER ARM).AMONG THE 103 TOTAL REPORTS, THERE WERE 102 ALLEGED INJURIES INCLUDING ARM/WRIST, THUMB AND SHOULDER INJURIES.A COUNT OF INJURIES REVEALS THAT 76 INJURIES WERE A FRACTURED OR A BROKEN ARM/WRIST REQUIRING AN IMMOBILIZING CAST FOR FOUR-TO-SIX WEEKS.ALL INJURIES INVOLVE THE RIGHT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR.THE LEFT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR IS ON FAR FEWER VEHICLES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT PRODUCES LESS FORCE.GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY BY LETTER DATED DECEMBER 21, 2004, THAT IT WILL RECALL MODEL YEAR 1997 THOUGH EARLY 2005 GM U-VAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A RIGHT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND WITH 2ND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN CHAIRS (NHTSA RECALL #04V597).AS PART OF THE RECALL REMEDY, GM WILL REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLE WITH A FLUSH MOUNTED HANDLE THAT WILL PREVENT AN OCCUPANT FROM GRASPING THE HANDLE WITH THE PALM BETWEEN THE HANDLE AND DOOR PANEL (THUMB UP ORIENTATION) AND THUS ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR ARM/WRIST ENTRAPMENT.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
EA03005 · Rear Axle Trailing Arm Failure
Opened Apr 23, 2003 · Closed Jan 12, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS SUCH AS IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING.ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 19 INCIDENTS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW REPORTS TO ODI OR GM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS. DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND THE ABSENCE OF A CONTINUING TREND IN REPORTED FAILURES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS SUCH AS IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING.ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 19 INCIDENTS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW REPORTS TO ODI OR GM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS. DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND THE ABSENCE OF A CONTINUING TREND IN REPORTED FAILURES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:rear
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS SUCH AS IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING.ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 19 INCIDENTS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW REPORTS TO ODI OR GM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS. DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND THE ABSENCE OF A CONTINUING TREND IN REPORTED FAILURES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
EA02032 · Safety Belt Assembly Failure
Opened Nov 18, 2002 · Closed Nov 21, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
ODI IDENTIFIED 59 REPORTS WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ODI WAS ABLE TO CONTACT 44 OF THE 59 CONSUMERS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE LATCH PROBLEMS.OF THE 44 OWNERS CONTACTED, ODI DETERMINED THAT FOUR FAILURES WERE DUE TO AN OUT-OF-TOLERANCE LATCH PLATE, AND THAT 23 FAILURES WERE DUE TO A DISPLACED BUCKLE HOUSING COVER.THE REMAINING 17 FAILURES HAD INDETERMINABLE CAUSES.OF THE 59 REPORTS, THERE WERE THREE ALLEGED MINOR INJURIES.NO LEGAL CLAIMS OR LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH REGARD TO THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.BASED ON THE LIMITED NUMBER OF REPORTS, AND A DECLINING REPORT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEARED TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ADDITIONAL SUMMARY REPORT.
PE02086 · Rear Axle Trailing Arm Failure
Opened Nov 18, 2002 · Closed Apr 9, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear
ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 14 INCIDENTS OF REAR TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 THROUGH 1999 GM U-VANS, INCLUDING TWO THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES IS USED IN THE U-VANS FROM MY 1997 THROUGH 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS CAN CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS (E.G., IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING).GM IDENTIFIED A PARTS HANDLING CONCERN THAT WAS CAUSING SOME TRAILING ARMS TO BE DAMAGED PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN, GM IMPLEMENTED CHANGES TO THE SHIPPING CONTAINERS FROM JANUARY 1999 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1999. EIGHT (8) OF THE REPORTED INCIDENTS IN MY 1997-99 U-VANS, INCLUDING THE TWO CRASHES, OCCURRED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE TREND AND SAFETY RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 14 INCIDENTS OF REAR TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 THROUGH 1999 GM U-VANS, INCLUDING TWO THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES IS USED IN THE U-VANS FROM MY 1997 THROUGH 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS CAN CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS (E.G., IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING).GM IDENTIFIED A PARTS HANDLING CONCERN THAT WAS CAUSING SOME TRAILING ARMS TO BE DAMAGED PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN, GM IMPLEMENTED CHANGES TO THE SHIPPING CONTAINERS FROM JANUARY 1999 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1999. EIGHT (8) OF THE REPORTED INCIDENTS IN MY 1997-99 U-VANS, INCLUDING THE TWO CRASHES, OCCURRED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE TREND AND SAFETY RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
Suspension:rear
ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 14 INCIDENTS OF REAR TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 THROUGH 1999 GM U-VANS, INCLUDING TWO THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES IS USED IN THE U-VANS FROM MY 1997 THROUGH 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS CAN CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS (E.G., IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING).GM IDENTIFIED A PARTS HANDLING CONCERN THAT WAS CAUSING SOME TRAILING ARMS TO BE DAMAGED PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN, GM IMPLEMENTED CHANGES TO THE SHIPPING CONTAINERS FROM JANUARY 1999 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1999. EIGHT (8) OF THE REPORTED INCIDENTS IN MY 1997-99 U-VANS, INCLUDING THE TWO CRASHES, OCCURRED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE TREND AND SAFETY RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
PE02017 · Shoulder Harness Clip
Opened Feb 11, 2002 · Closed Aug 2, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
No summary supplied.
PE00045 · Air Bag Tear During Deployment
Opened Nov 3, 2000 · Closed Jan 11, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
No summary supplied.
SQ00014 · Unexpected Opening Of Sliding Door
Opened Jul 25, 2000 · Closed Oct 22, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
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