Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
00060500106/01/200410012145Boom type noise during engine warm up. this service bulletin replaces 000605001a. *eh02/15/2005
0122501/01/200401225A10007717Engine coolant leak at intake gasket. * mj07/08/2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
308110010375Service engine soon light and p0300 when towing, cruising uphill or on hard acceleration. *tt11/17/2004
03060102408/01/200310004371Rattle noise in engine. *tt12/04/2003
03060405110/01/200310004313Revised diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0146 ho2s circuit insufficient activity bank 1 sensor 3. *tt12/02/2003
030601024A03/01/2004030601024B10004301Rattle noise in engine. *tt12/01/2003
676114A03/01/199752601Engine noise (install valve stem oil seal). *tw08/21/1997
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
000605001A11/01/200300060500110005528Concerns with boom type noise during engine warm-up heard in the vehicle passenger compartment. *tt03/02/2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
31100110/31/2001628070Some vehicles may exhibit an exhaust noise, rattle noise at 550 rpm. *tt03/05/2002

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
10/10/2001105/01/2001
 Please send me frontal impact stats and side impact stats if available--how does this car rate????no afety defect listed. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN
06/04/2004403/03/1997
 Tensioner belt on my 1997 chevrolet astro van continues to make chirping sounds especially after it rains. tensioner belt has been changed 4 times and alleviates the problem temporarily.*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - HOSE
06/16/2002109/01/2097
 I have had a number of problems with this vehicle: both the left and right power windor motors; replace the key remote, both idler arms,front brake pad at 37,000 miles, serpentime belt, power steering pump - replaced twice, had to fix oil cooler lines twice, replaced distributor/rotor; replaced lower gasket due to intake manifold leak, and fuel pump modual. all of this was done before my car had 57,000 miles. the dealer has been very fair and repaired at low or now cost. i have had two trips shortened due to breakdowns and have spent over $1,500 on repairs not covered under warrenty or by the dealer. this is in addition to normal maintenance (oil and filter,four new tires,and transmission fluid and filter). i am concerned as to what is next and when the dealer when no longer be able to fix these problems at low cost to me.*ak
09/01/1996
 Coolant line rubbed up against the engine block and wore a hole in it. the new line has been redesigned to avoid the contact. the windshield wipers intermittently stops and has happened at least 15 times. the fuel gauge stopped working, reads full for 20 minutes then slowly comes down, dealer replaced the tank gauge
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
01/01/1901300001
 The consumer's 1987 and 1997 chevrolet astro vans had faulty engine's.***no answer required***. *mr the power windows failed, the driver's seat came loose, the rear door hatch broke and the transmission failed due to the torque converter slipping and valve body wear (90000 miles). *nm
05/18/200363005109/27/1997
 My problem is that i have a 1997 chevrolet astro van with 63,005 miles on it and the main bearings failed. i took it my local dealer for a oil pressure drop, and they informed me that the bearings were bad. after some investigating on the internet i have found that chevrolet may have been aware of a problem with the bearings, having issued a tsb[87-61-22]. now that a new engine has been installed at my cost of $4600, i am looking for some help or information on how to recoup some or all of the cost. i have had all possible maintenance done and all recall work done since 1997. chevrolet has informed me that some recall work was not done, but my dealer records show it has been done.*ak
11/03/20021
 *ohio traffic crash report* consumer smelled smoke and immediately pulled to the side. the engine had caught on fire which resulted in damage to the windshield and engine. *jg *jb
08/25/1997108/22/1997
 Driver's side rear window will not stay open, clips that should hold it up are blocked by material, window slams shut when going over a bump. transmission went out at 45000 miles. *ak oil leak, dealer ordered axle output shaft seal and crankshaft sensor. electric fuel pump replaced due to vehicle cutting and would crank, but would not star. oil pressure gauge erratic, dealer replaced oil pressure sender. front brakes and pads were replaced, rotors were resurfaced. consumer states there is play in the steering, dealer replaced both idler arms and reset toe in. power door locks inoperable, dealer replaced power door lock switch. power window inoperable, dealer replaced power window switch. shifter was hard to move, dealer replaced shift cable. gas pedal binds at times, dealer ordered throttle cable and replaced accelerator cable. driver seta seems loose when braking, dealer ordered driver seat track assembly and replaced driver seat adjuster. pcm fuse kept blowing out, dealer removed engine cover and traced wire harness, repaired shorted harness at the rear of the transmission. *slc
10/02/20001
 While driving about 70 mph engine was making noise. power steering and power brakes were affected.technician said that problem was with idler pulley and tension pulley.*ak after explosion like sound under the hood, the tensioner pulley disintegrated causing loss of power steering and power brakes. *yh
07/19/1999405/29/1997
 Every thousand miles, service light comes on and vehicle runs very rough, jets have been cleaned 4 times on the engine. dealer was blaming it on chevron gas. chevron has sent a letter stating it was the poppet valve. delaer changed all 6 poppet valves and cleaned the fuel intake system, and it worked for 5 months. problem has come up again. *slc
07/26/1997111/02/1998
 Vehicle is leaking anti freeze between the head gasket and the engine due to defective casting.*ak tires were showing heal and toe wearing. dealer offered to prorated tires but customer declined. *yh
10/29/1997207/01/1997
 In oct. 1997 when starting to drive transmission slips, feels like van has been hit from behind. dealer replaced valve body,due to a known product problem.van once again had same troble in may 2000, dealer changed valve body, also statede becaused of a known product concern. but tjis time i had to pay $672.06. their customer service was of no help. even though their mechanic stated that gm had said to reploace the valve body the second time with a new design, since the first replacement was defective. *ak
07/19/1999
 Vehicle would be running rough & would shake. took vehicle to dealership & was informed by mechanic the jets on engine were plugged up. this was caused by the gasoline & could be repaired.
06/01/1997105/01/1997
 Engine valve seal failed causing valves to stick which resulted in excessive engine noise. *yc
09/10/1998106/29/1998
 The crank sensor was replaced, due to failure, causing the check engine light to come on and vehicle stalling. *yc
09/04/199809/08/1997
 Consumer was driving at 35 mph when he smelled smoke, and pulled over to exit. the doors and windows would not open. consumer hit the glass with his shoulder and hand to get out, but then he had to break the glass to exit. notice light coming from the tires on the driver's side, and then saw that the vehicle was on fire. fire department came out to put out the fire. contacted the dealer to fix the vehicle. *ak
 When the vehicle dies out there is no stopping abilitiy, when driving at 30mph vehicle dies, no steering capability, no notification or warning. dealer contacted and cannot duplicate the problem. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
1
 Consumer stated vehicle leaked oil from the timing cover and engine oil pan. (consumer no longer owns vehicle)*tt
06/05/20020
 Vehicle keeps dying on road. mechanic cannot find the cause. also, sometimes vehicle does not start at all. consumer can be riding along and vehicle cuts off, causing consumer to shift neutral or drift to the side, and get it restarted.*ak
07/23/200105/01/1998
 Chronic engine knock that is normal. *ak
04/22/20011
 Consumer states vehicle makes loud screeching noises whenever it is moving, possibly engine related. *jb
04/24/1999104/01/1998
 As you can see, i have had numerous problems with this van. the dealer nor chevrolet have offered any assistance saying that after 36,000 miles they are not responsible. obviously, there is something wrong with this car. i am a single mom and i cannot pay my car payment plus repairs every month. i cannot trade it in because i owe too much on it. if i turn it in, i do not have credit to buy another car. can you assist me in any way? no safety defect listed. *ak
06/01/1998
 Fast engine idle, intermittant, high ambient temp. no chk eng or stored codes van will intermittantly accellerate to 45 to 62 mph with no pedal. several near accidents. frequently must use brakes or low gear to hold 45-55 mph dealers make excuse over warranty while admiting it is a safety problem, but no real interest from several levels of mgmt. 3 yr problem, dealer serv has only seen malfunction once with computer tool pluged in but said no problem indicated while seeing the fast idle. can i get an incident number to take to the dealer?
02/01/1997
 Occurance 1) engine stopped without warning while approcahing an intersection. the resulting loss of power caused a severe control problem with the van. the reason for the failure was the fuel guage read 3/4 and the van ran out of fuel. occurance 2) the fuel guage has totally stopped functioning, after topping off and proceeding onto highway i drove for 1/2 hour at 65, a sudden slam occured 2 or three times, appeared to be the engine cutting in and out, slowed to 55 and continued for 150 miles without further incident. occurance 3) vehicle has no fuel guage, i am told it's out of warranty, even if full the vehicle seem to loose control momentarally, as if to loose power.
 Engine has been cutting off excessively, causing a loss of power steering and power brakes. dealer can't find the problem. *ak
 Intermittently vehicle will lose power and stop in traffic. dealer cannot determine cause. also, consumer noticed a white pasty fungus growing which is eating through the metal and carpet.*ak
07/22/199806/22/1997
 Vehicle has an ongoing stalling problem. vehicle been in/out of dealer shop on nine occasions, and the problem cannot be found for repair. *ak *ml
02/05/1999105/01/1998
 4 of 6 cylinders less than 150 psi. only check engine light came on. dealer , chevrolet, and extended warranty service refuse to honor any discounted or warranty on this engine that was maintained through the dealership.
07/30/19980
 Wife was driving when vehicle caught on fire. was told of this by a passing motorist- driver was traveling about 75mph. *ak
07/04/1998
 While traveling the vehicle would shut down without indcatons. dealer was contacted. please provide further details. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
06/16/2002109/01/2097
 I have had a number of problems with this vehicle: both the left and right power windor motors; replace the key remote, both idler arms,front brake pad at 37,000 miles, serpentime belt, power steering pump - replaced twice, had to fix oil cooler lines twice, replaced distributor/rotor; replaced lower gasket due to intake manifold leak, and fuel pump modual. all of this was done before my car had 57,000 miles. the dealer has been very fair and repaired at low or now cost. i have had two trips shortened due to breakdowns and have spent over $1,500 on repairs not covered under warrenty or by the dealer. this is in addition to normal maintenance (oil and filter,four new tires,and transmission fluid and filter). i am concerned as to what is next and when the dealer when no longer be able to fix these problems at low cost to me.*ak
06/19/20001
 Consumer experienced engine failure, replaced tensioner and engine belt. *jb
02/24/2001
 While driving battery light came on. problem was due to 'belt tensioner breaking. consumer was driving at approximately 10 - 15 mph. please provide any additional information. *ak
10/02/20001
 While driving about 70 mph engine was making noise. power steering and power brakes were affected.technician said that problem was with idler pulley and tension pulley.*ak after explosion like sound under the hood, the tensioner pulley disintegrated causing loss of power steering and power brakes. *yh
06/01/19981
 Broken housing on belt.
 While driving, the serpentine belt broke, causing the vehicle to lose brakes and power steering. please describe details. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
01/18/200587470110/25/2002
 While driving 70 mph vehicle commenced to lose speed. vehicle would not accelerate more then 20-25 mph. consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer, who informed consumer that the oxygen sensor/ egr valve, and the catalytic converter malfunctioned. *ak the consumer stated that the oxygen sensor/ egr valve, and the catalytic converter melted down. the engine light was on. *tc
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
01/18/200587470110/25/2002
 While driving 70 mph vehicle commenced to lose speed. vehicle would not accelerate more then 20-25 mph. consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer, who informed consumer that the oxygen sensor/ egr valve, and the catalytic converter malfunctioned. *ak the consumer stated that the oxygen sensor/ egr valve, and the catalytic converter melted down. the engine light was on. *tc
06/26/2002
 While driving at any speed catalytic converter will rattle making a loud noise. dealer notified.*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
01/18/200587470110/25/2002
 While driving 70 mph vehicle commenced to lose speed. vehicle would not accelerate more then 20-25 mph. consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer, who informed consumer that the oxygen sensor/ egr valve, and the catalytic converter malfunctioned. *ak the consumer stated that the oxygen sensor/ egr valve, and the catalytic converter melted down. the engine light was on. *tc
06/20/20001
 Was coming to a stop light & started to apply brakes, and brake pedal went to the floor. had no brakes. did not hit anything. had vehicle towed to dealer. mechanic indicated that egr valve was opened due to carbon built up. brake problem could be repaired, but could also reappear.*ak
09/01/1998108/02/1997
 Egr valve failed.