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
030601024A03/01/2004030601024B10004301Rattle noise in engine. *tt12/01/2003
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
01/01/201292000
 Diagnostic system was defective and didn't provide warning that the engine was overheating. the book states the service engine soon light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service is required. malfunctions often will be indicated by the system before any problem is apparent. this system is also designed to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction. none of this worked on the van.
02/01/201292349
 Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro van. the contact was driving 40 mph when heat emitted inside the vehicle without warning. the contact stated that during the failure, there were no visible flames or smoke. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the engine was damaged and needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were 92,349.
01/01/201292000
 Diagnostic system was defective and didn't provide warning that the engine was overheating. the book states the service engine soon light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service is required. malfunctions often will be indicated by the system before any problem is apparent. this system is also designed to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction. none of this worked on the van.
02/01/201292349
 Tl- the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro van. the contact was driving 40 mph when heat emitted inside the vehicle without warning. the contact stated that during the failure, there were no visible flames or smoke. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the engine was damaged and needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were 92,349. kmj
01/01/201292000
 Diagnostic system was defective and didn't provide warning that the engine was overheating. the book states the service engine soon light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service is required. malfunctions often will be indicated by the system before any problem is apparent. this system is also designed to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction. none of this worked on the van.
02/01/201292349
 Tl- the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro van. the contact was driving 40 mph when heat emitted inside the vehicle without warning. the contact stated that during the failure, there were no visible flames or smoke. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the engine was damaged and needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were 92,349. kmj
01/01/201292000
 Diagnostic system was defective and didn't provide warning that the engine was overheating. the book states the service engine soon light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service is required. malfunctions often will be indicated by the system before any problem is apparent. this system is also designed to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction. none of this worked on the van.
02/01/201292349
 Tl- the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro van. the contact was driving 40 mph when heat emitted inside the vehicle without warning. the contact stated that during the failure, there were no visible flames or smoke. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the engine was damaged and needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were 92,349. kmj
01/01/201292000
 Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro. the contact stated that the built- in diagnostic system was defective and did not provide warning that the engine was overheating. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the head gasket failed and caused engine coolant to leak into the motor abnormally. the engine motor and the intake gaskets would both need to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the dealer advised the contact that the built-in diagnostic system was not operating due to the vehicle
01/01/201292000
 Tl-the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro. the contact stated that the built- in diagnostic system was defective and did not provide warning that the engine was overheating. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the head gasket failed and caused engine coolant to leak into the motor abnormally. the engine motor and the intake gaskets would both need to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the dealer advised the contact that the built-in diagnostic system was not operating due to the vehicle
01/01/201292000
 Tl-the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro. the contact stated the vehicle build in diagnostic system was defected. the diagnostic system did not give warning that the engine was overheating. the vehicle was taken to the dealer a diagnostic was performed, which located the failure at the engine head gasket. the head gasket failure caused the engine coolant to leak into the motor. the engine motor, and the intake gasket, would need to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the dealer stated that the vehicle building diagnostic system was not operating due to the vehicle age. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and the current mileage was 92,000. li
02/11/200470365108/25/2003
 Request another vehicle (van/suv) and reimbursement for rental cars due to their defective vehicle. *ph the same day the consumer purchased the vehicle he drove two blocks and the van stopped, the engine light had illuminated. the consumer walked back to car lot and the was told everything was fine that the mechanic had checked over everything completely and to just fill the vehicle up with gas. when the consumer had the vehicle inspected, it was discovered that the water pump was leaking and there was a crack in the cylinder head, also the front shocks and idler arms were replaced. *jb
09/15/2003150000
 Cannot get air throught vents in dash, all controls work properly vacuum actuator moves, there is vacuum at the swithc, no one knows the answer paint on gas door bubbling and looks like it is going to fall off transmission shifted hard into 2nd gear since we bought it ( 54000kms) finally started to slip , bought used trans and had it installed, quoted 3000.00 to rebuild, dealer was past even belief. abs comes on when coming to a stop every time . lf front sensor reads o mph when other sensors read movement causing it to assume a skid situation, replaced sensor at 205.00 no better, does not set code in computer according to mechanic. pulled fuse. has had vibration in driveline since purchased no one can find anything sugeestion range from replace all u joints, did some of them no better to replace rear end. it is not possible in nova scotia to obtain a blasting permit to blow up your car even if you take precautions and hire a professional. i have never in 40 years of driving some bad stuff from old english cars to transport trucks with more miles than there are numbers, ever had this kind of problem, most things can be fixed. you have never lived until you have taken the whole dash apart on one of these, the vehicle was designed by madmen.
05/15/200189000
 Van shifts from 1st to 2nd realy hard. when i tried to get it repaired nothing was done except for a fluid change. the van still had the same problems. i only attemped two times because i cant aford to pay that much money and the problem to not get fixed. the air and heat only blowes out on the passenger side.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
10/01/2000305/30/1998
 Transmission has to be rebuilt due to bad shifting. also, engine rod bearing was making a kocking sound that forced replacement. *ak crack in cooling system had to replace seal.*jb
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
07/01/20001
 Coolant leaking from radiator and vehicle overheats. also, when applying brakes pedal gets hard, and goes all the way to the floor. dealership is aware of problem. *ak the hold down spring for rear brake rusted due to wet weather. *yh
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
04/22/20031
 The vehicle stalled without warning, while traveling 80 mph. *jb
10/01/2000305/30/1998
 Transmission has to be rebuilt due to bad shifting. also, engine rod bearing was making a kocking sound that forced replacement. *ak crack in cooling system had to replace seal.*jb
02/15/2000105/01/1998
 Tensioner arm housing broke off of engine block rendering vehicle undriveable. transmission slipped between 2 & 3 & 4 gears. replaced transmission with new gm trans. no monetary relief from gm was received.
04/07/1999109/01/1998
 Plastic pulley on belt tensioner desentegraded causing arm to bust off engine block while traveling on interstate in middle lane. surprised by loss of brake pedal while pulling over to emergency lane in heavy traffic! glad my wife was not driving the van at this time. my opinion is that not only is this a cheap part , but possibly dangerous in certain conditions. not to mention stranded 40 miles from home.
105/02/1998
 Oil pan gasket failed, resulting in leakage. *yc
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
11/01/2002208/01/2000
 Belt tensioner casing cracked/broken around mount bolt, causing loss of belt tension, power assisted steering, and power assisted braking. throttle control pedal sticks and excessive pressure must be applied to overcome resistance. brake pedal could not be depressed until excessive force was applied with both feet, occurred twice at very slow speeds while cresting a short steep incline and turning to the right to park, cause yet unknown. dt
11/05/2001109/01/2098
 No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
10/01/1998109/01/1998
 The engine uses 1 quart of oil per 2000 miles. nlm
1
 Vehicle stalls and would not start. yh
07/10/19990
 Security light kept coming on. then car would not start, then took to dealer ,and the fuel pump had to be changed. one week later, vehicle would not start again , changed the sensor . two weeks later, vehicle would not start once again. towed truck to dealer, and they took out the dash and replaced a switch. *ak
07/30/19981003/01/1997
 Roblems that i have listed are only the icing on the cake. i have several other problems and such as : oil coller inlet, rear main seal, extention housing leaking.my front end alignment wanders, problems with keyless remote and factory alarm.roof rack was improperly installed, cigarettte lighter falls out, glove box light switch defective,raido speakers not propertly installled. when tensioner failed, there was a loud noise from the front end,so i decided to get off the busy road to find out where the noise came from. my steering also went out;i had my children with me on a busy road speed limit 45.i went to make a left had turn and had extreme difficulty in turning my wheel. i had to unbuckle my seatbelt; to pull on the steering wheel with all my body weight, and still couldn't make the turn, i had to back up and try to turn again.i continue to have frontend,window,fuel injection, doors not wanting to lock and unlock properly and i still continue to have these problems. i feel that this chevrolet, astro is a very unsafe vehicle to be driving. any info you can give me on this vehicle would be greatly appericated. thank you laurie hoekzema. *ak
 While driving at high speeds between 40-70 mph vehicle will suddenly lose all power and shut down without warning. dealer has been contacted. *ak
106/01/1998
 Check engine light comes on, possible engine failure. *yc
05/08/1998
 While driving the vehicle stalls and shuts down , giving the driver no indication. vehicle was repaired under a recall and the problem still exists. the dealer has been notified. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
11/02/20031
 While driving 40 mph consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the rear. the brakes failed, and power steering malfunctioned. consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. consumer inspected the vehicle, and noticed that the belt tensioner fell off. *ak
06/12/19991
 Spring loaded belt tensioner fell off of vehicle causing loss of power. mjs
11/16/19982
 Fan belt failed twice. *yc
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
04/01/200351891108/01/1998
 Mass airflow sensor has a short service light. this sensor began to malfunction around 52000 miles, sending a code to the obd ll system resulting in a check engine light. this is way too soon for this type of component to fail, and the component is only available through general motors dealers at a lofty price. *la
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
1
 Consumer states having problems with catalytic converter heat shield. tt
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
02/06/2004703651
 Check engine light on the automobile never went off, when i purchased automobile from used dealer,light was on,took it to meinke, paid 2,000.00 to get serviced light still stayed on. was told not to worry, no problem with engine, 6 months after i bought auto , blew head, with no, no , no indication that the car was even running hot.*ak ivoq n 20030824 n n n gs auto bank approved auto 916-927-8110 sacramento ca 95815 v