Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | ||||||||||||||||
| 03V328000 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | from 03/01/2002 to 06/30/2003 | V (Vehicle) | 41477 | 04/08/2004 | MFR | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 09/12/2003 | 09/16/2003 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Certain minivans have an interference condition between the lower ball joint rubber boot and the steering knuckle (both left/right sides), which could result in cutting of the boot that is intended to seal the ball joint. if the lower ball joint boot were cut, contamination from the road (salt, dirt, water, etc.) could enter the ball socket area of the ball joint causing the joint to wear out too quickly. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | The steering knuckle could separate from the lower control arm, dropping down the affected corner of the vehicle. the coil spring would push the control arm down into contact with the ground, creating a drag that would slow the vehicle. the driver could have difficulty in maintaining the directional control of the vehicle. in addition, the affected wheel assembly could separate from the vehicle if forces resulting from the wheel | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will replace the steering knuckles. owner notification is expected to begin on april 8, 2004. owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Gm recall no. 03044.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||||
| 040310004 | 05/01/2004 | 10008504 | Revised tire and wheel removal and installation fastener tightening specification. *mj | 08/03/2004 | |
| 000309001A | 10/01/2004 | 000309001B | 609703 | A boom noise inside the vehicle while driving at speeds ranging between 97 - 105 km/h (60 - 65 mph). *tt this bulletin is revised and replaced bulletin 00-03-09-001 dated 01/01/2000. *tt updated *eh | 04/06/2000 |
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | |||||
| 04012004 | 04/01/2004 | 10009197 | An interference condition between the lower ball joint rubber boots and the steering knuckles that may cut the boots that are intended to seal the ball joints. dealers are to modify the steering knuckles and replace the lower ball joint. | 09/17/2004 | |
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY | |||||
| 02115 | 01/01/2004 | 10007457 | Part number 15042486 leaf spring damper mentioned in technical service bulletin (tsb) 00-03-09-001a is not available. *mj | 06/23/2004 | |
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS - LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY | |||||
| 02097 | 01/01/2004 | 10007458 | Part number 15042486 per bulletin 00-03-09-001a for the rear spring damper kit is currently not available. *mj | 06/23/2004 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 04/29/2005 | 1 | 01/10/2004 | |
| After ball joint recall, i have had nothing but problems with steering, braking and suspension. front left side continually pops and grinds, shock boot was replaced twice, the shocks have been replaced 3 times. the third time may have fixed it, just got the van back today. brakes are intermittent. heard loud bang from rear end, dealership tightened backing plate. transmission slips, shudder is felt from rear end at 30+ mph. dealership put balances on torque converter and the drive shaft, had to cut the rear springs to do this. service manager stated the problem was not gone, but livable. vehicle runs rough at idle, almost stalling, service manager experienced the problem as well. said fuel injector port was fill with carbon, but cleaning it did not fix the problem. check engine light came on during a trip, stayed on for the 6 hour drive home, there was no heat at all, service manager said he could not get the computer to reproduce the code, but replaced the thermostat, water pump and two clamps.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | |||
| 06/15/2004 | 38800 | 4 | |
| Recall 03v328000/lower ball joint boot interference. consumer had recall repairs done. whenever vehicle was backing up or making a turn a popping sound was heard while driving. vehicle had been to the dealer on three separate occasions, and problem recurred. *ak | |||
| 2 | |||
| While turning left or right consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front. consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. *ak | |||
| 04/11/2004 | 2 | 03/01/2003 | |
| Dealership was unable to perform the lower ball joint boot interference recall 03v328000 repairs because they didn't have the parts or the tools. consumer called dealer twice to make an appointment since receiving the recall notice. *ak *nm | |||
| 11/24/2003 | 0 | 1 | 06/30/2003 |
| Earlier today i had my wife take in our 2003 chevrolet astro. the service light would not reset. this was the second time it came on and this time it would not reset by itself. while there i asked her to inquire about the sept. 2, 2003 recall of the astro van for a front suspension defect. recall number 03044. the dealership representative searched by using our vin. the search came back with no recall. i researched the recall on the nhtsa and called the chevrolet manufacturers 800 number for further assistance to find out if we would be included. i spoke with an operator by the name of angela. she did a quick search and told me that there was no recall also. i disclosed to her that i was looking at the recall at that moment on the nhtsa web sight. she then restated that there was no recall for my van but she could not guarantee that i would not be included in this recall. all i wanted to know was if my van was included in the recall. chevrolet tracks their vehicles. they know what parts are on which vans. they even know who bought them and where they are. now they will not disclose if my van is included in this recall. this is a great concern to my entire family because this is a van that my wife and children are in. is there some sort of code, rule, or law that they are breaking about not disclosing this to there consumers? please contact me as soon as possible. thank you, brett spindler 702-644-4671. *la | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - UPPER BALL JOINT | |||
| 07/11/2003 | 75 | 6 | 04/30/2003 |
| Our 2003 chevy astro van had a intermittent very bad shimmy come from the front wheels. it was so bad the van could not be driven over 30 mph without losing control. the next 20 times it was driven it would work fine. we finally had it in to a dealer who had it happen to one of their mechanic while he was driving. the mechanic said it is a bad ball joint that had to be that way when it left the factory. we have not been able to drive the van for 3 weeks as they say the part is back ordered. it appears that this must be a problem with other vans and that is why we have not been able to get it replaced. i want to know if gm is going to recall all their vehicles with this problem? one of my employees nearly lost control of the van when it did it to her and it could easily happen to othere.*ak | |||