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 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | ||||||||||||||||
| 04V036000 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | from 03/01/1998 to 06/30/1999 | V (Vehicle) | 1415231 | 03/01/2004 | MFR | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 01/27/2004 | 02/05/2004 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain passenger vehicles. if the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the start position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed. the fire could spread to the interior of the car, which could injure occupants or cause damage to adjoining structures. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if necessary, replace the ignition switch. owner notification will begin on march 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, buick at 1-866-608-8080, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537. customers can also check their vehicle online by going to www.mygmlink.com and entering the vehicle's identification number. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Gm recall no. 04002.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236). | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||||
| 02232004 | 02/23/2004 | 10013000 | If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the start position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts. *tt | 04/05/2005 | |
| 04122004 | 04/12/2004 | 10009214 | Ignition circuit thermal events, three phase safety recall 04002. gm voicemail express. *tt | 09/17/2004 | |
| 04002 | 05/12/2004 | 10007858 | Product safety recall ignition circuit thermal events. *mj | 07/13/2004 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||||
| 020604011 | 03/01/2002 | 634710 | Subject regarding revised diagnostic trouble code p0140. *tt | 10/07/2002 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||||
| 010849009 | 06/01/2001 | 622716 | Subject regarding revised instrument panel cluster (ipc) replacement. nlm | 10/22/2001 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 03/25/2005 | 77000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet cavalier. the contact stated that in 2005 when she made a right turn at 15 mph, the steering wheel made a clicking noise and began to vibrate. the failure continued to occur. there were no warning lights that would allude to the cause of failure. the contact also noticed that the steering wheel would unlock and turn involuntarily when it was supposed to be locked. the fuel gauge was also defective. she also noticed that the lights on the instrument panel, and headlights, were also faulty. the bulbs in the left rear turn signal and brake light burned out and melted after they were used three to four times. the contact called the local dealer to ask about related recalls and was informed that there were no open recalls for her vehicle; however, the contact found eight recalls for her year, make and model vehicle. the current mileage was approximately 100,000. the failure mileage was approximately 77,000. | |||
| 01/01/2003 | 45000 | 9999 | 03/25/1999 |
| Headlight wiring harness failure. unable to use high-beams. when attempting to activate the high-beams, the drl activate due to not having full power getting to headlights. | |||
| 03/14/2005 | 99000 | 1 | |
| While driving fuel regulator failed and gas went through the motor, and the motor blew up. vehicle towed to the dealer. *ak engine and was removed and replaced. in addition, consumer stated that after purchase of vehicle the computer when out. *tt *nm | |||
| 08/01/2004 | 2 | 05/01/2000 | |
| Brake light are not functioning when replacing bulb. also, the lights on the dashboard continuously come on and off. the cause of this is undetermined. *ak *nm | |||
| 03/10/2003 | 6500 | 5 | |
| The turn signals and brake lamps continued to fail. the consumer had to replace the bulbs on numerous occasions. *jb | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 1 | ||
| Problems with dashboard lights blinking on and off.*mr the vehicle was recalled for the starter system. the dealer replaced the harness. after the recall was done the consumer noticed that the dash light would blink on and off. the vehicle was taken back to the dealer who determined that a cluster needed to be replaced. the consumer had to pay $592.86 for this repair. the dealer explained to the consumer that the wires behind the dash had loosened while going over bumps in the road. the consumer feels the vehicle may be too delicate if it cannot stand a few bumps in the road. *nm | |||
| 03/10/2004 | 2 | ||
| Consumer complained about an electrical system problem. since purchasing vehicle in 1999 consumer had this vehicle back and forth in the repair shop, and mechanics kept telling her that there was nothing wrong with vehicle. also, since purchasing vehicle 4 batteries burned out. vehicle had left consumer stranded, and she had it towed to dealers, and once to her home. once consumer was told by mechanic that the electrical problem was solved, but vehicle still needed an alternator.*ak | |||
| 1 | 06/01/1999 | ||
| When i bought the car in springfield mo., i only had 8 miles on the car when i drove it off the lot. i live in rolla which is only 110 miles at the most. i drove straight home and the mileage showed 265 miles, twice the mileage. also, the car shakes and grinds when starting. they found nothing wrong with it. that was when it had less than 1000 miles. fuel lines or something smells heavy with gas. my car eats gas more than my astro van. they said nothing was wrong. i have put three cooling systems in this car they said was wrong. fuses keep burning out. i have replaced 65 bulbs, they said nothing is wrong. it's much worse now. when i turn the car the steering sticks then goes into the turn, they said nothing was wrong. this car has been nothing but trouble since i bought it. ph **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**770836 | |||
| 04/01/2003 | 29346 | ||
| I purchase a used 1999 chevrolet cavalier from a chevrolet dealer in hamilton nj. since the time of purchase in late 2001, the car has been in service many times for the windows and locks not working among other things, and has had three driver's side window regulators replaced. each time i was told a new regulator was put in. when i questioned the quality of the regulators, the dealer told me my complaint was with gm and not them because they get their parts from gm. how can the window regulators be bad three times in less than a year? besides the windows, i've had problems with automatic locks not working and the drivers side door not closing. the car is still under warranty but what happens when the warrenty expires and i need yet another window regulator? i do not qualify for the nj used car lemon law because the problems began three months beyond the limitation date, even though i met every other qualification. | |||
| 08/13/2000 | 3 | 01/11/1999 | |
| Possible electrical failure, ets light, safety belt light, and airbag light flash on and off. *slc | |||
| 05/08/2000 | 5 | 02/01/1999 | |
| Electrical system failed to work. problem was causing the lights inside & outside not to come on. had the fuses replaced for all elelctrical components. also had the electrical components checked & mechanic indicated no problem was found. been back to dealer twice about electrical cluster problem.*ak the customer states that the vehicle was taken to shop five times for electrical, instrumtnt cluster, brake lights and back up lights. *yh | |||
| Consumer experiencing problem with an electrical short causing a malfunction with the power windows/ horn assembly and battery. consumer has contacted the dealer. please provide any further details. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||
| 11/04/2004 | 40000 | 1 | |
| Consumer took the vehicle to dealer for a relay switch. after receiving the vehicle it was making a winning noise, and the clock on the radio was flickering. dealer stated the alternator was defective.*ak | |||
| 07/09/2001 | 1 | 05/01/1999 | |
| Alternator failed and was replaced.*jb | |||
| 08/11/2000 | 1 | 01/01/2000 | |
| Car was purchased as a demo vehicle from the dealer but is still covered under the manufactuerer's original expressed warranty. first failure resulted in car stalling and towed and battery replacement by owner (6/00). battery light illuminated and car taken to original dealer (casa chevrolet) on 8/11/00, dealer could not duplicate problem. car then taken to second gm dealership (galles chevrolet) on 8/21/00, alternator failed test and replaced. battery light illuminated again and car stalled and towed to galles chevrolet on 9/22/00, fuse link at starter replaced. battery light illuminated and car stalled and towed to galles chevrolet on 10/04/00, alternator failed test and replaced. battery light illuminated and car was driven to galles chevrolet on 10/10/00, pcm replaced. in all instances the dealer could not duplicate the failure. battery light illuminated on 10/17/00 but is intermittent and car has not stalled to date. letter sent to manufactuer requesting repurchase of vehicle under lemon laws for failure/inability to repair the same defect while under warranty.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||
| 11/15/2003 | 62000 | ||
| Cd will not play. get error message. knob on mirror fell off. battery was replaced in september 2000. battery kept dying on me. | |||
| 08/25/1999 | 5 | 04/01/1999 | |
| First, the whole transmission was rebuilt at dealers, the sensor fan now does not work, the battery and radiator are not functioning, the steering is malfunctioning, and the brakes are slipping, and now the transmission is also slipping again, i reported all this to chevy as i was not getting satifaction from the dealers in florida and now the my vehicle is broke down and will not run in bradenton florida at cox chevelot on cortez road in florida, i called and talked to several women in the customer service at chevy and their names are brandy mays and lillania lopez, i still have no vehicle and now i am not receiving any courteous service as i was told chevy would buy back the vehicle and it was a lease. i have purchased a new chevy truck and due to the red tape and chevy now refusing to help assist me with the buy back i am unable to keep my new truck due to this red tape and all the forms and information that the service dept. now says i need to have had done, but i was not informed when i first made the complaint on sept 7. i called back on sept, 28, when i found out that chevy went back on their word. i am not a car dealer, i do not work at chevy as a service representitive, and i sure do not know what papers or forms are required for the manufacture in detroit michigan needs to fill out paperwork. i am an unsatified consumer, and i feel the run around i am receiving is a great injustice. i loved my car and it is immaculate inside and out. i only want to keep my new chevy truck which is not looking as a possible option as chevy is not cooperating, the dealer moved its lot, the service departments in florida will not service the vehicle, and it is an engine censor chip, the transmission, the radiator sensor fan and now the steering, i have no knowledge on how to repair a sensor chip or any of these things and since the car is in florida i cannot get it to kentucky. now gmac, my financer on my new truck will not finance me. *ak | |||
| 08/11/2000 | 1 | 01/01/2000 | |
| Car was purchased as a demo vehicle from the dealer but is still covered under the manufactuerer's original expressed warranty. first failure resulted in car stalling and towed and battery replacement by owner (6/00). battery light illuminated and car taken to original dealer (casa chevrolet) on 8/11/00, dealer could not duplicate problem. car then taken to second gm dealership (galles chevrolet) on 8/21/00, alternator failed test and replaced. battery light illuminated again and car stalled and towed to galles chevrolet on 9/22/00, fuse link at starter replaced. battery light illuminated and car stalled and towed to galles chevrolet on 10/04/00, alternator failed test and replaced. battery light illuminated and car was driven to galles chevrolet on 10/10/00, pcm replaced. in all instances the dealer could not duplicate the failure. battery light illuminated on 10/17/00 but is intermittent and car has not stalled to date. letter sent to manufactuer requesting repurchase of vehicle under lemon laws for failure/inability to repair the same defect while under warranty.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | |||
| 07/01/2005 | 87200 | 8 | |
| When exiting the freeway after driving approximately 30 minutes, the cavalier quit running at the top of the ramp. this was at evening rush hour and several cars were behind, trying to exit. i could not restart the vehicle. cars were honking as i was in the lane and could not get out of the way. we had the vehicle towed. we had the entire fuel pump/sender unit replaced. vehicle then seemed to operate okay, but two days later after driving on the freeway again, the exact same problem occurred. this was morning rush hour and the exit lane on the off-ramp had no shoulder... cars were coming quickly up the ramp and i was nearly hit more than once, even with my hazard lights on. towed vehicle again. told that it was a fuse. replaced fuse and took vehicle again. same problem happened a third time. i replaced fuse. took to dealer who said that wire was loose from fuel pump replacement. they secured wire. has now happened five more times. i have fuses in car in case of problem. car is now at electrical shop for review. last time it happened on july 1, i was entering the hov lane on the freeway! luckily there was a small area in which to stop. replaced fuse and get on... this is very scary as it just quits without notice (no check engine light or anything!) | |||
| 2 | 03/12/2003 | ||
| Instrument panel does not illuminate anymore. also, fuses do not work , and have been replaced numerous times. *ak | |||
| 04/30/2002 | 1 | 10/01/2099 | |
| Headlights went out, not the bulbs or fuses, but from corrosion in wiring. this car is less than 3 yrs old! we checked on the internet and found others w/ same yr/make/model/miles with same problem is very dangerous... we did not realize the lights were out at first and drove some distance w/o headlights. the high beams work if they are turned on just the regular headlights wiring is faulty. pornid@yahoo.com has reported the same problem in the same car with only 37,000 miles. gm hotline answerer says this is not a problem. hopefully it doesn't take a fatality accident for them to change their minds. thank you.*ak | |||
| 03/05/2002 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states that the day lamp (lights) fuses blew numerous of time while driving. nlm | |||
| 03/01/1999 | |||
| Interior and dash lights flicker over railroad tracks or a hard bump. also, engine check light came on twice, and vehicle shook vipolently. in addition,doors do not fit correctly because they freeze and are difficult to open. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 03/09/2004 | 52214 | 05/28/1999 | |
| Complaint regarding problems with ignition circuits.*mr the vehicle experienced the recall symptoms 2 days prior to receiving the recall notice. *nm | |||
| 08/01/2001 | 0 | ||
| Ignition wiring overheated. *ak | |||
| 04/24/2000 | 1 | ||
| The vehicle lost power and the electronic traction system light came on while driving due to burnt spark plug wire. yh | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||
| 01/01/2005 | 137000 | 2 | |
| Two issues left consumer stranded in 1999 2.2l chevrolet cavalier catastrophic failure of input shaft/input drum assembly on 3t40 transmission, left operator without any forward or reverse drive gears while drive was engaged and rolling. managed to avoid crash. remedy was replacement of transmission with remanufactured transmission. incipient worsening of starting times. poor factory ecm calibration in all or most 1999 2.2l cavaliers can leave operator stranded in warm starting condition. results in poor initial running and large amount of unburned hydroarbons released to atmosphere. a technical brochure exists to remedy the situation, but no recall. dealer wants $90 to reprogram ecm. *jb | |||
| 01/01/2001 | |||
| Spark plugs failing during operation of vehicle. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||
| 07/20/2008 | 188500 | 1 | 03/01/2006 |
| To make a long story short, my car started smoking through the ac vents one day and i described this to a chevy 800 # rep and he said that it was covered under recall # 04002 ignition circuit thermal events. i take it to the dealer, they said they fixed it. i go to pick it up and the burned wires under the dash were not replaced, the theft system light was still on and the car still would not shut off even with the key out of the ignition. i called the 800# back and told him i was given the run around and now this guy claims that he never told me that the damage to my car was not covered under the recall and that it would have to come out of pocket. this is ridiculous. the description of the recall fits exactly what happened with my car and now they are trying to get away with not fixing my car. i want it fixed! i just wanted to send this quick email and will go in depth about it once i receive your reply. thanks. *tr updated 09/09/08 | |||
| 01/02/2008 | 112019 | 1 | 05/15/2007 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet cavalier. when the contact attempted to start the vehicle, it would not start; however, the instrument panel indicators illuminated. there were no prior warning indicators before the electric system failed. nhtsa campaign id number 04v036000 (electrical system:ignition:switch) was referenced. the contact was advised to replace the ignition switch first and then the dealer would complete the rest of the safety recall repair. the current mileage was 112,319 and failure mileage was 112,019. | |||
| 12/18/2007 | 1 | ||
| With ignition key in start position i begin to smell something burning. this prompted site search and it appears that re-call #02v070000 applies to my 1996 cavalier. dealer does not acknowledge existance of recall. *tr | |||
| 10/12/2003 | 50000 | 5 | 10/12/2002 |
| Dt: the consumer was complaining about electrical problems for 3 years. the car has been to the dealer once and to a repair shop 4 or 5 times for electrical problems. the dealership installed a wiring harness kit, and that did not correct the problem. the consumer called the manufacturer, and they would not refund her any money. the consumer received nhtsa recall 04v036000 concerning electrical switch. the consumer has had the recall work done. the vehicle is a 1999, chevrolet cavalier. speed was not a factor in the vehicle. *ak updated 01/04/06. *jb updated | |||
| 03/03/2004 | 2 | ||
| Approximately two months after the dealership performed ignition switch recall 04v036000 repairs the problem recurred. *ak | |||
| 32000 | 1 | ||
| Nhtsa recall 04v036000 concerning ignition switch failure. recall was not being honored by the dealer, who installed the wiring harness, used to prevent high current flow. however, dealer did not install the ignition switch. the dealer asked consumer to pay for diagnosis when they won't change the ignition switch. currently vehicle did not start. *ak | |||
| 1 | 01/01/1999 | ||
| Vehicle would not start. vehicle had to be towed to a dealer, and mechanic replaced ignition switch. *ak | |||
| 06/15/1999 | 5 | ||
| Vehicle experiencing problem of restarting after running for 15 minutes or more. vehicle been in/out of dealer shop on five occasions, and was unable to duplicate the problem. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 01/01/2003 | 45000 | 9999 | 03/25/1999 |
| Headlight wiring harness failure. unable to use high-beams. when attempting to activate the high-beams, the drl activate due to not having full power getting to headlights. | |||
| 06/01/2004 | 28000 | 3 | |
| The high beams and day time running lights fail intermittenly. *mr the wires rubbed underneath the battery tray. (found corroded splices in the harness under the battery tray) the running light indicator on the dashboard was off again and the high beam indicator was always on when the headlight switch was in either position. the problem with the running lights was yet another corroded and shorted out a wire form the electrical harness. (found wiring c101 corroded and circuit 1200 at c101 was repaired) the check engine light was not caused by a bad sensor, but another bad wire leading to a sensor. (found wiring to the vent solenoid bad) there was a loud clunk noise in the rear when hitting large bumps due to worn rear strut mounts. *sc | |||
| 01/15/2003 | 38744 | 1 | |
| Headlight failure, not bulb. called dealer, they said it was wiring harness problem, that it is very common on 1999 chevy cavaliers (what i have), but refused to warranty it. if it is so common that the harness fails why does chevy not recall it? | |||
| Odometer trips, cluster replaced, engine burning gasket replaced, electrical electrical radio cassette plays sides a/b simutaneously and station are staticky, radio replaced once problem still exist but can not be duplicated, back right passenger door stick and transmission will not change into 3rd gear. | |||
| 02/01/2001 | |||
| Wires from the ignition are rubbing against bolts on engine, and is causing electrical problems because of exposure. consumer is concerned of vehicle catching on fire. dealership is aware of it. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||
| 01/01/2003 | 45000 | 9999 | 03/25/1999 |
| Headlight wiring harness failure. unable to use high-beams. when attempting to activate the high-beams, the drl activate due to not having full power getting to headlights. | |||
| 07/20/2000 | 1 | 10/01/1999 | |
| No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||
| 2 | 03/12/2003 | ||
| Instrument panel does not illuminate anymore. also, fuses do not work , and have been replaced numerous times. *ak | |||
| 12/06/2001 | |||
| After recall 99v218000 repairs were completed problem got worse. *ak | |||
| 04/24/2002 | 1 | 03/01/2099 | |
| Wiring harness for head lamps broken at piviot in tilt steering colum causing all lights to go out. *ak | |||
| 06/12/2000 | 1000 | 06/01/1999 | |
| #1. air bag and seat belt intermittently flash approx once a second, for 10 to 15 seconds when the car is stopped or moving. dealer could not duplicate. they did a scan with tech 2 and found no codes set. they said this is normal operation. i am concerned about the air bag not deploying in an accident given other reports of no air bag deployment listed on your web site. #2 if turn signal lever is not moved to the physical stop for a flash to pass, only the rear turn signals will flash. they flash fast just like when one bulb is burned out. dealer said this is normal. #3 this is the 2.4l engine. upon deccelarating from at least 2nd gear almost to a stop and then accelerating, the trans hesitates slightly and thumps into gear. then the upshift into 2nd gear is not a smooth shift but very hard. even though mechanic acknowledged experiencing the problem during a test drive we both made together, he states he could not duplicate complaint on the paperwork. scan test ok, no codes, ok at this time. it seems to me, if there is no codes set in the control module then there can not be a problem. what did mechanics do before cars had computer control modules? did they actually have to do some work to identify what was wrong? by the way, i am a computer engineer and have been one for 35 years. i plan to continue persuing this problem. i also own a 1998 cavalier with the 2.2l engine and a 1999 buick century with the 3.1l engine. the 1998 cavailer has the same turn signal problem but not the other 2 problems. the century has none of these problems. | |||