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 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | ||||||||||||||||
| 03V159000 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | from 05/01/1996 to 07/31/1997 | V (Vehicle) | 1755876 | 06/19/2003 | ODI | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 04/28/2003 | 04/30/2003 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. the windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. owner notification began on june 19, 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, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Gm recall no. 03023.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - MOTOR | |||||
| 02054 | 02/01/2003 | 10001125 | Special policy adjustment - windshield wiper motor failures. *tt | 04/15/2003 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - MOTOR | ||||||
| EA02006 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 05/31/2002 | 07/23/2003 | WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE | 03V210000 | |
| As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, gm has expanded the population of safety recall 98v-150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details. | ||||||
| EA02006 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 05/31/2002 | 07/23/2003 | WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE | 03V159000 | |
| As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, gm has expanded the population of safety recall 98v-150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY | |||
| 05/04/2005 | |||
| Tl - the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet c/k. the contact stated that the windshield wipers would fail intermittently. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign id number: 03v159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer). the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 69,000. kmj | |||
| 05/04/2005 | |||
| Tl - the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet c/k. the contact stated that the windshield wipers would fail intermittently. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign id number: 03v159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer). the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 69,000. kmj | |||
| 05/04/2005 | |||
| Tl - the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet c/k. the contact stated that the vehicle windshield wipers would stop working intermittently. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on recall nhtsa campaign id number: 03v159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer). the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 69,000. pm | |||
| 12/01/2008 | 130000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet c/k pickup. the contact stated when driving approximately 5 mph in rainy weather conditions the windshied wipers would not operate normally. he would had to drive onto the emergency lane and wait until the rain stopped. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised him that the circuit board to the wiper motor failed and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and advised him that he was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 03v159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer). the failure mileage was approximately 130,000. the vin was unavailable. rvk | |||
| 12/01/2008 | 130000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet c/k pickup. the contact stated that when driving approximately 5 mph in rainy weather the windshied wipers would not operate as it should. he would have to pull over and wait a while to it stopped. the vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic and they advised him that the circuit board to the wiper motor had failed and needed to be replaced. the vehicle had not been repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that he was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 03v159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer). the failure mileage was approximately 130,000. the vin was unavailable. tb | |||
| 11/02/2011 | 128397 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet pickup quad cab. the contact stated that the window wiper motor would fail intermittently. the dealer and the manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign id number: 03v159000 (visibility: windshield wiper/washer). the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and the current mileage was 128,397. | |||
| 11/02/2011 | 128397 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet pickup quad cab. the contact stated that the window wiper motor would fail intermittently. the dealer and the manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign id number: 03v159000 (visibility: windshield wiper/washer). the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and the current mileage was 128,397. kmj | |||
| 11/02/2011 | 128397 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet pickup quad cab. the contact stated that the window wiper motor would operate intermittently. the dealer and manufacturer made the contact aware of the nhtsa campaign id number: 03v159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer) recall, but the vin was not associated. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 128,397. nw | |||
| 07/03/2008 | 98000 | 1 | |
| I was returning home when it started raining. i tried to turn on my windshield wipers and they did not come on. the rain became very heavy and i was unable to see. i had no was to turn off or stop so i slowed down to about 10 mph in a 45 mph zone, so i could even stay on the road. when i finally had a chance to pull off the road i did. the wipers did not work at any speed, nor did the wiper wash mode work. after i made it home i checked the fuse for the wipers and it was okay. i turned the ignition switch on and the wipers worked. as we have had a lot of rain in our area, this occurred 3 seperate times where the wipers failed to work when i needed them. after i had gotten home, and checked again, they worked. i researched on the web at a chevy site and found that this was a common problem with the vehicle, mine is a 1997 chevrolet k pickup truck. i also found a odi recall which matched my type of failure. the dealer service manager said that my vehicle number was not part of the recall. the nhtsa action number is ea02006. even though this was a used truck and the symptoms matched, they would not provide the repairs for free based on the recall. i believe that this should be repaired as part of the recall. *tr | |||
| VISIBILITY - REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER | |||
| 09/01/2010 | 93850 | ||
| Recently had wipers fail during heavy storm while on freeway. nearly caused crash. condition is intermittent. checked nhtsa website and found recall (03v159000) and documents showed entire production from my model was included. took truck to penske chev. of cerritos, ca. asked them to check for recall applicability. they told me the truck was too old and my vin number was not a good vin. they called gm and got the same info, no record of vin. i am the original owner (never received owner notifications) and showed them monroney label, original bill of sale and title with this vin. service writer told me that without vin, there would be no repair, despite the paperwork provided and gm recall document with affected range. dealer acted like i was trying to steal from them. | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | |||
| 07/12/2007 | 79000 | 15 | 03/22/1997 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet k 1500. while driving with the windshield wipers activated, the wipers worked intermittently. the dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 03v159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer). the contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. the wipers have yet to be repaired. the speed was unknown. the failure mileage was 79,000 and current mileage was 80,000. updated 01-11-08. *kb updated 12/12/07 *tr | |||
| 04/26/2006 | 108000 | 1 | 01/31/1997 |
| Dt*: the contact stated the windshield wipers work intermittently. there is a nhtsa recall, # 03v159000, regarding the windshield wipers; however, it is not included in the recall due to the vin. | |||
| 04/26/2006 | 91000 | 1 | 10/01/1997 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while the wipers are engaged in rainy weather, they work intermittently or not at all. the dealer was alerted, but the vehicle was not inspected. there is a nhtsa recall, # 03v159000, regarding the windshield wiper/washer. the vin was not included in the recall. updated 05/10/06. *jb | |||
| 03/13/2006 | 55000 | 1 | 04/01/1997 |
| Dt*: the contact stated the wipers fail intermittently without warning. there is a nhtsa recall, # 03v159000, regarding the windshield wiper/washer. the vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the vin. no repairs have been made. | |||
| 12/07/2005 | 60000 | 1 | 09/10/1997 |
| 1997 k3500 chevy truck. have had issues with the wipers not working intermittentialy for the last 2 years. came across a chevy bulletin ( 03023 ) and nhtsa 03v159000 that reflects the problem accuratly along with the internal dealer/gm notices that i obtained from alldata.com. i contacted both my local dealer and chevy corporate customer service about the issue. (ed mwango case 1-379680418 case number from chevy corporate ). they said that my vin did not come up in the recall and it was too old for them to consider. according to the internal gm doc this is a safety issue and should be addressed regardless of age or mileage. i would like gm/chevy to honor this recall. *jb | |||
| 07/04/2001 | 40000 | 20 | 07/10/1997 |
| Dt: the windshield wipers intermittently stop or fail to come on. in some circumstances, may hit a bump in the road and may come on or go off. most often this occurs in rainy weather. the windshield wipers have to be manually manipulated to work. this has been a problem for 3-4 years but became worse. took to a dealer and this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. *ak | |||
| 07/13/2005 | 181000 | 10 | 07/15/2004 |
| The windshield wipers on my 1997 chevrolet c1500 pickup truck will stop working while i am driving. this has happened several times. today it was raining fairly hard and i was driving along at 55mph and the wipers just stopped. it was like driving blindfolded. luckily i was able to pull over without hitting anyone. i did some research on the internet to find out what is causing this. i found a recall on the nhtsa.gov site for my year and make truck. nhtsa campaign id number: 03v159000 i went to a chevrolet dealer and they knew exactly what was wrong, but told me my truck was not included in the recall. i don't understand how this can be. | |||
| 05/26/2005 | 92250 | 07/14/2004 | |
| 1997 chevrolet c/k 1500 pick-up windshield wipers stop working intermittently. vehicle vin # 2gcec19w7v1125373. called atzenhoffer chevrolet about recall for this problem and was told this vehicle was not part of the recall (gm recall #03023, nhtsa id# 03v159000). | |||
| 06/10/2004 | 69270 | 3 | 02/03/1997 |
| Intermittent failure of the windshield wipers leading to a complete failure and totally inoperable. wiper motor module/circuit board was replaced by chevrolet dealer at full price of $148.15. i was told by the dealer my vehicle was not covered under general motors recall #03023 (nhtsa recall # 03v159000) as my vin #2geck19r9v1180484 was not on the approved gm recall list. although it was not listed, the failure was the exact same as indicated in the recall description and i feel i should be reimbursed for the repairs. *jb | |||
| 09/14/2004 | 47000 | 1 | |
| The consumer was having the same problems as stated in recall# 03v159000 regarding the windshield wipers. the dealership would not repair the vehicle free of charge, because the vehicle identification number was not included. *jb | |||
| 09/02/2004 | 100000 | 15 | 06/15/2000 |
| Windshield wipers began to fail intermittently. during each failure, to date, i have pulled off the road and raised the hood. with the wiper in the on position, i rap sharply on the motor and the wipers begin to operate normally. this would indicate a short in the system.*ak | |||
| 07/14/2004 | 50 | 01/15/1999 | |
| Windshield wipers frequently fail to turn on. the recall for this problem does not include 1997 chevrolet c/k pickups. *la | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - MOTOR | |||
| 05/18/2006 | 4 | 05/06/1997 | |
| Windshield wipers stopped working during a thunderstorm. *nm | |||
| 03/16/2006 | 1 | ||
| I went to my local dealership to fix a recall on my chevorlet truck that i saw on your website and they will not fix it for free. they will not fix it because they have no knowledge of any recalls about it. i have an issue with the wipers not working all the time and it is causing a hazard when i drive in the rain. *jb | |||
| 01/01/2006 | 100000 | 8 | 04/07/1998 |
| Windshield washer works intermittently or quits working as this is a safety issue in poor weather. *nm | |||
| 08/13/2005 | 140000 | 1 | 04/19/2005 |
| Dt: when the consumer would use the windshield wipers they would work off and on. the problem first started on august 13, 2005. the nhtsa recall 03v159000/gm recall 03023 was issued. the consumer took the vehicle to a dealership for recall repairs. the consumer was concerned because he was being charged for the repair work that others were not charged. when the consumer contacted the manufacturer, they told him that this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. *ak | |||
| 06/12/2005 | 74436 | 1 | 12/31/2002 |
| On 6/12/05, the windshield wipers on my 1997 chevrolet silverado pickup truck failed during a sudden rainshower. i checked the breaker panel and found that the fuse for the wiper motor had not blown. prior to taking the vehicle to a dealership for repair, i checked the nhtsa website to research if there had been a recall covering this repair. i located gm recall #03023/ nhtsa campaign id #03v159000 which covered certain pickups of my model year. the dealership advised that my vehicle was not covered under the recall and i spent $148.95 to have a faulty circuit board module replaced. this is the same repair called for under the aforementioned recall. a coincidence??? | |||
| 06/08/2005 | 62000 | 4 | 03/21/1997 |
| (1) failure of windshield wiper motor during rain storm (2) reduced visibility driving in rain (3) none | |||
| 05/26/2005 | 92250 | 07/14/2004 | |
| 1997 chevrolet c/k 1500 pick-up windshield wipers stop working intermittently. vehicle vin # 2gcec19w7v1125373. called atzenhoffer chevrolet about recall for this problem and was told this vehicle was not part of the recall (gm recall #03023, nhtsa id# 03v159000). | |||
| 02/08/2005 | 92000 | 1 | 08/17/2004 |
| My windshield wipers have intermittently quit working.i have contacted the dealer about this problem and was informed that there was a recall on this problem for the same year model but mine was not included.however it has the same defect as the other 1997 models that has been recalled gmc needs to be aware of this and amend its recall.*ak | |||
| 08/01/2004 | 50 | ||
| Within the past 3 months, i have noticed that my windshield wipers have intermittently quit working. sometimes they will not come on at all and sometimes they will stop in the middle of service. this poses potential hazards not only to myself, but other drivers. i was looking online and found some information about a recall issued in 2003 that seems to cover this exact same defect in many other gm models. i called the dealership to find out if my 1997 ck 1500 pick up truck was covered and they informed me that it was not and suggested the problem was probably the circuit board. that is the same thing that was wrong with the recalled vehicles. please advise if this is a problem the manufacturer is aware of and what steps they are taking to amend the recall to include additional makes and models. according to my research, there are other people in the same predicament.*ak | |||
| 07/01/2004 | 1 | ||
| Windshield wiper motor quit working. *mr the wipers stopped working in the process of tracking down the problem and discovered that no fuse was in the air bag. the fuse had been left out during assembly. *sc *jb | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - SWITCH/WIRING | |||
| 04/05/2002 | 70000 | 28 | 04/05/2002 |
| Windshield wipers only work intermittently, a humming sound can be heard, but wipers won't move, then they will start working again. this has been happening for approx. 1 and a half years. i researched the problem and found that chevy was having a problem with the wiper motor solder joints at the circuit board, but the local dealership insists my truck isn't in that recall, however...i am having the same problem as the recall. *nm | |||
| 07/17/2005 | 44000 | 1 | 02/17/2001 |
| I received a letter from gm in feb 2003 stating that if a windshield wiper circuit board would be replaced if it failed by 70,000 or feb 29, 2004. it failed at 45000 miles, but on july 17, 2005. fortunately the failure was not at a critical time! the letter clearly implies that gm felt their was a problem, however instead of accepting all responsibility they also implied that not every unit would fail. the two checkpoints were time or mileage. if, however one is not a hard user of a vehicle, then one would expect the mileage to be the key, not the time. this is especially true of a mechanical failure like a solder joint (proposed in this case). i took my vehicle to a gm dealer and it was not listed as a recall (it never was), and i agreed to have the work done and pay for it (it is a safety issue!). it was diagnosed as a failure of the circuit module and the module was replaced. i called gm about the issue, two pleasant people placated me but refused to accept responsibility. however a dealers agent implied that had i taken the vehicle in before feb. 29th, 2004, the module would have been replaced, even though working - clearly outside their policy. the customer complaint agent acknowledged that was the case - that it would have been replaced if diagnosed. however if the module was still working, how would it have been diagnosed as broken! clearly gm just using time to avoid responsibility for this components failure. had the wiper failed during a heavy rainstorm on a freeway or a mountain road, where i typically use the vehicle, the results could have been catastrophic - easily resulting in serious injuries. i believe gm should have worded their letter in a way that stated their operating intent to replace the module, even if currently working. i do not wish to imply i know their motives, but it certainly seems that they were deliberately misrepresenting their intent. i would like to see gm replace every module. *nm | |||
| 05/02/2005 | 02/27/1997 | ||
| I have 1997 chevrolet pickup the windshield wipers seem to have a mind of their own they seem to quit at inopportune times and start when they are dumb good and ready, the dealer in kalkaska tells me there were no recalls and i now find there have been in the past covering the 1997 ck chev. pkup | |||
| 20 | 11/01/1997 | ||
| Windshield wiper motor switch failed causing the wiper to stop while in use, same component has been recall in 93-96 model but not 97 model. nlm | |||