Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||||
| 970501736211 | 05/01/1997 | 53009 | Conditions containing engine overheating and/or loss of engine coolant. *yc | 11/06/1997 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||||
| 010601002A | 12/01/2002 | 010601002 | 10000782 | Revised piston pin removal / installation procedure. *tt | 03/31/2003 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||||
| 010601010A | 06/01/2001 | 0106010101 | 620810 | Subject regarding polymer service pistons. *tt | 08/30/2001 |
| 990604005A | 04/01/2001 | 990604005 | 619360 | Some owners may comment on driveability symptons of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire due to clogged fuel injectors. *tt | 05/24/2001 |
| 876002A | 07/01/1998 | 876002 | 615073 | Some v6 engines may, on a very infrequent basis, have an oil odor condition that is generally encountered after the engine's oil has been changed.typically the odor lasts approximately 1000 miles after the change of oil and then does not re | 12/26/2000 |
| 990604005 | 02/01/1999 | 776304A | 604343 | Some owners may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire. *tt | 04/26/1999 |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 10/10/2006 | 181545 | 2 | 05/18/2006 |
| Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle stalled immediately upon starting the engine. the vehicle was restarted but immediately stalled again. the abs light also illuminated intermittently. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer for service. | |||
| 08/15/2003 | 92000 | ||
| Brakes do not work during inclimate weather. loses a quart of oil per 500 miles. blows by smoke through exhaust when starting. | |||
| 03/18/2004 | 86000 | 1 | 12/12/1997 |
| Due to intake manifold gasket leak (this is the fourth time for this problem on this vehicle) i had to stop to add coolant in order to safely drive the vehicle. had i not noticed the problem this potentially could have left me stranded on the side of the highway. after getting to a safe location i had the vehicle towed to a dealer for repair. also, as i stated above this is my fourth time dealing with this issue; in addition, i know of personally 3 other vehicles with the same engine that have had the same problem and they too have changed the intake gasket several times.*ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||
| 01/14/2005 | 119000 | 3 | 05/01/1996 |
| The problem described below has occurred on 3 previous occasions.(1) events leading up to the failure - dex cool coolant leak from intake manifold gasket. 2) failure and its consequences - loss of coolant leading to engine overheating or failure. (3) what was done to correct the failure; i.e, parts repaired or replaced (and if old part is available) - gm started using dex-cool extended life coolant in 1996 it didn't test the long term affects on it's existing gasket technology. one article i read stated it appears that on some engines, the use of conventional plastic-and-rubber gaskets in combination with more aggressive oat (organic acid technology) engine coolants has caused a significant number of sealing related issues for consumers and automotive service providers, said fel-pro chief engineer jerry rosenquist -- per p://www.theautochannel.com/news/2004/10/14/252583.html. dex-cool is an oat coolant manufactured by texaco for gm. over the past few days i've read many complaints about gm intake gasket leaks and it seems more likely that the coolant, rather than the gasket itself, is causing the problem.*ak | |||
| 11/18/2003 | 1 | 08/10/1996 | |
| I had to replace the lower intake manifold gasket due to antifreeze leak, and now the head gasket is leaking antifreeze.*ak | |||
| 70208 | 2 | 12/01/1995 | |
| At 70208 miles dealer replaced water pump at my cost, again at 91000 miles dealer replaced water pump. after complaining to gm the dealer agreed to warranty parts and labor. 2 water pumps in 91000 miles! #2 brakes at 48911 dealer replaced front disc and warped rotors. again at 91000 miles dealer says rotors are warped again and replaced, both times at cost. 2 sets of rotors in 91000 miles! neither time were the rotors visually damaged or worn from disc pads. *nlm **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*734293 | |||
| 2 | 12/01/2095 | ||
| At 70208 miles dealer replaced water pump at my cost, again at 91000 miles dealer to replace water pump, after complaining to gm dealer agreed to warranty parts and labor. 2 water pumps in 91000 miles! #2 brakes at 48911 dealer replaced front disc and warped rotors. again at 91000 dealer says rotors are warped again and replaced, both times at my cost. 2 sets of rotors in 91000 miles! neither time were the rotors visually damaged or worn from disc pads. | |||
| 12/09/1998 | 1 | 01/01/1996 | |
| Water pump failed. yh | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | |||
| 12/23/2003 | 80000 | 1 | 10/01/1999 |
| The radiator looked dirty and slimy after having it flushed. since then the engine started running hot and leaking antifreeze. took it to mechanic and he stated the head gasket was blown.*ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 02/06/2006 | 75385 | 1 | 06/10/1996 |
| I have been having problems with the automobile having a ticking noise after i start it up in the morning so i brought it to the dealer to find out what was wrong with it. it was the head gasket. the auto only has 75000 miles on it. i would like to know what you can do for me. there was a tsb #57-61-24a jun98 on this problem. *nm | |||
| 10000 | 1 | ||
| The intake manifold gasket leaked fluid which resulted in the engine over heating. *jb | |||
| 01/17/2003 | 82000 | 07/04/1996 | |
| My intake manifold is leaking. i understand from the dealership that this is extremely common but unfortunately has not lead to a recall yet. ts | |||
| 10/17/1999 | |||
| Vehicle is overheating and there is a cracked engine head gasket. also, engine won't crank. vehicle has been serviced for overheating, and the problem has returned. *ak | |||
| 06/25/1999 | 3 | 07/01/1996 | |
| Bought car july 12, 1996, july 29, 1996 broke down due to #6 injector staying open. replaced.sept 9, 1996, found improper leak down rate on fuel injectors.installed fuel injectors.34,610 miles check engine light on, found #3&5 cylinders misfiring. they put injector cleaner in.40,323 miles #1,#3 & #5 cylinders spark plugs & wires burned.43,000 miles #2 cylinder spark plugs & wires burned.they want me to pay for this problem, but why do they keep burning out. have 2 more to burn. called chevy, they said the same wires have to burn twice.i saw many complaints about this on nhtsa website. what does it take for a recall. people shouldn't have to pay for same problem.why didn't they change all spark plugs and wires to all cylinders. have to keep going back. $108.05 for each cylinder.never heard of this problem on any other car. from day 1, car has started hard, nobody can figure out why.this car is not yet 3 years old, i would like to keep it longer, but not with this happening. *ak | |||
| 07/24/1997 | 15 | 07/01/1997 | |
| Complained about transmission at least 10 times, finally failed completelt and was repaired. engine light on at least 15 times, replaced injectors, plugs, wires, o-rings, engine gasket, car still not fixed. | |||
| 08/03/1996 | |||
| When driving at any speed the engine check light came on. consumer states the vehicle has been in the shop four times, and there is an oil leak. dealer can't determine what is the problem. *ak | |||
| 09/16/1998 | 10/06/1997 | ||
| Failure resulted in a breakdown during rush hour on a freeway; the vehicle was almost rear ended and resulted in many unhappy motorists. | |||
| 08/07/1998 | 05/04/1998 | ||
| Bolt holding the rocker arm for the number two cylinder came loose, causing the rocker arm to disconect, resulting in loss of compression in the number two cylinder. mechanic believes the bolt was not tighten during assembly. | |||
| 10/18/1997 | 1 | 02/06/1996 | |
| Intake gaskets failed. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||
| 01/14/2001 | 80000 | 1 | |
| Rough idle, random misfires, strong odor when misfire occurs, fluctuating gas gauge. *ak | |||
| 01/25/1999 | |||
| While driving at any speed the vehicle dies. this happens without any kind of warning. consumer experienced same problem in august of 99. the dealer is not able to duplicate the problem. dealer knows that there is a problem, but they do not know what it is. please provide any further information. ak | |||
| 11/01/1998 | 20 | 09/01/1997 | |
| No summary | |||
| 10/11/1998 | 10 | 07/01/1996 | |
| Anti-lock brakes fail in wet conditions. brake must be applied almost to the floor. they are very spongy feeling. dealer has checked system and finds no problem. there is a problem !!!! engine: fails to start or has a rough start. when the engine is having these problems it will smoke and sputter. dealer has repalced the main computer, spark plugs, gaskets, fuel injectors... problem still occurs. | |||
| 06/25/1998 | |||
| Intermittently while driving at highway speeds the vehicle shuts off, giving the driver no indication. dealer has not been able to duplicate problem. *ak | |||
| 6 | 12/31/1996 | ||
| Engine stalls continuously. | |||
| 1 | |||
| Engine knocks and the dealership has not been able to fix the problem. | |||
| 06/10/1996 | |||
| When driving down the highway the car will stall without any warning. when the weather is warm or if the car is warm, it will not start right away. vehicle has been in shop several times, and they can't find anything wrong with it. *ak | |||
| 05/22/1996 | 2 | ||
| Intermittent stalling. *sd | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | |||
| 11/19/2003 | 25703 | 1 | 05/29/1996 |
| Defective timing belt - timing belt fails completely at 25,700 miles, less than half the mileage listed in owner documentation (60000 miles, no time given). failure at higher speeds could result in loss of engine power, resulting in loss of control due to loss of power steering and brake function. *la | |||
| 02/25/2003 | 2 | ||
| The timing belt was replaced twice.*jb | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||
| 05/29/1998 | 2 | 04/01/1996 | |
| 1st pump replaced under warranty. at 63,000 miles pump failed again $150 plus labor to repair. *ak | |||
| 01/05/2000 | 15 | 12/01/1999 | |
| Engine check light always coming on, burned up o2 sensor, vaccum line broke controlling vents, charcoal canister cracked, transmission slips if pedal is floored from takeoff between rst and 2nd and when downshifting after braking, abs fail in wet conditons resulting is extended stopping distance,alternator defective at 63,000 miles, vehicle skids and low trac light comes on when braking frequently. *ak | |||
| 09/20/1996 | 1 | 01/01/1996 | |
| There is loud noise coming from vehicle's rear end due to exhaust seal failure. yh | |||
| 03/01/2000 | 2 | 06/01/1996 | |
| Air pump failure - second in 2 years - informed by dealer of problems due to design defect, location allows water into air pump, this vehicle is known for this problem but cost to consumer still $313 part coverage 12000 miles and have 14000 miles since last replacement . dealer said they would contact chevrolet, never heard from them, i called chevrolet and have to mail all information to them but i have already had the repair they only waive prior to repair. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL | |||
| 01/05/2000 | 15 | 12/01/1999 | |
| Engine check light always coming on, burned up o2 sensor, vaccum line broke controlling vents, charcoal canister cracked, transmission slips if pedal is floored from takeoff between rst and 2nd and when downshifting after braking, abs fail in wet conditons resulting is extended stopping distance,alternator defective at 63,000 miles, vehicle skids and low trac light comes on when braking frequently. *ak | |||
| 08/01/1998 | 06/30/1996 | ||
| Engine check light comes on, car runs rough, engine speed varies with fast idle, engine stops while car is moving - loss of power steering and brakes, hard to start - takes several tries, random engine surging - 3 near misses - engine will speed up to 3000 rpm without warning. | |||
| Emissions are so high during short trips, engine is having hard starts, dealer said due to high emissions. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) | |||
| 09/01/1996 | |||
| There seems to be a problem with this vehicle which is causing the car not to hold a tune-up. at 38,839 miles, #3 spark plug was replaced - oil leaking past pcv valve, the pcv valve was replaced. shortly after #1 and #2 spark plugs had to be replaced. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | |||
| 03/18/2004 | 86000 | 1 | 12/12/1997 |
| Due to intake manifold gasket leak (this is the fourth time for this problem on this vehicle) i had to stop to add coolant in order to safely drive the vehicle. had i not noticed the problem this potentially could have left me stranded on the side of the highway. after getting to a safe location i had the vehicle towed to a dealer for repair. also, as i stated above this is my fourth time dealing with this issue; in addition, i know of personally 3 other vehicles with the same engine that have had the same problem and they too have changed the intake gasket several times.*ak | |||
| 07/01/2002 | |||
| While driving started to smell exhaust fumes in vehicle. vehicle was checked, and determined that manifold is cracked all the way around.*ak | |||
| 01/26/2002 | 11 | 05/01/1999 | |
| When i purchased this car, it was the car of my dreams. i had it for less than 2 weeks, when i noticed sludge in the oil and around the cap. i was told that it was condensation! it wasn't. it was the intake manifold gasket. when i first complained to sunshine ford, where i bought the car, it was still under warranty. when it finally blew, thank god 10 feet from my driveway, it was 300 miles over the warranty. i had nothing but problems trying to get them to fix it. they diagnosed it wrong to begin with! it ended up costing me around 250.00. two weeks after i got the car back i was doing 65 on the highway, when something big dropped out from under my car. it was the computer and the front guard! they charged me for that too. now, i started up the car the other day and heard a muffler noise in the front down in the engine. my drivers side manifold is cracked all the way around! needless to say, this is another $6-700.00 i have to put in this car! also, my steering column, turn signals shorted out, were replaced, but i still get surging in my lights. i am not at all happy with this car, or chevy. oh! and let's not forget the snapped frame on the front driver seat!*ak | |||