Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | ||||||
| PE02086 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 11/18/2002 | 04/09/2003 | REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE | ||
| Analysis of odi and gm data has identified 14 incidents of rear trailing arm failures in model year (my) 1997 through 1999 gm u-vans, including two that allegedly resulted in crashes. the trailing arm design in these vehicles is used in the u-vans from my 1997 through 2003.according to gm, the subject trailing arms can crack or buckle if they have been damaged during assembly, pre-delivery handling, or certain service related abuse conditions (e.g., improper towing or jacking).gm identified a parts handling concern that was causing some trailing arms to be damaged prior to installation.to address this concern, gm implemented changes to the shipping containers from january 1999 through september 1999. eight (8) of the reported incidents in my 1997-99 u-vans, including the two crashes, occurred in the last 2 years.this investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis to assess the trend and safety risk associated with the alleged defect. | ||||||
| EA03005 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 04/23/2003 | 01/12/2004 | REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE | ||
| On november 18, 2002, odi opened a preliminary evaluation (pe02-086) to evaluate allegations of rear axle trailing arm failures in the subject vehicles (u-van) which included two reporting crashes.on april 9, 2003, odi upgraded pe02-086 to an engineering analysis (ea03-005) to continue its examination of the issue. the trailing arm design in these vehicles has been used in the u-van from my 1997 through the present.the gm analysis concluded that the subject trailing arms could crack or buckle if they were damaged during assembly, pre-delivery handling, or subjected to certain service related abuse conditions such as improper towing or jacking.analysis of odi and gm data has identified 19 incidents of rear axle trailing arm failures in the subject vehicles.there have been no new reports to odi or gm in the last 12 months and only one new complaint in the last 21 months. due to the low complaint rate and the absence of a continuing trend in reported failures, a safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed. the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist. the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances. for additional information, see the attached closing report. | ||||||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | ||||||
| PE02086 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 11/18/2002 | 04/09/2003 | REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE | ||
| Analysis of odi and gm data has identified 14 incidents of rear trailing arm failures in model year (my) 1997 through 1999 gm u-vans, including two that allegedly resulted in crashes. the trailing arm design in these vehicles is used in the u-vans from my 1997 through 2003.according to gm, the subject trailing arms can crack or buckle if they have been damaged during assembly, pre-delivery handling, or certain service related abuse conditions (e.g., improper towing or jacking).gm identified a parts handling concern that was causing some trailing arms to be damaged prior to installation.to address this concern, gm implemented changes to the shipping containers from january 1999 through september 1999. eight (8) of the reported incidents in my 1997-99 u-vans, including the two crashes, occurred in the last 2 years.this investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis to assess the trend and safety risk associated with the alleged defect. | ||||||
| EA03005 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 04/23/2003 | 01/12/2004 | REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE | ||
| On november 18, 2002, odi opened a preliminary evaluation (pe02-086) to evaluate allegations of rear axle trailing arm failures in the subject vehicles (u-van) which included two reporting crashes.on april 9, 2003, odi upgraded pe02-086 to an engineering analysis (ea03-005) to continue its examination of the issue. the trailing arm design in these vehicles has been used in the u-van from my 1997 through the present.the gm analysis concluded that the subject trailing arms could crack or buckle if they were damaged during assembly, pre-delivery handling, or subjected to certain service related abuse conditions such as improper towing or jacking.analysis of odi and gm data has identified 19 incidents of rear axle trailing arm failures in the subject vehicles.there have been no new reports to odi or gm in the last 12 months and only one new complaint in the last 21 months. due to the low complaint rate and the absence of a continuing trend in reported failures, a safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed. the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist. the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances. for additional information, see the attached closing report. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 06/12/1998 | 05/01/1998 | ||
| When driving at any speed and making any type of turn the tires are rubbing against the rearwheel wells. when driving seven passengers in the vehicle and hitting a valley or going over a dip in the road, the tires are rubbing. *ak *ml | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 02/01/2001 | 06/01/1998 | ||
| Van shimmies/vibratates at 30+ mph since 1 month after purchasing. have put on new tires, dealers say nothing wrong, this is normal for vans/trucks (not a pleasant ride). defrosters will not defrost side windows, dealer says there's nothing wrong. while backing down steep driveway with 3 people in van, van is hitting bottom. dealer installed new shocks/springs, but still hits bottom.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM | |||
| 03/09/2002 | 1 | 10/01/1999 | |
| Control arm broke while driving the vehicle at 5 mph while turning into home driveway. rear axle separated from frame and right rear wheel ended up under rear quarter panel. this would have been a fatal incident if the problem occurred while traveling at highway speeds. dealer and chevrolet both have stated that since the vehicle is out of warranty they will not offer any type of repair assistance.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - MACPHERSON STRUT | |||
| 05/23/2001 | 1 | ||
| While driving and hit a bump the vehicle will sway and the left side vibrate. took to dealer and dealer indicated needed shock struts. nlm | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 09/14/2000 | |||
| I was driving my van with my pregnant cousin on board when we heard a loud noise. the steering no longer controlled the rear end of the car, and the rear began to sway from side to side. i slowed to about 3 miles per hour and got the car off the road. i was about to go up awinding mountain road. i took pictures of the damage, the trailing arm completely snapped in half. *ak | |||
| 04/10/2000 | 1 | 09/01/1998 | |
| Rear control arm broke in half while making a left turn onto the interstate at approximately 5-10 mph. dealer notified, and repairs made under warranty. *ak | |||
| 05/31/1998 | 05/01/1998 | ||
| When van has 7 pasengers the rear wheels rub on the wheel wells every time a bump or valley is encountered.this vehicle is designed to carry 7 adults. | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS - LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY - HANGER/BRACKET | |||
| 06/26/2001 | |||
| While consumer was driving at 50mph right rear bracket broke wich affected driving. contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak | |||