Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||||
| 3069 | 10010377 | Rattle noise or clunk from the left rear suspension. *tt | 11/17/2004 | ||
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 | ||||||
| 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. | ||||||
| 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. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 07/16/2008 | 111000 | 1 | |
| Ball bearing on vehicle replaced 2007, now 2008 won't pass inspection must be replaced again, plus the engine manifold. *tr | |||
| 04/28/1999 | 20000 | 3 | 04/01/1999 |
| This will be a list of most of the problems. i have complained of smelling anti-freeze since i purchased the van new. it currently has 94k on it and i have done all scheduled maintenance on it. i think the clock work oil changes is the only reason it still runs. manifold gaskets, intake, head...have been replaced twice and need it again, really bad. but i just do not have 5-800 bucks laying around to do a gasket job again since i just did it a year ago. the anti-freeze diluting the oil has messed up a couple pistons. they slap very bad ok here is my list (i have dealer invoices for everything fixed the first time and receipts for parts and labor the second time, or my husband got sick of paying for the same crap so he would fix things) (he is in the automotive testing and design field) *jb | |||
| 12/09/2005 | 93056 | 1 | 08/15/1999 |
| My 1999 chev venture had the bottom suspension frame member that holds the wheel and steering assemblies,on the passenger side fail while diriving. this failure resulted in loss of vehicle control. some one could be killed if it happens again. no frame should ever brake under normal driving. this vehicle has always been driven within normal operation on the highways. it has never had more than 6 passengers in the vehilce. their had to be a flaw in the part when it was manufactured or it is a very poor design. *nm | |||
| 1 | |||
| While pulling into driveway lost control of vehicle due to the rocker arm breaking underneath vehicle. dealer contact. nlm | |||
| 1 | 10/01/1998 | ||
| When going around a curve and van hits a small hole, the van wants to leave the road. | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 12/08/2003 | 12 | 07/15/1999 | |
| Front end noise. the tie rods and rack and pinion steering were replaced, but problem still exists. *ak power steering pump and hoses replaced.*mr | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - AIR SUSPENSION - LINES AND FITTINGS | |||
| 4 | 07/01/1999 | ||
| Air filter is emersed with moisture, causing vehicle to stall out and die. dealer has inspected vehicle.*ak stalling occurred when downshifting, power steering was lost during stalling, dealer stated stalling occurred because of a swamped air filter that choked the engine, consumer stated vehicle would restart with no problems. *jb | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - COIL SPRINGS | |||
| 06/01/2000 | |||
| While driving at 20mph front end collapsed. dealer is has been servicing vehicle. prior to this incident, vehicle was at dealer. but, there was no indication of a defect. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - STABILIZER BAR | |||
| 11/01/2006 | 0 | 1 | 02/11/2000 |
| The stabilizer bar on both sides (front)was found to be broke completely through. searched on the internet and found that this is a very common problem with the chevy venture. this problem was just identified today, so i have not yet attempted to obtain repairs. *nm | |||
| 11/20/2004 | 114000 | 1 | |
| Purchased vehicle with 99,000 miles. currently has 115,000. found the sway bar cracked on the driver side where it is bolted to the lower swing arm. the crack is on the bottom side where the tube is pressed together. the crack goes around the end where it is pressed, down the sides about 1.5 and thenaround the bottom. i found the problem during a oil change as i was inspecting the suspension components.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - MULTIPLE AXLE | |||
| 12/26/2002 | 43735 | 09/01/1999 | |
| Found left front half shaft seaping fluid on axle seal | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 10/05/2002 | |||
| Consumer states that the left rear trailing arm that connects to the axle broke in half. this caused vehicle to shake really hard, and drive as if it were in neutral. please provide any further information. mr | |||
| 09/14/2002 | 1 | 11/01/2001 | |
| Trailing arm broke in half,on the left side rear with is connected to the rear axle assembly. *ak | |||
| While traveling down interstate and exiting to pull into a driveway had a failure of trailer arm breaking in half, not at the weld. please describe details. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - AXLE - NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY | |||
| 05/23/2005 | 1 | ||
| 1999 chevrolet venture rear axle broke while consumer was coming to a stop. *mr the consumer was at an intersection, heard a sound, then was unable to move forward or backward. a crack was found and the component was rusty. there were several incidents of other vehicles that have experienced breaks in the trailing arm of the rear axle. *sc *jb | |||