Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SUSPENSION - REAR
306910010377Rattle noise or clunk from the left rear suspension. *tt11/17/2004

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
SUSPENSION
EA03005GENERAL MOTORS CORP.04/23/200301/12/2004REAR 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.
PE02086GENERAL MOTORS CORP.11/18/200204/09/2003REAR 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.
SUSPENSION - REAR
EA03005GENERAL MOTORS CORP.04/23/200301/12/2004REAR 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.
PE02086GENERAL MOTORS CORP.11/18/200204/09/2003REAR 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 datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SUSPENSION
07/01/1999
 When driving between 58 and 60 mph we get a vibration that can be felt in the steering wheel and the passanger floor board. we have had it into the dealer 4 times , they have rotated and reblanced the tires, but the vibration still exists, the dealer will not do anything about it. they say every thing is normall, but we took a ride in another 99 and there was no vibration. we feel that if you pay 25,000 for a car it should work perfectly.
SUSPENSION - FRONT
02/07/2005768871
 Vehicle was on the road when driver heard a noise coming from the front of the vehicle. driver then pulled over to notice that the front sway bar broke. manufacturer was contacted by consumer.*ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - HUB
06/24/2005106/20/2003
 1999 oldsmobile silhouette motor had fallen down.*mr the discovered the cradle bolt on the passenger side was gone. the consumer unscrewed the drivers bolt and saw that it contained rust. the manufacturer would not cover the cost because they stated it had been tampered with before the consumer purchased the vehicle. the outer tie rods and hub bearings were replaced. *jb
SUSPENSION - REAR
09/18/200454000103/22/1999
 Driving along street @ 30 mph lost control of the vehicle. parked vehicle at home contacted dealer and had vehicle towed to service center.*ak