1996 Chevrolet Astro

Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Defect. CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. 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.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE "FASTEN SAFETY-BELT" AUDIBLE WARNING OCCASIONALLY MAY NOT COME ON OR MAY TERMINATE IN LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ALARM MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 27, 2001. 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 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED DUAL CHILD SEATS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE MISSING A SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CLUTCH SPRING AND/OR PAWL SPRING IN THE CHILD SEAT. IF THE CLUTCH SPRING WAS MISSING, THE SEAT BELT WOULD LOCK IN THE RETRACTED POSITION AND COULD NOT BE USED. IF THE PAWL SPRING WAS MISSING, THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT WOULD CONTINUALLY PLAY OUT AND WOULD NOT LOCK.

Risk. THESE CONDITIONS COULD INCREASE THE OCCUPANT'S RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS ON THE CHILD SEATS, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CHILD SEAT.

Defect. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE RIGHT-HAND REAR BUCKET SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD RESULT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR ON THE REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME.

PIN HOLES IN STEEL BRAKE LINES CAUSING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY VEHICLE WAS SITTING WHEN BRAKE PETAL WAS APPLIED FOR STARTING. WHEN PRESSING BRAKE TO START VEHICLE, PETAL WENT COMPLETELY TO FLOOR. WHEN CHECKING UNDER VEHICLE TO ANALYZE PROBLEM, PIN HOLES LEAKS WERE OBSERVED IN VARIOUS PLACES FROM FRONT TO REAR IN STEEL LINES. I FEAR WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN IN MOTION, AROUND PEDESTRIANS, AND/OR, ON THE ROAD.

I JUST GOT HOME & WAS BACKING AROUND TO WHERE I PARK WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL STARTED VIBRATING. I DID MANAGE TO PARK. THE NEXT DAY THE VIBRATING STOPPED WHEN A GRATING NOISE WAS MADE. SUDDENLY THE BRAKE PEDAL CAME WAY UP. IT DOES HAVE SOME BRAKES BUT THEY ARE HARD TO DEPRESS. SUDDENLY MY POWER STEERING IS GONE. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF PROBLEMS WITH EITHER BEFOREHAND. THIS VAN JUST PASSED INSPECTION IN MID-AUGUST, AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. *JS

1996 CHEVY ASTRO LF TORSION BAR BROKE. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED AFTER MY WIFE WENT ON AN 800 MILE TRIP. DEALER REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED SHORTER BAR. FRONT NOW A LOT LOWER THAN ORIGINAL. DEALER DID NOT REQUIRE OR INSIST THE OTHER ONE BE FIXED AT THIS TIME. THEY ADJUSTED THE CAMBER OF THE WHEEL TO OFFSET THE LOWER LF OF THE CAR. AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS BOARD IT WAS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE REMEDIED BY GM. THEY KNEW--OR AT LEAST FOUND OUT ABOUT IT--OTHERWISE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE REDESIGNED THE PART. THEY SHOULD PAY FOR REPLACEMENTS ON BOTH SIDES. WHAT DOES IT TAKE? *TR

1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE PART THAT FAILED WAS THE SUNSHELL. HE HEARD THAT IF THIS PART FAILS, THE REVERSE AND SOME FORWARD GEARS WILL BE LOST. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL NOTICE INSIDE THE VEHICLE FROM WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED. THE RECALL LETTER PERTAINS TO THE IGNITION COIL WIRE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 180,000.

ELECTRICAL FAILURE. REPEATED IN A 1996 CHEVY ASTRO. LEADING TO STARTER ENGAGE WHILE ENGINE RUNNING. *NM

DT: 1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE ON AUGUST 11, 2005. THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SWITCH OR THE PLUG FOR THE REAR AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MELTED. ALSO, MELTED THE FIRST SIX INCHES OF THE WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE IS STILL DRIVABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND TURN IT OFF. HE CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THERE WERE NO FLAMES. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

THE TORSION BAR SNAPPED IN HALF. THIS BAR WAS INADEQUATE TO THE VEHICLE, AND GM HAS A MODIFIED VERSION FOR THIS. THE BAR BROKE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS GOING 10 MPH, WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND THIS CAUSED THE LEFT FRONT TO DROP DOWN ABOUT 8 TO 10 INCHES AND WAS A VIOLENT DROP. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS. THERE WERE NO WRECKS INVOLVED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE IN TO THE MIDAS DEALER AND HAVE THE TORSION BARS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT REPLACED WITH THE NEW MODIFIED VERSION. THE FRONT SHOCK ALSO BROKE, AS A RESULT OF THE BAR BREAKING. THE TOTAL OF FIXING THIS WAS $1,000.00 AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *TT *SC *JB

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MILES PER HR. AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF MY VAN, IT LOOKED LIKE THE VAN WAS ON FIRE, I LOST ALL POWER TO THE VAN, AND HAD NO PICK-UP OR SPEED. I HAD TO DIVERT THE VAN TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD I FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION CABLE HAD COME UNATTACHED, AND I HAD TRANSMISSION FLUID ALL OVER THE GROUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS WHATSOEVER. TRANSMISSION FLUID SPRAYED ALL THE WAY TO MY BACK WINDSHIELD OF THE VAN. *JB

WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR CAME OFF DUE TO DEFECTIVE PLASTIC. *AK

PART#15990701 FAILED,BROKE.CAUSING LEFT CORNER OF VECHICLETO DROOP ALMOST TO INTERFERING WITH LEFT FRONT WHEEL.THIS PART IS COMMINLY KNOWN AS A TORSION BAR AND SHOULD NOT BE FAILING/.THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT.THIS VECH.IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED.REPARING THIS IS GOING TO BE COSTLY;OVER 1000.00 DOLLARS.BECAUSE THEIR ARE NO ORIGINAL PARTS.THE PARTS HAVE BEEN UPDATED AND ALL NEW PARTS FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE VECH. MUST BE USED.THIS TELLS ME THEIR WAS BAD ENGINEERING IN THE ORIGINAL DESIGN. NOW THAT THEY'VE FIXED THE PROBLEM THEY WANT THE CUSTOMER TO PAY THE BILL. THANK YOU. RESPECTFULLY RICHARD WAGNER. *AK

1)AC COMPRESSOR STOPPED WORKING 2)COMPRESSOR SEIZED UP, ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, AND VEHICLE STOPPED ON HIGH TRAFFIC HIGHWAY 3)SORT BELTED SERPENTINE BELT . *AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT WORK. FUEL GAUGE SHOWED FULL, HALF FULL OR EMPTY. CONSUMER'S SISTER RECEIVED A RECALL CONCERNING FUEL GAUGE FAILURE, BUT HE HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. ALSO, CONSUMER'S WIFE RAN OUT OF FUEL BECAUSE OF FUEL GAUGE INACCURATE READING OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK. IT WOULD COST OVER $500.00 TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE IF IT WAS NOT ON RECALL.*AK

TORSION BAR BROKE, DEALER CLAIMS THAT IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE TORSION BAR, THE BAR WAS TO LONG. NOW THEY HAVE A SHORTER BAR. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES WITH THE NEW DESIGN BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL PART WAS DISCONTINUED.

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT WHAT I FEEL IS/WAS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT WITH MY 1996 CHEVROLET ALL WHEEL DRIVE ASTRO VAN [XXX]. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION TORSION BAR SNAPPED, COLLAPSING THE SUSPENSION, DROPPING THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE ON TOP OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND TIRE PULLING DRASTICALLY TO THE RIGHT ACROSS 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, AND I WAS TRAVELING AT A SLOW SPEED -ABOUT 40 KM/HR IN A POSTED 50KM ZONE AS I HAD JUST ENTERED THE 4-LANE ROADWAY. I MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VAN AND STEER IT TO THE SIDE OF THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD. I SHUDDER AT THE THOUGHT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY OR FREEWAY. THE LICENSED JOURNEYMAN MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT THE VAN INDICATED THIS WAS QUITE COMMON ON 90-96 ALL WHEEL DRIVE VANS STATING THAT THE TORSION BAR ACTUALLY RUSTS OR CORRODES AT ALMOST THE EXACT SAME SPOT (NEAR THE ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY) AND EVENTUALLY SNAPS COMPLETELY BREAKING THE TORSION BAR INTO 2 PIECES! WHILE HE MENTIONED IT WAS USUALLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE (MINE WAS PASSENGER SIDE) HE INDICATED GM HAD RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND ACTUALLY COMPLETELY CHANGED THE DESIGN OF BOTH THE TORSION BAR AND THE ADJUSTER MECHANISM! HOWEVER AFTER CONTACTING A COUPLE OF LOCAL GM DEALERS, THEY ALL TOLD ME WAS THAT THIS WAS NOT A PRODUCT SERVICE BULLETIN RELATED ITEM OR AN OFFICIAL SAFETY RECALL! YET THEY ALL HAD HEARD OF IT AND JUST HAPPENED TO HAVE ALL OF THE PARTS IN STOCK TO THE TUNE OF $1000 (YOU HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES WITH

MY WIFE WENT TO MOVE OUR 1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN AND WHEN SHE BACKED UP THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS RUBBING ON THE WHEEL WELL. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE TORSION BARS BROKE. *AK WHEN I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER I FOUND THE PARTS WERE READILY AVAILABLE BUT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN "UPDATED". THE PARTS ALONE WERE OVER $500.00. WHEN I REMOVED THE OLD TORSION BARS I FOUND OUT WHAT HAD CAUSED IT TO BREAK, THE RECEIVER TUBE THAT THE END OF THE BAR WENT INTO HAD FILLED WITH DIRT AND ROAD CRUDE CAUSING THE BAR TO RUST AND EVENTULLY BREAK. THIS OCCURED FOUR DAYS BEFORE WE WERE LEAVING ON A 2500 MILE TRIP. IF THIS HAD OCCURED WHEN WE WERE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 75MPH OR IN THE MOUNTAINS WHILE ON VACATION IT COULD HAVE BEEN DIASATEROUS. MY LAST COMPLAINT IS THAT I WAS REQUIRED TO REPLACE BOTH TORSION BARS BECAUSE THE NEW ONE WOULD NOT MATCH THE OLD. YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE SOMETHING THAT IS NOT BROKEN AND IF THEY DO REQUIRE YOU TO DO SO THE MANUFACTURER IS ADMITTING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE OLD DESIGN. I CHECKED IN YOUR RECORDS AND FOUND THAT THE ASTRO AND SAFARI VANS BUILT FROM 1992-1996 HAD ALMOST 200 CASES OF THESE TORSION BARS BREAKING AND A COMPLAINT BEING FILED. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY OTHER ONES HAVE BROKEN AND GONE UNREPORTED.THE 1997 MODELS DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CAME OUT WITH THE UPDATED PARTS.

WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AT 50 MPH . UPON IMPACT, VEHICLE WAS PUSHED FORWARD, AND REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES.*AK

THE GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND THEN ACCELERATED. THE PEDAL STICKING WAS CONSISTENT AND RELEASED AFTER PRESSING HARDER ON PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES FOR STICKING. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT IT WAS REPAIRED. VEHICLE NOT ON RECALL. IT WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW. CURRENTLY, DEALERSHIP INDICATED WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND WOULD NOT DO REPAIRS. *AK *SCC *JB

REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD. *MR FAULTY WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD CRACKED AND CAUSED THEM TO FAIL. RECALL#03V159000 *SCC *JB

FRACTURE OF RIGHT SIDE TORSION BAR CAUSED BODY TO DROP ONTO WHEEL, IMMOBILIZING VEHICLE. REPAIRS COST $797.12 PLUS $40 TOWING AND LOSS OF USE FOR THREE DAYS.*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE TORSION BAR BROKE. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME FAILURE ON VARIOUS WEB SITES. FORTUNATELY, MY TORSION BAR BROKE WHILE BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE HAD IT OCCURED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY.

I HAVE A 1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. I'VE REPLACED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW MOTOR'S FOUR TIMES, EACH. OUR COMPANY HAS 26 VEHICLES, ALL ASTRO VAN'S AND ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THE WIPER MOTOR ON THIS VEHICLE. THE POWER WINDOW MOTOR DEFINITELY IS MORE OF A PROBLEM. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. IN THE WINTER, YOU'LL BEING DRIVING, LOWER THE WINDOW AND ALL OF A SUDDEN CAN'T GET IT UP. IT'S EVEN MORE OF A PROBLEM WHEN IT RAINS. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS. I FIRST REPLACED THE MOTOR ON BOTH SIDES @ 19,000 MILE, THAN 39,000 MILES AND SO ON. WHEN I CALLED GM TO COMPLAIN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WAS STONE COLD; COULDN'T CARE LESS! IF YOU CHECK INTO THIS YOU'LL SEE IT'S A MAJPOR PROBLEM.*AK

CONSUMER HAD RECALL 01V123000 "AUDIBLE WARNING" REMEDIED ON 6/13/03. A FEW DAYS LATER HE BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WHEN THE INTERIOR CABIN LIGHT WAS TURNED ON THE RADIO WOULD COME ON INSTEAD. ALSO, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST POWER WINDOWS, THE VEHICLE'S ALARM WOULD ENGAGE. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING CHECKED BY DEALER.*AK

SLIDING DOOR HAS BEEN SCRAPING SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED, AND CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE TRACK TODAY. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS MISSING A STOP TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING, AND THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN A SLIDING DOOR COME OFF COMPLETELY BEFORE. *NLM

CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN 1996. THE DRIVERS WINDOW MOTOR STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, WAS REPAIRED, THEN IT STOPPED WORKING AGAIN ABOUT A 6 MONTHS LATER. THE CHEVROLET DEALER WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. STILL UNUSABLE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE TORSION BAR BROKE (WHICH WAS THE SECOND TIME THE INCIDENT HAPPENED) DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *JB

THE TORSION BAR SNAPPED WITHOUT WARNING. JB

THE CONSUMER SAT IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE LEFT SIDE TORSION BAR SNAPPED. THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THE PART WAS ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DEALER. BY COINCIDENCE THE RIGHT SIDE WAS SENT AS WELL AND WAS SOLD BY THE PAIR. THE PARTS WERE REDESIGNED AND A NEW BUT DIFFERENT BRACKET WAS INCLUDED. GM FORCED THE REPAIR OF BOTH SIDES AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONSUMER. *JB *SCC

CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN MARK III CONVERSION - ACCIDENT, ABS FAILED TO CORRECT FISH TAILING, FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT OPEN ON FRONTAL IMPACT. *JB

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. SCC *JB

VEHICLE WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, WHEN A LOUD NOISE PROCEEDED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VAN COLLAPSING ONTO THE FRONT TIRE. THE CHEVROLET DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE TORSION BAR HAD FAILED, AND AS THE PART HAD BEEN REDESIGNED, THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD ALSO BE REPLACED. I REQUESTED THE PARTS BE RETURNED, AND AFTER VISUALLY INSPECTING, IT IS VERY APPARENT THAT THE PART FAILED DUE TO SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION. THE ORIGINAL INSTALLATION OF THE TORSION BAR HAS A RETAINING SLEEVE THAT FITS OVER THE FAILED END OF THE TORSION BAR, AND CONNECTS INTO THE CROSSMEMBER. THE SLEEVE IS DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT COLLECTS MOISTURE. THIS IN TURN CAUSES APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES OF THE TORSION BAR TO CORRODE, DEGRADING THE INTEGRITY OF THE UNIT. WITH OVER 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A MECHANIC IN THE AVIATION FIELD, I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH CORROSION AND METAL FATIQUE. THE NEW DESIGN OF THE REPLACEMENT PARTS, ELIMINATES THE SLEEVE ENTIRELY, AND THERE IS NO MOISTURE COLLECTION POINTS. CHEVROLET IS AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT AS LONG AS THE CONSUMER IS PAYING THE BILL, WHY PUBLICLY ADMIT IT? WITH THE REPAIR COST AND AGGRAVATION SET ASIDE, THE REAL ISSUE RELATED TO THIS FAILURE IS SAFETY. MY FAMILY HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY JUST A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE TORSION BAR FAILED. WHEN THE FRONT END COLLAPSES, THE STEERING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE IS CLOSE TO NON EXISTANT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!! THE SAFETY ASPECT AFFECTS THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE, OTHER MOTORISTS, AND PEDESTRIANS. I ALSO NOTI

THE WIPERS WILL WORK INTERMITTENTLY TO NON OPERATIONAL WHEN NEEDED. THE MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED. *JG

WIPER WORK INTERMITTENLY TO NON-OPERATIONAL WHEN NEEDED. DEALER AND MFR WAS NOTIFIED PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN 3 ACCIDENTS ALL WITH THE FRONT END. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED IN ANY OF THE ACCIDENTS. 2 OF THE ACCIDENTS WERE DEAD CENTER HITS. 1 ACCIDENT INVOLVED THE BUMPER. PH *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**769300

WHILE DRIVING THE BELT TENSIONER FLEW OFF THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE, I LOST POWER STEERING, ALL BRAKES,AND DASH WAS OUT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT WILL CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE SOMETIME. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT'S A VERY POOR DESIGN I HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. IF THE BELT BRAKES OR THE PULLY COME'S OFF YOUR IN BIG TROUBLE. NOT ONLY FOR YOUR LIFE BUT LIFE OF OTHER'S TOO. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. I INTEND ON CONTACTING GENERAL MOTORS SOON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WEBSITE. DT

THE OWNER MADE AN ATTEMPT TO STEP INTO THE VAN WHEN THE TORSION BAR SNAPPED. THIS CAUSED THE VAN TO COLLAPSE IN THE FRONT, TO THE GROUND WITH NO WARNING. NLM *SCC

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE DROPPED, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE BOUNCED ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC, CHILD HIT HIS HEAD ON SIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALER DETERMINED THE TIE ROD BROKE ON PASSENGER SIDE.*JB

CONSUMER WAS IN THE GARAGE, WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE. THE LEFT FRONT END HAD COLLASPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE, AND THEY SAID THAT THE TORSION HAD BROKEN.*SCC

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, AND THE FRONT END DROPPED A FEW INCHES. DEALER DETERMINED THAT TORSION BAR HAD BROKEN. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS WASN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED, IN RE: 1988 ASTRO VAN. SCC

ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN BRAKING SOMETIMES BRAKE PEDAL GETS REALLY HARD. CONSUMER HAS TO PUMP ON BRAKE TO STOP. THIS HAPPENS MAYBE ONCE A DAY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE DROPPED ONTO WHEEL WELL VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, FRONT TORSION BAR HAD BROKEN.*AK

THE GAS PEDAL STICKS WHEN BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE. COULD CAUSE TO HIT SOMEONE IN BACKEND BECAUSE TO GET IT UNSTUCK YOU HAVE TO TAP OF PUSH HARD TO START. HAS NOT STARTED STICKING AS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD BUT DOES STICK AT TAKE OFF 3 OUT OF FIVE TIME A DAY.*AK

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY SINCE 85,000 MILES, UNTIL NOT OPERATING AT THIS PRESENT TIME. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND GOING OVER AN OVERPASS 2 TORISON BARS BROKE CAUSING THE FRONT END TO FALL WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK *SCC

CONSUMER STATES AFTER THE TORSON BAR FAILED, THE FRONT TIRE RUBBED AGAINST FRAME OF VEHICLE.*AK *JB

WIPERS QUIT WORKING DURING HEAVY RAIN STORM, SWITCH POSITION MADE NO DIFFERENCE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES THEY STARTED WORKING AGAIN, ONLY TO FAIL WORKING AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THIS HAPPENED (4) MORE TIMES DURING OUR DRIVING TIME OF 6 HOURS RETURNING HOME FROM VACATION. *AK

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE TORSION BARS BROKE WITHIN THE RETAINER AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DROP. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK *YH

THE LEFT TORSION BAR ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED WHILE THE VAN WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. CHAMPION CHEVROLET IN HOWELL, MI SAID THIS IS COMMON. THEY ALSO INTSRUCTED ME TO REPLACE THE RIGHT TORSION BAR BECAUSE IT COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME. MY COMPLAINT IS CHEVROLET IS SUGGESTING (WHICH I DID) REPLACE AN ORIGINAL PART THAT IS NOT BROKEN. GM HAD AN UPDATED PART# BECAUSE THEY NEW THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE. I THINK IF A DEALER IS SUGGESTING YOU REPLACE A PART THAT IS NOT BROKEN AND SAYS IT IS FOR YOUR SAFETY, THEN THAT SHOULD BE A WARRANTY ITEM REPLACEMENT.*AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND HAD GOTTEN OUT OF THE FRONT END AND FELL TO THE GROUND DUE TO THE TORSION BAR BREAKING. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *SCC