2003 Chevrolet Express 2500

Routine

Owners filed 12 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel System, Gasoline3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip2
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing1
000
Structure › Body1
000
Steering1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission1
000
Engine1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

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).

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Sep 22, 2016290,000 milesMN

SEVERAL OF THE EXHAUST HEADER BOLTS ARE BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES OF MY 5.3 LITTER ENGINE. I DID SOME INTERNET SEARCHING AND FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH 5.3 LITTER ENGINES HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.

Steering
Filed Nov 21, 201436,000 milesNJ

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED OF 50 MPH AND THE VAN SUDDENLY BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND SHUDDER FROM THE FRONT WHEELS AND UP AND INCLUDING THE SHAKE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN BY BRAKING TO 35 MPH AND IT SLOWLY STOPPED SHAKING. THIS HAS BECOME A REGULAR ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE TAKEN IT FROM SHOP TO SHOP AND MECHANICS CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. I FEAR FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AS WELL AS MY OWN WHEN DRIVING ALONE IN THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN A YEAR SINCE THIS HAS BEGUN. MECHANIC HAS CHANGED THE SHOCKS FOR THE VAN AND IT HAS BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND SHUDDER MORE FREQUENTLY. I NEED TO KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. I OWN A CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2500 (2003). *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 15, 201296,000 milesTN

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS VAN 2500 THAT THE PAINT JUST STARTED FALLING OFF IN LARGE FLAKES ON THE REAR AND SIDE DOORS, AND THE FRONT HOOD. I HAVE TRIED TOUCH UP PAINT TO TRY AND STOP THE PEELING, BUT IT HAS NOT HELPED.WHEN I WASH THE VEHICLE OR IT RAINS MAKES THE PROBLEM WORSEN BY FILLING UP POCKETS BEHIND THE PAINT. THIS IS A MY COMPANY VAN WHICH HAS DECAL LETTERING ON IT. THE FLAKING IS STARTING TO GET TO THE LETTERING. IF IT CONTINUES, I WILL LOOSE APPROX. $800.00 TO A $1000.00 IN DECAL LETTERING PLUS THE VAN LOOKS TERRIBLE FOR A COMPANY VAN. THE COLOR OF THE VAN IS WHITE. I HAVE NOTICED MANY GM CARS AROUND WHERE I LIVE THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I NEVER REALLY NOTICED UNTIL MY VAN STARTED TO DO IT. MANY OF OUR CITY POLICE CARS WHERE I LIVE ARE WHITE GM PRODUCTS AND HAVE PAINT PEEL ON THEM.WHY IS GM NOT CORRECTING THIS ISSUE? WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED? I HAVE OTHER GM PRODUCTS I OWN. I AM NOT SURE IF I WILL PURCHASE ANOTHER DUE TO PROBLEMS SHOWING UP YEARS DOWN THE ROAD THAT SHOULD NOT EXIST IF THEIR PRODUCT IS A QUALITY PRODUCT AND GM STANDS BEHIND THEIR QUALITY OF WHAT THEY PRODUCE. NOW I AM FACED WITH THE COST OF A PAINT JOB AND THE COST OF RELETTERING THE VAN. THE SMARTER ANSWER MAY BE TO BUY ANOTHER VAN OF ANOTHER MAKE AND STAY AWAY FROM GM IF THEY CANNOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT QUALITY. I HAVE READ TOO MANY ARTICLES ABOUT PAINT PEEL ON GM PRODUCTS SINCE INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE. MANY SUGGEST SMALL CLAIMS COURTS BECAUSE GM WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 11, 2011140,000 milesMI

FILLING UP THE VAN, NOTICE THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL FILLER TUBE. INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE PLASTIC CORRIGATED WRAP THAT CHEVY PLACED ON THE TUBE, TRAPS WATER, SALT, DIRT, ECT... IN IT, ALLOWING THE PIPE TO RUST, WITHOUT THE DRIVER/OWNER NOTICING THE DAMAGE UNTIL IT STARTS LEAKING. AS A FIREFIGHTER, I REALIZE THE DANGERS OF GASOLINE LEAKING UNDER A VEHICLE, I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW FOR THE FILLER TUBE. *TT

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 16, 201063,000 milesIL

CHEVY 2003 EXPRESS VAN FUEL FILLER NECK HAS RUSTED THROUGH IN 2 PLACES AND GAS POURS OUT EVERY TIME I REFUEL. ONLY 63,000 MILES ON VAN. I BELIEVE THIS I S A VERY SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD!!! IS THERE A RECALL? *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 13, 2010120,000 milesMI

SINCE APPROXIMATELY JANUARY OF 2010, FAMILY MEMBERS NOTICED AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING ON THE GROUND DURING FUELING. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I NOTICED IT ORIGINATED FROM THE FUEL FILLER TUBE WHICH ALLOWS THE GAS TO TRAVEL FROM THE GAS CAP TO THE GAS STORAGE TANK. AUGUST 2010, THE LEAKAGE BECAME SO SEVERE FROM THE FUEL FILLER TUBE I FEARED SOMEONE COULD IGNITE (I.E. CIGARETTE, CELL PHONE, STATIC CHARGE) THE 1 TO 2 GALLONS OF FUEL LEAKED AT THE PUMP. MY EXPRESS WAS ONLY OUT-OF-COMMISSION AT DEALERSHIP FOR 2 DAYS TO REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE. DROPPING A AT THE TIME OF FILL UP. THE REPAIR COST $167.00 AND THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPAIRED MY 2003 CHEVY PASSENGER EXPRESS VAN SAID, "... THE CAUSE WAS A PARK BRAKE CABLE RUBBING ON THE TUBE." AS A CONSUMER AND AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER, I FEEL THE MANUFACTURER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DESIGN DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP SIMPLY INDICATED THEY NEVER SEEN THIS ON THE EXPRESS. IT APPEARS THIS IS MORE THAN AN ISOLATED OCCURRENCE. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 10, 200983,000 milesNH

UNDER NORMAL USE REAR SIDE DOOR IS HARD TO OPEN OR CLOSE AND NOW BROKEN. THE DOOR, EVEN BEFORE IT WAS BROKE WAS HARD TO LATCH IF IT WOULD LATCH. THIS WOULD MAKE THE FRONT SIDE DOOR NOT CLOSE TIGHT. NOW WITH THE HINGE BROKEN THE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH CORRECTLY. ALL EXPRESS VANS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM AND MANUFACTURE KNOWS IT. I TRIED USING EVERY PENETRATING OIL AND IT WOULD NOT KEEP THE DOOR HINGE FROM SEIZING UP. THIS IS A COMPANY VAN AND WE HAVE 2 OF THEM WITH BROKEN HINGES (BOTH ARE THE TOP REAR ON THE SIDE DOOR) AND A 3RD THAT IS VERY HARD TO OPEN CLOSE. IF THIS WERE A PASSENGER TYPE THE DOOR COULD BE HIT ON THE INSIDE AND OPENED BY ACCIDENT. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LOCATING A HINGE TO REPLACE THE ONE ON THE VAN I DRIVE AND WAS TOLD BY THE LOCAL DEALER TO KEEP ALL RECEIPTS INCASE OF A RECALL. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AROUND $1200 TO FIX 1 DOOR. I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN AT THIS TIME, BUT DURING THE DAY I AM WITH THE VAN 7AM TO 4PM . *TR

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed May 17, 200725,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE MOUNTAIN ROAD BETWEEN OAKHURST, CALIFORNIA AND YOSEMITE I OBSERVED A FRONT END VIBRATION COMING THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. I PULLED OVER AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG SO I MADE A U-TURN AND WENT TO OAKHURST TO EFFECT A REPAIR. I BARELY MADE IT TO TOWN TO A SHOP WHEN THE LEFT FRONT BEARING ASSEMBLY FAILED ,REQUIRING THE ENTIRE UNIT TO BE REPLACED. THE SHOP WAS SURPRISED THAT THE WHEEL HAD NOT COME OFF. THE COST WAS $520 ,AND NECESSITATED AN OVERNIGHT STAY DUE TO THE PART HAVING TO BE BROUGHT IN FROM FRESNO. I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW, BUT IT WAS THREE WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. I TOOK THE PART TO MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER, THEY INFORMED ME IN WRITING THAT THE BEARING HAD INADEQUATE LUBRICATION AT THE FACTORY. THE OTHER BEARING WAS PULLED, AND IT WAS OKAY. GM HAS TOTALLY DUCKED ANY FORM OF REIMBURSEMENT. I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT WE DID NOT HAVE A ACCIDENT ON THAT MOUNTAIN ROAD *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 23, 2007MD

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES ON THE 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS WERE DEFECTIVE DUE TO A PROGRAM ERROR IN THE ABS COMPUTER SYSTEM PER GENERAL MOTORS. THERE WAS NOT FAILURE TO DATE, BUT THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED. GENERAL MOTORS HAS THREE (3) SERVICE BULLETINS TO DATE CONCERNING THESE BRAKES. 03-05-25-003, 02-05-25-005, 05-05-25-002. *AK UPDATED 2/22/2007 - THE BRAKES FAILED. GM REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER THROUGH THE DEALER. *NM* UPDATED 02/22/07. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jan 23, 2007MD

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES ON THE 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS WERE DEFECTIVE DUE TO A PROGRAM ERROR IN THE ABS COMPUTER SYSTEM PER GENERAL MOTORS. THEREWAS NOT FAILURE TO DATE, BUT THE CONTACTWAS CONCERNED. GENERAL MOTORS HAS THREE (3) SERVICE BULLETINS TO DATE CONCERNING THESE BRAKES. 03-05-25-003, 02-05-25-005, 05-05-25-002.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jan 23, 200765,324 milesMD

BRAKE FAILURE ON 2003 CHEVY EXPRESS 2500 CARGO VAN. GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, SEE GENERAL MOTORS TSB #'S..03-05-25-003 & 02-05-25-005 & 05-05-25-002. THIS SHOULD BE FIXED VIA A "SAFETY RECALL " SINCE THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE VEHICLE IS TO HAVE THE ABS COMPUTER REPROGRAMMED AT A CHEVY OR GMC DEALER. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING ERROR AS NOTED BY THE TSB'S, & SHOULD BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. NO AMOUNT OF NORMAL SERVICING COULD PREVENT THIS FROM OCCURRING. I'VE CALLED GM RE. THIS & THEY SAY IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE?????? LOSS OF BRAKES IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE ??? THE DEALER CHARGED ME $90. TO CORRECT THEIR PROGRAMMING ERROR. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 5, 200649,000 milesMI

STARTED TO HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE. THEN VEHICLE WOULD NOT BACK UP. CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FOUND LOW. ADDED FLUID (1 QUART) AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE, BUT SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN PARK. IT CREEPS AHEAD OR BACK ON UNEVEN GROUND SEVERAL FEET. CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND DROPPED VEHICLE OFF TO DEALER WHOM I BOUGHT IT. THEY HAD IT FOR A DAY AND CALLED TO HAVE ME PICK IT UP. THEY HAD A BILL FOR ME AND TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I TOLD THEM THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG AND THE MANAGER BROUGHT THE MECHANIC OUT AND HE CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. I TOLD THEM THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLS IN PARK. MECHANIC SAID NO WAY AND I SAID I'LL SHOW YOU. SO I TOOK THEM FOR A RIDE OUT BACK OF THE SHOP TO A SLIGHT HILL AND PARKED ON SAID HILL, IN PARK, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED SLOWLY DOWN THE HILL. MECHANIC SAID HE NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THEY ARE FIXING THE VEHICLE AND I ASKED FOR A DETAILED LIST OF WHAT WAS WRONG AND THE FAXED ME A QUOTE WITH PRICE ONLY. *NM

12 of 12 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20231100Routine
20113000Routine
20107000Routine
20092000Routine
20087000Routine
20077000Routine
200613000Routine
20059110Routine
20048200Routine
2003 — this page12100Routine
20021100Routine
20012100Routine
20002110Routine
19990100Routine
19983000Routine

Compare every Express 2500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 19, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.