NHTSA Complaint #10150331 — 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET 2500 EXPRESS VAN (PURCHASED NEW AND WELL MAINTAINED) THAT I USE FOR FIRE INVESTIGATIONS. ON THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT, THE ODOMETER READING WAS 50628 MILES. ON MY RETURN TRAVEL, I WAS ON I-75 NORTH BOUND THROUGH DAYTON, OHIO (SPEEDS EST @ 65-70 MPH) WHEN THE VIBRATION THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL INCREASED. APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MILES SOUTH OF PIQUA, OHIO, I EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL (DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TYPE OF FAILURE AT THIS TIME) WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY "JERK" TO THE LEFT. TRAVELING IN THE CENTER NORTH BOUND LANE OF I-75 AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, I USED BOTH HANDS TO STEERING MY VAN TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE NARROWING MISSING A SEMI TRACTOR-TRAILER. I CONTINUED ONTO THE BERM WITH THE END OF THE VAN SLIDING SIDEWAYS TO THE RIGHT. AS THE VAN SLOWED AND NOW ALMOST PERPENDICULAR TO TRAFFIC, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VAN BEGAN TO LIFT WITH BOTH LEFT SIDE WHEELS OFF THE GROUND. LUCKILY, THE VAN CAME TO A STOP AND THE LEFT SIDE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. TRAFFIC ON I-75 WAS IN CHAOS TRYING TO AVOID MY VAN DURING THE WHOLE EPISODE. I BELIEVE THE LONG WHEEL BASE OF THE VAN CONTRIBUTE TO PREVENTING THE VAN FROM ROLLING. AAA TOWED THE MY VAN TOWED TO DEFIANCE (OHIO) CHEVROLET DEALER IN PREPARATION FOR REPAIRS BECKMAN CHEVROLET DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE VAN ON THE NEXT DAY AN FOUND COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WITH ONLY THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM KEEPING THE WHEEL ON THE SPINDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW WHEEL AND BEARING ASSEMBLY(SOLD AS ONE UNIT). I HAD TO PAY $300 AS A "WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLE" WITH THE DEFECTIVE PARTS RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER GM . IN MY OPINION THIS WHEEL AND BEARING ASSEMBLY SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES AND IT APPEARS THERE WAS A MATERIAL OR INSTALLATION FAILURE IN SOME MANNER. AAA IS OUT ABOUT $300 FOR THE TOW BILL. I REMAIN, BOB MARIHUGH, DEFIANCE, OHIO. *JB