2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
74
Owner Complaints
11
Recalls
25
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS
The 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS has received a total of 74 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 11 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEAT BELTS. 25 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Fuelpropulsion System (6 complaints), Engine (4 complaints), and Air Bagsfrontal (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS
NHTSA has recorded 11 recalls for the 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS, potentially affecting up to 2,338,455 vehicles.
Recall 12V388000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
| 9,389 vehicles affected
Defect: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with a left side cargo door, and originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Water...
Consequence: Significant corrosion may allow fuel to leak during refueling, and in the presence of an ignition source; there is an increased risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuel filler neck, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 1, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →Recall 05V558000 — SEAT BELTS
| 425,593 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLES AND, IF FOUND TO BE INOPERATIVE, THE ENTIRE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD BE REPLACED. FOR BUCKLES FOUND TO BE OPERATIVE, DEALER WILL REPLACE ONLY THE UPPER BUCKLE COVER. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. THE...
View full details →Recall 04V225000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
| 736 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN EXTENDED AND REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND CARGO VANS CONVERTED TO COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' THESE VEHICLES HAVE ONE SEATING POSITION, THE CENTER REAR SEAT, EQUIPPED WITH CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES.
Consequence: THE STANDARD REQUIRES CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN TWO SEATING POSITIONS FOR VEHICLES WITH THREE REAR SEATING POSITIONS. THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES, WHICH ONLY HAVE FRONT SEATING POSITIONS, HAVE AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND DO NOT HAVE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE STANDARD REQUIRES PASSENGER SEAT CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN VEHICLES WITH AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH. HOWEVER, THE STANDARD DOES NOT REQUIRE VEHICLES WITH ONLY FRONT SEATING POSITIONS TO HAVE LOWER ANCHORAGE PROVISIONS IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH.
Remedy: TO BRING THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES INTO COMPLIANCE, DEALERS WILL INJECT EPOXY INTO THE AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO PREVENT AIR BAG ACTIVATION, RELOCATE THE SWITCH BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THEN INSTALL A COVER OVER THE...
View full details →Recall 04V045000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
| 68,875 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.
Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
View full details →Recall 03V250000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
| 1,707,825 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION...
View full details →Recall 03V217000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 50,225 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN VANS HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH WATER MAY ENTER AND CORRODE THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET. IF THE LAMP SOCKET WERE TO CORRODE, THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP MAY OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL, AND THE LEFT REAR TAIL LAMP MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET COULD INCREASE TO THE POINT THAT...
Consequence: IF THE SOCKET ASSEMBLY WERE TO REACH THE POINT OF MELTING, THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE MAY NOTICE AN ODOR AND SMOKE AT THE REAR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. IF THIS ODOR AND SMOKE WERE IGNORED, THE PLASTIC COULD IGNITE AND A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SEALED REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 21, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
View full details →Recall 03V050000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
| 18,327 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN VANS WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF LESS THAN 8,500 POUNDS, DURING A VEHICLE CRASH SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT RELEASE AFTER THE VEHICLE CRASH, OR ALTERNATELY MAY EJECT THE SAFETY BELT LATCH DURING THE VEHICLE CRASH.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY...
View full details →Recall 02V330000 — STEERING:LINKAGES
| 4,158 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AN 8,500 LB. OR 8,600 LB. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING, THE NUT ATTACHING THE PITMAN ARM TO THE STEERING LINKAGE MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED ADEQUATELY RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE SEPARATION.
Consequence: A SEPARATION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITH PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE PITMAN ARM NUT TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. IF THE NUT IS MISSING, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A NEW NUT AND TIGHTEN IT CORRECTLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN...
View full details →Recall 02V326000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
| 18,648 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN VANS, THE RIGHT-HAND TIE ROD END NUT MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED ADEQUATELY. THE NUT CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE TIE ROD FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.
Consequence: SEPARATION OF A TIE ROD CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED VEHICLE STEERING IN SOME MANEUVERS AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TIE ROD END NUT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TIE ROD END. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT...
View full details →Recall 02V305000 — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
| 18,409 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN VANS WERE BUILT WITHOUT A WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY RETAINING NUT, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A POSSIBLE BEARING SEPARATION.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE AMBER-COLORED ABS TELL-TALE LAMP IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD BE DISABLED. THE DRIVER WOULD ALSO NOTICE A GRINDING NOISE, A DECREASE IN THE VEHICLE SPEED, AND THE STEERING WILL PULL IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AFFECTED BRAKE ASSEMBLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY. IF THE INSPECTION REVEALS A MISSING RETAINING NUT, THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS
74 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
THE FRAME AND ITS CROSSMEMBERS ARE RUSTED (ROTTED) THRU ABOVE THE GAS TANK MAKING THE VAN USELESS. THE GAS TANK IS EVEN ATTACHED AT THOSE AREAS MAKING IT A TICKING TIME BOMB. THIS IS A KNOW GM FRAME PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS ON MANY TRUCK BODIES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABLE THAT HELD THE SEAT BELTS TOGETHER, LOCATED IN THE REAR MIDDLE ROW, SNAPPED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT SECURE PROPERLY AND CAUSE AN INJURY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HINGES FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WERE GLUED SHUT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,000. UPDATED 10/17*LJ UPDATED 10/4/18*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABLE THAT HELD THE SEAT BELTS TOGETHER, LOCATED IN THE REAR MIDDLE ROW, SNAPPED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT SECURE PROPERLY AND CAUSE AN INJURY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HINGES FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WERE GLUED SHUT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,000. UPDATED 10/17*LJ UPDATED 10/4/18*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN OVER 30 MPH OVER A BUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTROL ARMS, THE PITMAN ARM, THE TIRES AND THE HUBS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ....UPDATED 07/22/15 *BF UPDATED 10/4/2017*CN
I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM GM ( DOC ID #32202443, #12167 FUEL FILLER PIPE CORROSION) STATING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR LEAKING GASOLINE. I BROUGHT IT TO SIGHN CHEVROLET IN RIVERSIDE CA AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT CA VEHICLES DO NOT QUALIFY. I CONTACTED CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS CASE # [XXX] AND ALL THEY DID WAS CALL THE SAME SERVICE MANAGER AND GOT BACK TO ME SAYING THEY WON'T FIX IT. I BELIEVE I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH A VEHICLE LEAKING GAS ON THE ROAD CREATING AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY FAMILY WITH A DIRE FIRE HAZARD. MY CONTENTION IS, WHY WOULD THEY SEND ME A RECALL NOTICE AND THEN TELL ME I DON'T QUALIFY? I DID RECEIVE THE NOTICE AND IT SAID IT HAD TO BE ACTED ON BEFORE 12/31/12 BUT IT WAS NOT LEAKING THEN. I DON'T CARE WHEN IT EXPIRES. IT IS A ADMITTED DEFECT AND GM SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR DANGEROUS ERRORS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR
Safety Rating for the 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS
General Motors, LLC has issued 25 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SB-12167-A — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
020307002 — SUSPENSION
REVISED FRONT CASTER AND CAMBER ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE. ORIGINAL NOT YET RECEIVED. *TT
040604057 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
START/STALL OR POOR DRIVEABILITY AFTER RESTART, LOSS OF GASOLINE OR CNG HOURS/MILES DATA WITH BI-FUEL VEHICLE. *TT
040843004 — STRUCTURE:BODY
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WON'T SHUT OFF. *EH
040604028 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VARIOUS DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE SET. *EH
040845004 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VARIOUS ELECTRICAL CONCERNS AIR BAG LIGHT ON ANTILOCK BRAKE LIGHT ON SECURITY LIGHT ON CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DTCS SET GAUGES INOPERATIVE. *EH
040604009 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
REDUCED POWER, INTERMITTENT HESITATION, STALL IN HIGH ALTITUDE/HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *TT
01322A — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE PART RESTRICTION. SERVICE VME. *TT *MJ
00559C — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
4L80E, 4L85E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0706 AND VEHICLE MAY NOT START. *TT
01626 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
4L60E AND 4L80E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR (DIPSTICK) WILL NOT STAY SEATED. *MR
Showing 10 of 25 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS.
Investigation PE11040 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Closed
Opened:
Fuel Filler Pipe Corrosion/Leakage
Other Model Years of the CHEVROLET EXPRESS
- 1998 CHEVROLET EXPRESS — 27 complaints
- 1999 CHEVROLET EXPRESS — 82 complaints
- 2000 CHEVROLET EXPRESS — 102 complaints
- 2001 CHEVROLET EXPRESS — 60 complaints
- 2002 CHEVROLET EXPRESS — 77 complaints
- 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS (current)
- 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS — 26 complaints
- 2005 CHEVROLET EXPRESS — 31 complaints
- 2006 CHEVROLET EXPRESS — 15 complaints
- 2007 CHEVROLET EXPRESS — 17 complaints
- 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS — 19 complaints
Other CHEVROLET Models
- CHEVROLET MALIBU — 28,991 total complaints
- CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 — 22,175 total complaints
- CHEVROLET IMPALA — 15,197 total complaints
- CHEVROLET TAHOE — 12,511 total complaints
- CHEVROLET EQUINOX — 12,135 total complaints
- CHEVROLET BLAZER — 11,032 total complaints
- CHEVROLET SILVERADO — 10,928 total complaints
- CHEVROLET SUBURBAN — 10,375 total complaints