This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The front tires are worn, and I have been told that I need upper and lower ball joints. I have had these replaced in the past. This is a continual repair and getting costly. I called GM and they told me there was a recall but because of the time that has past that it is no longer covered. I am in fear of getting in an accident driving the way it is. It is very unsafe. I was told also that I need idler arm replacements.
Our dealer said that our upper ball joint is a safety risk. We have not had an accident yet, but the dealer claimed that there is danger of the front suspension failing.
Received notice from mfg on 3-1-02- states is not a recall though is listed as a recall on your web site. Contacted local dealer on 3-1-02 & was told Chevrolet would not rpair/replace parts due to mileage on my vehicle (just turned 1000,000 miles). Noticed on your web site that this is in fact a recall item dated 7/02/01. My vehicle had less than 1000,000 miles on it at that time. I have been having a front end clunking noise since last fall, and when had lubrication service done recently, was informed of front suspension problems. Just what is the law regarding this issue" their letter states is not a recall, and that they are not libel if vehicle is either 8 years old or has greater than 100,000 miles. I was not contacted for this "recall" item for 8 months after the recall date of 7/2/01, and by that time I had just went over the 100,000 mileage mark. Also, my partner owns a 1995 Blazer and never received a recall notice for either the upper or lower ball joint problem. She has just under 100,000 miles. What recourse do I have now" if I had been contacted about this in a reasonable time frame, I believe my vehicle would have qualified for free warranty repairs. I have been unemployed now for over 10 months and cannot afford the costs of repairs and as a result am uneccessarily putiing myself and any passengers at risk of severe injury due to front end failure. Shouldn't Chevrolet still be responsible given the misinformation (not a recall), and lack of timely contacting of me?
Many problems are continuing. Currently, the front suspension needs repaired, the brakes were replaced at 18000 and are now gone again, the rear seals are leaking damaging the rear brakes, the drive lights still flash intermittently, a smell of gasoline is in the vehicle after refueling, the engine pings no matter what fuel is used. Nothing the dealer has done has solved the multitude of problems. Seat belt problems on passenger side, interior trim fell off, on and on.
Campaign 1048 Washington state needs to be added to this recall: This recall should pertain to all states that have heavy rain or snowfall fyi: I don't even see Alaska on this recall either. No safety defect mentioned in summary.
Pulling away from a stoplight something was terribly wrong with the front end. Having gone maybe a hundred feet, the right front wheel was greatly out of place, as if it was ready to tear away completely from the vehicle. I had absolutely no warning of this nor was there any discernible reason for this other than manufacturer defect. I have every 3000 miles lubricated the chassis.
The ball joints have significant play in them and are in need of replacement: This was noticed when tires that were new in November were found to be bald on the inner edge when I saw the steel belt. I thought it was perhaps the allignment but it turned out to be the ball joints allowing the wheels to toe outward. This I have subsequently found to be poor planning in the design of the factory ball joints in that they do not allow for lubrication or maintenance. On one side the wheel has play of approximately 1/2 inch the other side has signifcant play as well, but not as much. The failure was not catastrophic, I was advised by my mechanic not to drive the vehicle as the ball joints are degraded to a state that is unsafe.
Front tires were getting quite worn out and rotating was not helping. Was forced into replacing all four at 49559 miles - well before the 60000 miles warranty on the the tires. The tire shop said that I need two front lower ball joints and an idler arm. The dealership said that I needed two front upper ball joints also. The dealership added that the joints should last a lifetime if properly lubricated - which I had taken care of. Asked the Chevrolet customer service about a replacement schedule for the ball joints and was told to ask the dealership. Bottomline - did not get a replacement schedule from either place. The dealership warned that the joints could break while driving and reading some of the other complaints to NHTSA scared the heck out of me. Ended up getting the lower and upper ball joints on either side along with the idler arm replaced at a cost of $800. The Chevrolet customer service gave a bunch of platitude about how sorry they were that the warrany had expired and that they could not help me.
Replaced ball joints and antisway bar at 40,000 miles. Dealer refused to even discuss reagrding warranty. Brakes pads were replaced at 30,000 and 60,000 miles. Very early wearout on vehicle which only is used for highway driving...ie low brake usage vs. Mileage.
Car sputtered and lost power on two occasions. First time engine was replaced. Second time distibutor was replaced. Third diagnosis for the "check engine soon" light being on was that the cateletic converter is no good. Dealer is replacing it. This dealer also indicates that both lower ball joints are worn out. Must be replaced. This seems outrageous for a 3.5 yr old truck which has not been off-road. Summary: New radiator system, new engine, new distributor, new cateletic convertor, and soon to have new ball joints -- all prior to 45000 miles. I fear this vehicle may be dangerous.
Jack's Chevrolet's service department at only 45,000 miles reported front end looseness which included upper and lower ball joints and idler arm. Would like Chevrolet to act socially responsible and repair this obvious defect and not push off onto unsuspecting public.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Colorado Spirngs, CO, USA