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2002 Chevrolet Express Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
55
Latest Sep 30, 2021
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Apr 21, 2002

What this page shows

Our database holds 55 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Express. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 55 · page 1 of 3

Suspension
Filed Sep 30, 2021

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, she heard an abnormal loud banging sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the passenger’s side rear axle detached from the vehicle, causing the tire to detach and roll away. The contact did not sustain any injury. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11435043
Incident
Sep 29, 2021
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 5, 2018

THE SIDE HINGES SEIZE UP AND BREAK. IT THROWS THE DOOR ALIGNMENT OFF AND I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO COMPLETELY CLOSE THE FRONT SIDE DOOR AND IT KEEPS THE PASSENGER DOOR FROM OPENING ALSO. THIS IS A CONTINUEING PROBLEM CHEVROLET HAS WITH THEIR EXPRESS VANS. IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM AND ALSO CHEAP MATERIALS CAUSED IT TO RUST AND SEIZE UP AND THEN BREAK THE HINGE, THE HINGE IS WELDED ON. VERY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE REPARED. IT IS DANGEROUS AS PEOPLE CAN NOT GET OUT OF THE VAN. CHEVROLET NEEDS TO OFFER AN INEXPENSIVE FIX FOR THIS.

NHTSA ID
11115830
Incident
Jul 1, 2018
Mileage
62,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Aug 8, 2015

WHEN I CAME OUTSIDE THE GLASS WAS BROKEN AND HAD BEEN THROWN TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN THE DAY BEFORE AND WAS FINE. IT WAS PARKED IN THE SHADE AND AWAY FROM ANYTHING WHICH COULD HAVE HIT IT. IT WAS LOCKED AND NOT TOUCHED IN ANY WAY. THE BROKEN FRAGMENTS WERE ON THE GROUND BELOW THE GLASS FRAME AREA. IT IS THE SAME TYPE OF GLASS THAT I SAW IN THE STORY ON THE NEWS YESTERDAY ABOUT THE SUN ROOFS THAT BREAK. WHEN I SAW THE STORY I KNEW THIS HAD TO BE THE EXPLANATION. I HAVE A PICTURE AND THE TEXT I SENT THAT DAY BECAUSE I WAS SO SHOCKED AT HOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN, IT MADE NO SENSE. NOW IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE.

NHTSA ID
10747178
Incident
Jul 21, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi
Filed Aug 30, 2013

PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM CONSTANTLY WON'T ALLOW VAN TO START. CHEVROLET SAYS TO HAVE THE SYSTEM "RELEARN THE KEY" BY WAITING FOR 10 MIN THEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE. IT SOMETIMES TAKES 3-4 TRIES OF DOING THIS BEFORE IT STARTS.

NHTSA ID
10538042
Incident
Aug 2, 2010
Mileage
125,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Feb 23, 2010

2002 CHEVY 2500 EXPRESS VAN. FAILURE OF POWER BOOSTER, LOST BOTH BRAKE POWER AS WELL AS STEERING POWER. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL CAR. REPLACED ONCE, FAILED AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER. REPLACED AGAIN. FAILED AGAIN THIS YEAR. I AM NOW ON MY FORTH POWER BOOSTER, FAILURE IS VERY DANGEROUS AS YOU LOSE BOTH STEERING AND BRAKES AT SAME TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10313423
Incident
Nov 15, 2007
Mileage
108,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 18, 2009

DRIVER'S SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY. HARD TO VIEW ITEMS ON THE MIRROR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10265946
Incident
Oct 31, 2002
Mileage
17,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 3, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A GM DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OPERATING NORMALLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,612 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,594.

NHTSA ID
10204751
Incident
Sep 25, 2007
Mileage
16,594 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 23, 2007

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE TO SEIZE AT 69,700 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10200576
Incident
Aug 20, 2007
Mileage
69,700 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 11, 2007

ONE OF THE HINGES TO THE DOUBLE SIDE DOORS ON THE FULL SIZE 2002 CHEVROLET EXPRESS BROKE OFF TODAY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10192947
Incident
Jun 11, 2006
Mileage
34,820 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 15, 2007

BRAKES ON MY 2002 CHEVY EXPRESS VAN ARE NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO STOP VEHICLE WITHOUT WARPING ROTORS. THIS IN TURN CAUSES LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES AND A VIBRATION THAT CAUSES STEERING WHEEL TO PULSATE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10178688
Incident
Aug 10, 2004
Brakes
Filed Nov 11, 2006

REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DOES NOT LIGHT AT THE SAME TIME. THEY OPERATE LIKE A CAROUSEL. WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED ON ONLY THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10173187
Incident
Oct 31, 2006
Mileage
78,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed May 9, 2006

THE REAR END WENT OUT AND THE ROTORS ARE WARPED. I HAD THE REAR END REPLACED AND THE SERVICE TECH SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN HIS HISTORY OF WORKING ON VEHICLES. I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VAN JAN. 28TH AND IT HAD A 60 DAY WARRANTY. I HAD TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON FEB 17TH AND REPORT THE NOISES IT WAS MAKING AND THEY IN TURN SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE SERVICE TECH THAT REPLACED THE REAR END SAID IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MISSED BECAUSE THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS BENT COMPLETELY UP ON THE AXLES. HE SAID IT WAS DUE TO EITHER WHOEVER OWNED IT PREVIOUS HAD TOWED SOMETHING TO HEAVY OR THE THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE DIFFERENTIAL. REGARDLESS HE DEALERSHIP (LAWRENCE MARSHALL) IN DENISON TX WILL NOT STAND BEHIND IT AND I AM OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS BIG EXPENSE. THEY OVER CHARGED ME FOR THE VEHICLE AND NOW THIS. I HAVE A BIG CONCERN BECAUSE THE NOISE IT WAS MAKING HAD STOPPED AFTER THE REAR END WAS REPLACED, BUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT TODAY IT CLUNKED TWO DIFFERENT TIMES, SAME NOISE AS BEFORE, SO NOW I AM WORRIED. I DON'T KNOW WHO TO TRUST TO HELP ME AS I HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF SO BAD NOW. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME OR ADVISE ME WHERE I CAN HAVE THIS VEHICLE COMPLETELY CHECKED OUT. THE SERVICE TECH SAID IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT DID NOT FALL OUT ON THE TRIP MYSELF AND GRANDCHILDREN WERE ON. IT BROKE DOWN IN OHIO AND I LIVE IN OKLAHOMA SO OF COURSE IT SET ME BACK A LOT OF EXPENSE I COULD NOT AFFORD. I THOUGHT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD STAND BEHIND THE 60 DAY WARRANTY SINCE I HAD TAKEN IT BACK TO THEM WITHIN THE WARRANTY TIME, BUT THEY HAVE GIVEN ME NOTHING BUT GRIEVE. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP I CAN GET AS I AM AFRAID OF THE VAN NOW. *JB

NHTSA ID
10157142
Incident
Apr 16, 2006
Mileage
56,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 12, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE FROM THE UNDERHOOD AREA FOLLOWED BY ABS ACTIVATION. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM A BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AT THE DEALER.

NHTSA ID
10155134
Incident
Apr 12, 2006
Mileage
65,000 mi
BrakesTires & wheelsVisibility
Filed Apr 4, 2006

2002 CHEVROLET CONVERSION VAN EXPRESS 1500 HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. EXPRESS WINDOW WOULD GO DOWN BUT NOT GO BACK UP. *TS THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, FINALLY THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE BRAKES AND MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE BRAKES WERE INSUFFICIENT FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MICHELIN TIRES ONLY LASTED 24,000 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10155198
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Mileage
47,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 25, 2006

BRAKES WERE MAKING A "GRUMBLING NOISE". NOT THE TYPICAL SQUEAL OR GRINDING NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH BRAKES. WENT TO THE DEALER AND HE SAID THE FRONT DISC BRAKES WERE BADLY WORN. ONLY 32,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. NEVER, NEVER HAVE I EVER HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. DRIVING FOR 45 YEARS AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN. THEY FIXED IT, NOT UNDER WARRANTY, SO I PAID. NOW, WITH A YEAR ON THE NEW BRAKE LININGS, THEY ARE MAKING NOISE AGAIN. VERY DISTURBING. THE VEHICLE IS USED FOR WORK AND IS NOT ABUSED, I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT DRIVES IT. DRIVING VANS FOR 30 YEARS AND THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10153694
Incident
Mar 7, 2005
Mileage
32,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 16, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR WHEN STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP WAS REPLACED, THIS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE.*AK UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB UPDATED 12/7/2005. *NM

NHTSA ID
10142933
Incident
Sep 18, 2005
Mileage
64,216 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 2, 2005

DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT REAR TIRE DEVELOPED A BULGE WITHIN THE TREAD. HE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. WHEN HE RETURNED HOME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A FIRESTONE DEALER, WHO DISCOVERED THERE WAS A COMPLETE BELT SEPARATION ON THAT TIRE. A SECOND INCIDENT LATER OCCURRED ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE IN A SIMILAR FASHION. BOTH OF THE FAILED FIRESTONE TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH GOODYEAR TIRES. WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT REAR REMAINING FIRESTONE TIRE BLEW OUT AT 75 MPH RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLES FENDER AND BUMPER AREA. HE AVOIDED ANY COLLISION. HE TOOK PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. NO FURTHER REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. THIS IS A FIRESTONE STEELTEX R4S LT245/75/R16 LOAD RANGE E. THESE WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE AT PURCHASE. *AK UPDATE 12/27/2005 - THE TIRES WERE MADE IN CANADA. *NM

NHTSA ID
10141543
Incident
Mar 27, 2005
Mileage
50,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 27, 2005

CONSUMER 2002 CHEVROLET EXPRESS ENGINE ALMOST STALLED. CONSUMER HAD FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CLEANED. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND ROTOR WHICH HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED TWICE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10142082
Incident
May 24, 2004
Mileage
19,752 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 12, 2005

DT: 2002 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THE SPARE TIRE IS SECURED BY STRAPS ,AND ONE OF THE STRAPS CAME OFF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THEREFORE, NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE SPARE TIRE HAD BEEN USED A YEAR AGO. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THIS HAPPENED REGULARLY. ALSO, THE TIRE CAME OFF AT THIS TIME AND THAT TIRE WAS LOST. THE CONTACT PURCHASED ANOTHER TIRE. IT WAS LOCATED IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10139406
Incident
Sep 15, 2005
Brakes
Filed Sep 29, 2005

SINCE THE 2002 CHEVROLET 1/2 TON CUSTOM VAN WAS PURCHASED IT HAS GIVEN ME BRAKE PROBLEMS. FIRST WAS THE ROTORS WHICH WAS SETTLED IN COURT, GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM! THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED ABOUT 4 TIMES, 3 TIMES WITH ME AND ONCE WITH MY SON. THE STEERING ALSO GOES HARD. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED. THEY CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG AND TO TAKE IT BACK. MY HUSBAND POINTED OUT THE NHTSA OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION 05V005000 BUT THEY COULD CARE LESS AND CLAIMED THEY LACK THE SKILL TO WORK ON BRAKE PROBLEMS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10138144
Incident
Sep 25, 2005
Mileage
35,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 8, 2005

THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING, FOUND A GM SERVICE BULLETIN STATING TO REPLACE THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND ROTOR BUT HAVE DONE THAT NOW 4 FOUR TIMES BUT THIS DOESN'T CORRECT THE CAUSE JUST THE EFFECT. TO DATE IT HAS REDENDERED OUR VEHICLE UNDRIVEIBLE DUE TO IT'S UNRELIBILITY. GM ISN'T DOING ANYTHING TO HELP US OUR OUR WHEELCHAIR BOUND SON WHO RELIES ON THIS VEHICLE FOR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS.

NHTSA ID
10120222
Incident
Jan 10, 2005
Mileage
7,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 26, 2005
Fire reported

VAN IS USED IN A MUNICIPAL PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR MAINTENANCE DUTIES. OPERATOR STARTED VEHICLE AT BEGINNING OF DAY TO WARM UP. OPERATOR LEFT THE VEHICLE. OPERATOR RETURNED APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES LATER AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM INSIDE THE PASSENGER AREA. OPERATOR CALLED 911 AND RETRIEVED A DRY POWDER EXTINGUISHER. OPERATOR SAW FLAMES COMING FROM AN AREA IN THE REAR OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. OPERATOR TURNED OFF IGNITION AND USED EXTINGUISHER ON THE FIRE, PUTTING IT OUT. INVESTIGATION SHOWS AREA OF ORIGIN TO INSIDE THE DRIVER?S SIDE SEAT BELT CHANNEL. PLASTIC MOLDING COVERS THIS CHANNEL. A WIRING HARNESS IS LOCATED IN THIS CHANNEL. HEAVIEST BURN OF THE HARNESS IS DIRECTLY AT THE CONNECTION OF THE HARNESS TO THE DRIVER?S SIDE SEAT BELT MECHANISM LOCATED AT THE FLOOR. FIRE PARTIALLY CONSUMED HARNESS AND PLASTIC MOLDING. THERE ARE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE AND HARNESS. HARNESS WAS CUT BACK TO CLEAN WIRING ON BOTH SIDES OF DAMAGED SECTION AND IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.*AK

NHTSA ID
10118492
Incident
Mar 8, 2005
Mileage
14,628 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 8, 2005

1 AFTER 70000 MILES, THE GROUND CONNECTION IN THE BRAKE LIGHT/TAILLIGHT SOCKET BECOMES OXIDIZED FROM HEATING UP. 2. THE BRAKE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING. 3. I REMOVED A PLASTIC CLIP FROM THE BULB SOCKET AND ALLOWED THE GROUND WIRE TO ACQUIRE A NEW CONNECTION. 2002 CHEV EXPRESS VANPOOL VANS AT HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH. *AK

NHTSA ID
10116592
Incident
Apr 2, 2005
Mileage
70,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Mar 7, 2005

2002 CHEVROLET EXPRESS ENGINE LOST POWER AND REAR BRAKES CAUGHT ON FAILED. *BF THE CONVERTER WAS CLOGGED WHICH RESULTED IN THE ENGINE LOSING POWER. THE CHECK SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE MISSED ON ACCELERATION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PLUG WIRE CAP ROTOR AND DISTRIBUTOR. THE CONSUMER HEARD A SCRAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKES AND VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE BRAKING. THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE DRIVELINE ON ACCELERATION, THE BELT WAS REPLACED. VEHICLE CONSUMED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. FLUID LEAKED FROM REAR AXLE, DEALER REPLACED THE REAR AXLE SEALS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY DUE TO STALLING. THE VEHICLE BATTERY WENT DEAD AFTER THE VEHICLE SAT OVERNIGHT. CLUTCH WAS LOUD AND PROVIDED NO POWER ON HOT DAYS, THE CLUTCH FAN WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE OR REFUND THE FULL CONTRACT PRICE PLUS INCIDENTAL COST. *NM

NHTSA ID
10114991
Incident
Dec 6, 2004
Electrical
Filed Feb 28, 2005
Fire reported

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WENT INSIDE TO CALL TOW TRUCK TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MECHANIC. TURNED AROUND AND IT WAS ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING;PARKED.

NHTSA ID
10112265
Incident
Feb 21, 2005
Mileage
45,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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