1998 Chevrolet Venture

SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE AVAILABLE WITH AN OPTIONAL POWER SLIDING DOOR.THE INTERIOR HANDLE IS ORIENTED IN THE VERTICAL POSITION IN THE DOOR PANEL AND LINES UP AT THE ELBOW LEVEL WHEN THE OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE 2ND-ROW OUTBOARD POSITION.IF THE OCCUPANT HOLDS THE INTERIOR HANDLE IN THE THUMB UP POSITION DURING POWER-ASSISTED OPENING, THE ARM/WRIST CAN BE PUSH BACK WITH FORCE AGAINST THE 2ND-ROW BUCKET SEAT OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIR SEAT BACK CREATING A RISK OF INJURY (OTHER SEATING CONFIGURATIONS HAVE AMPLE SEAT TO DOOR CLEARANCE TO AVOID ENTRAPMENT OF THE LOWER ARM).AMONG THE 103 TOTAL REPORTS, THERE WERE 102 ALLEGED INJURIES INCLUDING ARM/WRIST, THUMB AND SHOULDER INJURIES.A COUNT OF INJURIES REVEALS THAT 76 INJURIES WERE A FRACTURED OR A BROKEN ARM/WRIST REQUIRING AN IMMOBILIZING CAST FOR FOUR-TO-SIX WEEKS.ALL INJURIES INVOLVE THE RIGHT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR.THE LEFT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR IS ON FAR FEWER VEHICLES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT PRODUCES LESS FORCE.GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY BY LETTER DATED DECEMBER 21, 2004, THAT IT WILL RECALL MODEL YEAR 1997 THOUGH EARLY 2005 GM U-VAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A RIGHT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND WITH 2ND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN CHAIRS (NHTSA RECALL #04V597).AS PART OF THE RECALL REMEDY, GM WILL REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLE WITH A FLUSH MOUNTED HANDLE THAT WILL PREVENT AN OCCUPANT FROM GRASPING THE HANDLE WITH THE PALM BETWEEN THE HANDLE AND DOOR PANEL (THUMB UP ORIENTATION) AND THUS ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR ARM/WRIST ENTRAPMENT.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS SUCH AS IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING.ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 19 INCIDENTS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW REPORTS TO ODI OR GM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS. DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND THE ABSENCE OF A CONTINUING TREND IN REPORTED FAILURES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

ODI IDENTIFIED 59 REPORTS WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ODI WAS ABLE TO CONTACT 44 OF THE 59 CONSUMERS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE LATCH PROBLEMS.OF THE 44 OWNERS CONTACTED, ODI DETERMINED THAT FOUR FAILURES WERE DUE TO AN OUT-OF-TOLERANCE LATCH PLATE, AND THAT 23 FAILURES WERE DUE TO A DISPLACED BUCKLE HOUSING COVER.THE REMAINING 17 FAILURES HAD INDETERMINABLE CAUSES.OF THE 59 REPORTS, THERE WERE THREE ALLEGED MINOR INJURIES.NO LEGAL CLAIMS OR LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH REGARD TO THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.BASED ON THE LIMITED NUMBER OF REPORTS, AND A DECLINING REPORT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEARED TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ADDITIONAL SUMMARY REPORT.

ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 14 INCIDENTS OF REAR TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 THROUGH 1999 GM U-VANS, INCLUDING TWO THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES IS USED IN THE U-VANS FROM MY 1997 THROUGH 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS CAN CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS (E.G., IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING).GM IDENTIFIED A PARTS HANDLING CONCERN THAT WAS CAUSING SOME TRAILING ARMS TO BE DAMAGED PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN, GM IMPLEMENTED CHANGES TO THE SHIPPING CONTAINERS FROM JANUARY 1999 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1999. EIGHT (8) OF THE REPORTED INCIDENTS IN MY 1997-99 U-VANS, INCLUDING THE TWO CRASHES, OCCURRED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE TREND AND SAFETY RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.

VAN WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX 65 MPH..FORD QUAD CAB TRUCK PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME..I LOCKED THE BRAKES, SOME SKID MARKS DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND COMPLETELY BROADSIDED THE TRUCK. DAMAGE TO TRUCK WAS ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR, AND FRONT CORNER PANEL. SEVERAL OF TRUCKS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IMPACT WAS AT A HIGH SPEED. INJURIES TO MYSELF AND PASSENGER, NECK, SHOULDER, KNEE, WRIST, ANKLE, NOT FATAL, THANK GOODNESS. PASSENGER OF TRUCK, INJURIES UNKNOWN. TRUCK WAS AT FAULT IN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

10819198

Incident

Jan 4, 2016

Mileage

136,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09E005000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

NHTSA ID

10807166

Incident

Nov 25, 2015

Mileage

122,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V131000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,817. UPDATED 5/18/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE CABLE END THAT CONNECTS TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 7/1/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID

10701077

Incident

Mar 13, 2015

Mileage

159,817 mi

GOODYEAR ASSURANCE COMFORTRED 215/70 R15 98T. BELTS SEPARATED AT BEAD, GIANT GOITER IN SIDEWALL. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THIS WAS A MOUNTING ERROR. NO TEARING OF INNER EDGE ON BEAD. THE OTHER THREE TIRES ALL HAVE BULGES STARTING IN SIDEWALLS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10625982

Incident

Aug 16, 2014

SUDDEN AND COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED TO THE POINT OF FAILURE. NO WARNING...JUST COMPLETE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10439236

Incident

Dec 9, 2011

Mileage

67,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR AUTOMATICALLY OPENED ON ITS OWN AFTER IT WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V067000(LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE SLIDING DOORS A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 163,000.

NHTSA ID

10395712

Incident

Apr 1, 2011

Mileage

163,000 mi

I BACKED THE VAN OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME AND PLACED THE CAR INTO DRIVE. AS I STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD, THE GAS PEDAL FELT HARDER THAN NORMAL BUT I ATTRIBUTED THAT TO BEING LEFT OUTSIDE ALL WINTER. I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL HARDER TO GET TO CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. AND IMMEDIATELY I FELT THE PEDAL UNSTICK . AT THAT SAME MOMENT, THE ENGINE RACED TO FULL THROTTLE AND RACED FORWARD WITH THE VAN CONTINUALLY GOING FASTER AND FASTER RACING INSTANTLY TO 50 MILES AN HOUR AND STILL ACCELERATING. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION, I TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT COULD NOT STOP THE VAN OR STOP THE ACCELERATION. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND FINALLY BRAKED THE VAN TO A STOP. THIS ALL HAPPENED ON THE SIDE STREET OF MY SUBDIVISION BEFORE I COULD GET ONTO THE MAIN ROAD. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO CARS OR PEOPLE IN MY WAY AND I WAS ABLE TO GET CONTROL OF THE VAN WITHOUT HURTING MYSELF OR OTHERS, THE VAN WAS BROUGHT BACK TO MY DRIVEWAY WHERE IT REMAINS. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AT THIS POINT AS I DO NOT WANT TO PAY TO HAVE THIS 12 YEAR OLD VAN REPAIRED AT MY COST NOR DO I EVER WANT TO DRIVE THIS VAN AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10303433

Incident

Jan 9, 2010

Mileage

88,000 mi

1998 CHEVY VENTURE. REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE. BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED THROUGH-MIDWAY FROM FRONT TO BACK ON BOTH REAR BRAKE LINE'S. THESE LINES ARE MADE OF METAL AND HAVE SEVERAL 90 DEGREE BENDS ALONG THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO EQUIPMENT FAILURE. I WAS BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND LOST ALL RESISTANCE. SHOULD THIS HAVE OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT LEGAL SPEED LIMIT AND PROPER FOLLOWING DISTANCE THE RESULTS COULD BE CATASTROPHIC FOR THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND OTHER MOTORIST INVOLVED. STAINLESS STEEL MATERIEL SHOULD BE USED FOR EQUIPMENT AS IMPORTANT AS THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10265223

Incident

Apr 14, 2009

Mileage

143,468 mi

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.