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.
My complaint is regarding a knocking noise coming from my engine of my 2001 Chevrolet Silverado. It sounds like the pistons are hitting the cylinder wall of my engine. I do have 140,000 miles on it but the problem started about 3-4 years ago. The reason I didn't complain because dealers have always said that it was normal. But from online forums I hear that I am not the only one having this problem. My engine has lost a significant amount of power and I think that is the reason why.
Throttle pedal sticks at idle, when I push on the throttle truck jumps forward. This started about 55,000 miles and now have 63,000. The problem happens daily, but not all the time.
I was seeing a low coolant warning light that was intermittent. I added distilled water to the coolant system several time in the amount for a total of about a half gallon. I searched for a leak in the coolant hoses but could not find a leak. I checked the dip stick to see if the oil was cloudy or had bubbles but did not see any. (I use mobil 1 synthetic oil). After about a week the coolant warning light came on at a higher frequency so I took the truck to the dealer. They diagnosed the problem as head gasket leaks and possible water pump gasket leaks. The bill for the repair was $1200. I was later told the head bolts lost torque and "stretched". the heads had never been removed and the truck had never required any repairs except for the broken tail gate cables which caused me to fall off the back trying to load my kayak on top. I do not believe a truck with 72000 miles should have to have the head bolts replaced. GM was of no help because they knew I had insurance to cover 80% of the repair they did extend the warranty up to 100,000 miles on the head bolts and for the clatter in the valves that they said is normal. Next truck will be Toyota.
- Fredericksburg, TX, USA
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4.3 liter V6 engine w/standard trans. - butterfly valve in engine air intake throttle body has shallow cup riveted to engine side (underside) of flat butterfly valve. This shallow metal cup is tearing loose, with outside edge bending downward and away from flat butterfly valve to approx. 30 degrees. The bend is at the riveted joints where the cup is anchored to the flat butterfly valve. The cup metal has two tears in the metal where rivets have held fast. Vehicle has 40,000 miles and is in good condition, driven on city streets only. Dealer says will fix free if Chevrolet service center gives ok, and Chevrolet service center says dealer must approve. Problem has potential for catastrophic engine damage and/or engine fire. Please help.
While traveling at 60 mph the vehicle engine suddenly shut off. Consumer states was able to restart. Took to Chevrolet and they are not aware of any problem with engines stalling.
The consumer states that there is a clattering noise during acceleration/pinging, up inclines and under load weight. And found excessive valve clattering on acceleration and decarbonized the valves, but were unable to resolve the problem. (the vehicle was released with the knowledge that the pinging still occured) the consumer is giving Chevrolet the oppurtunity to resolve the problem in a timely manner, and if these problems are not repairable, then he is expecting a refund of the purchase price with interest.
Engine is using between 4 and 7 qts of oil between oil changes. General Motors designed a new PCV valve in hopes of solving this oil usage problem. It has not helped one bit. The truck is not leaking the oil out on the ground. There is no blue smoke coming from tailpipe. This to me seems to be air pollution. I was told it was a nation wide problem not just mine. The vehicle is doing this at normal highway driving speeds of 55 to 70 mph.
The engine started knocking upon cold start up at approx. Eight thousand miles, and a problem started with a engine pinging noise(valve clatter) at the same mileage. The problems were reported to the dealer several times in which no attempt for correction was made on repairing the engine knock. The valve clatter problem has been worked on more than three times with no solution. Now the problem is deemed unrepairable or as the dealer states "normal" as my reply is that the truck did not make any noise untill 8,000 miles, if the noise is normal why did it take 8, ooo miles for the problem to arrise. At the present time the engine knocks on both hot and cold start and valve clatter is experienced upon acceleration, constant speeds, and is the worst when trying to tow a trailer of less than 30% of vehicles max gvwr. The second problem is the bumping, knocking loose steering sensation felt in the steering wheel. This problem has also been worked on several times with no solution. I have recently been informed that there are new intermediate steering shaft parts that are suppose to fix my problem, but I am not being told of a completion or delivery date on this correction. My concern is that the steering is going to malfunction causing a accident. I have contacted the dealership many times with my concerns. The only replies I have received are "yes there is a problem, but we don't know how to fix it, or will call you!" it seems to me that a manufacturer that can design and manufacturer millions of vehicles should know how to fix what they produce.
Consumer states that the vehicle will start to surge while the consumer is driving, there is also a knocking noise in the engine. Contacted dealer and they cannot find the problem. Nlm
Knocking noise from beginning-dealer stated "cold startup"-wrong! manufacturer said not detrimental to engine-they had to replace my engine @ 25,000 miles-still knocking. Grinding in rear end at take off-had to replace my driveshaft-still grinding. My truck has been in 4 times for engine knocking and 5 times for rear end grinding. I'm now fighting with GM and BBB for a buy back-my truck qualifies under the lemon law-33 total days in shop so far. Will never buy another!!!
Vehicle has started to backfire/ shake, and then cut off on several occasion. Vehicle at the dealer.*akthe crankshaft sensor was replaced. Also, the horn is inoperable. The horn relay was replaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Yuba City, CA, USA