2007 Chevy Uplander with 29,055 miles was taken to a local Chevrolet dealer for a "growling " noise coming from rear of car. Inspection showed no failures but rear tires were "chopped"..the Agency replaced both rear tires and performed an alignment. The noise recurred at 42,523 miles (13,468 miles). I took the vehicle to a large tire dealer and they found that the tires were again unevenly worn.. two new tires were purchased and a (4)wheel alignment done. No damaged parts were reported.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

Premature wear of rear trailing arm bushings on 2007 braun entervan (Chevrolet Uplander) due to defective welding of rear trailing arms during re-manufacture of the vehicle by the braun corporation of winamac, in. This occurred during conversion of the vehicle for use as a handicapped accessible vehicle. The vehicle was purchased in early 2007. Although notified of the defect by the Canadian government in April, 2009, in June of 2010 braun sent recall notices to owners of all 2005 to 2008 GM vans it re-manufactured. The recall described the reason for the recall as follows. " this defect presents itself with a squeaking noise, a rough ride, or degradation in vehicle control. As a result, passengers, pedestrians, or other motorists may be injured or killed.' No mention was made of the specific defect that, "during conversion, the driver or passenger side trailing arm modification may not have been adequately welded." In June of 2010 the vehicle was returned to the authorized dealer for repairs. The repairs involved welding of one re-enforcing plate on each trailing arm. After driving the vehicle, it was noted that the vehicle continued to exhibit a rough ride and the vehicle tended to bottom out. Upon return to the dealer it was determined that the trailer arm bushings were worn, as predicted by braun, and that the rear spring(s) had to be indexed. Braun denied any responsibility for these repairs. In November of 2010 the owner sent a letter to braun which was ignored. The recall notice issued by braun and the subsequent repairs were inadequate to correct the vehicle ride and control problems caused by its defective re-manufacture of the vehicle. In addition to supplying the welding plates, new bushings should have been included and the dealers should have been authorized and instructed to re-index the rear springs. Updated 01/06/12

- Flanders, NJ, USA