2003 Chevrolet Astro: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Apr 30, 2021 · Suspension · 392,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet astro. The contact was made aware by an independent mechanic that his vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v328000 (suspension) while performing routine maintenance on the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed with a faulty steering knuckle and lower ball joints. Myrtle beach chevrolet (1785 us-501, myrtle beach, sc 29577) and the manufacturer were made aware of the issues. The contact was informed that the parts were no longer made and there were no after market parts available. The failure mileage was 392,000.

Filed Aug 31, 2010 · Electrical · 78,000 miles · CO

2003 chevrolet astro van. Drove vehicle without incident on august 1, 2010. Monday morning august, 2, 2010 battery was dead (purchased new february 2010). Replaced with new battery on august 2, 2010. First connected the positive cable. Attempted to connect negative cable. Negative post terminal sparked and battery cable got very hot. Disconnected battery cable. Inspected fuses. All good. Trace visible portions of positive cable to fuse box, alternator, and starter. No indication of grounding. Contacted mechanic who on august 14, 2010 performed test on fuse box, alternator, and starter. All good. Mechanic thoroughly traced positive cable. Discovered short located at the passenger side of the engine behind the steering linkage. Stated that cable sheath had been worn away by the rubbing of the tie rod and was grounding out on the body and that it was extremely fortunate that the vehicle had not caught on fire. I had to have the vehicle towed to chevrolet dealership and had cable replaced.

Filed Nov 14, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · 30,900 miles · TX · fire

On september 9, 2005 my 2003 chevrolet astro van exploded and caught fire in a parking lot. The fire dept. Arrived and put out the fire; the firemen disconnected the battery cable. The van was towed to huffines chevrolet in plano, tx. The cause of the incident according to the chevrolet mechanics is as follows: 1) every time the steering wheel was turned, the tie rods etc. Would chafe against a bracket on the chassis that held down a battery cable. 2) eventually the bracket failed. 3) the battery cable arced against the brake line. 4) the brake line ruptured spraying hydraulic fluid over the hot engine manifold. 5) the ensuing fire burned through, among other things, the A/C hose carrying freon. 6) when the A/C hosed was severed, the freon gas escaped causing the loud explosion that we heard some distance away. 7) the smoke that we saw in the air was actually the escaping freon gas. All was supposedly repaired in three weeks. On november 8, 2005, the brakes failed while under way. The chevrolet mechanics stated that the cause of the brake failure was traced to a small pinhole caused by the arcing battery cable several weeks ago. Eventually the entire brake line failed. If this story seems preposterous to you, it does to me too but this is the story we got from chevrolet. In my opinion, my 2003 chevy astro van suffers from a fatal flaw in design and/or manufacturer. It is unsafe and should be taken off the road forever.

Filed Apr 29, 2005 · Brakes, Engine · ME

After ball joint recall, I have had nothing but problems with steering, braking and suspension. Front left side continually pops and grinds, shock boot was replaced twice, the shocks have been replaced 3 times. The third time may have fixed it, just got the van back today. Brakes are intermittent. Heard loud bang from rear end, dealership tightened backing plate. Transmission slips, shudder is felt from rear end at 30+ MPH. Dealership put balances on torque converter and the drive shaft, had to cut the rear springs to do this. Service manager stated the problem was not gone, but livable. Vehicle runs rough at idle, almost stalling, service manager experienced the problem as well. Said fuel injector port was fill with carbon, but cleaning it did not fix the problem. Check engine light came on during a trip, stayed on for the 6 hour drive home, there was no heat at all, service manager said he could not get the computer to reproduce the code, but replaced the thermostat, water pump and two clamps.

Filed Sep 13, 2004 · Suspension · 38,800 miles · LA

Recall 03v328000/lower ball joint boot interference. Consumer had recall repairs done. Whenever vehicle was backing up or making a turn a popping sound was heard while driving. Vehicle had been to the dealer on three separate occasions, and problem recurred.

Filed May 20, 2004 · Suspension · OK

Dealership was unable to perform the lower ball joint boot interference recall 03v328000 repairs because they didn't have the parts or the tools. Consumer called dealer twice to make an appointment since receiving the recall notice. *ak

Filed Mar 31, 2004 · Suspension · 75 miles · AK

Our 2003 chevy astro van had a intermittent very bad shimmy come from the front wheels. It was so bad the van could not be driven over 30 MPH without losing control. The next 20 times it was driven it would work fine. We finally had it in to a dealer who had it happen to one of their mechanic while he was driving. The mechanic said it is a bad ball joint that had to be that way when it left the factory. We have not been able to drive the van for 3 weeks as they say the part is back ordered. It appears that this must be a problem with other vans and that is why we have not been able to get it replaced. I want to know if gm is going to recall all their vehicles with this problem? One of my employees nearly lost control of the van when it did it to her and it could easily happen to othere.