The contact recently purchased a 2003 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel due to a corroded catalytic converter. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V388000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue; however, the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 125,000.
2003 Chevrolet Express fuel system problems
11 complaints (19% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 125,000.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 19%
- typical mileage
- 125,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
- Storage: fuel gauge system1
- Fuel injection system1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Express fuel system problems in other years
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with a left side cargo door, and originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Water and road contaminants may become trapped in the protective conduit that covers the fuel filler pipe and may cause the pipe to corrode.
- Risk
- Significant corrosion may allow fuel to leak during refueling, and in the presence of an ignition source; there is an increased risk of fire.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuel filler neck, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 1, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1‑866‑694‑6546 and GMC at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 12V388000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Fuel Filler Pipe Corrosion/Leakage
On August 7, 2012 General Motors (GM) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it will conduct a safety related recall for model year (MY) 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles.The recall affects vehicles equipped with a left side cargo door and that were originally sold or currently registered in the corrosion or salt-belt states of Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Dealers are to install a new fuel filler neck. Consumer notification letters will be sent in early October 2012, when sufficient parts are available. ODI has received 12 complaints alleging unique incidents of fuel leakage during refueling of a subject vehicle. Eleven of the complaints occurred on Chevrolet Express vans, and 1 of the complaints involved a GMC Savana. All vehicles were equipped with the left side cargo door option. For vehicles so equipped, water and road debris can become trapped in the protective conduit that covers the fuel filler pipe and may subsequently cause the pipe to corrode. If the corrosion creates a significant perforation in the pipe, fuel may leak onto the ground while refueling the vehicle. An illuminated Check Engine light (on some vehicles) or the presence of fuel odor may also act as precursors to fuel leakage. Fuel in the presence of an ignition source could cause a fire to occur. In their response to ODI's information request, GM reported 24 owner reports and 1 field report alleging fuel filler pipe failure/corrosion in the subject vehicle population. Six additional records were also provided that included the replacement of the fuel filler pipe, however not enough information existed to determine a relation to the alleged problem. After further review of the reports, ODI determined that a total of 27 individual GM reports were related to filler pipe corrosion. The complaints received from both ODI and GM primarily occurred in the corrosion states. During the investigation, the scope of the subject vehicle population was expanded to include MY 2004 Express vans, and MY 2003 and 2004 GMC Savana vans (with V6 engines) also equipped with left hand side door options, since the Savana vans also utilize the same, or substantially similar fuel filler pipe configuration. GM subsequently modified the design of the fuel filler pipe on vehicles equipped with side doors to correct the corrosion concern, so these vehicles do not have the defect issue.The affected vehicle population shown above reflects the total number of vehicles registered in the salt-belt states listed in GM's defect information report (DIR). Prior to the safety recall announcement, GM had issued a special coverage adjustment for vehicles in these states, during which a total of 771 repairs were made. Accordingly the vehicle population noted in the DIR reflects that of the remaining vehicle population.The investigation is closed based on GM's announcement of safety recall 12V388. The reports cited above can be reviewed online at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10463398, 10459328, 10456403, 10453725, 10445925, 10443143, 10441615, 10413568, 10413214, 10411911, 10353717, 10259377.
PE11040
What 2003 Chevrolet Express owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I received a notice from gm ( doc id #32202443, #12167 fuel filler pipe corrosion) stating that there was a recall on my vehicle for leaking gasoline. I brought it to sighn chevrolet in riverside ca and the service manager told me that ca vehicles do not qualify. I contacted customer complaints case # [xxx] and all they did was call the same service manager and got back to me saying they won't fix it. I believe I am driving around with a vehicle leaking gas on the road creating an extremely dangerous situation for my family with a dire fire hazard. My contention is, why would they send me a recall notice and then tell me I don't qualify? I did receive the notice and it said it had to be acted on before 12/31/12 but it was not leaking then. I don't care when it expires. It is a admitted defect and gm should stand behind their dangerous errors. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet express. The contact stated that there was a fuel leak coming from the vehicle. The contact indicated that after refueling, fuel puddle under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the filler neck needed to be replaced and the metal fuel filler pipe was corroded. The contact was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 12v388000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 153,500.
This vehicle was bought brand new but unbeknownst to me was made in canada (something which would not have been acceptable to me had I been told). Upon possession the windshield molding came off on the ride home. The driver side tierod end went at 12,000 miles and again at 24,000 miles because upon inspection the ball joints were never properly tightened. The bolts on the transmission were found by the dealer to have been never properly tightened. The sidedoor hinge had to be replaced at a cost of $600 because it froze up and could not be opened. The power steering unit rusted out at 12,000 miles and started leaking fluid and, what I find most important, I am not sure if I have airbags because the airbag light stays on but is noted to go off when the key is partially turned however the key cannot stay in this position and must be turned to start the vehicle. Fuel expectation was never near what I was told it would be and tailpipe consistently showed evidence of being blackened due to insufficient fuel burning. The poor backdoor design makes it difficult to see out the back window and it is clearly evident by almost every van of this type having a dented bumper due to this blindspot in design. I have not begun to list all the things not right with this vehicle but I will chalk them up to downright lying and just inferior parts and craftsmenship. This vehicle has been a nightmare.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet express. The contact stated that she noticed a leak under the vehicle when she would put refuel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for inspection where they advised that the fuel filler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that they would pay a portion of the repair costs. The failure mileage was 126,600.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet express. The contact stated that a small amount of fuel continuously leaked out of the fuel tank filler neck immediately after refueling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the fuel filler neck tube exhibited rust corrosion. The part was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. There was a recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 12v388000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly: filler pipe and cap) however the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet express conversion van. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he noticed a hole in the fuel filler neck. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 127,000.
2003 chevrolet express fuel filler pipe leak: gas filler tube rusted through and gasoline leaked every time I refueled. Corrosion holes caused fuel to leak and creating a fire hazard. This van has a left side rear cargo door. This is a similar complaint as: odi id number : 10413214
Since october of 08, I ordered a filler tube which allows the gas to travel from the gas cap to the gas storage tank. Everytime I fill up, gas stations will shut the pump off due to severe leaking from this filler tube. The leak is so severe that the fear is somebody dropping a cigarette at the time of fillup. Approx 1 gal of gas leaks/ fillup. I ordered the new part in late october from the dealership I purchased my 2003 chevy passenger express van. I have spoken to the chevy regional office and been told that the part is only available at 5 dealerships in the country but they have been reserved for customers and I would have to wait until the part gets manufactured once again. When? They don't know. I requested a similar vehicle be loaned to me until the new part becomes available. They said "no, if you feel unsafe then I shouldn't drive it. I told them this is an accident waiting to happen and it will not only cost my life but anyone in proximity to the gas station. One particular dealership shared with me that if gm doesn't pay a bill for whatever reason, the part manufacturer halts production and this is what happens. Will you please help me?
Dt: the contact stated while driving the vehicle stalled intermittently. Also, it 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 11/7/2005 -
Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Express fuel system
Does the 2003 Chevrolet Express have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Chevrolet Express, 19% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Express fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 125,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Chevrolet Express fuel system?
Yes, 1 recall: 12V388000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
Other 2003 Chevrolet Express problems
Brakes 11Electrical 10Engine 6Transmission 6Body 5Airbags 4Seat belts 4Acceleration 3Steering 3Visibility 3Lights 2Locks 1Seats 1Suspension 1Tires 1Wheels 1
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