# NHTSA recall 03V328000

A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.

- Published by: NHTSA \(United States\)
- Campaign number: 03V328000
- Manufacturer's number: 03044
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Reported: 2003\-09\-12
- Owners notified: 2004\-04\-08
- Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
- Units potentially affected: 41477

## What is wrong

CERTAIN MINIVANS HAVE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION BETWEEN THE LOWER BALL JOINT RUBBER BOOT AND THE STEERING KNUCKLE \(BOTH LEFT/RIGHT SIDES\), WHICH COULD RESULT IN CUTTING OF THE BOOT THAT IS INTENDED TO SEAL THE BALL JOINT.  IF THE LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT WERE CUT, CONTAMINATION FROM THE ROAD \(SALT, DIRT, WATER, ETC.\) COULD ENTER THE BALL SOCKET AREA OF THE BALL JOINT CAUSING THE JOINT TO WEAR OUT TOO QUICKLY.


## What can happen

THE STEERING KNUCKLE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, DROPPING DOWN THE AFFECTED CORNER OF THE VEHICLE.  THE COIL SPRING WOULD PUSH THE CONTROL ARM DOWN INTO CONTACT WITH THE GROUND, CREATING A DRAG THAT WOULD SLOW THE VEHICLE.  THE DRIVER COULD HAVE DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING THE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.  IN ADDITION, THE AFFECTED WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE IF FORCES RESULTING FROM THE WHEEL'S DRAGGING ACTION WERE SUFFICIENT TO FRACTURE THE TIE ROD END AND UPPER BALL JOINT CONNECTIONS.  SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WOULD ALSO SEVER THAT WHEEL'S HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE, RESULTING IN LOST BRAKING PERFORMANCE FROM THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM.  VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE WOULD INCREASE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.


## The remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING KNUCKLES.  OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 8, 2004.   OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1\-800\-630\-2438 OR GMC AT 1\-866\-996\-9463.


## Notes

GM RECALL NO. 03044.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1\-888\-DASH\-2\-DOT \(1\-888\-327\-4236\).


## Vehicles this campaign lists

- 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO. Built 2002\-03\-01 to 2003\-06\-30.
- [2003 GMC SAFARI](/makes/gmc/safari/2003/recalls.md). Built 2002\-03\-01 to 2003\-06\-30.

## Bulletins for the same vehicles and component

A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.

- [04012004](/bulletins/10009197.md), 2004-09-17, Service bulletin

## Check a VIN

- [NHTSA recall lookup by VIN, United States](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls)
- [Transport Canada recall search, Canada](https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/menu.aspx?lang=eng)

JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/03V328000](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/03V328000)

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