Hearth Record

Exterior lighting (Chevrolet and GMC)

Vehicle recall 03V-217. NHTSA received GENERAL MOTORS CORP.’s report on Jun 10, 2003.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received GENERAL MOTORS CORP.’s report on Jun 10, 2003. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.

Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

IF THE SOCKET ASSEMBLY WERE TO REACH THE POINT OF MELTING, THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE MAY NOTICE AN ODOR AND SMOKE AT THE REAR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. IF THIS ODOR AND SMOKE WERE IGNORED, THE PLASTIC COULD IGNITE AND A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

CERTAIN VANS HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH WATER MAY ENTER AND CORRODE THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET.

IF THE LAMP SOCKET WERE TO CORRODE, THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP MAY OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL, AND THE LEFT REAR TAIL LAMP MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

THE TEMPERATURE OF THE LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET COULD INCREASE TO THE POINT THAT IT MAY BEGIN TO SOFTEN AND MELT.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Exterior lighting.

What should you do?

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SEALED REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 21, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: GM RECALL NO. 03031.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 50,225 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Chevrolet Expressand 2003, before the model years listed here
  • GMC Savanaand 2003, before the model years listed here

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by GENERAL MOTORS CORP..
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
  • Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
  • This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

Source:

Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

1 of 4

Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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