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Frequency of problems...

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Old Mar 18, 2015 | 08:54 PM
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Default Frequency of problems...

Let’s see…

-Column lock
-Harmonic balancer
-Rocking seats
-Wiper motor failure/plugged udders
-Oil pressure sender
-Gas gauge to zero without warning
-Leaking battery
-Hazard switch failure
-Excessive oil consumption on’01-‘02
-Bad fuel tanks (FFS) on late ’03-’04 models
-EBCM failures on pre ’01 models that are pretty much non-repairable

That’s just a few items that have been mentioned numerous times here on the forum.

I’m just wondering, though…for as many times as problems like this have been mentioned how many people haven’t had to ask about anything because they haven’t had a single problem with their C5?

Seeing the multiple threads on problems leads to expectation bias I think…maybe these problems aren’t as prevalent as we might think...
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Old Mar 18, 2015 | 09:45 PM
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I don't think there is a make or model out there that don't have problems. Yes your list of problems do appear in these cars. Mine has had a few but not all. Some are a little more of a headache then others. None would be a deal breaker for me. Well maybe there are a couple!!

Last edited by Fcar 98; Mar 18, 2015 at 09:51 PM.
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Old Mar 18, 2015 | 11:12 PM
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ive got the gas gauge issue and the oil sensor issue , thankfully that's it so far
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Old Mar 18, 2015 | 11:28 PM
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Originally Posted by jjaaam
how many people haven’t had to ask about anything because they haven’t had a single problem with their C5?
Might want to just post a poll thread on how many C5 owners are liars!

On mine...
-Harmonic balancer
-Oil pressure sender
-Gas gauge to zero without warning
-EBCM failure

I had a few repairs under warranty, but they failed to record some...



On the plus side the GMPP Extended Warranty paid for itself about seven times!

Last edited by Choreo; Mar 18, 2015 at 11:30 PM.
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Old Mar 18, 2015 | 11:52 PM
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I've had my C5 for 5.5 years and not one single problem with the car.
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 12:00 AM
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Oil pressure sending unit on my 2000, but during the mdding process numerous items were either upgraded or replaced so I'm not sure how many issues that may have prevented.
I've been very satisfied with my car
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 01:02 AM
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I don't see diff/axle seals on that list...as I recall, there were also some early problems with the diff side plates themselves.
Then there are a bunch of other relatively minor things that a lot of C5s are prone to: delaminating door panels, wind whistle, headlight gears, HUD pivots etc.
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by jjaaam
Let’s see…

-Column lock
-Harmonic balancer
-Rocking seats
-Wiper motor failure/plugged udders
-Oil pressure sender
-Gas gauge to zero without warning
-Leaking battery
-Hazard switch failure
-Excessive oil consumption on’01-‘02
-Bad fuel tanks (FFS) on late ’03-’04 models
-EBCM failures on pre ’01 models that are pretty much non-repairable

That’s just a few items that have been mentioned numerous times here on the forum.

I’m just wondering, though…for as many times as problems like this have been mentioned how many people haven’t had to ask about anything because they haven’t had a single problem with their C5?

Seeing the multiple threads on problems leads to expectation bias I think…maybe these problems aren’t as prevalent as we might think...

I've had most of those problems on my 99' with 80K miles, owned for 6 years.
Column Lock - got a few warnings so was able to get the fix installed in time
Harmonic Balancer - Wobbly belt squeaking. Got an Underdrive pulley
Wiper Motor - Cut the bottom of the rudders so it doesn't get clogged but not before a heavy rain storm shorted out the motor.
Oil Pressure - Went bad was shooting the gauge up to 100 psi. Did the relocation mod in case it goes bad again.
Hazard Switch - not sure if its the same switch but my headlight stalk went bad causing the headlights to stay on everything else black.
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 12:41 PM
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I'm the third owner. 43k miles. Only minor issues that were mostly resolved.

erratic fuel gauge (an annoyance but too costly of a repair for the minor benefit)
door delamination (fixed)
rocking seats (easy fix)
loud fuel pump (seller replaced for me)
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 01:47 PM
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Default Reliability

I was driving my 2004 Explorer around the other day and thinking about the how unbelieveably reliably it was, and all the problems with the three C5's I've owned. I've had two Explorer's, one 2000 that went 180k miles with no problems other than routine maintenance, and now a 2004 with 138k and no problems. And these are fully loaded XLT's, power everything.

I love my C5's and will always have one, but I tell people that unless you know how to work on them, forget it. I can't imagine having to take one to a dealer for anything, you're talking second mortage. I can see some things breaking from age, but come on, bad grounds, bad oil sender, bad AC controls, bad power seats, bad headlight gears, ect.
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by ronwc
I was driving my 2004 Explorer around the other day and thinking about the how unbelieveably reliably it was, and all the problems with the three C5's I've owned. I've had two Explorer's, one 2000 that went 180k miles with no problems other than routine maintenance, and now a 2004 with 138k and no problems. And these are fully loaded XLT's, power everything.

I love my C5's and will always have one, but I tell people that unless you know how to work on them, forget it. I can't imagine having to take one to a dealer for anything, you're talking second mortage. I can see some things breaking from age, but come on, bad grounds, bad oil sender, bad AC controls, bad power seats, bad headlight gears, ect.
At the end of the day it's still a mass production Chevrolet.

Mine has been mostly problem free, knock on wood.
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 06:10 PM
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Purchased my 02 new, only one problem in 13 years. It was a power door relay that needed replacement.
Well, there was one other problem but it was self-induced. I was dumb enough to let the Chevy dealership do the column lock recall. Shortly thereafter, I got column lock.
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted by ronwc
I was driving my 2004 Explorer around the other day and thinking about the how unbelieveably reliably it was, and all the problems with the three C5's I've owned. I've had two Explorer's, one 2000 that went 180k miles with no problems other than routine maintenance, and now a 2004 with 138k and no problems. And these are fully loaded XLT's, power everything.

I love my C5's and will always have one, but I tell people that unless you know how to work on them, forget it. I can't imagine having to take one to a dealer for anything, you're talking second mortage. I can see some things breaking from age, but come on, bad grounds, bad oil sender, bad AC controls, bad power seats, bad headlight gears, ect.
I think you should try owning a Mercedes or Bmw for a while and you will really see what expensive repairs and maintenance is all about.

All those issue you mention are cheap to repair , I just purchased a new oil sender for $40.00 , if this was a Mercedes it would be $500+

The beauty of it being a chevy means parts can be had for relatively cheap.
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 07:19 PM
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Rocking seats and the hvac display on mine...............
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by cvm
At the end of the day it's still a mass production Chevrolet.

Mine has been mostly problem free, knock on wood.
My Ford Explorers are mass produced too, just very reliable.

Originally Posted by 1Willy1
I think you should try owning a Mercedes or Bmw for a while and you will really see what expensive repairs and maintenance is all about.

All those issue you mention are cheap to repair , I just purchased a new oil sender for $40.00 , if this was a Mercedes it would be $500+

The beauty of it being a chevy means parts can be had for relatively cheap.
That's why i wouldn't own a BMW or Mercedes.
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 07:44 PM
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Door lock relays.... both doors (which I fixed myself thanks to a generous forum member).

Otherwise, at 25,000 miles on my 2002, no problems.
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 08:27 PM
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Hmmm.. Lets see. My little red *****.. 99 targa. LMC5 steering column fix, Both seats got the rocking seat fix, oil pressure sender unit replaced, replaced a cracked windshield, replaced the plastic cowl [broken clips] and windshield wipers, replaced both A pillar covers due to cracks in the plastic, replaced passenger side interior door panel due to a 1.5 inch crack in the plastic This does not include new tires,and custom leather interior mods. All of that since purchase from the third owner in Nov 14. A total of 4000 plus and counting. BUT... I love it!! Nothin g I have ever owned has given me the thrill driving this car does!!! Bruce:yesn od:
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 10:50 PM
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Here is a copy of my maintenance log on both my cars...the dealer reported a few thing done under warranty, transmission seals, seat module on 2000....the ony thing done to the 01 before I purchased it was a A/C condensor got hole in it.
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