The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
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.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 03V-217 (03V217000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 03031 |
| Manufacturer | General Motors, LLC |
| Component | Exterior lighting |
| Report date | June 10, 2003 |
| Owners notified | July 21, 2003 |
| Vehicles affected | 50,225 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the lights
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 03V-217 repair free?
Yes. Chevrolet dealers will fix the problem at no cost: 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.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 50,225 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.