1991 Chevrolet P3 problems

General information about Chevrolet-P3
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Chevrolet Step-Van (and its badge-engineered counterpart, the GMC Value-Van) is a multi-stop truck made by General Motors from 1940 to 1998.

Dubl-Duti

The first generation of General Motors multi-stop delivery van was called the Dubl-Duti, introduced in 1940. The van was built on the 115-inch (2,921 mm) chassis of the Chevrolet pickup truck, with a body built by Divco Twin. The Dubl-Duti van used the same 216.5-cubic-inch (3.5 L) "Thriftmaster" six-cylinder engine as the pickup and Chevrolet passenger cars, but with a single-barrel updraft Carter carburetor rather than the downdraft Rochester unit used in other Chevrolet trucks.

The Dubl-Duti was restyled in 1941 to suit the new Chevrolet AK Series truck body. Despite the "Advance Design" trucks being released in calendar year 1947 as a 1948 model, the AK Series-based Dubl-Duti continued production for another year thereafter.

A new generation of Dubl-Duti was introduced for model year 1949, with two different wheelbases shared with the medium-duty Advance Design pickup trucks: the model 3742 with 125+1⁄4-inch (3,181 mm) wheelbase, and 137-inch (3,480 mm) log model 3942 . The "Thriftmaster" engine was carried over for the 1949 and 1950 model years, and replaced for 1951 by the 235.5-cubic-inch (3.9 L) "Loadmaster" engine. The Dubl-Duti ceased production in 1955.

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Common 1991 Chevrolet P3 problems

The 1991 Chevrolet P3 (Caprice) has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. Here are some of the most frequently mentioned issues:

Brake Pipe Contact: Another recall in Canada was issued for the 1991 Chevrolet P-series due to the front left brake pipe potentially contacting a power steering hose. This could cause the brake pipe to wear through, leading to a loss of front braking and potentially causing a crash without prior warning.

Suspension Problems: A recall was issued in Canada for certain P3-42 chassis due to the 19.5 x 6 front steel wheel discs possibly exhibiting circumferential cracking. If undetected, this could cause the rim portion of the wheel to separate inboard, potentially leading to a vehicle crash.

Parking Brake Issues: A recall was issued in Canada for certain P30 vehicles due to the automatic apply transmission mounted parking brake lower pivot bolt potentially being loose. If the brake is manually applied, the parking brake can suddenly release. If the pivot bolt falls out and the brake is automatically applied, the amount of braking may be insufficient to hold the vehicle on an incline, potentially leading to a vehicle roll away and an accident.

Fuel Tank System Problems: A recall was issued in Canada for certain P30 vehicles due to damaged fill and/or vent opening caps on the right-hand side of the fuel tank. If a left-hand fill system was installed on the tank by the body builder and there was a damaged right-hand cap, the fuel tank system would not be sealed. Thus, the automatic shutoff system utilized by gas stations would not work, which would allow gasoline to be forced out of the right-hand opening. If an ignition source were present, a fire could result.

Engine and Engine Cooling Problems: Several bulletins have been issued for the 1991 Chevrolet P3 regarding engine and engine cooling problems. These include issues with hard, no start or excessive gray or white smoke condition on start up after recent glow plug replacement, engine exhaust noise which is loudest during cold engine operation, cold engine knock, and a new cast iron exhaust manifold and stainless steel gasket to correct engine noise condition.

Oil Pressure Gauge Reading Concerns: There have been concerns regarding oil pressure gauge reading on the 1991 Chevrolet P3. The cause and solution for this issue are not specified in the provided source.

Front Drive Axle Seal Failure: There have been reports of front drive axle seal failure on the 1991 Chevrolet P3, causing leakage.

It is recommended to do a free VIN recall check to ensure accuracy and safety.

1991 Chevrolet P3 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet P3 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Service brakes problems
Hydraulic problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1991 Chevrolet P3 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1991 Chevrolet P3 complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1991 Chevrolet P3.

1996-07-01

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1996-06-01
VIN: 1GBKP37N2L3
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: TEAMS CHEVROLET 90C51/91V123. OWNER AWAITS REPAIR, IT HAS BEEN ONE MONTH. ZONE STATES WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS. *AK

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1991 Chevrolet P3 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 1991 Chevrolet P3.

1992-09-08

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: WHEELS
Summary: THE 19.5 X 6 FRONT STEEL WHEEL DISC CRACKS OUTSIDE THE MOUNTING BOLT CIRCLE AND ENDS AT THE HUB'S DIAMETER.
Consequence: IF THE CRACKING GOES UNNOTICED, THE CENTER PORTION OF THEDISC WILL CRACK COMPLETELY AND EVENTUALLY THE RIM PORTION OF THE WHEEL COULDSEPARATE FROM THE CENTER SECTION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: REPLACE ALL SIX (SEVEN IF THERE IS A SPARE) DEFECTIVE WHEELS WITH NEWLY DESIGNED WHEELS.

1991-12-13

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Summary: SOME CHASSIS WERE SHIPPED TO BODY BUILDERS WITH DAMAGED FILL OR VENT OPENING CAPS ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE. IF A LEFT-HAND FILL SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED ON THE TANK, AND THERE WAS A DAMAGED RIGHT-HAND CAP, THE FUEL SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE SEALED.
Consequence: IF THE FUEL SYSTEM IS NOT SEALED, THE AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFFSYSTEM USED IN GAS STATIONS WOULD NOT WORK, ALLOWING GAS TO BE FORCED OUT OFTHE DEFECTIVE RIGHT-HAND OPENING. THE SPILLED GASOLINE WOULD RESULT IN A FIREHAZARD IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW CAPS ON THE VEHICLES WITH UNUSED RIGHT-HAND FILL OR VENT OPENINGS.

1991-08-05

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
Summary: THE AUTOMATIC APPLY TRANSMISSION MOUNTED PARKING BRAKE LEVER PIVOT BOLT "FINGER" MAY BE LOOSE.
Consequence: THE LOOSE PIVOT BOLT COULD ALLOW THE PARKING BRAKES TORELEASE AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN SET MANUALLY; IF THE BOLT FALLS OFF WHEN THEAUTOMATIC APPLY PARKING BRAKE IS SET, THERE IS INSUFFICIENT BRAKING TO HOLD THEVEHICLE IF IT IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT INVEHICLE MOVEMENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND POSSIBLY IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: TORQUE PIVOT BOLT TO SPECIFICATIONS.

1991-07-16

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Summary: BRAKES MAY HAVE MISSING REAR AXLE OUTER BEARING RETAINING RING AND OR GREATER THAN SPECIFIED BEARING END PLAY. EITHER CONDITION ALLOWS THE ROTOR AND HUB ASSEMBLY TO SHIFT POSITION RELATIVE TO THE SPINDLE. THIS MOVEMENT CAN CAUSE BRAKE CALIPER PISTON RECEDE FARTHER THAN NORMAL INTO THE PISTON BORE WHICH WOULD REQUIRE GREATER THAN NORMAL BRAKE FLUID DISPLACEMENT WHEN THE SERVICE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION LEADS TO INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE, ANDSHOULD MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE BE REQUIRED, IT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENTWITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: REPLACE BOTH REAR AXLE HUBS.