I am looking to buy a use H3 very soon. I have heard it's not a good idea to get a 2006 H3. I am looking at 2007-2009. I have read somewhere that near the end of 2007 they had worked out most of the big kinks.

My Questions:

What vin numbers are Good for 2007?
What are some of the common issues of the H3?
If I can find a H3 with a Locker, Does that mean it has the 4:1 transfer case?

Thanks

Steve

 

All the vin #s for 2007s are fine. Only 2006s were subject to the valve seat TSB and extended warranty. From an old post of mine:

"The S/Ns affected is any 2006 H3 lower than 287591 .... the first one started with 100,001, your truck build date will be Nov. 06 or earlier. Not all have the problem, but some could. The head issue affected not only the I5, 4s and 6s were subject to the same issues. Call GM with your vin# and build date (from the sticker in the driver's door jam) and ask.

Just in case you're gonna say, wow they didn't even build that many 3s? The VINs are assigned at the same shreveport plant building Colorados and Canyons. Their VIN sequence unit #s are mixed in and subject to the same TSB re: the head/valve issue.

The recall and extended warranty was for very early 2006s, those with the 3.5L L52 Motors built before March 31, 2006. That is not to say some 3.7L LLRs have never had a valve or head issue. All the Atlas motors built since 4/1/06 have the new hardened valve seats."

Early 2007s still had the plastic T Case shift fork that has caused some issues for some, and they also had the window controls in the same (too far back) location as the 2006s.

Some very early 2007s also had the TSB about the lower steering shaft noise that was an issue with many 2006s.

Look at the build date in the door jam, if it was after something like April 2007, all that was behind it.

Yes, lockers were only available with either the Adventure or Lux Off Road models with the lower range T Case.