NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
11 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 27, 2019
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT, ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS SEIZED AND FAILED TO RELEASE WHEN NEEDED. THE FAILURE PRESENTED THE RISK OF A POTENTIAL CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 04V0450…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT, ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS SEIZED AND FAILED TO RELEASE WHEN NEEDED. THE FAILURE PRESENTED THE RISK OF A POTENTIAL CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 02V224000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); ALTHOUGH, THE FAILURES WERE SIMILAR TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGNS. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11223001
118,507 miles · Sep 5, 2015
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic
I WAS ON I 75 PASSING UNDER MILLER RD IN FLINT, MI WHEN TRAFFIC STARTED TO BACK UP AND SLOW DOWN. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STATED TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDDLE THEN WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD NO BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO DOWN SHIFT TO 1ST GEAR AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO WHERE I COULD GET IT INT…
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I WAS ON I 75 PASSING UNDER MILLER RD IN FLINT, MI WHEN TRAFFIC STARTED TO BACK UP AND SLOW DOWN. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STATED TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDDLE THEN WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD NO BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO DOWN SHIFT TO 1ST GEAR AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO WHERE I COULD GET IT INTO REVERSE TO STOP IT. WE WHERE SO LUCKY! I GOT IT TO A CADILLAC DEALER IN DEARBORN, MI AND FOUND OUT THAT THE MAIN BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH. I HAD ALL THE BRAKE LINE REPLACE. I HAVE MAJOR CONCERNS THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF GM VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM STILL ON THE ROAD. I HAVE SINCE BEEN TOLD THAT GM HAD A BRAKE LINE MATERIAL PROBLEM DURING THE EARLY 2000 THAT LEAD TO RUSTING OUT OF THE LINES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. THE DEALER WAS LES STANFORD CADILLAC UPDATED 10/9/15 *LN
NHTSA ODI #10761781
79,000 miles · Nov 13, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE LINE CORROSION CAUSED RAPID LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID . STEEL LINE RUPTURED WITHIN A PLASTIC RETAINER LOCATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR ON THE LEFT FRAME RAIL DIRECTLY BEHIND THE LEFT FRONT SHOCK.. I HAVE KEPT THE EXACT RUPTURED PART.. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF CORROSION ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE VEHICLE IN FACT THE REST OF THE …
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BRAKE LINE CORROSION CAUSED RAPID LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID . STEEL LINE RUPTURED WITHIN A PLASTIC RETAINER LOCATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR ON THE LEFT FRAME RAIL DIRECTLY BEHIND THE LEFT FRONT SHOCK.. I HAVE KEPT THE EXACT RUPTURED PART.. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF CORROSION ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE VEHICLE IN FACT THE REST OF THE LINE LOOKS GOOD.. THE PLASTIC RETAINER, FOR SOME REASON ACCELERATED THE RATE OF CORROSION IN A SMALL ISOLATED AREA. I WORK IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE.. I CAN ASSIST IN ANY INFORMATION IF NEEDED...THIS PROBLEM WILL DEFINITELY INJURE SOMEONE.... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10435412
109,000 miles · Sep 16, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE BRAKE AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE BRAKE AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE LINE HOUSING AND PIPES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,00.
NHTSA ODI #10425729
27,533 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I OWN A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE PURCHASED USED FROM THE ORIGINAL KNOWN OWNER LAST YEAR. 27,500 ORIGINAL MILES GARAGE KEPT WHOLE LIFE AND NEVER DRIVEN IN INCLEMENT WEATHER BY ORIGINAL OWNER OR MYSELF. HAD VEHICLE IN FOR PA SAFETY INSPECTION TODAY, WAS TOLD EXCESSIVE CORROSION WAS FOUND ON FUEL AND BRAKE LINES AND UNDERCARRIAGE OF…
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I OWN A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE PURCHASED USED FROM THE ORIGINAL KNOWN OWNER LAST YEAR. 27,500 ORIGINAL MILES GARAGE KEPT WHOLE LIFE AND NEVER DRIVEN IN INCLEMENT WEATHER BY ORIGINAL OWNER OR MYSELF. HAD VEHICLE IN FOR PA SAFETY INSPECTION TODAY, WAS TOLD EXCESSIVE CORROSION WAS FOUND ON FUEL AND BRAKE LINES AND UNDERCARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ASAP. REPAIR GARAGE SUGGESTED CONTACTING NHTSA AS A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION WAS LAUNCHED OF JANUARY 26, 2011 AT 10:34 AM NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA11001 IT WOULD APPEAR MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS MINE AND I WANTED TO BE ON RECORD WITH REGARDS TO THE INVESTIGATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415106
600 miles · Jun 22, 2006
Electronic Stability ControlService Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT FRONT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LOCKED UP WHEN A LEFT TURN WAS MADE WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED ONCE A WEEK. THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES. THE LEFT FRONT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LOCK UP OCCURRED ON A DRY PAVEMENT. THE C…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT FRONT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LOCKED UP WHEN A LEFT TURN WAS MADE WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED ONCE A WEEK. THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES. THE LEFT FRONT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LOCK UP OCCURRED ON A DRY PAVEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT LOCK UP EVERYTIME A LEFT TURN IS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 09/05/06.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10160427
55,000 miles · Sep 1, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH OR ABOVE AND IF NEEDED TO COME TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP IT WON'T STOP LIKE IT SHOULD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID BRAKE PADS WERE FINE, AND THEY DID NEED NOT TAKE APART THE ABS SYSTEM. ALSO, THEY CHECKED A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, …
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DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH OR ABOVE AND IF NEEDED TO COME TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP IT WON'T STOP LIKE IT SHOULD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID BRAKE PADS WERE FINE, AND THEY DID NEED NOT TAKE APART THE ABS SYSTEM. ALSO, THEY CHECKED A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, BUT IT DID NOT SHOW ANY CODES. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. NOTICED THIS AROUND AUGUST 1, 2005. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10135065
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CADILLAC ESCALADE 2003 POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN BRAKES APPLIED AT SLOW SPEED. *BF THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY FIXING DOING VARIOUS THINGS TO THE BRAKES. GM FINALLY ADMITTED THERE WAS NO FIX TO THE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10113469
7,500 miles · Feb 19, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER HAD TO RUN INTO A CURB TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK *MR
NHTSA ODI #10053521
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
UPON PULLING OUT OF A CAR WASH THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MASTER CYLINDER BROKE IN HALF WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE IN MOLDING OF THE METAL, PER THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10053832
Official recalls
4Apr 22, 2005
ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
Feb 4, 2004
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
Feb 6, 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH FOUR WELDS ON THE REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, ONE OR TWO OF THE WELDS MAY NOT BE TO SPECIFICATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR STRENGTH MAY BE DEGRADED DURING A SIDE IMPACT VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS ON THE LEFT REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE. IF A WELD IS FOUND OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, A BOLT WILL BE INSTALLED TO SECURE THE HINGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 17, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
Aug 12, 2002
CERTAIN ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITHOUT A POWER STEERING BRACKET TO SECURE THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE, ALLOWING THE CABLE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE STEERING SHAFT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONTACT COULD CAUSE A WEAR-THROUGH OF THE CABLE INSULATION, EXPOSING THE WIRE CORE AND RESULT IN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL SHORTING. IF ENOUGH CURRENT IS DISCHARGED AT THE POINT OF CONTACT, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE ROUTING AND RE-ROUTE, IF NECESSARY. NO OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL TAKE PLACE SINCE ALL VEHICLES WERE CAPTURED AT THE DEALERS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA11001 · Brake Line Corrosion Failure
Opened Jan 5, 2011 · Closed Apr 8, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.The subject vehicles represent the first five MY's of GM's GMT800 platform production, of which approximately 2,038,504 vehicles were sold in salt states (the subject vehicles).The GMT800 platform includes the following vehicles:1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 series pick-up trucks; 2000-2006 Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon sport utility vehicles; and 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Avalanche sport-utility vehicles.General Motors produced a total of approximately 10,427,062 GMT800 vehicles for sales in the United States, including almost 5 million that were sold in salt states.Although there are over 60 different brake pipe routing configuration used in GMT800 vehicles, with the exception of the rear crossover pipes in MY 200x-2007 vehicles that changed from rear disc to drum brakes, all of the vehicles use brake pipes from the same supplier with a common double-wall, brazed steel pipe design with a combination of hot dip Zinc-Aluminum corrosion protection coating and Aluminum paint outer layer known in the industry as AlGal (ASTM-B750). ODI analysis of field data regarding GMT800 vehicles identified a total of 3,645 complaints of brake pipe corrosion failures, including 107 alleging crashes, and 40 injuries.Though only 20% of total GMT800 production, due to age and region the subject vehicles account for a disproportionate share of the failure experience; with 2,702 of the complaints (75%), 88 of the crashes (82%) and 20 of the injuries (50%) reported in those vehicles.Analysis of the complaints showed strong correlations to vehicle age and region.For vehicles with less than 8 years of service, the complaint rates were minimal for all regions.In the salt states the failure rates begin to climb as the vehicles advance in age, particularly in the Northeast corner of the United States.The complaint rates in the salt states go from less than 0.1 incident per thousand vehicles (IPTV) at 7 years in service to over 1.0 IPTV after the 12th year of service for the subject pickup trucks and utility vehicles.Most of the failures reported to ODI occurred in vehicles with more than 10 years in service.ODI?s investigation did not identify any specific defect conditions that were causing or contributing to the brake pipe failures.Nor did the analysis isolate the problem to any subject vehicle sub-populations when analyzed by vehicle type or production range.The investigation found that vehicles experiencing brake pipe corrosion failures were likely to have general patterns of excessive corrosion on the majority of the brake pipe assembly and appear to be occurring due to expected wear out for the brake pipe coating material used in the subject vehicles and the environmental conditions in severe corrosion states.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor t
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.The subject vehicles represent the first five MY's of GM's GMT800 platform production, of which approximately 2,038,504 vehicles were sold in salt states (the subject vehicles).The GMT800 platform includes the following vehicles:1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 series pick-up trucks; 2000-2006 Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon sport utility vehicles; and 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Avalanche sport-utility vehicles.General Motors produced a total of approximately 10,427,062 GMT800 vehicles for sales in the United States, including almost 5 million that were sold in salt states.Although there are over 60 different brake pipe routing configuration used in GMT800 vehicles, with the exception of the rear crossover pipes in MY 200x-2007 vehicles that changed from rear disc to drum brakes, all of the vehicles use brake pipes from the same supplier with a common double-wall, brazed steel pipe design with a combination of hot dip Zinc-Aluminum corrosion protection coating and Aluminum paint outer layer known in the industry as AlGal (ASTM-B750). ODI analysis of field data regarding GMT800 vehicles identified a total of 3,645 complaints of brake pipe corrosion failures, including 107 alleging crashes, and 40 injuries.Though only 20% of total GMT800 production, due to age and region the subject vehicles account for a disproportionate share of the failure experience; with 2,702 of the complaints (75%), 88 of the crashes (82%) and 20 of the injuries (50%) reported in those vehicles.Analysis of the complaints showed strong correlations to vehicle age and region.For vehicles with less than 8 years of service, the complaint rates were minimal for all regions.In the salt states the failure rates begin to climb as the vehicles advance in age, particularly in the Northeast corner of the United States.The complaint rates in the salt states go from less than 0.1 incident per thousand vehicles (IPTV) at 7 years in service to over 1.0 IPTV after the 12th year of service for the subject pickup trucks and utility vehicles.Most of the failures reported to ODI occurred in vehicles with more than 10 years in service.ODI?s investigation did not identify any specific defect conditions that were causing or contributing to the brake pipe failures.Nor did the analysis isolate the problem to any subject vehicle sub-populations when analyzed by vehicle type or production range.The investigation found that vehicles experiencing brake pipe corrosion failures were likely to have general patterns of excessive corrosion on the majority of the brake pipe assembly and appear to be occurring due to expected wear out for the brake pipe coating material used in the subject vehicles and the environmental conditions in severe corrosion states.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor t
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.The subject vehicles represent the first five MY's of GM's GMT800 platform production, of which approximately 2,038,504 vehicles were sold in salt states (the subject vehicles).The GMT800 platform includes the following vehicles:1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 series pick-up trucks; 2000-2006 Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon sport utility vehicles; and 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Avalanche sport-utility vehicles.General Motors produced a total of approximately 10,427,062 GMT800 vehicles for sales in the United States, including almost 5 million that were sold in salt states.Although there are over 60 different brake pipe routing configuration used in GMT800 vehicles, with the exception of the rear crossover pipes in MY 200x-2007 vehicles that changed from rear disc to drum brakes, all of the vehicles use brake pipes from the same supplier with a common double-wall, brazed steel pipe design with a combination of hot dip Zinc-Aluminum corrosion protection coating and Aluminum paint outer layer known in the industry as AlGal (ASTM-B750). ODI analysis of field data regarding GMT800 vehicles identified a total of 3,645 complaints of brake pipe corrosion failures, including 107 alleging crashes, and 40 injuries.Though only 20% of total GMT800 production, due to age and region the subject vehicles account for a disproportionate share of the failure experience; with 2,702 of the complaints (75%), 88 of the crashes (82%) and 20 of the injuries (50%) reported in those vehicles.Analysis of the complaints showed strong correlations to vehicle age and region.For vehicles with less than 8 years of service, the complaint rates were minimal for all regions.In the salt states the failure rates begin to climb as the vehicles advance in age, particularly in the Northeast corner of the United States.The complaint rates in the salt states go from less than 0.1 incident per thousand vehicles (IPTV) at 7 years in service to over 1.0 IPTV after the 12th year of service for the subject pickup trucks and utility vehicles.Most of the failures reported to ODI occurred in vehicles with more than 10 years in service.ODI?s investigation did not identify any specific defect conditions that were causing or contributing to the brake pipe failures.Nor did the analysis isolate the problem to any subject vehicle sub-populations when analyzed by vehicle type or production range.The investigation found that vehicles experiencing brake pipe corrosion failures were likely to have general patterns of excessive corrosion on the majority of the brake pipe assembly and appear to be occurring due to expected wear out for the brake pipe coating material used in the subject vehicles and the environmental conditions in severe corrosion states.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor t
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