NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
81 reports95,000 miles · Apr 23, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL PROBLEM ON THE 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON, ABS LIGHT COMES ON, SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL ALARM COMES ON. WHEN IT IS NOT ONE ALARM OR THE OTHER IT IS ALL. REPLACED HUBS, SHOCKS, SENSORS, COMPRESSOR SEVERAL TIMES, WORKED ON SYSTEM GROUNDS FOR ELECTRICAL, ETC. PROBLEM SOMETI…
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ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL PROBLEM ON THE 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON, ABS LIGHT COMES ON, SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL ALARM COMES ON. WHEN IT IS NOT ONE ALARM OR THE OTHER IT IS ALL. REPLACED HUBS, SHOCKS, SENSORS, COMPRESSOR SEVERAL TIMES, WORKED ON SYSTEM GROUNDS FOR ELECTRICAL, ETC. PROBLEM SOMETIME WILL GO AWAY FOR A FEW THOUSAND MILES THEN RETURNS. CADILLAC MECHANICS STUMPED.STARTED WHEN VEHICLE HAD ALMOST 80,000 MILES NOW HAS 146,000 AND IT IS CONSTANT PROBLEM AND LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY. SEEMS PROBLEM CANNOT BE FIXED AND I DO NOT WANT TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON IT..... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10712395
182,000 miles · Apr 1, 2015
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CUP HOLDER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PART BENEATH THE CUP HOLDER HAD MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CUP HOLDER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PART BENEATH THE CUP HOLDER HAD MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.
NHTSA ODI #10703209
104,000 miles · Jan 14, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED FAILING TO DISPLAY ANY READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED FAILING TO DISPLAY ANY READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
NHTSA ODI #10672479
40,000 miles · Jan 13, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteeringStructure
CHROME LINING OF WHEELS HAS BEEN PEELING FOR YEARS. WHEN FIRST APPEARED FACTORY REP FROM CADILLAC/GM INSPECTED CAR AND STATED ONLY COSMETIC (CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY). MY CONCERN WAS THAT IT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO INTO THE INTERFACE OF THE TIRE AND WHEEL. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO GM SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT HAS. BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO…
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CHROME LINING OF WHEELS HAS BEEN PEELING FOR YEARS. WHEN FIRST APPEARED FACTORY REP FROM CADILLAC/GM INSPECTED CAR AND STATED ONLY COSMETIC (CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY). MY CONCERN WAS THAT IT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO INTO THE INTERFACE OF THE TIRE AND WHEEL. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO GM SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT HAS. BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES WHERE IT HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED TO BE A PROBLEM AND THAT THEY HAD A FIX. THIS FIX WAS PERFORMED NUMEROUS TIMES AT DEALER AND OTHER TIRE DEALERS, MR TIRE AND GOODYEAR. ALL OF THE TIRE DEALERS HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE ISSUE RIGHT AWAY. THE ISSUE IN ALSO NOTED MANY TIMES ON THE INTERNET. WE CAN CHECK PRESSURE AND LOAD TIRES TO SPECS GO ON A RIDE ON HIGHWAY AND FEEL SOME LOSS OF STEERING AFTER A HUNDRED MILES. THEN NEED TO ADD PRESSURE. THIS IS A CHRONIC ISSUE WITH ACUTE INSTANCES THAT HAS POTENTIAL OF CREATING AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER WANTS $1000.00 PER WHEEL TO REPLACE PLUS LABOR. GM NOT INTERESTED IN ANY FINANCIAL HELP OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, CASE # 71-1423629281 (JANUARY 13, 2015). THEY STATED THAT THEY "HAVE TO FOLLOW COMPANY GUIDELINES", THAT THE "ISSUE IS TRICKY BECAUSE I HAVE CALLED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST BUT THERE IS NO RECALL", "THE YEAR OF MY VEHICLE PRECLUDES ANY FIX", "OUR GUIDELINES ONLY COVER UP TO 8 YEARS" ...... PLEASE HELP. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH A FIX THAT DOES NOT LAST (AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR), AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING AND AN EVENTUAL ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10672118
133,100 miles · Oct 9, 2014
Service Brakes
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND WHEN I BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, I HAD NO BRAKES WHAT SO EVER, LUCKY ME I WAS CLOSE TO HOME, IT LOOKS LIKE THE BRAKE LINES IS BROKE, I HAVE A POOL OF BRAKE FLUID IN MY DRIVE WAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10643736
65,000 miles · Sep 16, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL, AND THE OIL GAGES DISPLAYED INACCURATE READING LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL, AND THE OIL GAGES DISPLAYED INACCURATE READING LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10633654
130,000 miles · Aug 22, 2014
EngineFuel System, Gasoline
WHEN ACCELERATING INTO TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE LOOSES POWER AND THE "TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE" COMES ON. THE CAR COMES TO A STOP. WHEN YOU LIFT YOUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE MESSAGE GOES OUT AND WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE ENGAGES. IT HAPPENS 2 TO 3 TIMES A WEEK AND IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS WHEN PULLING…
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WHEN ACCELERATING INTO TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE LOOSES POWER AND THE "TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE" COMES ON. THE CAR COMES TO A STOP. WHEN YOU LIFT YOUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE MESSAGE GOES OUT AND WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE ENGAGES. IT HAPPENS 2 TO 3 TIMES A WEEK AND IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. THE CAR BEHIND ALMOST RAMS ME AND I AM IN A DANGEROUS POSITION WITH MERGING TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A GM DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A CODE FOR THIS OR TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO OCCUR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627381
140,000 miles · Jun 8, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemTraction Control System
IN STARTING TO ACCELERATE, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR LOOSES POWER SIGNIFICANTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596892
158,000 miles · May 29, 2014
Electrical System
MY BLOWER MOTOR IS STAYING ON CONTINUOUSLY AND THE SMELL OF PLASTIC BURNING IN THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC IT IS A BLOWER MOTOR CONTROL MODULE SHORTAGE FROM THE FACTORY. I HAVE FOUND THIS AS A RECALL ON SOME 2003-2006 CADILLAC ESCALADES BUT MY VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL THEY SAY IT IS A FIRE HAZARD. I WAS THINKING THA…
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MY BLOWER MOTOR IS STAYING ON CONTINUOUSLY AND THE SMELL OF PLASTIC BURNING IN THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC IT IS A BLOWER MOTOR CONTROL MODULE SHORTAGE FROM THE FACTORY. I HAVE FOUND THIS AS A RECALL ON SOME 2003-2006 CADILLAC ESCALADES BUT MY VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL THEY SAY IT IS A FIRE HAZARD. I WAS THINKING THAT MINE SHOULD ALSO BE ON THE RECALL LIST.MAYBE THEY MISSED MINE FOR SOME REASON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10594960
25,000 miles · Apr 9, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes
AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR THE TRUCK STARTED RELEASING THE BRAKES ON ITS OWN WHILE DESCENDING A MOUNTAIN AND HAD TO REAPPLY TO ENGAGE FOR BRAKES TO WORK THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK. ITS WAS INSPECTED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS BOUGHT AND NOTHING WAS EVER DONE . I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL FOR T…
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AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR THE TRUCK STARTED RELEASING THE BRAKES ON ITS OWN WHILE DESCENDING A MOUNTAIN AND HAD TO REAPPLY TO ENGAGE FOR BRAKES TO WORK THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK. ITS WAS INSPECTED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS BOUGHT AND NOTHING WAS EVER DONE . I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TO OCCUR AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. OTHER ISSUES ARE THE ELECTRICAL IN THE DASH HAS SHORTS AND SOMETIMES THE A/C DOES NOT WORK AND COMES ON BY ITSELF. THE GAUGES ,SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE DO NOT WORK ANYMORE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON . THIS TRUCK WAS PURCHASED WITH ZERO MILES ON IT AND PURCHASED FOR OVER $ 70,000 AND NOW ONLY HAS 103,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10578672
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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