NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
162 reportsClear category filter132,000 miles · Jun 21, 2013
Service Brakes
BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING AND PUMPING THE BRAKES DID VERY LITTLE TO ASSIST. WENT THROUGH A STOP SIGN SINCE THIS WAS AT THE BOTTOM OF A LOWER GRADE, AND WAS ABLE TO NURSE IT TO A LARGE PARKING LOT. INSPECTED THE CAUSE AND SEEN THE CORRODED BRAKE LINES AND COULD NOT TELL WHICH OF THE 5 LINES WERE THE CAUSE. *T…
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BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING AND PUMPING THE BRAKES DID VERY LITTLE TO ASSIST. WENT THROUGH A STOP SIGN SINCE THIS WAS AT THE BOTTOM OF A LOWER GRADE, AND WAS ABLE TO NURSE IT TO A LARGE PARKING LOT. INSPECTED THE CAUSE AND SEEN THE CORRODED BRAKE LINES AND COULD NOT TELL WHICH OF THE 5 LINES WERE THE CAUSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521112
91,366 miles · Jun 20, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes
THE FUEL LINE SUPPLYING THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL RUPTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION IT IS IN AND FUEL WAS SPRAYING OUT UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK,. DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL LINE IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT REPAIR, DUE TO HAVING TO REMOVE THE BED/CAB FOR REPLACEMENT AND AC…
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THE FUEL LINE SUPPLYING THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL RUPTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION IT IS IN AND FUEL WAS SPRAYING OUT UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK,. DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL LINE IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT REPAIR, DUE TO HAVING TO REMOVE THE BED/CAB FOR REPLACEMENT AND ACCESS TO IT. THE FUEL AND BRAKE LINES ARE IMPROPERLY ROUTED FROM THE FACTORY, CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION AND SALT DAMAGE. IN MY OPINION, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND THIS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM RECTIFIED. THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS SAME TRUCK FAILED FROM CORROSION TWO YEARS AGO. SAME SCENARIO, IMPROPER ROUTING CAUSING EXCESSIVE AND PREMATURE FAILURE FROM RUST AND CORROSION DUE TO THE LOCATION THEY ARE IN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520829
94,806 miles · Jun 15, 2013
Service Brakes
I HAD THE OIL CHANGED ON MY 2000 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 2 WHEEL-DRIVE PICK-UP TRUCK BY A LOCAL SHOP AND WHEN I STARTED THE TRUCK AFTER THE OIL CHANGE AND PUT THE TRUCK INTO DRIVE IN THE SHOP PARKING LOT, I NOTICED THAT I HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN TO THE FLOOR. PRIOR TO THIS, I NEVER HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE …
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I HAD THE OIL CHANGED ON MY 2000 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 2 WHEEL-DRIVE PICK-UP TRUCK BY A LOCAL SHOP AND WHEN I STARTED THE TRUCK AFTER THE OIL CHANGE AND PUT THE TRUCK INTO DRIVE IN THE SHOP PARKING LOT, I NOTICED THAT I HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN TO THE FLOOR. PRIOR TO THIS, I NEVER HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES PREVIOUSLY WERE STRONG AND REQUIRED A SLIGHT PUSH. I DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE AND FOUND THAT STOPPING REQUIRED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BE PRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO THE SAME SHOP AND ASKED THE SHOP TO TAKE A LOOK. THE SHOP FOUND THAT ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES WAS LEAKING FLUID (UNDER DRIVER SIDE) AND EXPLAINED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES LOOKED RUSTED. THIS TRUCK PRIMARILY WAS USED BY A HIGHWAY DEPT OUTSIDE OF BUFFALO, NY (ROAD SALT/RUST BELT GEOGRAPHIC AREA) - THE EXPOSURE TO AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALT/ICE-MELTING CHEMICALS MAY HAVE BEEN A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN TOWED TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND I AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK ABOUT THE REPAIR OPTIONS. IF THE NHTSA WOULD LIKE ANY EVIDENCE (SUCH AS PHOTOGRAPHS OR THE ACTUAL RUSTED BRAKE LINES), PLEASE LET ME KNOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10519969
255,000 miles · Jun 14, 2013
Service Brakes
DURING THE ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION THE DEALER ADVISED ME THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THE NEXT INSPECTION DUE TO RUST ($1200), AND THE REAR BRAKE BACKING PLATES WOULD ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. THE REAR BRAKE BACKING PLATES WERE ALREADY REPLACED ONCE DUE TO RUST-THROUGH. THIS VEHICLE…
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DURING THE ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION THE DEALER ADVISED ME THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THE NEXT INSPECTION DUE TO RUST ($1200), AND THE REAR BRAKE BACKING PLATES WOULD ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. THE REAR BRAKE BACKING PLATES WERE ALREADY REPLACED ONCE DUE TO RUST-THROUGH. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN ROUTINELY MAINTAINED AND COMMERCIALLY WASHED THROUGHOUT ITS LIFE, DRIVEN ON A DAILY BASIS UP (UNTIL THE LAST 5 MONTHS) ONLY IN EASTERN PA, DE, MD AREA (NO SNOW BELT TRAVEL). IN MY 40 YEARS OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP, I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED OR EVEN HEARD OF BRAKE BACKING PLATES RUSTING THROUGH DURING THE LIFE OF A 12 YEAR OLD VEHICLE (LET ALONE TWICE) AND, HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED (OR HEARD OF) ALL BRAKE LINES ON A VEHICLE RUSTING THROUGH TO THE POINT WHERE THEY ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR OR DETERIORATION. IT IS MOST DEFINITELY A VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE TO HAVE CRITICAL SAFETY (BRAKE) COMPONENTS RUSTING THROUGH AT A HIGHLY ACCELERATED RATE FOR NO APPARENT REASON TO THE DRIVER/OWNER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10519818
148,000 miles · Jun 9, 2013
Service Brakes
WAS TOWING A TRAILER. (LIGHT LOAD) GOING APPROX 35MPH STOP LIGHT TURNED YELLOW, WITH PLENTY OF TIME FOR ME TO STOP. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY LET LOSS. I THEN HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO RUN THE YELLOW/RED LIGHT. LUCKILY IT DID NOT TURN OUR WORSE. BUT I THEN HAD TO MAKE MY WAY TO A PARKING LOT WITH NO BRAKES. MY TRUCK IS MANUAL SO …
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WAS TOWING A TRAILER. (LIGHT LOAD) GOING APPROX 35MPH STOP LIGHT TURNED YELLOW, WITH PLENTY OF TIME FOR ME TO STOP. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY LET LOSS. I THEN HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO RUN THE YELLOW/RED LIGHT. LUCKILY IT DID NOT TURN OUR WORSE. BUT I THEN HAD TO MAKE MY WAY TO A PARKING LOT WITH NO BRAKES. MY TRUCK IS MANUAL SO THAT HELPED MAKE THING A LITTLE EASIER. I THEN LOOKED AND FOUND OUT THE ONE OF MY BRAKE LINES HAD BUSTED FROM CORROSION. I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THE LINES. PLAN TO DO SO SOON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515864
154,000 miles · Jun 1, 2013
Service Brakes
BACKING UP TRUCK, MOVED IT FORWARD AND THE BRAKES WENT, COULDN'T STOP THE TRUCK. I WAS MOVING FORWARD AFTER HAVING IT ON REVERSE, SO THE SPEED WAS SLOW (5MPH). NOTICED THERE WAS A PUDDLE ON THE GROUND OF BRAKE FLUID, AND TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE, THERE WAS A LOT OF RUST AND CORROSION THAT CAME FROM UNDERNEATH. I WAS ON VACATION …
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BACKING UP TRUCK, MOVED IT FORWARD AND THE BRAKES WENT, COULDN'T STOP THE TRUCK. I WAS MOVING FORWARD AFTER HAVING IT ON REVERSE, SO THE SPEED WAS SLOW (5MPH). NOTICED THERE WAS A PUDDLE ON THE GROUND OF BRAKE FLUID, AND TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE, THERE WAS A LOT OF RUST AND CORROSION THAT CAME FROM UNDERNEATH. I WAS ON VACATION WHEN THIS HAPPENED, CALLED AAA FOR A TOW ON THE DATE LISTED. REPLACED BRAKE LINES, MASTER CYLINDER, AND NOTICED WHILE REPLACING THE BRAKE LINES, THERE'S MORE CORROSION COMING FROM UNDERNEATH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10514632
120,800 miles · Apr 30, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes
I WAS HEADED TO THE STORE WHEN MY TRUCK JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET I TOOK TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE FUEL LINES DUE TO THERE BEING EXCESSIVE CORROSION. ALSO ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT LOW SPEEDS. AND I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPL…
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I WAS HEADED TO THE STORE WHEN MY TRUCK JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET I TOOK TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE FUEL LINES DUE TO THERE BEING EXCESSIVE CORROSION. ALSO ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT LOW SPEEDS. AND I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. AT 118000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE MY HEATER CORE REPLACED DUE NO HEAT AND ONCE AGAIN AT 121,000 MILES I HAVE LOST HEAT AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510177
157,000 miles · Apr 23, 2013
Service Brakes
SITTING AT DRIVE THRU WINDOW WAITING ON FOOD WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WENT TO THE FLOOR ALL OF A SUDDEN AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINE BURST. FLUID EVERYWHERE. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10509332
185,000 miles · Apr 22, 2013
Service Brakes
WHEN I TURN LEFT INTO A PARKING SPOT THE ABS SYSTEM GOES ON (EVEN ON DRY SURFACES WHERE THERE IS NO SLIPPING) AND THE VEHICLE DOESN'T STOP AS QUICKLY AS IT SHOULD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10509197
210,000 miles · Apr 21, 2013
Electrical SystemService BrakesCrash
WHILE PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL STATED CHATTERING LIKE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WERE ACTIVATING. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN THE TRUCK WAS BEING PARKED IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE IT WOULD NOT STOP AND WENT THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508970
NHTSA investigations
2EA04011 · Parking Brake Failure
Opened Apr 9, 2004 · Closed May 10, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Parking Brake; Parking Brake:conventional; Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical; Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage And Cable
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Parking Brake:conventional
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage And Cable
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Parking Brake
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE03057 · Parking Brake Failure
Opened Dec 8, 2003 · Closed Apr 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Parking Brake
ODI OPENED PE03-057 TO ASSESS PARKING BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH FOUR WHEEL DISC BRAKES THAT INCORPORATE A SINGLE-SHOE DRUM-IN-HAT PARKING BRAKE INDEPENDENT OF THE SERVICE BRAKES.COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA INDICATE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE LININGS TEND TO WEAR OUT EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE (AT AN AVERAGE OF 24 MONTHS IN SERVICE), REDUCING THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM'S TORQUE BELOW THAT NEEDED TO IMMOBILIZE THE VEHICLE.GM HAS ATTRIBUTED THIS ACCELERATED WEAR TO FOREIGN MATERIAL INTRUSION AND A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SHOE TO PROPERLY SELF-CENTER WITHIN ITS BRAKE DRUM.EFFECTIVE WITH THE START OF MY 2003 PRODUCTION, A NEWER REDUCED FORCE HOLD-DOWN CLIP WAS INTRODUCED TO FACILITATE BRAKE SHOE DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE DRUM SURFACE.THIS PART IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE SERVICE LEVEL FOR THE MY 1999-2002 VEHICLES.GM HAS INDICATED THAT THE PAKING BRAKE IS INTENDED TO OPERATE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TRANSMISSION TO IMMOBILZE PARKED VEHICLES, AND THAT IN MANY CASES, ACCELERATED PARKING BRAKE LINING WEAR IS CAUSED BY ROUGH USE, VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS, AND DRIVING WITH THE PARKING ENGAGED. ODI HAS UPGRADED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING PARKING BRAKE USAGE FACTORS AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE SEVENTEEN REPORTED VEHICLE CRASHES.