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2002 Chevrolet Tahoe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 246.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

339 reports with mileage · 110 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 90 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

42 crash reports8 fire reports32 injury reports

What owners actually said

449 reports
134,000 miles · Sep 18, 2013
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE AND THERE WAS AN EXTREME INCREASE IN STOPPING TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE AND THERE WAS AN EXTREME INCREASE IN STOPPING TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES SUFFERED FROM SEVERE CORROSION AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000. ..UPDATED 10-22-13*BF

NHTSA ODI #10544205

148,000 miles · Aug 27, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY A DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. 05V10300…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY A DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. 05V103000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER TO CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

NHTSA ODI #10537468

99,345 miles · Aug 27, 2013
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING ON A 2 LANE ROAD IN MILLERSVILLE MARYLAND, I HIT MY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD NO BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID OTHER VEHICLES AND MADE A TURN ONTO ANOTHER ROAD THAT HAD AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. I LOOKED AROUND THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR DRIVE…

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I WAS DRIVING ON A 2 LANE ROAD IN MILLERSVILLE MARYLAND, I HIT MY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD NO BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID OTHER VEHICLES AND MADE A TURN ONTO ANOTHER ROAD THAT HAD AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. I LOOKED AROUND THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT A DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND LEAKED BRAKE FLUID . I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY NOT TO HAVE CRASHED MYSELF OR INJURED OTHER DRIVERS. VERY, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10537456

60,205 miles · Aug 20, 2013
Service Brakes

I WAS TOWING A 4200 LBS TRAVEL TRAILER LEAVING FOR A VACATION TRIP. WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A HILL THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. NEAR TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY TRAILER BRAKE AND USED LOW GEAR TO STOP. I JUST AVOIDED HITTING A STOPPED CAR IN THE INTERSECTION IN FRONT OF ME DUE TO THE TRAFFIC LIGHT BEING …

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I WAS TOWING A 4200 LBS TRAVEL TRAILER LEAVING FOR A VACATION TRIP. WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A HILL THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. NEAR TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY TRAILER BRAKE AND USED LOW GEAR TO STOP. I JUST AVOIDED HITTING A STOPPED CAR IN THE INTERSECTION IN FRONT OF ME DUE TO THE TRAFFIC LIGHT BEING RED. I BROUGHT MY 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE LS TO MAVIS TIRE. THEY SHOWED ME THE BRAKE LINES UNDER THE TRUCK. ALL FOUR LINES WERE ROTTED OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF AROUND $1300.00 IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH 1998-2004 GM FULL SIZE SUV'S AND PICK-UP'S, OTHER OWNERS BETTER BEWARE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536341

113,400 miles · Aug 10, 2013
Service Brakes

IN THE PAST MONTH I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE LINES ON MY 2002 CHEVY TAHOE. THE VEHICLE IS ORIGINALLY FROM MICHIGAN AND I KNOW THINGS RUST THERE, BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS! DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND NO WARNING OR WARNING LIGHT. THE PEDAL JUST GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY RESISTANCE AND WHEN THE FLUID IS OUT THEN ON ONLY THEN…

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IN THE PAST MONTH I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE LINES ON MY 2002 CHEVY TAHOE. THE VEHICLE IS ORIGINALLY FROM MICHIGAN AND I KNOW THINGS RUST THERE, BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS! DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND NO WARNING OR WARNING LIGHT. THE PEDAL JUST GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY RESISTANCE AND WHEN THE FLUID IS OUT THEN ON ONLY THEN DOES THE BRAKE LIGHT WARNING COME ON. THIS PAST TIME I ENDED UP PUTTING IT IN A DITCH TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE! FROM ALL THE POSTS ON THE INTERNET I SEE THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND A DEFINITELY SAFETY ISSUE!!! FORTUNATELY I HAVE TAKEN DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSES THROUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING AND HAD A BIT MORE SAVVY AS TO HOW TO HANDLE THIS TYPE OF SITUATION. HOW ABOUT THE LITTLE OLD LADY THAT HAS NO IDEA WHAT TO DO??? NOW, AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME IT HAS TO GO INTO THE SHOP TO REPLACE FAULTY AND CORRODED BRAKE LINES!!! SHOULDN'T SOMETHING BE DONE IF THIS IS SUCH A RE-CURRING PROBLEM WITH GM AND THE CHEVY TRUCKS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534666

115,000 miles · Aug 6, 2013
Service Brakes

BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED ON THIS VEHICLE AND MY WIFE ALMOST CRASHED BECAUSE OF THE COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING FROM ROTTEN TUBING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533872

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2013
Service Brakes

NOTICED WET SPOT IN DRIVEWAY AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. TURNED OUT IT WAS MAJOR LEAK FROM CORRODED BRAKE LINE; NO WARNING LIGHTS EVER CAME ON BUT BRAKE FLUID WAS ALMOST EMPTY BY THE TIME WE GOT IT TO THE MECHANIC THE NEXT MORNING. THANK GOODNESS MY HUSBAND WAS DILIGENT ENOUGH TO NOTICE THE LEAK AS WE WERE GETTING R…

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NOTICED WET SPOT IN DRIVEWAY AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. TURNED OUT IT WAS MAJOR LEAK FROM CORRODED BRAKE LINE; NO WARNING LIGHTS EVER CAME ON BUT BRAKE FLUID WAS ALMOST EMPTY BY THE TIME WE GOT IT TO THE MECHANIC THE NEXT MORNING. THANK GOODNESS MY HUSBAND WAS DILIGENT ENOUGH TO NOTICE THE LEAK AS WE WERE GETTING READY TO DRIVE THE 8 HOURS BACK HOME THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS AND A BRAKE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. WE HAD THE BRAKE LINE REPAIRED AND NOW 4 WEEKS LATER, ANOTHER LEAK HAS OCCURRED AND AGAIN, NO WARNING LIGHTS HAVE COME ON. I COULD ALMOST TOLERATE THE ISSUE OF THE CORRODED LINES IF THE SENSORS ADEQUATELY TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY. BUT, THE FACT THAT I NOW FEEL LIKE I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT MAY OR MAY NOT STOP WHEN I NEED IT TO AND HAVE NO INDICATION OF THE FAILURE BEFORE HAND IS VERY SCARY. I HAVE READ THROUGH THE COMPLAINTS, AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THIS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAS BEEN AN OPEN INVESTIGATION FOR 2 YEARS AND NOTHING YET HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532487

165,000 miles · Jul 15, 2013
Service Brakes

TRAVELING AT 65MPH, WET PAVEMENT, BRAKE TO EXIT PARKWAY, BRAKES FAILED, ALMOST CRASHED, SKIDDED OFF EXIT. BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. TOOK CAR TO SHOP, BRAKE LINE RUPTURED FROM RUST, NO WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524812

96,270 miles · Jul 11, 2013
Service Brakes

WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY ON THE OFF RAMP FROM 60 MILES AN HOUR, I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE FOR EXIT BY BRAKING. UPON DOING SO, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND WITHOUT SLOWING THE VEHICLE. THE EXIT RAMP HAS A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT ITS END AND FORTUNATELY IT WAS GREEN WITH OUT VEHICLES IN MY P…

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WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY ON THE OFF RAMP FROM 60 MILES AN HOUR, I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE FOR EXIT BY BRAKING. UPON DOING SO, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND WITHOUT SLOWING THE VEHICLE. THE EXIT RAMP HAS A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT ITS END AND FORTUNATELY IT WAS GREEN WITH OUT VEHICLES IN MY PATH. I CONTINUED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO COAST, WITH THE SPEED DIMINISHING INTO A PARKING LOT AND SLOWLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE. HORRIFYING EXPERIENCE. THIS FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN JULY 2012 AND COST $600 TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE LINES THAT HAD RUSTED THROUGH AT 96K MILES. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED TODAY, ALMOST A YEAR AND 10,000 MILES LATER. SAME ISSUE, PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, NO WARNING AND NO BRAKES. ONCE AGAIN LUCK WAS ON MY SIDE, AS THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AT A SLOW SPEED. THIS REPAIR WILL BE $2000 FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE BRAKE LINES THAT HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. AFTER READING ALL OF THE SAME, NEAR IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS, OF THESE VEHICLES LEAVING THEIR OWNERS WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR BRAKES, GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD BE SUED BY CLASS ACTION FOR TAKING NO ACTION AND THIS GOVERNMENT SAFETY DEPARTMENT BROUGHT TO DO THEIR JOB AND ISSUE A RECALL!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524357

182,000 miles · Jul 10, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL GAUGE WILL READ THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL UNTIL IT IS ABOUT 3/4 TO 1/2 A TANK THEN START BOUNCING UP AND DOWN THEN IT WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO EMPTY AND THE FUEL LIGHT COMES ON EVEN THOUGH IT HAS PLENTY OF FUEL. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR AND RAN OUT OF GAS EVEN THOUGH IT REGISTERS FUEL AB…

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THE FUEL GAUGE WILL READ THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL UNTIL IT IS ABOUT 3/4 TO 1/2 A TANK THEN START BOUNCING UP AND DOWN THEN IT WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO EMPTY AND THE FUEL LIGHT COMES ON EVEN THOUGH IT HAS PLENTY OF FUEL. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR AND RAN OUT OF GAS EVEN THOUGH IT REGISTERS FUEL ABOVE THE RED MARK AND NO LOW FUEL LIGHT ON. I KNOW HAVE RAN OUT OF GAS SEVERAL TIMES AND FEAR IT MIGHT PUT MYSELF OR MY FAMILY IN A BAD SITUATION. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND WISH SOMEONE (GM) WOULD HELP THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMER BASE. AS IT APPEARS WITH MORE RESEARCH I DO THIS IS A SERIOUS ONGOING PROBLEM THAT SPANS DIFFERENT MODELS AND YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524084

Official recalls

3

05V379000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

Aug 29, 2005

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE BEARING, APPLY RUST INHIBITOR TO THE CLEANED SURFACE, GREASE THE MOUNTING SURFACE, REINSTALL THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

03V094000 · Structure

Mar 7, 2003

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 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 SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

02V253000 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

Sep 17, 2002

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REARWARD FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS ON THE SECOND ROW SEATS, TWO POTENTIAL PINCH POINTS EXIST ON EACH OF THE FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS WHEN THE RESTRAINTS ARE FOLDED REARWARD AS THE SEATBACK IS FOLDED DOWN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A PERSON WERE TO INSERT THEIR FINGER(S) INTO THE PINCH POINT WHEN THE HEAD RESTRAINT FOLDS, IT COULD TRAP AND PINCH THE FINGER(S) CAUSING INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS OVER THE PINCH POINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 8, 2002. 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 CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.

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

5

EA11001 · 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

DP05009 · Parking Brake Failure

Opened Dec 20, 2005 · Closed May 31, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Parking Brake; Parking Brake:conventional; Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical

ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Parking Brake:conventional

ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.

Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical

ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.

Parking Brake

ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.

PE05020 · Unwanted LOW-SPEED Abs Activation

Opened Apr 28, 2005 · Closed Sep 13, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 C/K PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CORROSION THAT MAY RESULT IN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKING (RECALL 05V-379).GM'S RECALL COVERS APPROXIMATELY 804,000 VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING 14 SALT-BELT STATES:CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WEST VIRGINIA.THE RECALL PROCEDURE WILL INVOLVE REMOVING THE SENSOR, CLEANING THE MOUNTING SURFACE, APPLYING A RUST INHIBITOR (ZINC-X) TO THE SURFACE, AND REINSTALLING THE SENSOR.IF NECESSARY, THE SENSOR WILL BE REPLACED. THE POPULATION AND FAILURE REPORT DATA GIVEN IN THIS RESUME ARE FOR THE FULL REGION THAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED BY ODI AS THE SALT-BELT.THAT INCLUDES DELAWARE, IOWA, MARYLAND, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IN ADDITION TO THE 14 STATES INCLUDED IN 05V-379.THE STATES COVERED BY GM'S RECALL HAVE THE HIGHEST INCIDENT RATES FOR THE SUBJECT CONDITION, ACCOUNTING FOR 91% OF THE INCIDENTS, BUT ONLY 24% OF SUBJECT VEHICLE SALES IN THE UNITED STATES.ODI'S ANALYSIS DETERMINED THAT 840 OF THE COMPLAINTS, 244 OF THE CRASHES, AND 16 OF THE INJURIES IDENTIFIED IN THIS INVESTIGATION OCCURRED IN THOSE STATES.THE RESULTING INCIDENT AND CRASH RATES ARE 96.2 AND 28.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES RESPECTIVELY (NOTE:RATES ARE BASED ON VEHICLE SALES, NOT REGISTERED VEHICLES). THE CORRESPONDING NUMBERS IN THE EXCLUDED PORTIONS OF THE SALT-BELT ARE 399,000 VEHICLES, 81 INCIDENTS (20.3 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), 3 CRASHES, AND NO INJURIES.THE STATISTICS IN THE REMAINING 30 STATES ARE 2,406,000 VEHICLES, 168 INCIDENTS (7.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), 31 CRASHES, AND ONE INJURY.GM AND ODI ARE CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE IN STATES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.GM WILL PROVIDE ODI WITH UPDATED COMPLAINT, FIELD REPORT, AND WARRANTY DATA IN NOVEMBER 2005.ODI AND GM WILL REVIEW THAT DATA AND ASSESS THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE CURRENT SCOPE OF THE RECALL AT THAT TIME.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 C/K PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CORROSION THAT MAY RESULT IN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKING (RECALL 05V-379).GM'S RECALL COVERS APPROXIMATELY 804,000 VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING 14 SALT-BELT STATES:CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WEST VIRGINIA.THE RECALL PROCEDURE WILL INVOLVE REMOVING THE SENSOR, CLEANING THE MOUNTING SURFACE, APPLYING A RUST INHIBITOR (ZINC-X) TO THE SURFACE, AND REINSTALLING THE SENSOR.IF NECESSARY, THE SENSOR WILL BE REPLACED. THE POPULATION AND FAILURE REPORT DATA GIVEN IN THIS RESUME ARE FOR THE FULL REGION THAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED BY ODI AS THE SALT-BELT.THAT INCLUDES DELAWARE, IOWA, MARYLAND, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IN ADDITION TO THE 14 STATES INCLUDED IN 05V-379.THE STATES COVERED BY GM'S RECALL HAVE THE HIGHEST INCIDENT RATES FOR THE SUBJECT CONDITION, ACCOUNTING FOR 91% OF THE INCIDENTS, BUT ONLY 24% OF SUBJECT VEHICLE SALES IN THE UNITED STATES.ODI'S ANALYSIS DETERMINED THAT 840 OF THE COMPLAINTS, 244 OF THE CRASHES, AND 16 OF THE INJURIES IDENTIFIED IN THIS INVESTIGATION OCCURRED IN THOSE STATES.THE RESULTING INCIDENT AND CRASH RATES ARE 96.2 AND 28.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES RESPECTIVELY (NOTE:RATES ARE BASED ON VEHICLE SALES, NOT REGISTERED VEHICLES). THE CORRESPONDING NUMBERS IN THE EXCLUDED PORTIONS OF THE SALT-BELT ARE 399,000 VEHICLES, 81 INCIDENTS (20.3 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), 3 CRASHES, AND NO INJURIES.THE STATISTICS IN THE REMAINING 30 STATES ARE 2,406,000 VEHICLES, 168 INCIDENTS (7.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), 31 CRASHES, AND ONE INJURY.GM AND ODI ARE CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE IN STATES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.GM WILL PROVIDE ODI WITH UPDATED COMPLAINT, FIELD REPORT, AND WARRANTY DATA IN NOVEMBER 2005.ODI AND GM WILL REVIEW THAT DATA AND ASSESS THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE CURRENT SCOPE OF THE RECALL AT THAT TIME.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 C/K PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CORROSION THAT MAY RESULT IN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKING (RECALL 05V-379).GM'S RECALL COVERS APPROXIMATELY 804,000 VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING 14 SALT-BELT STATES:CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WEST VIRGINIA.THE RECALL PROCEDURE WILL INVOLVE REMOVING THE SENSOR, CLEANING THE MOUNTING SURFACE, APPLYING A RUST INHIBITOR (ZINC-X) TO THE SURFACE, AND REINSTALLING THE SENSOR.IF NECESSARY, THE SENSOR WILL BE REPLACED. THE POPULATION AND FAILURE REPORT DATA GIVEN IN THIS RESUME ARE FOR THE FULL REGION THAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED BY ODI AS THE SALT-BELT.THAT INCLUDES DELAWARE, IOWA, MARYLAND, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IN ADDITION TO THE 14 STATES INCLUDED IN 05V-379.THE STATES COVERED BY GM'S RECALL HAVE THE HIGHEST INCIDENT RATES FOR THE SUBJECT CONDITION, ACCOUNTING FOR 91% OF THE INCIDENTS, BUT ONLY 24% OF SUBJECT VEHICLE SALES IN THE UNITED STATES.ODI'S ANALYSIS DETERMINED THAT 840 OF THE COMPLAINTS, 244 OF THE CRASHES, AND 16 OF THE INJURIES IDENTIFIED IN THIS INVESTIGATION OCCURRED IN THOSE STATES.THE RESULTING INCIDENT AND CRASH RATES ARE 96.2 AND 28.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES RESPECTIVELY (NOTE:RATES ARE BASED ON VEHICLE SALES, NOT REGISTERED VEHICLES). THE CORRESPONDING NUMBERS IN THE EXCLUDED PORTIONS OF THE SALT-BELT ARE 399,000 VEHICLES, 81 INCIDENTS (20.3 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), 3 CRASHES, AND NO INJURIES.THE STATISTICS IN THE REMAINING 30 STATES ARE 2,406,000 VEHICLES, 168 INCIDENTS (7.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), 31 CRASHES, AND ONE INJURY.GM AND ODI ARE CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE IN STATES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.GM WILL PROVIDE ODI WITH UPDATED COMPLAINT, FIELD REPORT, AND WARRANTY DATA IN NOVEMBER 2005.ODI AND GM WILL REVIEW THAT DATA AND ASSESS THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE CURRENT SCOPE OF THE RECALL AT THAT TIME.

PE03026 · Steel Wheel Rim Fracture

Opened Jun 12, 2003 · Closed Nov 3, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels; Wheels:multi Piece; Wheels:rim

THERE HAVE BEEN LESS THAN 2 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 SUBJECT VEHICLES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE OLDEST VEHICLES (MY 1999) HAVE ONLY 2 COMPLAINTS IN OVER 140 THOUSAND VEHICLES AFTER OVER 4 YEARS IN SERVICE.THE RATE OF WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS LESS THAN 0.1%.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INCIDENTS INVOLVING RAPID LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. A DEFECT TREND 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 NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Wheels

THERE HAVE BEEN LESS THAN 2 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 SUBJECT VEHICLES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE OLDEST VEHICLES (MY 1999) HAVE ONLY 2 COMPLAINTS IN OVER 140 THOUSAND VEHICLES AFTER OVER 4 YEARS IN SERVICE.THE RATE OF WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS LESS THAN 0.1%.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INCIDENTS INVOLVING RAPID LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. A DEFECT TREND 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 NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Wheels:multi Piece

THERE HAVE BEEN LESS THAN 2 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 SUBJECT VEHICLES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE OLDEST VEHICLES (MY 1999) HAVE ONLY 2 COMPLAINTS IN OVER 140 THOUSAND VEHICLES AFTER OVER 4 YEARS IN SERVICE.THE RATE OF WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS LESS THAN 0.1%.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INCIDENTS INVOLVING RAPID LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. A DEFECT TREND 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 NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Wheels:rim

THERE HAVE BEEN LESS THAN 2 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 SUBJECT VEHICLES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE OLDEST VEHICLES (MY 1999) HAVE ONLY 2 COMPLAINTS IN OVER 140 THOUSAND VEHICLES AFTER OVER 4 YEARS IN SERVICE.THE RATE OF WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS LESS THAN 0.1%.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INCIDENTS INVOLVING RAPID LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. A DEFECT TREND 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 NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

EA02015 · Throttle Sticking Closed

Opened Aug 1, 2002 · Closed Jan 12, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM)THROTTLE BODY (TB) UTILIZED IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 SILVERADO, SIERRA, TAHOE, SUBURBAN, AVALANCHE AND YUKON (SUBJECT VEHICLE(S)) WITH 4.8L, 5.3L, AND 6.0L ENGINES. THE TB VALVE MAY INTERMITTENTLY STICK IN A CLOSED POSITION.IN SUCH A SITUATION, AN OPERATOR MAY APPLY ADDITIONAL ACCELERATOR PEDAL FORCE TO INCREASE ENGINE SPEED.THE APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ACCELERATOR PEDAL FORCE, TO OPEN A STUCK THROTTLE VALVE, MAY OPEN THE THROTTLE VALVE MORE THAN INTENDED AND, IN TURN, ACCELERATE THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE MORE THAN INTENDED AND REASONABLY EXPECTED BY THE DRIVER.ON AUGUST 1, 2002, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA), OPENED THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT TWO FACTORS MAY CAUSE THE DEFECT: 1) TB MANUFACTURING PROCESS PROBLEMS; AND 2) ACCUMULATION OF DEPOSITS (A PCV SYSTEM BY-PRODUCT) ON OR AROUND THE TB THROTTLE VALVE AND BORE.ODI CONCLUDES THAT THE TB PERFORMS IN A DEFECTIVE MANNER AFTER ANALYZING GM?S DATA SUBMISSIONS, AND TEST DATA COLLECTED BY THE VEHICLE RESEARCH AND TEST CENTER (VRTC).FIFTY-NINE CRASHES ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF GM?S TB DEFECT.THE MAJORITY OF THE CRASHES INVOLVE A SINGLE VEHICLE, ENGAGING IN A CLOSE QUARTER VEHICLE MANEUVER (OR LOW SPEED), AND CAUSING ONLY MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE.FOUR OUT OF THE FIFTY-NINE CRASHES INVOLVE INJURY, AND THOSE INJURIES WERE MINOR.ALTHOUGH GM?S TB IS DEFECTIVE, BASED ON THE EVIDENCE GATHERED, ODI HAS FOUND THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FORCE REQUIRED TO OPEN A STUCK THROTTLE VALVE IS NEGLIGIBLE, AND THE THROTTLE VALVE DOES NOT STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.THEREFORE THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA02-015) WILL BE CLOSED AT THIS TIME.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.FOR A DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE TB COMPONENT AND TESTING, PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT.