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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
103,000 miles · Oct 12, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON NEW BRAKES WERE PURCHASED AND VEHICLE IS NOT STOPPING IN LOW MPH EX 10 MILES PER HOUR VEHICLE STILL PROCEEDS AND BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR ? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360174

95,000 miles · Oct 7, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ABS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE TO STOP THE VEHICLE; THE VEHICLE WOULD SKID WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO FIND THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ABS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE TO STOP THE VEHICLE; THE VEHICLE WOULD SKID WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10359519

105,000 miles · Sep 23, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2002 CHEVY TAHOE WITH 105, 000 MILES. CHANGED SPARK PLUGS AND FOUND A SEVERED EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT ON THE ENGINE. THE BOLT IS FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE END OF MANIFOLD. THE BOLT IS WORN AND RUSTY ON 90% OF IT AND THE OTHER 10% IS SHINY (LIKE A NEW BREAK). CALLED DUBLIN, CA CHEVY AND WENT IN AFTER THEY SAID THEY HAVE HAD MANY COMPL…

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2002 CHEVY TAHOE WITH 105, 000 MILES. CHANGED SPARK PLUGS AND FOUND A SEVERED EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT ON THE ENGINE. THE BOLT IS FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE END OF MANIFOLD. THE BOLT IS WORN AND RUSTY ON 90% OF IT AND THE OTHER 10% IS SHINY (LIKE A NEW BREAK). CALLED DUBLIN, CA CHEVY AND WENT IN AFTER THEY SAID THEY HAVE HAD MANY COMPLAINTS. THE OFFERED TO FIX IT FOR 10% OFF THE $1000 BILL. I TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS THEIR DEFECT AND THEY SHOULD PAY. I CALLED GMAC AND THEY TOLD ME TO GOTO ANOTHER CHEVY DEALER IN SAN LEANDRO, CA FOR A DIAGNOSIS SINCE THE 1ST DEALERSHIP NEVER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD. THAT DEALER LOOKED AT THE TRUCK AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE MANIFOLD AND IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY, $500, BUT IT COULD RUN MORE IF THERE WERE MORE BOLTS THAT BREAK OFF DURING THE REPAIR. I HAVE THREE YOUNG CHILDREN AND I HAVE TAKEN IMMACULATE CARE OF THIS TRUCK. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A REPAIR WHEN IT IS OBVIOUS BY LOOKING AT THE BOLT THAT THE BOLT WAS OVER TORQUED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THEY NEED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THEM. IF I LET THIS CONTINUE WITHOUT FIXING THE PROBLEM, I WILL HAVE A HUGE PROBLEM ON MY HANDS AND IT WILL BE A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10357282

56,000 miles · Sep 14, 2010
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED MULTIPLE IMAGES OF A CIRCLE REFLECTED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE VIEW MIRROR AND A LEAKAGE OF FLUID. THE IMAGES PROJECTED WITHIN THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR WERE DISTORTING THE VISIBILITY OF THE CONTACT, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED MULTIPLE IMAGES OF A CIRCLE REFLECTED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE VIEW MIRROR AND A LEAKAGE OF FLUID. THE IMAGES PROJECTED WITHIN THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR WERE DISTORTING THE VISIBILITY OF THE CONTACT, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY RECOMMENDED THE DRIVERS SIDE VIEW MIRROR BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

NHTSA ODI #10355478

118,000 miles · Sep 5, 2010
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 CHEVY TAHOE, A GENTLEMAN RAN A STOP SIGN, I HIT HIM AT 39 MPH, HEAD ON IN MY TAHOE, T-BONED HIS TRUCK. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, NOR DID MY SEATBELT KEEP ME FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY HEAD KNOCKING ME OUT. GM SENT SOMEONE TO LOOK AT MY CAR WHICH HAS BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE YET TO HEAR…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 CHEVY TAHOE, A GENTLEMAN RAN A STOP SIGN, I HIT HIM AT 39 MPH, HEAD ON IN MY TAHOE, T-BONED HIS TRUCK. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, NOR DID MY SEATBELT KEEP ME FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY HEAD KNOCKING ME OUT. GM SENT SOMEONE TO LOOK AT MY CAR WHICH HAS BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM GM ON THIS INCIDENT. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW THINKING IT WAS SAFE. THE ONE TIME I NEEDED MY SEATBELT TO WORK, IT FAILED. THE COMPUTER IN MY CAR SHOWED BOTH SEATBELTS WERE ON AND IN WORKING ORDER, IT SHOWED THE CRASH WAS AT 39 MPH YET THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THEY WERE IN PROPER WORKING ORDER. WHATEVER ANSWER GM GIVES ME WILL NOT BE GOOD ENOUGH UNLESS THEY ADMIT TO FAULTINESS IN THEIR EQUIPMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353935

184,000 miles · Aug 16, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY 2002 CHEVY TAHOE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAVE MALFUNCTIONED AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AT THE STOP SIGN BECAUSE MY VEHICLE KEPT GOING. I WAS GOING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED AND THERE WAS A SCRUBBING SOUND. MY VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN AND I CAM TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I CONTACTED MY MECHANIC AND HE STATED THA…

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MY 2002 CHEVY TAHOE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAVE MALFUNCTIONED AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AT THE STOP SIGN BECAUSE MY VEHICLE KEPT GOING. I WAS GOING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED AND THERE WAS A SCRUBBING SOUND. MY VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN AND I CAM TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I CONTACTED MY MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ANTILOCK BRAKES AND SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL. I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND FOUND THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL. I CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL NHTSA #05V379000 BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T LISTED. MY MECHANIC SAID THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME HE'S HEARD OF THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349627

85,600 miles · Aug 4, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF BRAKE LINES, 2002 CHEVY TAHOE: A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE BRAKES DUE TO A LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINES DUE TO EXTENSIVE CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINES. AN INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES REVEALED A LEAK (DEVELOPED SUDDENLY) AND THE ENTIRE SET OF BRAKE LINES ARE HEAVILY CORRODED ALONG T…

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BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF BRAKE LINES, 2002 CHEVY TAHOE: A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE BRAKES DUE TO A LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINES DUE TO EXTENSIVE CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINES. AN INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES REVEALED A LEAK (DEVELOPED SUDDENLY) AND THE ENTIRE SET OF BRAKE LINES ARE HEAVILY CORRODED ALONG THEIR ENTIRE LENGTH. THE ONLY REASON THIS DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WAS THE LEAK DEVELOPED SUDDENLY BEFORE THE TRUCK WAS STARTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347319

81,000 miles · Jul 22, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

MY 2002 TAHOE'S ABS COMES ON AT SPEEDS UNDER 10 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS. I SEE THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY YEAR VEHICLE, SO I CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES, BUT YET I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS LISTED IN THE RECALL. THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO ME AT ALL. WHAT CAN I DO? PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10344638

115,000 miles · Jul 21, 2010
Visibility

IN 2006, I NOTICED THAT MY DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR WAS LEAKING THE GREEN "GOO" THAT DIMS HEADLIGHTS REFLECTING IN IT AT NIGHT. ONCE ALL OF IT WAS LEAKED OUT AN OVAL, THAT HAD THE APPEARANCE OF AN OIL SLICK, CAME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MIRROR. NOW, THE SILVER TOP LAYER OF THE MIRROR APPEARS TO BE SLIDING OFF. IT HAD A "FUNHOUSE MIR…

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IN 2006, I NOTICED THAT MY DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR WAS LEAKING THE GREEN "GOO" THAT DIMS HEADLIGHTS REFLECTING IN IT AT NIGHT. ONCE ALL OF IT WAS LEAKED OUT AN OVAL, THAT HAD THE APPEARANCE OF AN OIL SLICK, CAME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MIRROR. NOW, THE SILVER TOP LAYER OF THE MIRROR APPEARS TO BE SLIDING OFF. IT HAD A "FUNHOUSE MIRROR" APPEARANCE TO IT ONCE THE "GOO" STARTED LEAKING OUT OF IT, BUT NOW IT IS MUCH, MUCH WORSE. EVERYTHING IS VERY BLURRY, YOU CAN'T SEE HOW TO BACK THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT, AND IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT DURING THE DAY. I HAVE INQUIRED TWICE ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, AND OF COURSE, CHEVROLET HAS DOWNPLAYED THIS. THE MIRROR ITSELF COSTS OVER $400 - NOT THE ENTIRE CASING. THE ENTIRE CASING IS OVER $500. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT, ACCIDENT, OR INJURY TO THE VEHICLE THAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. IT JUST HAPPENED. I ALSO SEE MANY TAHOES WITH THESE SAME MIRRORS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM RIDING AROUND THE TOWN WHERE I LIVE AND WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10344438

121,414 miles · Jul 17, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

2002 CHEVY TAHOE PURCHASED USED 11/2006 WITH 50,000 MILES. GAS GAUGE NEVER WENT TO FULL. 4/2010 FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED $1000.00, NOW IT'S 7/2010 AND GAS GAUGE FLUCTUATES WHILE DRIVING WITH FULL TANK OF GAS TO EMPTY, CAR SLOWS DOWN AND THEN SUDDENLY PICKS BACK UP WITH GAS GAUGE SHOWING FULL AGAIN. VERY UNSAFE ON FREEWAYS!! WA…

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2002 CHEVY TAHOE PURCHASED USED 11/2006 WITH 50,000 MILES. GAS GAUGE NEVER WENT TO FULL. 4/2010 FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED $1000.00, NOW IT'S 7/2010 AND GAS GAUGE FLUCTUATES WHILE DRIVING WITH FULL TANK OF GAS TO EMPTY, CAR SLOWS DOWN AND THEN SUDDENLY PICKS BACK UP WITH GAS GAUGE SHOWING FULL AGAIN. VERY UNSAFE ON FREEWAYS!! WAS TOLD BY PEPBOYS WHEN THEY REPLACED FUEL PUMP THAT SOMETHING WASN'T WORKING WITH THE COMPUTER, OH REALLY, BUT OF COURSE WE WERE TOLD THAT 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 THAT IT WAS MORE THAN LIKELY THE FUEL PUMP AND THEY DIDN'T WORK ON THE COMPUTER. COST OF REPAIR WAS PROBABLY THE DECIDING FACTOR. NOW I FEEL UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR ANYWHERE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. WHAT'S UP CHEVY?, WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE COMPUTER?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343740

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.