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2003 Chevrolet Tahoe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tahoe years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe are substantially higher than the model-year median of 246.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

408 reports with mileage · 99 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 193 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports9 fire reports13 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

19 reports
Clear category filter
80,000 miles · May 11, 2009
Air Bags

MY 2003 TAHOE LT HAS A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG. THE LIGHT ON MY PANEL DISPLAYED THIS WHEN MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 80K MILES. I REPORTED THIS TO CARRIAGE MOTORS IN TEMECULA, CA. THEY REFUSED TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AT CHEVROLET FACTORY COST. I AGAIN TURNED IN MY TAHOE, TODAY, MAY 11, 2009, AND THE SHOP MANAGER FRANK SPIZER REFU…

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MY 2003 TAHOE LT HAS A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG. THE LIGHT ON MY PANEL DISPLAYED THIS WHEN MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 80K MILES. I REPORTED THIS TO CARRIAGE MOTORS IN TEMECULA, CA. THEY REFUSED TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AT CHEVROLET FACTORY COST. I AGAIN TURNED IN MY TAHOE, TODAY, MAY 11, 2009, AND THE SHOP MANAGER FRANK SPIZER REFUSED TO HAVE THIS FIXED BUT INSTEAD OFFERED ME 20% OFF A REPAIR COST OF $699.00 I REFUSED THIS DISCOUNT AS I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT SINCE MY 2003 TAHOE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON FOR THE AIR BAG TO FAIL LIKE THIS. I WANT FOR GM TO PAY FOR THIS AND TO ISSUE A RECALL TO ALL TAHOE OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS SAME MALADY. THE MANAGER OF THE AUTHORIZED CHEVROLET REPAIR SERVICE AT CARRIAGE MOTORS IS FRANK SPIZER, (951) 694-6060. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268450

63,000 miles · Jan 17, 2009
Air Bags

ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND A MESSAGE APPEARED SAYING "SERVICE AIR BAG". WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND IT SAID THAT WHOLE AIR BAG SYSTEM HAD FAILED (SEVERAL SENSORS HAD FAILED). WE CALLED CHEVY TO SEE IF IT MIGHT BE ABLE TO BE FIXED WITH A WARRANTY, BUT THE…

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ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND A MESSAGE APPEARED SAYING "SERVICE AIR BAG". WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND IT SAID THAT WHOLE AIR BAG SYSTEM HAD FAILED (SEVERAL SENSORS HAD FAILED). WE CALLED CHEVY TO SEE IF IT MIGHT BE ABLE TO BE FIXED WITH A WARRANTY, BUT THEY SAID THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. (WE KNEW THIS, BUT FIGURED THERE SHOULD BE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON AIRBAGS.) THEY TOLD US TO TAKE IT TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP. WE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US IT WOULD COST $100 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. HOWEVER, WE ALREADY DID THIS WITH OUR OTHER MECHANIC. CHEVY BASICALLY WOULDN'T HELP US UNLESS WE PAID FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC WHICH IS RIDICULOUS SINCE WE ALREADY DID THAT. THE GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT WE COULD DRIVE AROUND, NO PROBLEM, BUT THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULDN'T DEPLOY. WE WERE TOLD BY OUR MECHANIC THAT IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX THIS. WE THINK IT IS UNFAIR THAT WE HAVE TO PAY TO GET THIS FIXED, WHEN THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY ACCIDENTS WITH THIS CAR. THE AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED, AND ALL THE SUDDEN THE SYSTEM WON'T WORK IF WE NEED IT AND GET IN AN ACCIDENT. WE'RE ASKING FOR HELP TO GET CHEVY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY SHOULD. THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL LAWSUIT IF THERE WERE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE HELP US TO GET CHEVY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AN ERROR THAT HAPPENED DURING THE BUILDING OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255425

90,000 miles · Apr 15, 2008
Air Bags

2003 TAHOE AND ON MANY OCCASIONS THE SERVICE AIR BAG SENSOR HAS COME ON. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WHEN THIS LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS. ALSO THE DEALER CAN'T GET A CODE ON WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT UNLESS THE LIGHT IS ON. IT DOESN'T STAY ON A LONG TIME BUT IS VERY FREQUENT IN COMING ON. LOOKS L…

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2003 TAHOE AND ON MANY OCCASIONS THE SERVICE AIR BAG SENSOR HAS COME ON. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WHEN THIS LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS. ALSO THE DEALER CAN'T GET A CODE ON WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT UNLESS THE LIGHT IS ON. IT DOESN'T STAY ON A LONG TIME BUT IS VERY FREQUENT IN COMING ON. LOOKS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224557

10,000 miles · Jan 29, 2007
Air BagsSteering

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TAHOE THAT THE PASSENGER 'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY ON 1/27/07, A WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF A WARRANTY ISSUE. THE CONTACT COMPLAINED SINCE THIS WAS A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE AND HAS BEEN IN NO ACCIDENTS. THE CONTA…

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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TAHOE THAT THE PASSENGER 'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY ON 1/27/07, A WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF A WARRANTY ISSUE. THE CONTACT COMPLAINED SINCE THIS WAS A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE AND HAS BEEN IN NO ACCIDENTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING SHAFT VIBRATED WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR A RIGHT TURN, THE DEALER REPLACED IT AT NO CHARGE. THIS RESOLVED THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, 7 MONTHS LATER THE VIBRATION RESTARTED. THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE PARTS AND IT WORKED AGAIN. THE CONTACT WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT SINCE THIS PROBLEM WAS STILL UNRESOLVED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLEWAS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,796 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10181054

29,000 miles · Nov 21, 2006
Air BagsElectrical System

I PURCHASED NEW AND STILL OWN A 2003 CHEVY TAHOE. FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON FROM TIME TO TIME. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK AT THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD IS THAT THIS LIGHT MEANS THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE VEHICLE GETS INTO AN …

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I PURCHASED NEW AND STILL OWN A 2003 CHEVY TAHOE. FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON FROM TIME TO TIME. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK AT THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD IS THAT THIS LIGHT MEANS THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE VEHICLE GETS INTO AN ACCIDENT. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED THAT THIS SAFETY ISSUE CANNOT BE CORRECTED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10173955

7,862 miles · Jan 27, 2005
Air BagsSteeringSuspensionCrashInjury

THE STEERING SHAFT AND FRONT SUSPENSION WAS REPLACED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. *BF THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR A POPPING NOISE AND LOOSE STEERING. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REMOVED AND LUBED AND THE FRONT LOWER CROSSMEMBER WAS TIGHTENED. THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHIC…

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THE STEERING SHAFT AND FRONT SUSPENSION WAS REPLACED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. *BF THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR A POPPING NOISE AND LOOSE STEERING. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REMOVED AND LUBED AND THE FRONT LOWER CROSSMEMBER WAS TIGHTENED. THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN HE LOST CONTROL . THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE, END OVER END THE SIDE OVER SIDE ONE AND A HALF TIMES. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE NOTIFIED OF HOW MANY OF THESE STEERING, BRAKING AND OR OTHER PROBLEMS INCURRED WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10110934

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2004
Air BagsSteeringSuspensionCrashInjury

THE STEERING MADE POPPING NOISES AND THE STEERING FELT LOOSE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT AND FRONT SUSPENSION. *NM THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10110889

21,000 miles · Oct 20, 2004
Air Bags

AIR BAG ILIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR THE FIFTH TIME. DEALER HAD NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. *AK *TT

NHTSA ODI #10092733

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2004
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WOULDN'T ACTIVATE THE AIR BAGS FOR 80 POUNDS OR LESS, BUT IT DID WHEN THEIR 62 POUND CHILD WAS IN THE SEAT. *PH OTHER PROBLEM ARE AS FOLLOWED: DRIVER'S DOOR EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT RATTLES, STEERING VIBRATIONS/GRINDING WHEN TURNED TO LEFT, SUNROOF LEAKED HEAVILY WHEN I…

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THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WOULDN'T ACTIVATE THE AIR BAGS FOR 80 POUNDS OR LESS, BUT IT DID WHEN THEIR 62 POUND CHILD WAS IN THE SEAT. *PH OTHER PROBLEM ARE AS FOLLOWED: DRIVER'S DOOR EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT RATTLES, STEERING VIBRATIONS/GRINDING WHEN TURNED TO LEFT, SUNROOF LEAKED HEAVILY WHEN IT RAINED OR WHEN GOING THROUGH THE CAR WASH, DASH LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, HEADLIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT WHEN IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, WINDOW MOLDING WAS LOOSE, STEREO LIGHTS FLICKERED, SEAT MEMORY IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE TO PRESET MEMORY POSITIONS AND WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS REMOVED, AND THE FRONT POWER WINDOW ALONG WITH THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WERE INOPERATIVE. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10065117

Official recalls

4

05V163000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Apr 22, 2005

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

04V045000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Feb 4, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

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.

03V037000 · Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments

Feb 6, 2003

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH FOUR WELDS ON THE REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, ONE OR TWO OF THE WELDS MAY NOT BE TO SPECIFICATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR STRENGTH MAY BE DEGRADED DURING A SIDE IMPACT VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS ON THE LEFT REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE. IF A WELD IS FOUND OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, A BOLT WILL BE INSTALLED TO SECURE THE HINGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 17, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

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

3

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.

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.