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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

29 reports
Clear category filter
107,000 miles · Jun 27, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE FLUID DISCOVERED DRIPPING FROM UNDER FRONT LEFT FRAME ONTO DRIVEWAY. FOUND BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND PITTED AND WET WITH FLUID. MASTER CYLINDER WAS DOWN APPROXIMATELY 10% BELOW FULL MARK. MANY ITEMS IN LEFT SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT RUSTED AND CORRODED. HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS COMPONENT FAILURES RELATED TO RUST AND CORROSION …

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BRAKE FLUID DISCOVERED DRIPPING FROM UNDER FRONT LEFT FRAME ONTO DRIVEWAY. FOUND BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND PITTED AND WET WITH FLUID. MASTER CYLINDER WAS DOWN APPROXIMATELY 10% BELOW FULL MARK. MANY ITEMS IN LEFT SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT RUSTED AND CORRODED. HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS COMPONENT FAILURES RELATED TO RUST AND CORROSION UNDER LEFT SIDE HOOD AND CHASSIS, ... REAR BRAKE ROTORS, BRAKE CONTROL MODULE, BRAKE MODULATOR VALVE, CORRODED AND STUCK SPARE TIRE RELEASE CABLE, LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY,WIND SHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE REPLACED ,SPEED SENSOR REPLACED,STEERING SHAFT REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10409764

49,000 miles · Apr 9, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ANTI LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATING AT LOW SPEED ON DRY PAVEMENT, REQUIRING HARDER BRAKING EFFORT. ALSO HEARING FOUR CHIMES WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395328

140,000 miles · Mar 29, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE CONTACT FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL SLIGHTLY DROP. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND LATER ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL TO FLOOR AGAIN WHEN HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO IT IN ORDER CHANGE GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPEND…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE CONTACT FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL SLIGHTLY DROP. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND LATER ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL TO FLOOR AGAIN WHEN HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO IT IN ORDER CHANGE GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE WHEEL CYLINDERS AND THE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA1100A (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC FOUNDATION HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10393599

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAD TO HAVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CLEANED 1AND 1/2 YEARS AGO ON MY CHEVY TAHOE. IT RECENTLY STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN. THEN YESTERDAY DURING A HARD BRAKE TO AVOID DEBRIS IN THE ROAD THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY. I DO NOT KNOW YET WHAT FAILED BUT THERE IS VERY LITTLE BRAKE FLUID LEFT IN THE RESERVOIR. I SEE THAT THERE ARE MOR…

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I HAD TO HAVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CLEANED 1AND 1/2 YEARS AGO ON MY CHEVY TAHOE. IT RECENTLY STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN. THEN YESTERDAY DURING A HARD BRAKE TO AVOID DEBRIS IN THE ROAD THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY. I DO NOT KNOW YET WHAT FAILED BUT THERE IS VERY LITTLE BRAKE FLUID LEFT IN THE RESERVOIR. I SEE THAT THERE ARE MORE THAN 1 RECALL FOR TAHOES REGARDING BRAKES, BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384869

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2010
Fuel System, OtherParking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

NO ACCIDENT YET. SMELLED GAS SO I LOOKED UNDER 2003 TAHOE FOR LEAKS AND NOTICED FILLER NECK PLUS FUEL LINES ALONG WITH BRAKE LINES WITH EXTREME RUST. I UNDERSTAND RUST FORMS ON ALL METALS. BUT THIS IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD FIND ON TWENTY YEAR OR OLDER VEHICLES. I AM A LICENSED APR. AND RUN A QUALITY SHOP AND HAVE WORK ON VEHICLE…

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NO ACCIDENT YET. SMELLED GAS SO I LOOKED UNDER 2003 TAHOE FOR LEAKS AND NOTICED FILLER NECK PLUS FUEL LINES ALONG WITH BRAKE LINES WITH EXTREME RUST. I UNDERSTAND RUST FORMS ON ALL METALS. BUT THIS IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD FIND ON TWENTY YEAR OR OLDER VEHICLES. I AM A LICENSED APR. AND RUN A QUALITY SHOP AND HAVE WORK ON VEHICLES FOR A LIVING FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS AND ONLY SEE THIS ON SUBSTANDARD OR LOW GRADE MATERIALS. SO WHY DO THESE LINES HAVE THIS PROBLEM? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT REALLY SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I'VE SEEN OTHER MANUFACTURERS RECALL MUCH LESS PROBLEMS WHY NOT THIS. IF YOU PRICE OUT THESE PIECES FOR REPLACEMENT YOU OR YOUR COSTUMER BETTER BE SITTING DOWN. PARTS ARE NORMALLY IN STOCK. WE ALL KNOW THEY ONLY STOCK WHAT'S SELLS REGULARLY. PLEASE AGAIN THIS IS SAFETY PROBLEM CHEVY SHOULD OWN UP TO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353927

115,000 miles · Apr 21, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FEELS LIKE ABS BRAKES ARE TRYING TO FUNCTION AT LOW SPEEDS. TAHOE HESITATES TO STOP AT SLOW SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326809

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2010
Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

IN NOV OF 2008 WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEEDOMETER. TOOK IT TO OUR DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IPC AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AFTER WE GOT THE TAHOE BACK WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AS WELL. THE SPEEDOMETER BECOMES JERKY AND IF WE USE THE CRUISE THE TAHOE SPEEDS UP AND WE HAVE TO TURN C…

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IN NOV OF 2008 WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEEDOMETER. TOOK IT TO OUR DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IPC AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AFTER WE GOT THE TAHOE BACK WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AS WELL. THE SPEEDOMETER BECOMES JERKY AND IF WE USE THE CRUISE THE TAHOE SPEEDS UP AND WE HAVE TO TURN CRUISE OFF TO STOP IT FROM SPEEDING OUT OF CONTROL. ALSO WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER BECOMES JERKY THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM ALARM GOES OFF AFTER IT MAKES IT HARD TO STOP. (WE HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED SOMEONE SEVERAL TIMES.)RECENTLY 12-2009 OUR SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. WE HAVE TAKEN THE TAHOE TO OUR DEALER AND REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS AND NOTHING SEEMS TO MAKE THESE PROBLEMS GO AWAY. PLEASE HELP AS WE HAVE THREE KIDS AND ONE ON THE WAY. THE PARTS WE HAVE REPLACED ARE AS FOLLOWS: THE FRONT BRAKE SENSOR AND HUB, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER, EBC ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE AND THE FUEL FILTER. WHICH IS EVERYTHING RECOMMENDED BY OUR DEALER. I JUST WANT IT FIXED!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10306864

85,808 miles · Jan 19, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT RESISTANCE WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED, FOLLOWED BY NO POWER RESPONSE. IMMEDIATELY, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO THE "PARK" POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT RESISTANCE WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED, FOLLOWED BY NO POWER RESPONSE. IMMEDIATELY, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO THE "PARK" POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,808. UPDATED 02/1710 *BF UPDATED 02/19/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10300229

90,700 miles · Dec 30, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE FRONT ABS BEGAN PULSATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE ABS HUB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,700.

NHTSA ODI #10297569

66,510 miles · Apr 21, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

RIGHT PASSENGER WHEEL HUB FAILURE ON OWNER'S 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE WITH ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD WITH GRINDING NOISE FROM WHEEL. HUB REPLACED BY CHEVROLET DEALER, AND INFORMED THAT DRIVER'S WHEEL HUB NEEDS REPLACEMENT TOO. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ON THE ISSUE BY CHEVROLET, WHICH DOES NOT CONSIDER THI…

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RIGHT PASSENGER WHEEL HUB FAILURE ON OWNER'S 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE WITH ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD WITH GRINDING NOISE FROM WHEEL. HUB REPLACED BY CHEVROLET DEALER, AND INFORMED THAT DRIVER'S WHEEL HUB NEEDS REPLACEMENT TOO. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ON THE ISSUE BY CHEVROLET, WHICH DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH THE HUB HAS THE POTENTIAL OF SHEARING OFF AT SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10225246

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.