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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

What owners actually said

507 reports
65 miles · Aug 7, 2009
Electrical System

IHAVE A 2003 CHEVY TAHOEWITH LESS THAN 41,000 MILES ON IT. SPEEDOMETER DOESNT WORK ,STOCK TO 120 MPH. I HEARD THAT SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ABOUT THEIR INSTRUMENT PANEL CALLED CHEVY/GMC AND ADMIT THAT CERTAIN VINS HAD DEFECTIVE CLUSTER(INCLUDING MINE)YET THEY WILL NOT RECALL OR REPLACE UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAS LESS TH…

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IHAVE A 2003 CHEVY TAHOEWITH LESS THAN 41,000 MILES ON IT. SPEEDOMETER DOESNT WORK ,STOCK TO 120 MPH. I HEARD THAT SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ABOUT THEIR INSTRUMENT PANEL CALLED CHEVY/GMC AND ADMIT THAT CERTAIN VINS HAD DEFECTIVE CLUSTER(INCLUDING MINE)YET THEY WILL NOT RECALL OR REPLACE UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT,BUT I CALLED CHEVY AND THEY DONT ADMIT ABOUT THIS BUT INSTEAD THEY SUGGEST TO BRING MY TRUCK TO A DEALER TO DIAGNOSE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH MY OWN EXPENSES.RIGHT NOW IVE BEEN LAID OFF FROM MY JOB,CANT EVEN PAY MY MORTGAGE,BILLS.HE.........LLPPPPPPP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279654

90,000 miles · Jul 28, 2009
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER OF MY CHEVY TAHOE 2003 DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECT SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278584

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2009
Electrical SystemEquipment

I OWN A 2003 CHEVY TAHOE. ABOUT A YEAR AGO MY SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. I RECEIVED A SPEEDING TICKET BECAUSE THE OFFICER SAID I WAS GOING 5 MILES OVER SPEED LIMIT. I RAN OUT OF GAS TWICE. I CALLED ALOCAL GM DEALER WHO GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF 500 DOLLARS. HE SAID HE KNEW WHAT IT WAS BUT WOULDN'T TELL ME THE PROBL…

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I OWN A 2003 CHEVY TAHOE. ABOUT A YEAR AGO MY SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. I RECEIVED A SPEEDING TICKET BECAUSE THE OFFICER SAID I WAS GOING 5 MILES OVER SPEED LIMIT. I RAN OUT OF GAS TWICE. I CALLED ALOCAL GM DEALER WHO GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF 500 DOLLARS. HE SAID HE KNEW WHAT IT WAS BUT WOULDN'T TELL ME THE PROBLEM. I KNOW OF AT LEAST 4 OTHER GM OWNERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED FOR 8 MONTHS AND CANNOT AFFORD THIS REPAIR. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278009

113,520 miles · Jul 20, 2009
Visibility

HINGE SEPARATED FROM WINDOW AND CAUSED THE REAR WINDOW TO SHATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277415

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2009
Electrical System

MY SPEEDOMETER WILL BECOME JERKY AND SHOW VARIOUS RANDOM SPEEDS (COMMONLY 0 MPH AND 30 MPH) WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER READS A SPEED THAT IS NOWHERE CLOSE TO THE ACTUAL SPEED THAT THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. (ADDITIONALLY, MY FUEL GAUGE STICKS AT VARIOUS TIMES.) INITIALLY, THIS OCCURRED ONLY A…

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MY SPEEDOMETER WILL BECOME JERKY AND SHOW VARIOUS RANDOM SPEEDS (COMMONLY 0 MPH AND 30 MPH) WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER READS A SPEED THAT IS NOWHERE CLOSE TO THE ACTUAL SPEED THAT THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. (ADDITIONALLY, MY FUEL GAUGE STICKS AT VARIOUS TIMES.) INITIALLY, THIS OCCURRED ONLY A COUPLE OF TIMES, BUT HAS NOW BECOME MORE FREQUENT. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER TO DISCUSS THE REPAIR OF THIS DEFECT AND I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE NOW HAS OVER 70,000 MILES THAT I MUST PAY THE FULL COST OF REPAIR. AS I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE, I FEEL THAT CHEVROLET SHOULD REPAIR MY SAFETY DEFECT REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277253

44,000 miles · Jul 16, 2009
Electrical System

I PURCHASED A 03 CHEVY TAHOE THAT CURRENTLY ONLY HAS 45,000 MILES. RECENTLY, MY SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY STOPS WORKING. I NOTICE IT HAPPENED ONCE ON A TRIP OUT OF STATE, NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING MY RADIO CHANGING STATIONS ON ITS OWN AT THE START UP OF MY VEHICLE. I ALSO HAVE THE LEFT THERMOST…

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I PURCHASED A 03 CHEVY TAHOE THAT CURRENTLY ONLY HAS 45,000 MILES. RECENTLY, MY SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY STOPS WORKING. I NOTICE IT HAPPENED ONCE ON A TRIP OUT OF STATE, NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING MY RADIO CHANGING STATIONS ON ITS OWN AT THE START UP OF MY VEHICLE. I ALSO HAVE THE LEFT THERMOSTAT ADJUSTER LIGHTING THAT WENT OUT ABOUT THE SAME TIME MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED ACTING UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276941

95,000 miles · Jun 17, 2009
Electrical System

MY SPEEDOMETER RANDOMLY QUITS WORKING. SOMETIMES IT SAYS MY CAR IS GOING 0 MPH WHEN IT IS CLEARLY IN MOTION. OTHER TIMES IT SAYS IT IS GOING 70 MPH WHEN IT IS IN PARK. THE TROUBLE IS I HAVE TO GUESS WHAT SPEED I REALLY AM GOING AND HOPE I AM CORRECT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE OCTOBER OF 2008. CURRENTLY I'VE NOT HAD IT F…

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MY SPEEDOMETER RANDOMLY QUITS WORKING. SOMETIMES IT SAYS MY CAR IS GOING 0 MPH WHEN IT IS CLEARLY IN MOTION. OTHER TIMES IT SAYS IT IS GOING 70 MPH WHEN IT IS IN PARK. THE TROUBLE IS I HAVE TO GUESS WHAT SPEED I REALLY AM GOING AND HOPE I AM CORRECT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE OCTOBER OF 2008. CURRENTLY I'VE NOT HAD IT FIXED BECAUSE MY MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHEN IT WAS IN THE SHOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274081

40,300 miles · May 27, 2009
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES, SIZE P165/70/R16. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TREAD DEVELOPED FATIGUE CRACKS. IN ADDITION, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRES CONTAINED A LARGE BULGE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,600.

NHTSA ODI #10270032

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

114,000 miles · May 6, 2009
Electrical System

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE ON 2003 CHEVY TAHOE. SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. SPEED REGISTERS 60-80 MPH FASTER THAN ACTUAL SPEED. CHEVROLET IS AWARE OF PROBLEM AND HAS A "PROGRAM" TO REPLACE ON VEHICLES UP TO 80K MILES ONLY (INCREASED FROM PREVIOUS 70K MILES). THIS REPLACEMENT SHOULD APPLY TO ALL AFFECTED TAHOES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAG…

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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE ON 2003 CHEVY TAHOE. SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. SPEED REGISTERS 60-80 MPH FASTER THAN ACTUAL SPEED. CHEVROLET IS AWARE OF PROBLEM AND HAS A "PROGRAM" TO REPLACE ON VEHICLES UP TO 80K MILES ONLY (INCREASED FROM PREVIOUS 70K MILES). THIS REPLACEMENT SHOULD APPLY TO ALL AFFECTED TAHOES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, AS IT COULD PRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD AND CERTAINLY PRESENTS A VEHICLE INSPECTION PROBLEM. THE SPEED READING PROBLEM OCCURS DAILY, WITH EACH DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267841

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.