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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
51,000 miles · Jul 8, 2014
Service Brakes

I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS VEHICLE ARE BADLY RUSTED. SINCE IT IS USED TO TOW A BOAT, IT COULD BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE IF THE LINES SHOULD RUST ENOUGH TO FAIL. A BRAKING ACCIDENT WHILE TOWING A 3000 LB. BOAT COULD BE PARTICULARLY NASTY. THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE CORRODED FAR MORE THA…

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I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS VEHICLE ARE BADLY RUSTED. SINCE IT IS USED TO TOW A BOAT, IT COULD BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE IF THE LINES SHOULD RUST ENOUGH TO FAIL. A BRAKING ACCIDENT WHILE TOWING A 3000 LB. BOAT COULD BE PARTICULARLY NASTY. THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE CORRODED FAR MORE THAN OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME APPROXIMATE AGE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10609065

132,000 miles · Jun 28, 2014
Visibility

I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY REAR GLASS WINDOW HINGE HAS POPPED OUT OF ITS PLASTIC HOUSING IN WHICH IT IS MOUNTED TO VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO GET TWISTED AROUND BIT LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606631

103,000 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Service Brakes

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR I WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO TURN MY TRUCK INTO A SIDE STREET AND SLOWLY COME TO A STOP. WHEN I GOT OUT I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID EVERYWHERE. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND THE BRAKE LINES ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS …

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR I WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO TURN MY TRUCK INTO A SIDE STREET AND SLOWLY COME TO A STOP. WHEN I GOT OUT I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID EVERYWHERE. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND THE BRAKE LINES ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SHAME ON GM FOR NOT NOTIFYING PEOPLE OF THIS SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND ENDANGERING MY CHILDREN'S LIFE!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604639

90,000 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE GAUGES FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAGE AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE GAUGES FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAGE AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 08/12/14*LJ GM INFORMED THE CONSUMER, SINCE HE WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 08/14/14

NHTSA ODI #10604340

199,667 miles · Jun 14, 2014
Service Brakes

GETTING ON AN INTERSTATE RAMP I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO REDUCE MY SPEED. AS I APPLIED MY BRAKES IN A NORMAL MANNER TO SLOW DOWN, MY BRAKE PEDAL SANK ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK WOULDN'T SLOW DOWN OR STOP. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO A STOP MY DROPPING DOWN IN GEAR AND APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE. I PULLED THE TRUCK OVER T…

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GETTING ON AN INTERSTATE RAMP I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO REDUCE MY SPEED. AS I APPLIED MY BRAKES IN A NORMAL MANNER TO SLOW DOWN, MY BRAKE PEDAL SANK ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK WOULDN'T SLOW DOWN OR STOP. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO A STOP MY DROPPING DOWN IN GEAR AND APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE. I PULLED THE TRUCK OVER TO THE LEFT SHOULDER (ONLY SHOULDER AVAILABLE ON THIS RAMP) AND STOPPED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND LOOKED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CHECKED MY BRAKE FLUID. DIDN'T SEE ANY PROBLEMS FROM THAT ANGLE. I CHECKED AROUND THE TRUCK AND NOTICED LEAKAGE OF WHAT APPEARED TO BE BRAKE FLUID COMING OUT FROM THE FRONT, PASSENGER SIDE. I CALLED FOR A TOW TO MY PREFERRED SERVICE SHOP. AFTER A DAY MY MECHANIC CALLED AND SAID THAT ONE OF MY BRAKE LINES WAS FULLY RUSTED, HAD BUSTED AND WAS LEAKING. HE SAID THAT UPON INSPECTION OF THE REST OF MY BRAKE LINES, THEY WERE ALL VERY RUSTED AND IN DANGER OF ALSO BUSTING OPEN. HE RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OF ALL BRAKE LINES AT A COST OF MORE THAN $2,200.00. THIS VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 11 YEARS OLD. IN ALL MY YEARS OF DRIVING, NEARLY 40 YEARS, I'VE NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE WITH RUSTED THROUGH BRAKE LINES AT THE 11 YEAR MARK. I BELIEVE THE DESIGN IS FLAWED AND THAT USING STEEL (CORROSIVE) VERSUS A NON-CORROSIVE MATERIAL SUCH AS STAINLESS STEEL IS A "CUTTING CORNERS" TECHNIQUE WHICH PUT DRIVERS AT RISK AND INTO LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS TO THEMSELVES ON ONTO OTHERS. I'D LIKE TO REQUEST THAT GM BE REQUIRED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND THAT OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES ARE EITHER OFFERED A NO COST REPAIR FOR THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM OR FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO THEIR VEHICLES TO CORRECT THIS CLEARLY DANGEROUS FLAW. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10598277

8,600 miles · May 30, 2014
Seats

BACK SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER WILL NOT RELEASE TO LAY FLAT. WE HAVE HAD MECHANICS LOOK AT AND ONLY ONE WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO RELEASE. AS LONG AS THE SEAT IS PUT GENTLY BACK INTO UPRIGHT POSITION IT WILL WORK. HOWEVER, IF IT IS NOT, IT WON'T BUDGE. AT THIS POINT IT WILL NOT RELEASE. THE OTHER SEAT WORKS OKAY FOR NOW BUT WE AR…

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BACK SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER WILL NOT RELEASE TO LAY FLAT. WE HAVE HAD MECHANICS LOOK AT AND ONLY ONE WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO RELEASE. AS LONG AS THE SEAT IS PUT GENTLY BACK INTO UPRIGHT POSITION IT WILL WORK. HOWEVER, IF IT IS NOT, IT WON'T BUDGE. AT THIS POINT IT WILL NOT RELEASE. THE OTHER SEAT WORKS OKAY FOR NOW BUT WE ARE CONCERNED IT MAY DO THE SAME. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IN AN EMERGENCY WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THE THIRD SEAT. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM? WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? THANK YOU FOR WHATEVER HELP YOU MAY HAVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595196

160,115 miles · May 28, 2014
Service Brakes

AS I APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN TOWN AND PREPARED TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, WENT TO THE FLOOR. I MANAGED TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHIN INCHES OF THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED INDICATING A BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. IT HAD NEVER COME O…

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AS I APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN TOWN AND PREPARED TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, WENT TO THE FLOOR. I MANAGED TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHIN INCHES OF THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED INDICATING A BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. IT HAD NEVER COME ON BEFORE. ONE OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINES RUNNING ALONG THE FRAME, APPROXIMATELY UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR, HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND BURST. IT WAS A MIRACLE THIS DID NOT RESULT IN A CRASH. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT A HIGHER SPEED OR EXITING A FREEWAY RAMP, I FEAR THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594491

129,000 miles · May 21, 2014
Visibility/wiper

THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR HAS STARTED DISTORTING AND LEAKING A BROWN LIQUID SUBSTANCE. IT HAS DISCOLORED THE PAINT ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEP BAR. OBJECTS APPEAR DISTORTED/DOUBLED AND MIRROR HAS A HAZE TO IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593310

79,000 miles · May 20, 2014
Service Brakes

BRAKE LINES ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, AND FUEL LINES, WHOLE UNDERCARRIAGE IS BAD, BRAKE LINES FAIL WITH NO WARNING, BRAKE PAD GOES TO FLOOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10592765

143,000 miles · May 20, 2014
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKE LINE BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THERE WAS EROSION ON THE BRAKE LINES AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKE LINE BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THERE WAS EROSION ON THE BRAKE LINES AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,050.

NHTSA ODI #10592685

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.