DEPRESSED AB BRAKES TO AVOID DEER, BRAKE WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR BOARD BEFORE STOPPING. BRAKE LINES CORRODED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
2002 GMC Sierra 2500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sierra 2500 years
Owner complaints for the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 46.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sierra 2500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
114 reports with mileage · 20 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
134 reportsBRAKE LINES ON 2002 GMC 2500 RUSTED NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *TR
EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC 2500HD. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND SPEED SENSOR HAS FAILED. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY PREVIOUSLY AND NOW THE SENSOR HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. DUE TO THE SENSOR FAILURE THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC 2500HD. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND SPEED SENSOR HAS FAILED. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY PREVIOUSLY AND NOW THE SENSOR HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. DUE TO THE SENSOR FAILURE THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED.THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE REPAIR WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VIN NUMBER IS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL ON ICY ROADS. I RECENTLY LOST CONTROL OF MY TRUCK WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH ON AN ICY HIGHWAY IN BOULDER, CO. BECAUSE THE LOSS WAS SO INSTANTANEOUS RESULTING IN THE TRUCK SPINNING 90 DEGREES TO THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, I QUESTION IF THE LIMITED SLIP FUNCTION WOULD CAUSE POWER …
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LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL ON ICY ROADS. I RECENTLY LOST CONTROL OF MY TRUCK WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH ON AN ICY HIGHWAY IN BOULDER, CO. BECAUSE THE LOSS WAS SO INSTANTANEOUS RESULTING IN THE TRUCK SPINNING 90 DEGREES TO THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, I QUESTION IF THE LIMITED SLIP FUNCTION WOULD CAUSE POWER TO TRANSFER TO A WHEEL IF IT SUDDENLY HIT DRY PAVEMENT, WHILE THE OTHER WHEEL WAS SPINNING ON ICE, RESULTING IN A SPIN OUT. THIS IS ONLY MY THEORY BUT WITH 57 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND THE FACT THAT I HAVE HAD WEIRD EXPERIENCES WITH LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIALS IN THE PAST I THOUGHT MY THEORY MAY HAVE SOME VALIDITY. MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE ARE MILLIONS VEHICLES WITH LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIALS ON THE ROAD AND IF MY THEORY IS VALID, PERHAPS MANY ACCIDENTS ARE BEING CAUSED BY THIS OPTION (WHICH CAME AS PART OF A PACKAGE WHEN I PURCHASED MY TRUCK). *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS FUEL INJECTORS HAVE FAILED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE INJECTORS WERE BAD AND FIVE OUT OF EIGHT ARE LEAKING FUEL WHICH HAVE A HIGH RETURN FUEL RATE. THERE ARE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE CONTACT WAS DENIED THE WARRANTY COVERAGE THAT IS 7 YEA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS FUEL INJECTORS HAVE FAILED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE INJECTORS WERE BAD AND FIVE OUT OF EIGHT ARE LEAKING FUEL WHICH HAVE A HIGH RETURN FUEL RATE. THERE ARE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE CONTACT WAS DENIED THE WARRANTY COVERAGE THAT IS 7 YEARS 200,000 MILES FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,386.
I HAVE A 2002 GMC SIERRA 2500 DIESEL. I HAVE A HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LINES ROTTING OUT. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 84000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK MY FAMILY AND I WHERE OUT DRIVING AND THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AT AND THROUGH A RED LIGHT. I PULLED OVER SAFELY AND INSPECTED THE TRUCK AND FOUND YET ANOTHER B…
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I HAVE A 2002 GMC SIERRA 2500 DIESEL. I HAVE A HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LINES ROTTING OUT. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 84000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK MY FAMILY AND I WHERE OUT DRIVING AND THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AT AND THROUGH A RED LIGHT. I PULLED OVER SAFELY AND INSPECTED THE TRUCK AND FOUND YET ANOTHER BRAKE LINE RUPTURED.. *TR
ABS SENSOR IN FRONT WHEEL HUB DEVELOPS RUST, ACTIVATING THE ABS SYSTEM EVERY TIME BRAKE IS APPLIED. OCCURS EVERYTIME BRAKE IS APPLIED AND VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. TRYING TO FIND REPLACEMENT SENSOR, AS GM PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
WHEEL SPEED SENSORS CORRODED, ANTI-LOCK BRAKES MALFUNCTION AT LOW SPEED.*TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE REAR BUMPER OF HIS VEHICLE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE INCREASED THE RISK FOR A FIRE HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY IN WHICH A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE REAR BUMPER OF HIS VEHICLE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE INCREASED THE RISK FOR A FIRE HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY IN WHICH A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 81000.
Official recalls
101V220000 · Interior Lighting
Jun 26, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6.6L DIESEL ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT MEET THE PARTIAL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE LOCATION OF A WIRE CONNECTION IN THE UNDERHOOD BUSSED ELECTRICAL CENTER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 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
3EA07013 · Trailer Hitch Receiver Failure
Opened Sep 14, 2007 · Closed Sep 12, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Trailer Hitches
COMPLAINT REPORTS ALLEGE POOR WELD QUALITY AND/OR BENDING OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER.THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION INCLUDED ANALYSIS OF MANUFACTURER AND AGENCY INCIDENT REPORTS, REVIEW OF POLICE REPORTS, ANALYSIS OF THE AGENCY'S FATAL ANALYSIS REPORTING SYSTEM, A VEHICLE OWNER SURVEY, INSPECTION OF TOW VEHICLES/HITCHES AND ANALYSIS OF FAILED PARTS.INCIDENTS OF WELD FAILURE WERE RARE AND ASSOCIATED WITH VERY LOW-SPEED DRIVING (TURNING, BACKING AND SUDDEN STOPPING).INCIDENTS OF BENDING WERE ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROPER TRAILER HITCH ADJUSTMENT OR OVERLOADING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.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 THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH FILE FOR ADDITION INFORMATION.
PE07025 · Trailer Hitch Receiver Failure
Opened May 14, 2007 · Closed Sep 14, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Trailer Hitches
GM PROVIDED ADDITIONAL DATA REGARDING ALLEGATIONS OF FAILURE OF THE TRAILER HITCH.ODI REVIEWED THAT AS WELL AS OTHER DATA PROVIDED BY PEER MANUFACTURERS.BASED ON OUR REVIEW, ODI FINDS THE NEED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-013) FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT AND STUDY OF THIS ISSUE.
PE04004 · Hydraulic Pump Shaft Failures
Opened Jan 8, 2004 · Closed Apr 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump
THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist
THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic
THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump
THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.
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