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2003 GMC Yukon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 GMC Yukon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 103.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

159 reports with mileage · 45 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 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

204 reports
170,000 miles · Aug 14, 2016
Service Brakes

TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WHILE STATIONARY AND ENGAGING DRIVE MODE IN DRIVEWAY. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. PARKING BRAKE ALSO SOFT AND INEFFECTIVE BUT RESTORED NORMAL CONDITION SHORTLY THEREAFTER.. NO BRAKE OR ABS SYSTEM SERVICE ALERTS OR FAULT WARNINGS PRIOR TO FAILURE. 'SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM' ALERT PRESENT AFTER FAILURE. NO …

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TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WHILE STATIONARY AND ENGAGING DRIVE MODE IN DRIVEWAY. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. PARKING BRAKE ALSO SOFT AND INEFFECTIVE BUT RESTORED NORMAL CONDITION SHORTLY THEREAFTER.. NO BRAKE OR ABS SYSTEM SERVICE ALERTS OR FAULT WARNINGS PRIOR TO FAILURE. 'SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM' ALERT PRESENT AFTER FAILURE. NO OBDS CODES PRESENT. SUSPECT BRAKE LINE CORROSION. APPROXIMATELY 170,000 MILES. RECENT TIRE/BRAKE/ALIGNMENT INSPECTION REVEALED NO ISSUES. THIS IS A VERY CLEAN, "NEW TO ME" USED VEHICLE WITH AN EXCELLENT RECORD OF SERVICE. HAD JUST COMPLETED A TROUBLE FREE 2400 MILE INTERSTATE ROAD TRIP.

NHTSA ODI #10895723

75,000 miles · Jul 8, 2016
Service Brakes

I WAS TOWING A 17' BOAT AND CAME TO A STOP SIGN. I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE YUKON DID NOT SLOW AT ALL. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS COMING AND I ROLLED THROUGH THE STOP SIGN, MADE A RIGHT TURN, AND WENT DOWN A STEEPER HILL. PUMPING THE BRAKES AS I WENT HAD NO EFFECT. THE DASH SHOWED A 'SERVICE BRAKE' MESS…

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I WAS TOWING A 17' BOAT AND CAME TO A STOP SIGN. I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE YUKON DID NOT SLOW AT ALL. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS COMING AND I ROLLED THROUGH THE STOP SIGN, MADE A RIGHT TURN, AND WENT DOWN A STEEPER HILL. PUMPING THE BRAKES AS I WENT HAD NO EFFECT. THE DASH SHOWED A 'SERVICE BRAKE' MESSAGE. I APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE AND DOWN-SHIFTED, WHICH SLOWED IT ENOUGH THAT I WAS ABLE TO SWING WIDE INTO THE OPPOSING TRAFFIC LANE AND BARELY MAKE THE TURN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH THE RIGHT-WHEELS ON A SOFT SHOULDER BEFORE THE VEHICLE SLOWLY CAME TO A STOP. I REFILLED THE BRAKE RESERVOIR AND HAD MY WIFE PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AS BRAKE FLUID SHOT ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, LEAKING FROM A RUSTED JOINT WHERE THE STEEL BRAKE LINE JOINED A FLEXIBLE, BRAIDED LINE UNDER THE HOOD. THE BRAKE LINES WERE HORRIBLY RUSTED, UNLIKE ANYTHING I HAD EVER SEEN IN MY 35+ YEARS OF DRIVING AND OWNING VEHICLES (INCLUDING 20 CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS). THIS YUKON HAS SPENT ITS ENTIRE LIFE REGISTERED IN VIRGINIA AND HAS LESS THAN 80K MILES ON IT. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THEY ARE LIKE IN NORTHERN STATES. LOOKING ONLINE, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT THE NHTSA HAD INVESTIGATED. WHY WAS I NOT WARNED? I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED, AS COULD HAVE ANOTHER MOTORIST OR PEDESTRIAN! WHEN I CALLED MY LOCAL GMC DEALER (OURISMAN OF ALEXANDRIA, VA), THE SERVICE ADVISOR CLAIMED TO BE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM, THE GM SERVICE BULLETINS THAT HAD BEEN ISSUED ON IT, AND THE AVAILABILITY OF THE PRE-BENT LINES AS A DISCOUNTED KIT FROM GM. HE ESTIMATED A FOUR-FIGURE LABOR BILL TO DO THE WORK, SO I AM DOING AS MUCH OF IT AS I CAN MYSELF USING NICKEL-COPPER BRAKE LINE AND A FLARING TOOL. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE FROM THIS IF THE NHTSA DOES NOT FORCE GM TO DO A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10883677

157,000 miles · Jun 7, 2016
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR AND RELAY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR AND RELAY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

NHTSA ODI #10872975

219,000 miles · Feb 2, 2016
Service Brakes

LOST ALL BRAKING , TOOK TRUCK TO REPAIR SHOP AND THE BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED AND HAD SEVERAL HOLES IN THEM. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE METAL LINES ON THE VEHICLE. BRAKES WERE FINE HOOKED UP UTILITY TRAILER AND PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. GOING DOWN HILL, APPLIED BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR.

NHTSA ODI #10823870

70,000 miles · Feb 1, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND NONE OF THE GAUGES FUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, THE DIGITAL DISPLAY WAS NOT FUNCTIONING DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND NONE OF THE GAUGES FUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, THE DIGITAL DISPLAY WAS NOT FUNCTIONING DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10823468

101,200 miles · Dec 28, 2015
Service Brakes

BRAKE LINE FAILURE - ST. LOUIS MO. BRAKES FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SLOW FROM 60MPH SPEED ON CHRISTMAS DAY. NARROWLY ESCAPED ACCIDENT/COLLISION. 2 BRAKE LINES WERE FOUND RUPTURED/SPLIT DUE FROM RUST/CORROSION THEN REPAIRED. OTHER BRAKE LINES ARE SHOWING CORROSION & WILL NEED ATTENTION SOON. VEHICLE IS 2003 GMC YUKON WITH 101,3…

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BRAKE LINE FAILURE - ST. LOUIS MO. BRAKES FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SLOW FROM 60MPH SPEED ON CHRISTMAS DAY. NARROWLY ESCAPED ACCIDENT/COLLISION. 2 BRAKE LINES WERE FOUND RUPTURED/SPLIT DUE FROM RUST/CORROSION THEN REPAIRED. OTHER BRAKE LINES ARE SHOWING CORROSION & WILL NEED ATTENTION SOON. VEHICLE IS 2003 GMC YUKON WITH 101,300 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10816432

168,500 miles · Nov 25, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

SPEEDOMETER RANDOMLY STICKS, OR ACCELERATES TO MAXIMUM. OIL PRESSURE GAUGES MAX OUT AS WELL. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH NO CONCEPT OF SPEED, AND ALSO VERY ILLEGAL. WHEN I STOP THE VEHICLE, I CAN TURN OFF THE ENGINE. IF I CONTINUE TO TURN THE KEY 90% (BUT NOT ENOUGH TO START THE ENGINE), AND LET OFF, THE GAUGES WILL DROP U…

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SPEEDOMETER RANDOMLY STICKS, OR ACCELERATES TO MAXIMUM. OIL PRESSURE GAUGES MAX OUT AS WELL. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH NO CONCEPT OF SPEED, AND ALSO VERY ILLEGAL. WHEN I STOP THE VEHICLE, I CAN TURN OFF THE ENGINE. IF I CONTINUE TO TURN THE KEY 90% (BUT NOT ENOUGH TO START THE ENGINE), AND LET OFF, THE GAUGES WILL DROP UP TO 5%. AFTER 5 MINUTES OF RESETTING THE INSTRUMENTS, THE GAUGES WILL RESET. HOWEVER, THE NEXT TIME I DRIVE I MIGHT BE GOING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE AT 40 INSTEAD OF 25, BUT MY SPEEDOMETER SAYS 80. CLEARLY UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI #10806714

113,000 miles · Nov 12, 2015
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO GEAR DOWN IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO GEAR DOWN IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #10790028

110,000 miles · Oct 14, 2015
Service Brakes

THERE IS A RECALL #05068 THAT DESCRIBES EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING MY CAR. IT OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR, EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE AND BRAKE. (2003 GMC YUKON XL). HOWEVER, GMC CLAIMS MY CAR "ISN'T EFFECTED" AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. MY ISSUES ARE 1. GETTING DANGEROUS, AS THE CAR BOGS AND WON'T ACCELERATE WITHOU…

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THERE IS A RECALL #05068 THAT DESCRIBES EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING MY CAR. IT OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR, EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE AND BRAKE. (2003 GMC YUKON XL). HOWEVER, GMC CLAIMS MY CAR "ISN'T EFFECTED" AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. MY ISSUES ARE 1. GETTING DANGEROUS, AS THE CAR BOGS AND WON'T ACCELERATE WITHOUT A PERIOD OF HESITATION AND THEN IT GIVES TOO MUCH ACCELERATION WHICH CAN BE BAD IF I'M ON A SLIPPERY SURFACE. ALSO, THERE IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES WHICH IS ANOTHER PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING: 2. MY ABS KICKS IN RANDOMLY, EVEN IF THE PAVEMENT IS TOTALLY DRY AND CLEAR. APPARENTLY, THIS IS CAUSED BY A CORRODED MOUNTING SURFACE FOR THE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSORS. THE CORROSION BUILDS UP CAUSING EXCESSIVE GAP BETWEEN MOUNTING SURFACE AND WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WHICH CAUSES A LOSS OF WHEEL SPEED SENSOR SIGNAL. WHEN THE ABS MODULE SEES THE LOSS OF SIGNAL IT THINKS THE VEHICLE IS SLIDING OUT OF CONTROL SO IT WILL ACTIVATE THE TRACTION CONTROL OR ABS. DESCRIPTION FROM RECALL #05068: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT... HAZARD:THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

NHTSA ODI #10782139

155,000 miles · Oct 6, 2015
Service Brakes

I LOST ALL BRAKING ABILITY WHILE TRAVELING THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND FOUND BRAKE FLUID FLOWING FROM THE MAIN BRAKE LINE FEEDING THE ANTI-LOCK CONTROLLER.

NHTSA ODI #10780350

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

PE10010 · Brake Line Corrosion Failure

Opened Mar 30, 2010 · Closed Jan 5, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Defect Petition DP10-003 on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.DP10-003 was granted and on March 30, 2010, Preliminary Evaluation PE10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility vehicles manufactured and sold by General Motors Corporation (GM).On July 2, 2010, ODI received GM's response to an information request, which included GM's assessment of the frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect. GM stated that:(1) the brake system of the subject vehicles is split front/rear and should a brake pipe suddenly fail for any reason, the affected vehicle would be capable of stopping with the pressure supplied by the remaining circuit; (2) the subject vehicles were designed to meet the hydraulic circuit partial failure requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 105 and 135, Light Vehicle Brake Systems; and (3) should a brake fluid leak occur for any reason, the brake system malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) would illuminate and warn the driver before the brake fluid level was low enough to cause a loss of line pressure.ODI's and GM's analysis indicates that 85 percent of the complaints occurred on vehicles used primarily in States that use salt on the roads during Winter months (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).Overall the complaint rates per 100,000 vehicles for Salt Belt States is 43.0 and Non-Salt Belt is 3.0.In approximately 25 percent of the complaints the brake pipe failure occurred suddenly, with no warning (i.e., no MIL, Brake Fluid Loss Warning), and resulted in extended stopping distances.In 30 of these the increase in stopping distance that resulted was a factor in the crash and in 10 others the vehicle was intentionally steered off the road or into another lane of travel in order to avoid a crash.This investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA11-001) for subject vehicles sold or currently registered in Salt Belt States to further assess the scope, frequency and safety risks associated with sudden failures of corroded brake pipes that can result in decreased brake effectiveness. ODI will continue to gather information on subject vehicles outside the Salt Belt as well.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Defect Petition DP10-003 on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.DP10-003 was granted and on March 30, 2010, Preliminary Evaluation PE10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility vehicles manufactured and sold by General Motors Corporation (GM).On July 2, 2010, ODI received GM's response to an information request, which included GM's assessment of the frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect. GM stated that:(1) the brake system of the subject vehicles is split front/rear and should a brake pipe suddenly fail for any reason, the affected vehicle would be capable of stopping with the pressure supplied by the remaining circuit; (2) the subject vehicles were designed to meet the hydraulic circuit partial failure requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 105 and 135, Light Vehicle Brake Systems; and (3) should a brake fluid leak occur for any reason, the brake system malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) would illuminate and warn the driver before the brake fluid level was low enough to cause a loss of line pressure.ODI's and GM's analysis indicates that 85 percent of the complaints occurred on vehicles used primarily in States that use salt on the roads during Winter months (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).Overall the complaint rates per 100,000 vehicles for Salt Belt States is 43.0 and Non-Salt Belt is 3.0.In approximately 25 percent of the complaints the brake pipe failure occurred suddenly, with no warning (i.e., no MIL, Brake Fluid Loss Warning), and resulted in extended stopping distances.In 30 of these the increase in stopping distance that resulted was a factor in the crash and in 10 others the vehicle was intentionally steered off the road or into another lane of travel in order to avoid a crash.This investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA11-001) for subject vehicles sold or currently registered in Salt Belt States to further assess the scope, frequency and safety risks associated with sudden failures of corroded brake pipes that can result in decreased brake effectiveness. ODI will continue to gather information on subject vehicles outside the Salt Belt as well.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Defect Petition DP10-003 on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.DP10-003 was granted and on March 30, 2010, Preliminary Evaluation PE10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility vehicles manufactured and sold by General Motors Corporation (GM).On July 2, 2010, ODI received GM's response to an information request, which included GM's assessment of the frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect. GM stated that:(1) the brake system of the subject vehicles is split front/rear and should a brake pipe suddenly fail for any reason, the affected vehicle would be capable of stopping with the pressure supplied by the remaining circuit; (2) the subject vehicles were designed to meet the hydraulic circuit partial failure requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 105 and 135, Light Vehicle Brake Systems; and (3) should a brake fluid leak occur for any reason, the brake system malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) would illuminate and warn the driver before the brake fluid level was low enough to cause a loss of line pressure.ODI's and GM's analysis indicates that 85 percent of the complaints occurred on vehicles used primarily in States that use salt on the roads during Winter months (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).Overall the complaint rates per 100,000 vehicles for Salt Belt States is 43.0 and Non-Salt Belt is 3.0.In approximately 25 percent of the complaints the brake pipe failure occurred suddenly, with no warning (i.e., no MIL, Brake Fluid Loss Warning), and resulted in extended stopping distances.In 30 of these the increase in stopping distance that resulted was a factor in the crash and in 10 others the vehicle was intentionally steered off the road or into another lane of travel in order to avoid a crash.This investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA11-001) for subject vehicles sold or currently registered in Salt Belt States to further assess the scope, frequency and safety risks associated with sudden failures of corroded brake pipes that can result in decreased brake effectiveness. ODI will continue to gather information on subject vehicles outside the Salt Belt as well.

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.

EA04011 · Parking Brake Failure

Opened Apr 9, 2004 · Closed May 10, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Parking Brake; Parking Brake:conventional; Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical; Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage And Cable

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Parking Brake:conventional

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage And Cable

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Parking Brake

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.