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2002 Cadillac Escalade

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Escalade years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Cadillac Escalade are substantially higher than the model-year median of 47.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

71 reports with mileage · 44 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 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports7 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

115 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I PURCHASED A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED SLOW-SPEED BRAKING PROBLEMS FROM THE FIRST DATE OF PURCHASE. INITIALLY I THOUGHT THAT IT MAY BE THE BRAKE SHOES OR ROTORS, HOWEVER, I HAVE HAD THE BRAKE SHOES AND ROTORS REPLACED ON THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING HAVE PERSISTED. THE AB…

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I PURCHASED A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED SLOW-SPEED BRAKING PROBLEMS FROM THE FIRST DATE OF PURCHASE. INITIALLY I THOUGHT THAT IT MAY BE THE BRAKE SHOES OR ROTORS, HOWEVER, I HAVE HAD THE BRAKE SHOES AND ROTORS REPLACED ON THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING HAVE PERSISTED. THE ABS IS TRIGGERED WHEN DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS USUALLY UNDER 15 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CONDITIONS DO NOT WARRANT IT. CONSEQUENTLY, I HAVE ALMOST WRECKED DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE OPERATION OF THE BRAKES AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND THREE SMALL CHILDREN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A DEALERSHIP THAT POTENTIALLY THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM INVOLVES THE FRONT, WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE BEARING. SUPPOSEDLY RUST OR CORROSION COULD DETRIMENTALLY AFFECT THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE. THE WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY SENSOR PROBLEM CAUSES FALSE WHEEL SPEED READINGS WHICH SENDS ERRONEOUS WHEEL SPEED READINGS TO THE VEHICLE''S COMPUTER. THE COMPUTER INTERPRETS THIS READING AS A NEED FOR THE COMPUTER TO CONTINUE ACTIVATING THE ABS TO PREVENT WHEEL LOCKUP. HOWEVER, IF ABS IS STILL TRIGGERING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, IT PREVENTS THE WHEELS FROM COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP BECAUSE IT CONTINUALLY RELEASES AND APPLIES THE BRAKES AT VERY LOW SPEEDS (UNDER 15 MILES AN HOUR). THIS TYPE OF DEFECT COULD HAVE NEAR FATAL OUTCOMES ESPECIALLY IN A HILLY AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN LIKE THAT OF WEST VIRGINIA. DUE TO THIS PRE-EXISTING MATERIAL DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE WHICH AFFECTS AN EXTREMELY INTEGRAL PART OF THE OPERATION, RENDERING IT UNDRIVEABLE; I EXPECT GENERAL MOTORS/CADILLAC TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AT NO COST TO ME, THE CONSUMER. IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY NEGLIGENT TO HAVE NOTICE ABOUT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND IGNORE YOUR DUTY OF CARE TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE LOW COST REMEDY AVAILABLE TO RECALL AND FIX IT. SINCERELY, NELSON R. STAPLES IV. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173426

75,000 miles · Sep 5, 2006
Power Train

ALL WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE DEFECTIVE. WHEELS LOCK AND "HOBBLE" IN LOW SPEED TURNS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167351

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

AT SLOW SPEEDS (<5 MPH) THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES DURING THE COURSE OF NORMAL BRAKING. THIS RESULTS IN THE CAR BEING UNABLE TO STOP WITHIN EXPECTED STOPPING DISTANCE AND LED ME TO BUMP INTO A CAR STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE LINKED TO WORN BRAKE PADS AS THESE WERE REPLACAED ONLY 4 MONTHS PREVIOUSLY. DEALER HA…

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AT SLOW SPEEDS (<5 MPH) THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES DURING THE COURSE OF NORMAL BRAKING. THIS RESULTS IN THE CAR BEING UNABLE TO STOP WITHIN EXPECTED STOPPING DISTANCE AND LED ME TO BUMP INTO A CAR STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE LINKED TO WORN BRAKE PADS AS THESE WERE REPLACAED ONLY 4 MONTHS PREVIOUSLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10163301

58,800 miles · Jul 7, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

DURING A U-TURN, ON A 4-LANE STREET THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. I WASN'T ABLE TO STEER OR STOP. THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD AS WELL AS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CADILLAC DEALER SUGGESTED IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND CHANGED IT UNDER MY WARRANTY. I PICKED THE CAR UP 1 WEEK LATER AFTER BEING TOLD TH…

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DURING A U-TURN, ON A 4-LANE STREET THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. I WASN'T ABLE TO STEER OR STOP. THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD AS WELL AS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CADILLAC DEALER SUGGESTED IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND CHANGED IT UNDER MY WARRANTY. I PICKED THE CAR UP 1 WEEK LATER AFTER BEING TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS FIXED. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, I STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND MY BREAK PEDAL BEGAN VIBRATING AND AGAIN I WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND ALLOWED HIM TO TALK ME INTO KEEPING THE CAR FOR THE WEEKEND (IT WAS A FRIDAY AND NO MECHANICS WORKED THE WEEKEND). AGAIN I LEFT THE DEALER AND CAREFULLY ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME. I WAS STOPPED BEHIND A CAR MAKING A LEFT TURN AND AS I ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE MYSELF FROM BEHIND THE CAR BY CHANGING LANES, I REALIZED THAT THE CAR WILL NOT TURN UNLESS MOVING. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND DEMANDED THAT THEY KEEP THE CAR UNTIL FIXED. ONE WEEK LATER (THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY) I WAS CALLED TO PICK UP MY CAR AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE NEW POWER STEERING PUMP WAS BAD AND THEY HAD REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER NEW ONE. THIS TIME THE STEERING WHEEL WAS JERKY, AND THE BRAKES VIBRATED A LITTLE LESS THAN BEFORE. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS BLINKING ON AND OFF AND THE CHARGE WAS AT APPX. 9 VOLTS. I LEFT THE CAR AGAIN. THE NEXT FRIDAY I PICKED UP MY CAR AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF ALL THE WHILE KNOWING THAT IT STILL WASN'T RIGHT. THIS TIME THE STEERING WAS LESS JERKY (BUT JERKY NEVERTHELESS) WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE, THE FRONT END WAS CLUMPING WHEN I WENT OVER BUMPS, THERE WAS WAY TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THE CAR IS WHISTLING WHILE DRIVING AND IDLING. I TOOK THE CAR BACK ON THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2006, THE SERVICE WRITER DROVE IT AND INSTRUCTED ME TO BRING IT BACK ON MONDAY. AT THIS TIME, MY CAR IS NOT FIXED. THE CONDITION OF MY CAR HAS BECOME SUBSTANTIALLY WORSE EACH TIME I PICKED UP THE CAR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10161753

35,382 miles · Mar 6, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, AT 3 MPH, THE BRAKES AND STEERING FAILED. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FLUID IN THE POWER UNIT FOR THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING WAS CONTAMINATED BECAUSE OF A BROKEN SEAL, CAUSI…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, AT 3 MPH, THE BRAKES AND STEERING FAILED. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FLUID IN THE POWER UNIT FOR THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING WAS CONTAMINATED BECAUSE OF A BROKEN SEAL, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE POWER UNIT WAS REPLACED, AND THE OTHER UNITS CONNECTED TO THIS WERE DRAINED AND REFILLED. UPDATED 3/28/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10151847

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2006
Seats

THE PASSENGER SIDE BACK SEAT HEATER GETS SO HOT YOU CAN SEE THE COIL IMPRINT IN THE LEATHER. THIS CONCERNS ME. WILL THIS START A FIRE?*JB

NHTSA ODI #10151778

55,000 miles · Feb 21, 2006
Electronic Stability ControlSeat Belts

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME. THE PROBLEM RETURNED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPAIR UNLESS THE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKED UP WITHOUT …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME. THE PROBLEM RETURNED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPAIR UNLESS THE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKED UP WITHOUT BRAKING. THE SEATBELT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3-4 TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSIST. THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED A SEATBELT EXTENSION BE INSTALLED, BUT THE PROBLEM OCCURRED NO MATTER THE SIZE OF THE PASSENGER.

NHTSA ODI #10150742

75,000 miles · Feb 16, 2006
Electrical SystemSeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS BRAKES/BRAKE SYSTEM: BOUGHT A PRE-OWNED CADILLAC ESCALADE 2002, AFTER IT REACHED ABOUT 75000 MILES, ABS SYSTEM MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN U PRESS THE BRAKES, EXTREMELY LOUD,BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO A CADILLAC DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.....SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE RECALLED WITH THESE TRUCKS IN REGARDS …

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ABS BRAKES/BRAKE SYSTEM: BOUGHT A PRE-OWNED CADILLAC ESCALADE 2002, AFTER IT REACHED ABOUT 75000 MILES, ABS SYSTEM MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN U PRESS THE BRAKES, EXTREMELY LOUD,BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO A CADILLAC DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.....SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE RECALLED WITH THESE TRUCKS IN REGARDS TO THE ABS SYSTEMS.....NEVER MADE THAT SOUND BEFORE WHEN I HAD OWNED IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR, AFTER A YEAR STARTED TO MAKE A HORRIBLE UNSAFE LOUD NOISE WHEN U PRESS THE BRAKES....FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THE VEHICLE..... ALSO THE TRUCK ACCELERATED ONCE WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS......TRUCK WAS IN PARK SO THE TRUCK DIDN'T MOVE--JUST ACCELERATED LIKE IT WANTED TO RACE. NOTICED AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT STARTED IN THE TRUCK AT AROUND 80,000 MILES---NOT ALL SENSORED AREAS ARE LIT, 1/2 ARE, 1/2 ARE NOT, DRIVERS HEATED SEAT STOPPED WORKING ALSO.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10150451

32,000 miles · Oct 11, 2005
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED AT SLOW SPEEDS (<10MPH). RESULTED IN BRAKING CHATTER, BRAKE PEDAL COMING UP AND BEING HARD TO DEPRESS. THE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE CAUSED DRIVER TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKING TO AVOID COLLISIONS WITH VEHICLES AT LIGHTS AND INTERSECTIONS. INITIALLY FIXED AS WORN BRAKE PADS. PROBLEM PERSISTED. RETURNED TO …

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ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED AT SLOW SPEEDS (<10MPH). RESULTED IN BRAKING CHATTER, BRAKE PEDAL COMING UP AND BEING HARD TO DEPRESS. THE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE CAUSED DRIVER TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKING TO AVOID COLLISIONS WITH VEHICLES AT LIGHTS AND INTERSECTIONS. INITIALLY FIXED AS WORN BRAKE PADS. PROBLEM PERSISTED. RETURNED TO DEALER, HAD ABS SENSORS REPLACED. PROBLEM RECURRED (WORSE) WITHIN 8 MOS, DEALER INFORMED ME THAT ABS SENSORS HAD NOT DETECTED PROBLEM. BRAKES WORN. WOULD NOT VERIFY ABS ISSUE UNTIL BRAKES REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10139302

55,000 miles · Sep 29, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES, AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO CONTROL WHEN THE VEHICLE WILL STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL CAME UP AND WAS VERY HARD TO DEPRESS. THE VEHICLE SKIDDED WHEN TRYING TO USE THE BRAKES.…

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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES, AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO CONTROL WHEN THE VEHICLE WILL STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL CAME UP AND WAS VERY HARD TO DEPRESS. THE VEHICLE SKIDDED WHEN TRYING TO USE THE BRAKES. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE AS IN THE RECALL FOR OTHER GENERAL MOTOR VEHICLES, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO CLEAN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSORS, AND IF THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM ,THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSORS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT HER EXPENSE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10138108

Official recalls

1

02V253000 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

Sep 17, 2002

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REARWARD FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS ON THE SECOND ROW SEATS, TWO POTENTIAL PINCH POINTS EXIST ON EACH OF THE FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS WHEN THE RESTRAINTS ARE FOLDED REARWARD AS THE SEATBACK IS FOLDED DOWN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A PERSON WERE TO INSERT THEIR FINGER(S) INTO THE PINCH POINT WHEN THE HEAD RESTRAINT FOLDS, IT COULD TRAP AND PINCH THE FINGER(S) CAUSING INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS OVER THE PINCH POINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 8, 2002. 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, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.

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

PE05020 · Unwanted LOW-SPEED Abs Activation

Opened Apr 28, 2005 · Closed Sep 13, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 C/K PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CORROSION THAT MAY RESULT IN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKING (RECALL 05V-379).GM'S RECALL COVERS APPROXIMATELY 804,000 VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING 14 SALT-BELT STATES:CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WEST VIRGINIA.THE RECALL PROCEDURE WILL INVOLVE REMOVING THE SENSOR, CLEANING THE MOUNTING SURFACE, APPLYING A RUST INHIBITOR (ZINC-X) TO THE SURFACE, AND REINSTALLING THE SENSOR.IF NECESSARY, THE SENSOR WILL BE REPLACED. THE POPULATION AND FAILURE REPORT DATA GIVEN IN THIS RESUME ARE FOR THE FULL REGION THAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED BY ODI AS THE SALT-BELT.THAT INCLUDES DELAWARE, IOWA, MARYLAND, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IN ADDITION TO THE 14 STATES INCLUDED IN 05V-379.THE STATES COVERED BY GM'S RECALL HAVE THE HIGHEST INCIDENT RATES FOR THE SUBJECT CONDITION, ACCOUNTING FOR 91% OF THE INCIDENTS, BUT ONLY 24% OF SUBJECT VEHICLE SALES IN THE UNITED STATES.ODI'S ANALYSIS DETERMINED THAT 840 OF THE COMPLAINTS, 244 OF THE CRASHES, AND 16 OF THE INJURIES IDENTIFIED IN THIS INVESTIGATION OCCURRED IN THOSE STATES.THE RESULTING INCIDENT AND CRASH RATES ARE 96.2 AND 28.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES RESPECTIVELY (NOTE:RATES ARE BASED ON VEHICLE SALES, NOT REGISTERED VEHICLES). THE CORRESPONDING NUMBERS IN THE EXCLUDED PORTIONS OF THE SALT-BELT ARE 399,000 VEHICLES, 81 INCIDENTS (20.3 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), 3 CRASHES, AND NO INJURIES.THE STATISTICS IN THE REMAINING 30 STATES ARE 2,406,000 VEHICLES, 168 INCIDENTS (7.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), 31 CRASHES, AND ONE INJURY.GM AND ODI ARE CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE IN STATES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.GM WILL PROVIDE ODI WITH UPDATED COMPLAINT, FIELD REPORT, AND WARRANTY DATA IN NOVEMBER 2005.ODI AND GM WILL REVIEW THAT DATA AND ASSESS THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE CURRENT SCOPE OF THE RECALL AT THAT TIME.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 C/K PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CORROSION THAT MAY RESULT IN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKING (RECALL 05V-379).GM'S RECALL COVERS APPROXIMATELY 804,000 VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING 14 SALT-BELT STATES:CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WEST VIRGINIA.THE RECALL PROCEDURE WILL INVOLVE REMOVING THE SENSOR, CLEANING THE MOUNTING SURFACE, APPLYING A RUST INHIBITOR (ZINC-X) TO THE SURFACE, AND REINSTALLING THE SENSOR.IF NECESSARY, THE SENSOR WILL BE REPLACED. THE POPULATION AND FAILURE REPORT DATA GIVEN IN THIS RESUME ARE FOR THE FULL REGION THAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED BY ODI AS THE SALT-BELT.THAT INCLUDES DELAWARE, IOWA, MARYLAND, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IN ADDITION TO THE 14 STATES INCLUDED IN 05V-379.THE STATES COVERED BY GM'S RECALL HAVE THE HIGHEST INCIDENT RATES FOR THE SUBJECT CONDITION, ACCOUNTING FOR 91% OF THE INCIDENTS, BUT ONLY 24% OF SUBJECT VEHICLE SALES IN THE UNITED STATES.ODI'S ANALYSIS DETERMINED THAT 840 OF THE COMPLAINTS, 244 OF THE CRASHES, AND 16 OF THE INJURIES IDENTIFIED IN THIS INVESTIGATION OCCURRED IN THOSE STATES.THE RESULTING INCIDENT AND CRASH RATES ARE 96.2 AND 28.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES RESPECTIVELY (NOTE:RATES ARE BASED ON VEHICLE SALES, NOT REGISTERED VEHICLES). THE CORRESPONDING NUMBERS IN THE EXCLUDED PORTIONS OF THE SALT-BELT ARE 399,000 VEHICLES, 81 INCIDENTS (20.3 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), 3 CRASHES, AND NO INJURIES.THE STATISTICS IN THE REMAINING 30 STATES ARE 2,406,000 VEHICLES, 168 INCIDENTS (7.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), 31 CRASHES, AND ONE INJURY.GM AND ODI ARE CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE IN STATES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.GM WILL PROVIDE ODI WITH UPDATED COMPLAINT, FIELD REPORT, AND WARRANTY DATA IN NOVEMBER 2005.ODI AND GM WILL REVIEW THAT DATA AND ASSESS THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE CURRENT SCOPE OF THE RECALL AT THAT TIME.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 C/K PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CORROSION THAT MAY RESULT IN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKING (RECALL 05V-379).GM'S RECALL COVERS APPROXIMATELY 804,000 VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING 14 SALT-BELT STATES:CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WEST VIRGINIA.THE RECALL PROCEDURE WILL INVOLVE REMOVING THE SENSOR, CLEANING THE MOUNTING SURFACE, APPLYING A RUST INHIBITOR (ZINC-X) TO THE SURFACE, AND REINSTALLING THE SENSOR.IF NECESSARY, THE SENSOR WILL BE REPLACED. THE POPULATION AND FAILURE REPORT DATA GIVEN IN THIS RESUME ARE FOR THE FULL REGION THAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED BY ODI AS THE SALT-BELT.THAT INCLUDES DELAWARE, IOWA, MARYLAND, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IN ADDITION TO THE 14 STATES INCLUDED IN 05V-379.THE STATES COVERED BY GM'S RECALL HAVE THE HIGHEST INCIDENT RATES FOR THE SUBJECT CONDITION, ACCOUNTING FOR 91% OF THE INCIDENTS, BUT ONLY 24% OF SUBJECT VEHICLE SALES IN THE UNITED STATES.ODI'S ANALYSIS DETERMINED THAT 840 OF THE COMPLAINTS, 244 OF THE CRASHES, AND 16 OF THE INJURIES IDENTIFIED IN THIS INVESTIGATION OCCURRED IN THOSE STATES.THE RESULTING INCIDENT AND CRASH RATES ARE 96.2 AND 28.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES RESPECTIVELY (NOTE:RATES ARE BASED ON VEHICLE SALES, NOT REGISTERED VEHICLES). THE CORRESPONDING NUMBERS IN THE EXCLUDED PORTIONS OF THE SALT-BELT ARE 399,000 VEHICLES, 81 INCIDENTS (20.3 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), 3 CRASHES, AND NO INJURIES.THE STATISTICS IN THE REMAINING 30 STATES ARE 2,406,000 VEHICLES, 168 INCIDENTS (7.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), 31 CRASHES, AND ONE INJURY.GM AND ODI ARE CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE IN STATES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.GM WILL PROVIDE ODI WITH UPDATED COMPLAINT, FIELD REPORT, AND WARRANTY DATA IN NOVEMBER 2005.ODI AND GM WILL REVIEW THAT DATA AND ASSESS THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE CURRENT SCOPE OF THE RECALL AT THAT TIME.

EA02015 · Throttle Sticking Closed

Opened Aug 1, 2002 · Closed Jan 12, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM)THROTTLE BODY (TB) UTILIZED IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 SILVERADO, SIERRA, TAHOE, SUBURBAN, AVALANCHE AND YUKON (SUBJECT VEHICLE(S)) WITH 4.8L, 5.3L, AND 6.0L ENGINES. THE TB VALVE MAY INTERMITTENTLY STICK IN A CLOSED POSITION.IN SUCH A SITUATION, AN OPERATOR MAY APPLY ADDITIONAL ACCELERATOR PEDAL FORCE TO INCREASE ENGINE SPEED.THE APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ACCELERATOR PEDAL FORCE, TO OPEN A STUCK THROTTLE VALVE, MAY OPEN THE THROTTLE VALVE MORE THAN INTENDED AND, IN TURN, ACCELERATE THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE MORE THAN INTENDED AND REASONABLY EXPECTED BY THE DRIVER.ON AUGUST 1, 2002, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA), OPENED THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT TWO FACTORS MAY CAUSE THE DEFECT: 1) TB MANUFACTURING PROCESS PROBLEMS; AND 2) ACCUMULATION OF DEPOSITS (A PCV SYSTEM BY-PRODUCT) ON OR AROUND THE TB THROTTLE VALVE AND BORE.ODI CONCLUDES THAT THE TB PERFORMS IN A DEFECTIVE MANNER AFTER ANALYZING GM?S DATA SUBMISSIONS, AND TEST DATA COLLECTED BY THE VEHICLE RESEARCH AND TEST CENTER (VRTC).FIFTY-NINE CRASHES ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF GM?S TB DEFECT.THE MAJORITY OF THE CRASHES INVOLVE A SINGLE VEHICLE, ENGAGING IN A CLOSE QUARTER VEHICLE MANEUVER (OR LOW SPEED), AND CAUSING ONLY MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE.FOUR OUT OF THE FIFTY-NINE CRASHES INVOLVE INJURY, AND THOSE INJURIES WERE MINOR.ALTHOUGH GM?S TB IS DEFECTIVE, BASED ON THE EVIDENCE GATHERED, ODI HAS FOUND THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FORCE REQUIRED TO OPEN A STUCK THROTTLE VALVE IS NEGLIGIBLE, AND THE THROTTLE VALVE DOES NOT STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.THEREFORE THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA02-015) WILL BE CLOSED AT THIS TIME.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.FOR A DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE TB COMPONENT AND TESTING, PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT.