NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
67 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jan 19, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHEN IT RAINS ONLY THE LEFT BRAKE WORKS AND IT THROWS THE TRUCK TO THE LEFT OFF THE ROAD. THE G.M. CORP LIED AND SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS, BUT THE BRAKE PROBLEM STILL EXSIT. G.M. REFUSED TO GIVE ME A REPORT OF THERE FINDINGS, THEY SAID THAT IT WAS G.M. PROPERTY, AND THEY DID NOT WORK ON IT THEY JUST INSPECTED IT, BUT AFFTER H…
Read full complaint
WHEN IT RAINS ONLY THE LEFT BRAKE WORKS AND IT THROWS THE TRUCK TO THE LEFT OFF THE ROAD. THE G.M. CORP LIED AND SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS, BUT THE BRAKE PROBLEM STILL EXSIT. G.M. REFUSED TO GIVE ME A REPORT OF THERE FINDINGS, THEY SAID THAT IT WAS G.M. PROPERTY, AND THEY DID NOT WORK ON IT THEY JUST INSPECTED IT, BUT AFFTER HAVEING ANOTHER MACHANIC TAKE A LOOK AT IT HE FOUND WHERE G.M. HAD WORKED ON IT. IT IS WORSE NOW THEN IT WAS. I HAVE BEEN LIED TO BY THE DEALERSHIP AND G.M. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCATION. THE PROBLEM STILL EXSIT AND IS GETTING WORSE EVERY DAY.
NHTSA ODI #717553
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHEN OTHER VEHICLE SUDDENLY CUT IN FRONT OF DRIVER AND THEN ABRUPTLY APPLIED BRAKES.BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND.DRIVER SWERVED TO AVOID REAR END COLLISION.VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID, STRIKING A CONCRETE POLE.AT NO TIME DID THE BRAKES EVER STOP THE VEHICLE.THE VEHICLE ONLY STOPPED AFTER STRIKING THE CONCRETE POLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717174
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING ON A SANDY ROAD CONSUMER COULD STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT BRAKES WON'T RESPOND, FORCING CONSUMER TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #853803
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
OWNER REPORTS TRAVELLING AT LOW SPEED, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE FLIPPED ONTO ITS ROOF.
NHTSA ODI #714525
Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
GM RESPONDED THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS
NHTSA ODI #714229
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE PEDAL IS SOFT. VEHICLE WILL STOP FIVE FEET FROM THE DESTINATION. VECHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FIVE TIMES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #851669
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP.UPON THIS PROBLEM WITHTHE BRAKES WAS ALSO HAMMERING THE CONSUMER'S FOOT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #851654
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ROTORS OVERHEAT WHICH CAUSES WARPING. ALSO, BRAKE PADS ARE TOO HARD AND HEAVY AND CAUSE THE ROTORS TO OVERHEAT AND WARP. THE BRAKE SHOES ARE ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. GM MOTOR STATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT REQUIRES THE MANUFACTURER TO USE THESE PADS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #851380
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKES FELT MUSHY AND STOPPING WAS WITHOUT GOOD GRIP. THE GM DEALER WAS INFORMED 5 TIMES AND FOUND NO FAULT. I BOUGHT A JACK AND CHECKED THE BRAKES MYSELF AND FOUND THE AXLE SEAL LEAKING BADLY CONTAMINATING THE LEFT REAR BRAKE. THIS REDUCED STOPPING POWER DRAMATICALLY. BRAKES ARE THE FIRST THING ON A CAR THAT SHOULD WORK, AN…
Read full complaint
THE BRAKES FELT MUSHY AND STOPPING WAS WITHOUT GOOD GRIP. THE GM DEALER WAS INFORMED 5 TIMES AND FOUND NO FAULT. I BOUGHT A JACK AND CHECKED THE BRAKES MYSELF AND FOUND THE AXLE SEAL LEAKING BADLY CONTAMINATING THE LEFT REAR BRAKE. THIS REDUCED STOPPING POWER DRAMATICALLY. BRAKES ARE THE FIRST THING ON A CAR THAT SHOULD WORK, AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO FIX IT.
NHTSA ODI #712718
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS SYSTEM IS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. RIGHT FRONT BRAKES LOCKED WHEN DRIVER THEN ON CURVE, SPINNING VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. BRAKES WERE APPLIED A SECOND TIME AND AGAIN THEY LOCKED CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER THREE TIMES. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849274
Official recalls
6Nov 13, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC PASSENGER VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS CONTAINING A NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE (NIMH) BATTERY PACK. THESE VEHICLES CONTAIN SOFTWARE WITHIN THE BATTERY PACK MODULE INTENDED TO DISABLE THE VEHICLE FROM BEING DRIVEN IF THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE WITH THE BATTERY PACK EXCEEDS A PRESCRIBED VALUE. AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL ILLUMINATE THE "SERVICE NOW" AND "REDUCED PERFORMANCE" TELLTALES AND CONTINUE TO FUNCTION IN A REDUCED PERFORMANCE MODEL INSTEAD OF BEING DISABLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE TELLTALES ARE IGNORED AND THE AFFECTED VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN, HEAT COULD BUILD UP AND A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REVISED SOFTWARE IN THE BATTERY PACK MODULE.
Aug 11, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 3,000 CANNOT BE MOUNTED HIGHER THAN 864MM ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS THAT CHANGES THE DRL'S FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM DRL'S, AND INSTALL NEW LONG-LIFE LOW BEAM BULBS.
Jun 16, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC PICKUP TRUCKS. A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL-FIRED HEATER FILL PIPE GROUND STRAP CONTACTS THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PIPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD WEAR OFF THE CORROSION PROTECTION ON THE BRAKE PIPE, LEADING TO PREMATURE CORROSION AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF BRAKE PIPE INTEGRITY. WHEN BRAKE PIPE INTEGRITY IS LOST, BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE GROUND STRAP ATTACHMENT, INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE FOR WEAR, AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE IF NECESSARY.
Aug 4, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC DRIVE. RAPID FOGGING OF THE INTERIOR GLASS CAN OCCUR WITHIN TWO MINUTES AFTER THE HEAT IS TURNED ON IF (1) THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BETWEEN 35 AND 76 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND (2) WATER HAS COLLECTED ON THE HEAT EXCHANGER DURING PREVIOUS OPERATION OF THE AIR CONDITIONING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF RAPID FOGGING WERE TO OCCUR DURING DRIVING, IT COULD OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH A CAUTION LABEL AND SUPPLEMENTAL INSERT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL ADVISING THEM TO FOLLOW A "STOP AND WAIT" PROCEDURE TO HELP AVOID WINDOW FOGGING WHILE DRIVING.
Nov 25, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. AN ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS CLIP CAN MELT AND DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE CLIP MATERIAL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAN IGNITE AND SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITE OTHER COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO THE DEALER AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED TO THEM UNTIL THE DEALER CAN REROUTE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS.
Nov 24, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.
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
3EA05008 · Tailgate Support Cables
Opened Apr 14, 2005 · Closed May 19, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING A SPECIAL POLICY PROGRAM FOR 903,464 OWNERS OF 2000 - 2003 MODEL S/T VEHICLES THROUGH WHICH OWNERS MAY, AT THEIR OPTION, EITHER (1) PERIODICALLY INSPECT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLE AND HAVE THE CABLES REPLACED IF THE CABLE COATING EXHIBITS ANY INDICATIONS OF DAMAGE OR DETERIORATION OR (2) REQUEST THAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. GM WILL HONOR ALL REQUESTS BY OWNERS WHO OPT FOR REPLACEMENT WITHOUT QUESTION REGARDLESS OF THE CONDITION OR APPEARANCE OF THE CABLES. GM HAS AGREED TO MAIL REMINDER NOTIFICATIONS TO OWNERS EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS 12 YEARS OLD.ODI'S INVESTIGATION INDICATES THAT A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE REPORTED COMPLAINTS (87%) AND INJURIES (94%) HAVE OCCURRED IN MY 2000 - 2003 S/T VEHICLES.
RQ04012 · Tailgate Support Cable(s) Break
Opened Nov 22, 2004 · Closed Apr 14, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut
ODI IS UPGRADING RQ04-012 AND OPENING AN EA TO INVESTIGATE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 1998 - 2004 MODEL YEAR SONOMA AND S10 MODEL VEHICLES.GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V-129 TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES ORIGINALLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2004 SIERRAS AND SILVERADOS AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2004 AVALANCHES AND ESCALADE EXTS (C/K MODELS).GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODITHAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE FABRICATED USING IDENTICAL OR SIMILAR SHEATHING MATERIAL AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.HOWEVER,GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODI THAT SONOMA AND S-10 VEHICLES DIFFER FROM C/K MODELS IN SEVERAL WAYS: THE VEHICLE HEIGHT IS LOWER; THE TAILGATE DISPLACEMENT (DROP) WHEN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CABLES IS SMALLER AND THE TAILGATE COMES TO REST AT A LESS SEVERE TIP ANGLE WHEN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CABLES; THE TAILGATE MASS IS SMALLER; AND THE SIZE, PAYLOAD, AND USAGE CHARACTERISTCIS ARE LESS DEMANDING THAN C/K MODEL VEHICLES.GM ALSO STATED THAT SONOMA AND S-10 WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION INDICATES A LOWER CLAIM COUNT AND A LOWER CLAIM RATE THAN RECALLED C/K MODELS.NOTWITHSTANDING THE ABOVE INFORMATION, ODI HAS RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL 73 NON-INJURY COMPLAINTS AND 10 INJURY COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING RQ04-012 (SINCE NOVEMBER 2004 TO DATE), WHICH JUSTIFIES OPENING AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE.
EA99012 · Post Collision Fuel System Integrity
Opened Jun 11, 1999 · Closed Aug 10, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
ALLEGE THAT IN CERTAIN SIDE IMPACT CRASHES, THE SUBJECT FUEL TANKS MAY CONTACT THE PROP SHAFT REAR UNIVERSAL JOINT COMPONENTS WITH SUFFICIENT FORCE TO PUNCTURE THE TANK.
Illustration