NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
12 reportsClear category filter230,000 miles · Jul 28, 2019
Exterior LightingService BrakesWheelsCrashInjury
I'VE HAD MULTIPLE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THIS VEHICLE OVER 2 YEARS. ONE OF THE FIRST CONCERN WAS MY HEADLIGHT DAYTIME BULBS MELTED TO THE HARNESS AND THE ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MELTED THRU THE NUMBER SO I STARTED CARRYING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT. BUT ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS INDECENT HAPPENED W…
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I'VE HAD MULTIPLE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THIS VEHICLE OVER 2 YEARS. ONE OF THE FIRST CONCERN WAS MY HEADLIGHT DAYTIME BULBS MELTED TO THE HARNESS AND THE ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MELTED THRU THE NUMBER SO I STARTED CARRYING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT. BUT ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS INDECENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY WHEEL BEARING HUB GAVE OUT N THERE IS NOTHING ELSE TO SUPPORT THE TIRE ONTO THE TRUCK SO MY FRONT DRIVER TIRE WENT FLYING OFF N MY TRUCK COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP INTO THE GROUND CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY SELF, MY FINDER, THE WHEEL SENSOR, N THE DRIVER DOOR. AFTER GETTING ALL THAT FIXED I'M AFRAID OF THE OTHER HUBS GIVING OUT. ALSO WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS AIR IN THE PEDAL N THE TRUCK WILL NOT STOP. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BC THE SENSOR GOT DAMAGED OR IF THE ABS BOX IS DAMAGE FROM CORROSION AND MY EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS NEVER SEEM TO DO ANYTHING. I HAVE REPLACED MANY OF PARTS ON THIS TRUCK N WHEN I DO IT SEEMS LIKE ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER.
NHTSA ODI #11235344
Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
EVAPORATED SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI #10915372
10,000 miles · Dec 31, 2013
Exterior Lighting
I BOUGHT THIS SILVERADO NOV. 2000, WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR I HAD REPLACED MY LEFT FRONT DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHT. TO DATE I HAVE REPLACE THIS SAME LEFT FRONT DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT NO LESS THAN 9 TIMES. MY WIFE HAS A SUBURBAN AND IT IS A 2009 AND WE HAVE REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT APPROX. 4 TIMES. YOU CAN NOT DR…
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I BOUGHT THIS SILVERADO NOV. 2000, WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR I HAD REPLACED MY LEFT FRONT DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHT. TO DATE I HAVE REPLACE THIS SAME LEFT FRONT DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT NO LESS THAN 9 TIMES. MY WIFE HAS A SUBURBAN AND IT IS A 2009 AND WE HAVE REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT APPROX. 4 TIMES. YOU CAN NOT DRIVE DOWN A ROAD OR HIGHWAY AND LOOK AT AN ONCOMING CHEVY TRUCK/SUV WITHOUT SEEING A DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHT OUT. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A NOTICE OR RECALL OF ANY TYPE. CHEVY IS GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557918
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2011
Exterior Lighting
IF DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE FOR SAFETY WHY IS IT THAT 2009 (NEW BODY STYLE) THRU APPROX,2004 THE RIGHT FRONT BULB BURNS OUT SO OFTEN.(THE LEFT ONE HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED) S/N.THERE HAS BEEN ALOT OF TV AND NEWSPAPER ADDS ABOUT PRODUCTS LIKE HEADLIGHT RESTORATION KITS.DEALERS HAVE SALES ON GETTING YOUR HEADLIGHTS BRITE AGAIN (…
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IF DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE FOR SAFETY WHY IS IT THAT 2009 (NEW BODY STYLE) THRU APPROX,2004 THE RIGHT FRONT BULB BURNS OUT SO OFTEN.(THE LEFT ONE HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED) S/N.THERE HAS BEEN ALOT OF TV AND NEWSPAPER ADDS ABOUT PRODUCTS LIKE HEADLIGHT RESTORATION KITS.DEALERS HAVE SALES ON GETTING YOUR HEADLIGHTS BRITE AGAIN (FOR SAFETY REASONS) ISNT THIS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE AND WHY IS IT HAPPENING NOW.IF IT IS CHEAP PLASTIC THEN THE MANUFACTURER IS AT FAULT FOR CUTTING CORNERS
NHTSA ODI #10409570
80 miles · Jun 4, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WIRES THAT ARE IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT HOOK UP TO THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH BREAK DO TO USE OF THE TILT-STEERING. THEY CAN BREAK AND SHORT OUT CAUSING THE HEAD LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION OR NOT WORK AT ALL. OR TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY LIKE IN MY CASE. I WAS DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS ONE NIGHT AROUND 10.00 PM AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY LI…
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WIRES THAT ARE IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT HOOK UP TO THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH BREAK DO TO USE OF THE TILT-STEERING. THEY CAN BREAK AND SHORT OUT CAUSING THE HEAD LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION OR NOT WORK AT ALL. OR TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY LIKE IN MY CASE. I WAS DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS ONE NIGHT AROUND 10.00 PM AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY LIGHTS QUIT WORKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10334605
72,000 miles · Oct 17, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
AFTER STARTING THE TRUCK BEFORE DAYLIGHT, THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO. I WOULD THEN ADJUST THE TILT STEERING AND THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT. AFTER PLAYING WITH THE TILT A LITTLE MORE THE LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON AND I WOULD DRIVE AWAY. UNTIL ONCE WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK THE LIGHTS WENT OUT ON THERE OWN. A…
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AFTER STARTING THE TRUCK BEFORE DAYLIGHT, THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO. I WOULD THEN ADJUST THE TILT STEERING AND THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT. AFTER PLAYING WITH THE TILT A LITTLE MORE THE LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON AND I WOULD DRIVE AWAY. UNTIL ONCE WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK THE LIGHTS WENT OUT ON THERE OWN. ALSO THE WIPERS WOULD FLINCH WHEN I HIT THE DIMMER SWITCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10245763
50,000 miles · Apr 15, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
THE STALK FOR THE COMBINATION TURN SIGNAL, WINDSHIELD WIPER, CRUISE CONTROL, BROKE RESULTED IN UNRELIABLE OPERATION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND UNRELIABLE TURN SINGAL OPERATION. IN THE CASE OF THE 2001 SILVERADO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED WHEN THE TURN SIGNALWAS SELECTED. SINCE THIS SAME CONTROL WAS USED FOR SEVERAL CR…
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THE STALK FOR THE COMBINATION TURN SIGNAL, WINDSHIELD WIPER, CRUISE CONTROL, BROKE RESULTED IN UNRELIABLE OPERATION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND UNRELIABLE TURN SINGAL OPERATION. IN THE CASE OF THE 2001 SILVERADO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED WHEN THE TURN SIGNALWAS SELECTED. SINCE THIS SAME CONTROL WAS USED FOR SEVERAL CRITICAL FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING TURN SIGNALS, WIPERS, AND CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATION AND DEACTIVATION, I EXPECT CERTAIN FAILURE MODES COULD PRESENT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL SILVERADO AND OTHER GM VEHICLES THAT USE THE SAME COMBINATION CONTROL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10187969
51,800 miles · Jun 19, 2006
Exterior Lighting
ON A RECENT VACATION TO CANADA, MY TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING ON MY 2001 SILVERADO. I CHECKED THE FUSE AND THE TURN SIGNAL RELAY AND BOTH WERE GOOD. I NARROWED THIS DOWN TO A BAD TURN SIGNAL MULTI-SWITCH. I ALSO HAD A SWITCH GO OUT ON MY 2002 SUBURBAN. AFTER TALKING TO A DEALER, THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ON OTHER SILVERADO W…
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ON A RECENT VACATION TO CANADA, MY TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING ON MY 2001 SILVERADO. I CHECKED THE FUSE AND THE TURN SIGNAL RELAY AND BOTH WERE GOOD. I NARROWED THIS DOWN TO A BAD TURN SIGNAL MULTI-SWITCH. I ALSO HAD A SWITCH GO OUT ON MY 2002 SUBURBAN. AFTER TALKING TO A DEALER, THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ON OTHER SILVERADO WITH THE SAME SWITCH. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS IS COSTING MY A LOT OF MONEY AND I ALMOST GOT INTO A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS ON THE WAY HOME BECAUSE I COULD NOT SIGNAL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10160205
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FOR 15 FAILURES AND OR PROBLEMS WITH GM 2001 CHEVY TRUCK. *BF THE STEERING ROD ASSEMBLY WOULD POP WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, THE SHIFTER BOOT RIPPED IMMEDIATELY, THE TAILGATE STRAPS BROKE AND BENT THE TAILGATE, THE PCV VALVE WAS USING 4 QUARTS OF OIL AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIN…
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THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FOR 15 FAILURES AND OR PROBLEMS WITH GM 2001 CHEVY TRUCK. *BF THE STEERING ROD ASSEMBLY WOULD POP WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, THE SHIFTER BOOT RIPPED IMMEDIATELY, THE TAILGATE STRAPS BROKE AND BENT THE TAILGATE, THE PCV VALVE WAS USING 4 QUARTS OF OIL AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM, THE BATTERY EXPLODED AT 40K MILES, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE ON THE INSIDE HAD WORN DOWN THE METAL, THE LIGHTS ON THE STEREO BURNED OUT, THE LIGHTS HAD BURNED OUT, THE VALVE COVER WERE LEAKING OIL BEFORE 100K MILES, THE FUR WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH HAD BROKEN AT 50K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT AT 1K MILES AND THE DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A PRE-IGNITION KNOCK AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM, THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTROLS RIPPED AT 60K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETE GONE OUT AT 118K MILES AND THE SEAT BELTS LATCH SYSTEM HAD BECOME DEFECTIVE. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10109401
70,000 miles · Sep 22, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingParking BrakeInjury
PARKING BRAKE, DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS, O2 SENSOR, UEL GAUGE . *AK
NHTSA ODI #10093032
NHTSA investigations
2EA04011 · 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.
PE03057 · Parking Brake Failure
Opened Dec 8, 2003 · Closed Apr 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Parking Brake
ODI OPENED PE03-057 TO ASSESS PARKING BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH FOUR WHEEL DISC BRAKES THAT INCORPORATE A SINGLE-SHOE DRUM-IN-HAT PARKING BRAKE INDEPENDENT OF THE SERVICE BRAKES.COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA INDICATE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE LININGS TEND TO WEAR OUT EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE (AT AN AVERAGE OF 24 MONTHS IN SERVICE), REDUCING THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM'S TORQUE BELOW THAT NEEDED TO IMMOBILIZE THE VEHICLE.GM HAS ATTRIBUTED THIS ACCELERATED WEAR TO FOREIGN MATERIAL INTRUSION AND A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SHOE TO PROPERLY SELF-CENTER WITHIN ITS BRAKE DRUM.EFFECTIVE WITH THE START OF MY 2003 PRODUCTION, A NEWER REDUCED FORCE HOLD-DOWN CLIP WAS INTRODUCED TO FACILITATE BRAKE SHOE DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE DRUM SURFACE.THIS PART IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE SERVICE LEVEL FOR THE MY 1999-2002 VEHICLES.GM HAS INDICATED THAT THE PAKING BRAKE IS INTENDED TO OPERATE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TRANSMISSION TO IMMOBILZE PARKED VEHICLES, AND THAT IN MANY CASES, ACCELERATED PARKING BRAKE LINING WEAR IS CAUSED BY ROUGH USE, VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS, AND DRIVING WITH THE PARKING ENGAGED. ODI HAS UPGRADED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING PARKING BRAKE USAGE FACTORS AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE SEVENTEEN REPORTED VEHICLE CRASHES.
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