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2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 525.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

385 reports with mileage · 83 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 147 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 133 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

48 crash reports5 fire reports20 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

10 reports
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192,000 miles · May 21, 2017
Seat BeltsService Brakes

HAD TO BRAKE HARD AND STEEL BRAKE LINE BURST. PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD. LOOKS VERY RUSTY. FRONT SEATBELT FAILED, DOESN'T RETRACT.

NHTSA ODI #10990834

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

EVAPORATED SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #10915372

120,000 miles · Jul 17, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSeat Belts

THE VEHICLE WOULD EITHER STALL WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR FAIL TO START. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHICH WAS INACCURATE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED, COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT CRANK AT FIRST BUT THEN STARTED, THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, T…

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THE VEHICLE WOULD EITHER STALL WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR FAIL TO START. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHICH WAS INACCURATE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED, COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT CRANK AT FIRST BUT THEN STARTED, THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY BECOME HESITANT TO START. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL PERIODICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE OTHER COMPONENTS, SUCH AS THE RADIO, WERE STILL OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY BECOME HESITANT TO START. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL PERIODICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. AUTORIDE SUSPENSION, NOT WORKING. HARSH RIDE WITHOUT SHOCK DAMPERING. FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT FREQUENTLY LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT EXTEND ENOUGH TO SECURE A PERSON. SEAT BELT OFTEN LOCKS UP WHEN PASSENGER IS BELTED IN AND PASSENGER CANNOT MOVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10611266

60,000 miles · Jul 30, 2013
Seat Belts

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR LOCKS PASSENGERS INTO THE SEAT AND IT GETS TIGHTER UPON PASSENGER MOVEMENT AND WILL NOT RELEASE. THIS OCCURS ON LEVEL GROUND AND IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, STOPPED OR NOT RUNNING. THIS IS OVER A $600.00 COST TO THE CONSUMER NOT INCLUDING TAXES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532702

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2007
Seat Belts

(1) NO PRIOR EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE (2) THE PASSENGER REAR SEATBELT WILL ONLY RETRACT AND IS VERY HARD TO RETRIEVE. MY FOUR (4) YEAR OLD SON WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND THE BELT STARTED TO TIGHTEN UP AND HE WAS BEING CONSTRICTED SO MUCH THAT HE COULDN'T BREATHE. I NOTICED THE EVENT TAKING PLACE AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED …

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(1) NO PRIOR EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE (2) THE PASSENGER REAR SEATBELT WILL ONLY RETRACT AND IS VERY HARD TO RETRIEVE. MY FOUR (4) YEAR OLD SON WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND THE BELT STARTED TO TIGHTEN UP AND HE WAS BEING CONSTRICTED SO MUCH THAT HE COULDN'T BREATHE. I NOTICED THE EVENT TAKING PLACE AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND UNBUCKLED HIM. (3) THE SEAT BELT IS TO BE REPLACED AT A WHOPPING $250.00 CHARGE FROM THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT AND RETRACTION DEVICE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. WE SWITCHED HIS SEAT TO THE OTHER SIDE. WE THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS THE BELT BEING TANGLED UP INSIDE THE RETRACTION DEVICE, HOWEVER THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT WAS A MALFUNCTIONING RETRACTOR AND ENTIRE SEAT BELT NEEDS REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10195193

40,000 miles · Jul 31, 2006
Seat Belts

THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT IN MY 2001 SILVERADO IS STUCK IN THE RETRACTED POSITION. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY SINCE 2004. ABOUT THE TIME I NOTICED IT WAS STUCK, I HAD HEARD OF A PROBLEM WITH SEAT BELTS WITH CHEVROLET'S. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10163986

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

17,000 miles · Jan 17, 2004
Electrical SystemFuel System, OtherParking BrakeCrashInjury

WE PURCHASED A 2001 SILVERADO EXT IN 7-01. TRUCK HAD ABOUT 16,000 MILES ON IT, WHEN WE BOUGHT IT NEW/USED. PARKING BRAKE SEEMED TO BE REALLY SOFT, BUT LOT ASSURED US, NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT AND THAT THE NEW TECHNOLOGY WE HAD WITH VEHICLE'S, MADE IT EASIER FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE AND SUCH. YES THE BRAKE WORKS GREAT ON LEVEL GROUND,…

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WE PURCHASED A 2001 SILVERADO EXT IN 7-01. TRUCK HAD ABOUT 16,000 MILES ON IT, WHEN WE BOUGHT IT NEW/USED. PARKING BRAKE SEEMED TO BE REALLY SOFT, BUT LOT ASSURED US, NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT AND THAT THE NEW TECHNOLOGY WE HAD WITH VEHICLE'S, MADE IT EASIER FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE AND SUCH. YES THE BRAKE WORKS GREAT ON LEVEL GROUND, BUT WAIT UNTIL YOU REALLY NEED IT LIKE ON A SLOPED DRIVEWAY............. OR GETTING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED! THIS IS WHEN THEY REALLY GIVE YOU THE WORKS!!DEALERSHIP WANTED TO CHARGE US ALMOST $200 TO FIX A 15 MINUTE JOB, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. WE HAD AN UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT, WHICH RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF ANOTHER PERSON. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, I FEEL IT MAY HAVE BEEN PREVENTED, IF THESE(SO CALLED) GREAT ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ON GM VEHICLES DID WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR, GET REALLY SPONGY, EVEN WHEN CONSTANT PRESSURE ON PEDAL IS MAINTAINED, AND THE RESULT IS ERRATIC! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GMC/CHEVROLET BRAND?! ----P.S.- WE WERE TOLD THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON THE PARKING BRAKE, BUT YET THERE IS NO RECALL ON A SAFETY DEFECT?! BY THE WAY, GM THIS IS THE LAST VEHICLE PURCHASE WE WILL MAKE FROM YOU. IT SEEMS THE QUALITY AND SAFETY FACTOR MEAN NOTHING TO YOUR COMPANY ANYMORE, WITHOUT TRYING TO MAKE MORE MONEY FROM THE CONSUMER...OH WELL, JUST ONE LESS CUSTOMER!! *CB

NHTSA ODI #10054335

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2002
Seat Belts

DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBELTS WILL LOCK UP AND WILL NOT RELEASE, CAUSING SEATBELTS TO BECOME UNUSABLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8011154

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2001
Seat Belts

FRONT SEATBELT DOES NOT RELEASE PROPERLY. BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES.4TH TIME DEALER PUT AN EXTENTIONER ON. IT SOLVED THAT PROBLEM . BELT RISES UP NEAR PELVIC AREA OF BODY WHICH IS NOT SAFE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8000669

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

2

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.

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.