NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
468 reports57,150 miles · Jun 24, 2013
Service Brakes
STEEL BRAKE LINE FROM FRONT TO REAR BEFORE REAR SPLITTER RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED A MAJOR LEAK WHILE TOWING A TRAILER DOWN A HILL. TRAILER WAS EMPTY AT THE TIME SINCE I HAD JUST EMPTIED IT. FORTUNATELY I COULD DOWN SHIFT INTO 1ST AND RUN THE VEHICLE ONTO THE BERM AND SIDE OF THE ROAD SWERVING TO BLEED OFF SPEED UNTIL I COULD G…
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STEEL BRAKE LINE FROM FRONT TO REAR BEFORE REAR SPLITTER RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED A MAJOR LEAK WHILE TOWING A TRAILER DOWN A HILL. TRAILER WAS EMPTY AT THE TIME SINCE I HAD JUST EMPTIED IT. FORTUNATELY I COULD DOWN SHIFT INTO 1ST AND RUN THE VEHICLE ONTO THE BERM AND SIDE OF THE ROAD SWERVING TO BLEED OFF SPEED UNTIL I COULD GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL AND THEN TURN INTO SOFT DIRT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING, AND THE PEDDLE WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR, NO BRAKING AT ALL. TRIED TO PUMP BRAKES, BUT WENT RIGHT TO FLOOR IN LESS THAN A SECOND. THE STEEL LINE COMPLETELY SEPARATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521573
125,000 miles · Jun 15, 2013
Equipment Adaptive/mobilityService BrakesCrash
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STATE ROAD WHEN I NEEDED TO STOP FOR AN INTERSECTION STOP SIGN; MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKING POWER WAS REDUCED TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT I PASSED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION JUST BEING MISSED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING ON THE OTHER ROADWAY THAT DID NOT HAVE TO STOP. THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVO…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STATE ROAD WHEN I NEEDED TO STOP FOR AN INTERSECTION STOP SIGN; MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKING POWER WAS REDUCED TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT I PASSED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION JUST BEING MISSED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING ON THE OTHER ROADWAY THAT DID NOT HAVE TO STOP. THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY IN THE FRONT SECTION AND ONLY SMALL AMOUNT IN THE REAR SECTION. I DROVE THE VEHICLE THE REST OF THE WAY AT 15 MPH BECAUSE THE BRAKING ABILITY WAS SO DIMINISHED IT WOULD NOT STOP FAST ENOUGH AT A HIGHER SPEED. MY FRONT BUMPER GUARD WAS DENTED AND BENT WHEN IT IMPACTED A CAR STOP BOLLARD AT A STOP ON THE WAY HOME. I COULD NOT CALL A WRECKER BECAUSE I HAD NO SIGNAL ON MY CELL PHONE AND I COULD NOT WALK FOR HELP BECAUSE I AM DISABLED AND CAN ONLY WALK VERY SHORT DISTANCES (I HAVE A STATE ISSUED HANDICAP PLACARD). UPON EXAMINATION A RUSTED THROUGH BRAKE LINE WAS FOUND TO BE THE CAUSE. THE OTHER BRAKE LINES ARE IN THE SAME RUSTED CONDITION. I SURE HOPE DOT WILL MAKE GM CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOME CHILDREN ARE HURT OR KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10519964
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2013
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic
THERE WAS A RECALL ON AUGUST 29 2005 FOR THIS PROBLEM. RECALL NUMBER 36327 I HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH MY TRUCK RIGHT NOW HOW SHOULD I HANDLE THIS SITUATION? IT IS THE HYDRAULIC: ABS SENSOR (THE PROBLEM STARTED SLOWLY AND NOW ITS BAD) I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10519944
77,000 miles · May 16, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE IS NOT OPERATING ON FULL TANK OF GAS IT STATES EMPTY AND VARIES FROM EMPTY TO FULL AND BACK. *TR ## VIN PASSED ##
NHTSA ODI #10512449
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2013
Service Brakes
WENT TO SEARS TO HAVE THEIR TECHNICIANS REPLACE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS AND THEY REFUSED BECAUSE THEY SAID MY BRAKE LINES WERE SO RUSTED THAT THEY WERE ABOUT TO BREAK IF THEY TRIED TO REPLACE THE CALIPERS. THEY ADVISED ME TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP MILTON RUBEN HERE IN AUGUSTA GEORGIA OR SOMEONE WHO DEALS WITH REPLACING STEEL BRAKE LIN…
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WENT TO SEARS TO HAVE THEIR TECHNICIANS REPLACE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS AND THEY REFUSED BECAUSE THEY SAID MY BRAKE LINES WERE SO RUSTED THAT THEY WERE ABOUT TO BREAK IF THEY TRIED TO REPLACE THE CALIPERS. THEY ADVISED ME TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP MILTON RUBEN HERE IN AUGUSTA GEORGIA OR SOMEONE WHO DEALS WITH REPLACING STEEL BRAKE LINES. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINES THEY ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGHOUT THE TRUCK FROM FRONT TO BACK. I WILL BE TAKING A PICTURE TOMORROW FOR MY RECORDS.THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN AND I WILL BE TAKING IT TO A SERVICE SHOP TO BE REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I AM GLAD THAT SEARS POINTED THIS OUT, IT PROBABLY SAVED SOME LIVES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10507424
91,254 miles · Feb 9, 2013
Service Brakes
UPON A ROUTINE GOF (GREASE,OIL & FILTER), THE MECHANIC AT THE TIRES PLUS SHOP AT OKEECHOBEE, FL, INVESTIGATED A LOW BRAKE FLUID ISSUE AND UPON TROUBLESHOOTING, THE BRAKE LINE BURST, LEAVING NO BRAKES. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME OUT TO THE GARAGE BAY AND SHOWED ME THE RUSTED LINE(S) AND SUGGESTED THAT THEY ALL BE REPLACED. I HAD BRAK…
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UPON A ROUTINE GOF (GREASE,OIL & FILTER), THE MECHANIC AT THE TIRES PLUS SHOP AT OKEECHOBEE, FL, INVESTIGATED A LOW BRAKE FLUID ISSUE AND UPON TROUBLESHOOTING, THE BRAKE LINE BURST, LEAVING NO BRAKES. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME OUT TO THE GARAGE BAY AND SHOWED ME THE RUSTED LINE(S) AND SUGGESTED THAT THEY ALL BE REPLACED. I HAD BRAKES UPON ARRIVING FOR THE GOF), SO THIS WAS AN UNPLEASANT "SURPRISE". THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN, SO I WAS UNABLE TO SHOP FOR A COMPETITIVE JOB ESTIMATE. ALSO, I HAD TO ABANDON THE VEHICLE AND ARRANGE A RIDE, AS THE VEHICLE WOULD REMAIN OVERNIGHT AT THE TIRES PLUS GARAGE. UPON A SUBSEQUENT INTERNET SEARCH, I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A PARTICULAR PROBLEM FOR SILVERADOS AND SUBURBANS VINTAGE 1999-2006, AND WAS ENCOURAGED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. I HAVE THE RECEIPT FOR THE WORK WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY $600. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10497589
197,000 miles · Jan 7, 2013
Service Brakes
BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. UPON INSPECTION DISCOVERED BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED AND HAD A HOLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10491749
153,000 miles · Jan 2, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesStructure
I HAVE TRIED TO STAY WITH A GM PRODUCT BUT THE TRUCK I RECENTLY PURCHASED HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS,WHILE TRYING ALSO TO AVOID THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM OF THE GM BAD FRAME,BY THE WAY TOYOTA WARRANTIES THERE FRAMES. THE 1ST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP THE REAR SPRING SHACKLES BROKE THERE ARE 30 YEAR OLD TRUCKS THAT STILL DON'T HAVE THIS P…
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I HAVE TRIED TO STAY WITH A GM PRODUCT BUT THE TRUCK I RECENTLY PURCHASED HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS,WHILE TRYING ALSO TO AVOID THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM OF THE GM BAD FRAME,BY THE WAY TOYOTA WARRANTIES THERE FRAMES. THE 1ST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP THE REAR SPRING SHACKLES BROKE THERE ARE 30 YEAR OLD TRUCKS THAT STILL DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM,I OWN ONE. NEXT ABOUT ANOTHER 30 DAYS GO BY THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP DECIDED TO DIE. THAT SO FAR BRINGS REPAIRS UP TO CLOSE TO 650.00 AFTER 60 DAYS. LAST WK. MY BRAKE LINE FAILED @ ABOUT 50 MPH,NO WARNING LIGHT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR.THIS TRUCK HAD BEEN TAKEN CARE OF . SHOULD I CONTINUE ABOUT THE HOLE IN MY WINDSHIELD FRAME EVERY TIME IT RAINS MY ASH TRAY IS FILLED WITH WATER. BY THE WAY I WAS QUOTED ABOUT 1400.00 FOR ALL THE BRAKE LINE REPAIRS. WTF GM WHO HAS THAT KIND OF MONEY FOR REPAIRS,I DONT. THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR SUBSTANDARD MATERIAL USE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490843
60,000 miles · Dec 17, 2012
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO DECELERATE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABNORMALLY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO DECELERATE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABNORMALLY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 01/29/13*LJ UPDATED 01/30/20130*JS
NHTSA ODI #10489051
103,000 miles · Dec 4, 2012
Service Brakes
WHEN DRIVING TO WORK, WENT TO STOP BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WITH NO WARNING. FOUND OUT BRAKE LINES ROTTED AND LEAKED. COULD NOT BUY HAD TO HAVE BRAKE LINES MADE AND INSTALLED BY MECHANIC. THE MORE PEOPLE I'VE TALK TO CHEVY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BRAKE LINES. I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR . WENT INTO DITCH TO AVOID THE CAR.…
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WHEN DRIVING TO WORK, WENT TO STOP BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WITH NO WARNING. FOUND OUT BRAKE LINES ROTTED AND LEAKED. COULD NOT BUY HAD TO HAVE BRAKE LINES MADE AND INSTALLED BY MECHANIC. THE MORE PEOPLE I'VE TALK TO CHEVY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BRAKE LINES. I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR . WENT INTO DITCH TO AVOID THE CAR. THE TRUCK IS KEPT VERY CLEAN AND NEVER TAKEN OFF ROAD. PURCHASED THE TRUCK BRAND NEW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10487382
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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