IllustrationABS kicks in constantly at low speeds in dry conditions. This causes longer stopping distances. The ABS grinds or vibrates interfering with normal braking situations. Many near miss collisions at low speeds. The manufacturer should be responsible and replace all the ABS sensors. I purchased this truck brand new in 2002.
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 525.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Silverado 1500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
340–25K
4925–50K
7950–75K
10275–100K
124100–150K
55150K+
443 reports with mileage · 66 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. Review the 184 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 164 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
45 crash reports5 fire reports15 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
20 reportsUSING THE KEY THE IGNITION TURNS ON AND TRUCK STARTS AS IT SHOULD, ANYTIME THE KEY THEN COULD BE TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION AT ANYTIME. IGNITION CAN BE CLICKED BACK TO ACCESSORY AND THE KEY CAN FALL OUT WHEN DRIVING. NOTE CHANGING FROM RUN TO ACCESSORY IT EASILY DONE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS LOOSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, SHE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BURNS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS LOOSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, SHE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BURNS AND INJURIES TO HER RIBS, STERNUM, AND PELVIC. THE INJURIES WERE FATAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR *BF*JB*DT MEDICAL RECORD XXXXXXXXXXXX CERTIFICATION OF TITLE NO XXXXXXXXXXXX ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGES AT SLOW SPEEDS CAUSING INABILITY TO STOP. THE ROAD SURFACE DOES NOT MATTER, WET, DRY, DIRT OR PAVED, IT IS A FAILING SYSTEM. THIS WAS A RANDOM PROBLEM, NOW IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. THE SYSTEM WILL MAKE A RATCHETING SOUND THEN A GRINDING BEFORE AS YOU COME TO A STOP. YOU HAVE TO BE READY TO LET …
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THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGES AT SLOW SPEEDS CAUSING INABILITY TO STOP. THE ROAD SURFACE DOES NOT MATTER, WET, DRY, DIRT OR PAVED, IT IS A FAILING SYSTEM. THIS WAS A RANDOM PROBLEM, NOW IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. THE SYSTEM WILL MAKE A RATCHETING SOUND THEN A GRINDING BEFORE AS YOU COME TO A STOP. YOU HAVE TO BE READY TO LET OFF THE BRAKE AND REAPPLY PRESSURE HOPING IT WORKS. I LIVE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH SMALL CHILDREN RUNNING AROUND EVERYWHERE. I WOULD HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THESE BRAKES FAILED ME WHEN I REALLY NEEDED THEM.
LIGHTING FOR GEAR AND MILEAGE INDICATOR HAS BEEN GOING OUT INTERMITTENTLY.
I PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY AND PUT CAR IN PARK, LEFT ENGINE RUNNING. WENT TO DOOR OF RESIDENCE TO GET MY KIDS. KIDS WENT OUT TO THE CAR AND WERE YELLING FIRE! I SEEN THE INSIDE UP IN SMOKE. I REACHED INSIDE TO TURN ENGINE OFF. WE THEN STARTED POURING BUCKETS OF WATER INTO SEAT AND ON FLOOR AROUND THE SEAT TO TRY TO PREVENT SPREAD OF…
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I PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY AND PUT CAR IN PARK, LEFT ENGINE RUNNING. WENT TO DOOR OF RESIDENCE TO GET MY KIDS. KIDS WENT OUT TO THE CAR AND WERE YELLING FIRE! I SEEN THE INSIDE UP IN SMOKE. I REACHED INSIDE TO TURN ENGINE OFF. WE THEN STARTED POURING BUCKETS OF WATER INTO SEAT AND ON FLOOR AROUND THE SEAT TO TRY TO PREVENT SPREAD OF THE FIRE. I LUCKILY PUT THE FIRE OUT. FIRE DEPT UNHOOKED BATTERY AND REMOVED MELTED PLASTIC AROUND SEAT. IT SEEMS A WIRE SOMEHOW SHORTED OUT BENEATH SEAT AND CAUGHT THE SEAT AND FLOOR ON FIRE.
MY CAR IS OLD BUT IT HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE, AND I KEEP UP WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGE APPOINTMENTS. I CAME OUT OF WALMART AFTER BUYING GROCERIES AND WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO TURN OVER, BUT IT WOULDN'T ACTUALLY START. AFTER 30 MINUTES OF SITTING IN THE CAR TRYING TO GET IT TO STAR…
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MY CAR IS OLD BUT IT HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE, AND I KEEP UP WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGE APPOINTMENTS. I CAME OUT OF WALMART AFTER BUYING GROCERIES AND WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO TURN OVER, BUT IT WOULDN'T ACTUALLY START. AFTER 30 MINUTES OF SITTING IN THE CAR TRYING TO GET IT TO START IT FINALLY STARTED. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY CLEANED THE BATTERY CABLES IN HOPES OF RELIEVING THE PROBLEM. NOW A WEEK LATER IT DID IT AGAIN 2 TIMES IN THE SAME DAY. *TR
IGNITION SWITCH WON'T START ENGINE. REPLACED SWITCH AND HAD NO IMPROVEMENT. TURNING KEY SEVERAL TIMES MAY RESULT IN STARTING OR NOT. THERE SEEMS TO BE A DELAY IN IGNITION WHEN IT DOES START. AN ON-LINE REVIEW SHOWS I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS WHEN I OR MY WIFE USES VEHICLE TO SHOP AND RISK…
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IGNITION SWITCH WON'T START ENGINE. REPLACED SWITCH AND HAD NO IMPROVEMENT. TURNING KEY SEVERAL TIMES MAY RESULT IN STARTING OR NOT. THERE SEEMS TO BE A DELAY IN IGNITION WHEN IT DOES START. AN ON-LINE REVIEW SHOWS I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS WHEN I OR MY WIFE USES VEHICLE TO SHOP AND RISKS BEING SUBJECT TO PREDATORS IN PARKING LOTS WHEN TRUCK WON'T START. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD SUDDENLY RETRACT AND PREVENT THE CONTACT FROM MOVING. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS SEN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD SUDDENLY RETRACT AND PREVENT THE CONTACT FROM MOVING. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS PUMP MOTOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
ON DECEMBER 19TH 2013 WAS AT A CLASS FOR WORK ABOUT 65 MILES FROM HOME, WHEN CAME OUT OF CLASS AND TRUCK WOULD NOT START KEEP GETTING SECURITY LIGHT FLASHING IN THE INFORMATION WINDOW. LATER FOUND OUT THIS CUT THE GAS OF FROM SOMEONE STEALING THE VEHICLE, BUT I HAD THE ORIGINAL KEY TO THE TRUCK. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO…
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ON DECEMBER 19TH 2013 WAS AT A CLASS FOR WORK ABOUT 65 MILES FROM HOME, WHEN CAME OUT OF CLASS AND TRUCK WOULD NOT START KEEP GETTING SECURITY LIGHT FLASHING IN THE INFORMATION WINDOW. LATER FOUND OUT THIS CUT THE GAS OF FROM SOMEONE STEALING THE VEHICLE, BUT I HAD THE ORIGINAL KEY TO THE TRUCK. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO MY HOME 65 MILES AWAY. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE TRUCK FOR ME AND SAID HE BELIEVED HE HAD FIXED IT BY REPLACING THE IGNITION WIRING HARNESS. TRUCK WORKED GREAT UNTIL RECENT I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH AND THE KEY TO THE VEHICLE FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION ONTO THE FLOOR, LUCKY FOR ME THE VEHICLE STAYED RUNNING. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN LOOKING AT THE IGNITION AND HAVE FOUND THAT ANY POSITION THAT THE KEY IS IN RATHER IT BE RUNNING OR AUXILIARY THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. ALSO THE TRUCK IS BACK TO SHOWING THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHING IN THE INFORMATION CENTER AND TRUCK WILL NOT START. I HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION AND WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE TRUCK WILL START. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH CHEVY!!!!!!! *TR
Official recalls
0No 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
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.