2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

I PURCHASED 2006 SILVERADO NEW AND AFTER THE 1ST YEAR NOTICED RUSTING. JUST BEFORE IT CAME OFF WARRANTY (2009) THE COOLANT LINE FROM THE RADIATOR AND THE BRAKE ROTORS (FRONT AND REAR) HAD RUSTED THROUGH. HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE ROTORS AGAIN AND NOW MY BRAKE LINE BURST OPEN AS I WAS DRIVING HOME. ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE IS RUSTED (FRAME IS PEELING UP IN LAYERS), THERE IS RUST COMING THROUGH THE BUMPERS, ON THE WHEELS, IN THE BED, INSIDE THE DRIVER'S DOOR - BASICALLY EVERYWHERE I LOOK (I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHEVROLET IN 2010 ABOUT THE EXCESSIVE RUSTING AND WAS TOLD, AFTER INSPECTION BY LOCAL DEALER, THAT THERE WAS "NO ABNORMAL RUSTING FOUND"). I BABY THIS TRUCK (IT ONLY HAS 26,000 MILES AND IS NOT DRIVEN ON THE ROADS WHEN THEY ARE SALTED) AND KEEP IT VERY CLEAN. I AM AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY AS I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO FAIL NEXT. TODAY I SPOKE WITH CHEVROLET AGAIN ABOUT THE BRAKE LINES, AGAIN INSPECTED AT THE LOCAL DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" AND CAUSED BY ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. IN ADDITION, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ROTORS AND CALIPERS ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND MUST BE REPLACED. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO CONCLUDE THAT THE CORROSION IS DUE SOLELY TO ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND NOT AT ALL DUE TO MATERIAL CHOICE AND LACK OF APPROPRIATE COATING? I AM ONLY ASKING THAT THEY COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE LINES AND THEY DO NOT FEEL OBLIGATED TO DO SO. THEY DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS POOR DESIGN OR SUBPAR MATERIALS. (NEITHER OF MY OTHER TWO VEHICLES, 1993 TOYOTA PICKUP AND 2004 VOLVO, SHOW RUSTING OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE TO THE SAME DEGREE AS THE SILVERADO AND THE BRAKE LINES OF BOTH OTHER VEHICLES ARE COMPLETELY INTACT. ALL THREE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO THE SAME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.) *TR

MICHELIN LTX M/S LT245/75R16 TIRES (2007 CHEVY 2500 HD SINCE 11/06/2006) 07/15/2010: 79,144 MILES. FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HI-SPEED BLOW-OUT (APPROX. 55 MPH). DAMAGE TO FRONT & REAR UTILITY TOOL BOXES; LEFT REAR MUD FLAP & FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY RIPPED AWAY. 07/28/2010: 79,965 MILES. REPLACED TIRE DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION 08/31/2010: MICHELIN SENT LETTER STATING COMPLETION OF 07/15/2010 CLAIM FINDING NO DEFECT IN DESIGN OF TIRE OR REASON FOR INCIDENT; PAID PARTIAL REPAIR DAMAGES. 11/05/2010: REPLACED TIRE DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. 02/01/2011: 90,101 MILES. REPLACED TIRE DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. 06/18/2012: 112,000 MILES. NOTICED BUBBLE (APPROX. 1 INCH IN SIZE) ON FRONT PASSENGER TIRE; PARKED VEHICLE IN SHADE; APPROX. 1 1/2 HRS LATER REMOVED BAD TIRE; NOTICED BUBBLE GREW BIGGER IN SIZE (APPROX. 3 IN.); LEANED BAD TIRE UPRIGHT AGAINST VEHICLE; INSTALLED SPARE TIRE (APPROX. 15-20 MIN), TURNED TO RETRIEVE BAD TIRE; TIRE EXPLODED LITERALLY IN FACE; NO INJURY DUE TO SAFETY GLASSES. OTHER PERSON HAD JUST TURNED AWAY AT EXPLOSION WITH TIRE PARTS HIT HIM IN BACK; NO INJURY. *JS

WE BROUGHT OUR 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO WITH AROUND 73,000 MILES ON IT TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR A TUNE UP AND WE WERE TOLD THE FOLLOWING: 'THE FUEL LINES ARE VERY RUSTED (STARTING TO SEEP BACK BY THE TANK AREA) THE BRAKE LINES ARE VERY RUSTED, THE TRUCK WILL NEED REAR BRAKES VERY SOON, ALL BRAKE HOSES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, THE BLEEDERS ON CALIPERS ARE RUSTED OUT, THE SHIMMY SHOCK IN THE FRONT END IS BLOWN APART, HAS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE IDLER ARM, FRONT SHOCKS RUSTED & LEAKING, REAR SHOCKS RUSTED, REAR END COVER RUSTED, THE TRANSFER CASE TAIL SHAFT IS LEAKING, THE FRAME IS RUSTED & GETTING THIN IN SPOTS, HAS AT LEAST THREE BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS' WE UNDERSTAND THAT BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS ARE USUAL REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IS ONLY SIX YEARS OLD AND THE TRUCK SHOULD NOT BE VERY RUSTED. WE CALLED CHEVROLET AND OPENED A CASE TO REVIEW THE RUST ISSUES. WE BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO A DEALERSHIP AS REQUESTED BY CHEVROLET FOR A VISUAL INSPECTION. USING DOCUMENT ID #2758961, THE TECHNICIANS DETERMINED 'NO REPAIR OR CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN FOR THIS CONCERN - SURFACE CORROSION ON UNPROTECTED COMPONENTS WILL VARY WITH AGE AND EXPOSURE. CORROSION ON THESE COMPONENTS WILL VARY WITH AGE AND EXPOSURE. CORROSION ON THESE COMPONENTS HAS NO DETRIMENTAL IMPACTS, EITHER IN SHORT OR LONG TERM DURABILITY." HOWEVER, THEY EXPLAINED THAT IF THEY WERE US, THEY WOULD REPLACE THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES. THE CHEVROLET CASE WORKER CALLED THE DEALER AND CONFIRMED THE FINDINGS. HE EXPLAINED TO US THAT THE RUST WAS DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. WE TRIED TO GET A DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS, HOWEVER THE WORKER WOULD NOT EXPLAIN FURTHER. . THE TRUCK RESIDES IN THE NORTH EAST; IT IS SUBJECTED, AS ALL VEHICLES ARE, TO MANY ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS EVERY DAY. *TT

I WAS LEAVING THE DOWNTOWN AREA OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, AND I WAS IN THE LANE TO GET ONTO 77 SOUTH. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, THE 4-5 VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME STARTED GOING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, THE FIRST ACCELERATED INTO THE ADJACENT LANE TO REVEAL CONSTRUCTION CONES IN OUR LANE. THE REMAINING VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND I SLAMMED ON MINE. AT THAT INSTANT, MY BRAKE PEDAL SUNK TO THE FLOOR. I REACTED QUICKLY (THANK GOD) AND SWERVED LEFT TO AVOID THE COLLISION. MY TRUCK CAME TO REST ABOUT 10 FEET PAST THE SMALL SEDAN IN FRONT OF ME. I WOULD HAVE WRECKED THE BACK OF THAT CAR AND CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION IN FRONT AND BACK OF ME HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACT AS QUICKLY AS I HAD. THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL THE BRAKE LINES (THE ONE LEAKING IS AS CORRODED AS THE OTHERS) PLUS FRONT BRAKE WORK IS GOING TO COST ME AROUND $3800. NOT SOMETHING I WAS EXPECTING FROM A 6 YEAR OLD TRUCK, NOR ANYTHING I CAN AFFORD RIGHT NOW. IT IS MY WORK TRUCK, I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE, AND IT'S MORE OF A REPAIR THAN I FEEL COMFORTABLE TACKLING ON MY OWN. CHEVY NEEDS TO STEP UP AND SHOULDER SOME RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE HAD TWO OTHER TRUCKS IN THIS CLIMATE AND NEVER SAW THE LINES CORRODE LIKE THIS. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX AND PITMAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT BEARINGS AND BUSHINGS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 64,000. UPDATED 07/13/12 *BF UPDATED 07/18/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS HE COULD HEAR A TICKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THREE OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS WERE FRACTURED, CAUSING A LEAK THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

THE LEFT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT TORE COMPLETELY THROUGH AND SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN AXLE HOUSING. BECAUSE THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE WAS MOUNTED TO THE SHOCK MOUNT, WHEN THE MOUNT FAILED, THE SHOCK ABSORBER EXTENDED FULLY AND RUPTURED THE BRAKE LINE TO THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. THIS RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 40 AT 65 MPH. AT NO TIME DID THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER ON THE DASH INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. AFTER USING ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKES TO SLOW AND STOP THE VEHICLE COMBINATION, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE MOVED TO A PARKING AREA. UPON SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION, A NOTICE CAME ON THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER STATING, "SERVICE BRAKES SOON". UPON EXAMINATION, THE MASTER BRAKE RESERVOIR WAS DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 50%. THE LEFT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER, THE BRAKE LINE AND THE SHOCK MOUNTING BRACKET WERE ALL HANGING APPROXIMATELY 4" ABOVE THE PAVEMENT. THE TRAILER BEING HAULED WAS LESS THAN 1/2 OF THE RATED TOW WEIGHT AND THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN OPERATED ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM FOR ALMOST 5 WEEKS WITH NO OFFROAD OR HEAVY HAULING. WHEN TEMPORARY REPAIRS WERE MADE AT A WINGFOOT TRUCK CENTER, THE MECHANIC WHO WELDED THE SHOCKMOUNT BACK TO THE AXLE HOUSING INDICATED THAT HE HAD SEEN TWO FAILURES AT THE SAME POINT IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. HE THOUGHT THAT ONE WAS A 2007 GMC 2500 HD AND MY 2500 HD CHEVROLET DIESEL. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT LENLYALL CHEVROLET IN AURORA, CO THERE WAS NO FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM PROPORTIONING VALVE BECAUSE NONE WAS PRESENT IN THE HYDRO BRAKE SYSTEM INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. ALL OTHER SHOCK MOUNTS WERE EXAMINED AND FOUND TO BE OK. . AT THIS TIME GM IS REFUSING TO TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTION DUE TO THE FACT THAT REPAIRS WERE ALREADY TEMPORARILY MADE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FUNCTION WAS NOT USED OFTEN AND COULD HAVE CAUSED THE TRANSFER CASE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.