Illustration2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL FUEL INJECTOR FAILURES AND OEM UNCOATED CARBON STEEL BRAKE LINES. *M THE CONSUMER STATED GM WITHHELD MATERIAL FACTS CONCERNING DURAMAX LB7 DIESEL FUEL INJECTOR FAILURES IN VIOLATION OF MISSOURI MERCHANDISING PRACTICES ACT AT THE TIME OF SALE AND DELIVERY. *JS
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 35.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Silverado 3500 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
70–25K
1325–50K
1050–75K
475–100K
2100–150K
2150K+
38 reports with mileage · 12 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 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Service Brakes complaints
7 reportsWHEN POSITIONING MY TRUCK TO HOOK UP MY 5TH WHEEL CAMPER I LOST MY BRAKES. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANY KIND AND I WASN'T SURE UNTIL I GOT OUT AND SAW THE PUDDLE . EVEN AFTER MOVING THE TRUCK AN LOSING MORE FLUID THERE WAS STILL NO WARNING. I HATE TO THINK IF HAD HOOKED UP AND BEEN DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN CORRODED METAL LINES BL…
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WHEN POSITIONING MY TRUCK TO HOOK UP MY 5TH WHEEL CAMPER I LOST MY BRAKES. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANY KIND AND I WASN'T SURE UNTIL I GOT OUT AND SAW THE PUDDLE . EVEN AFTER MOVING THE TRUCK AN LOSING MORE FLUID THERE WAS STILL NO WARNING. I HATE TO THINK IF HAD HOOKED UP AND BEEN DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN CORRODED METAL LINES BLEW OUT!
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE JUST COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF, I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING & 1 YEAR LATER AND 25,000 MILES LATER & 5 ACCIDENTS THE VEHICLE STILL DOES IT NOW IT WONT EVEN START. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RE-CALL ON THIS I'VE READ THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THIS VEHICLE AND THERE ARE VARIOUS RECALLS ON TH…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE JUST COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF, I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING & 1 YEAR LATER AND 25,000 MILES LATER & 5 ACCIDENTS THE VEHICLE STILL DOES IT NOW IT WONT EVEN START. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RE-CALL ON THIS I'VE READ THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THIS VEHICLE AND THERE ARE VARIOUS RECALLS ON THE WIRING HARNESS, TRANSMISSION, FUEL LINE, FILTER, HEADLIGHTS, TOWING PACKAGE, BRAKE SYSTEM, BRAKE LIGHTS, BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS. EVERYBODY WHO IS EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE MANY TIMES AND I LOST ALOT OF MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE GM SHOULD TAKE THIS TRUCK BACK THAT'S FOR SURE 2002 C3500 EXPRESS / CUTAWAY DURAMAX DIESEL *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET C/K 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TRAVELING INTO THE INTERSECTION UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET C/K 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TRAVELING INTO THE INTERSECTION UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
BRAKE LINE FAILURE. COMING TO STOP LIGHT, BRAKES WENT OUT CAUSING ME TO RUN THE LIGHT ALMOST CAUSING MAJOR ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED IN FEB 2013. HAD BRAKE LINE REPAIRED. IN JUNE 2013 SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN / DIFFERENT BRAKE LINE. NEED TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES. *TR
WHILE STOPPING; BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. IF I HAD BEEN DIVING @ HIGHWAY SPEED I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP AND WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A BAD ACCIDENT. AFTER GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE, FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING ON GROUND UNDER VEHICLE THAT WAS COMING FROM ABOVE LEFT FRAME MEMBER JUST TO RE…
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WHILE STOPPING; BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. IF I HAD BEEN DIVING @ HIGHWAY SPEED I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP AND WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A BAD ACCIDENT. AFTER GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE, FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING ON GROUND UNDER VEHICLE THAT WAS COMING FROM ABOVE LEFT FRAME MEMBER JUST TO REAR OF FIREWALL @ LOCATION WERE BRAKE LINES ALL COME TOGETHER. THERE WAS A LINE OF BRAKE FLUID ON PAVEMENT THE ENTIRE DISTANCE THAT I HAD BEEN TRYING TO STOP. BRAKE LINES APPEARED TO BE RUSTED THRU ALSO OBSERVED THAT FUEL LINES BADLY RUSTED ALSO. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH CHEVROLET TRUCKS AND THAT GM HAS MADE A KIT TO REPAIR PROBLEM. THIS IS SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX @ THEIR EXPENSE. THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY RECALL TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
BRAKE FAILED COMING INTO HOME'S DRIVEWAY WHICH RESULTED IN CRASH WITH MINOR DAMAGE. INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. *TR
Official recalls
101V220000 · Interior Lighting
Jun 26, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6.6L DIESEL ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT MEET THE PARTIAL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE LOCATION OF A WIRE CONNECTION IN THE UNDERHOOD BUSSED ELECTRICAL CENTER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
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
2EA04012 · Hydraulic Pump Failres
Opened Apr 30, 2004 · Closed Feb 28, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.
PE04004 · Hydraulic Pump Shaft Failures
Opened Jan 8, 2004 · Closed Apr 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump
THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist
THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic
THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump
THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.